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Case XX Toothpick/Fish Knife

Howdy Folks! I recently picked up a Case XX toothpick/fish knife. It has yellow comp handles with the hook sharpener embedded in the front handle. It's tang stamped "Case XX Stainless". I can't seem to find that particular stamp listed in the books I have. Can anyone tell me what era this knife dates to? Thanks for any help you can give. Rob

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Permalink Reply by Gary Kennedy on January 13, 2011 at 17:06

Hi Rob Is the pattern # 32095 f ?

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Permalink Reply by Rob Gregg on January 13, 2011 at 17:54

Hi Gary, No model number at all. The only stamping is the Case XX Stainless on the front tang of the primary blade. Unlike the 095 pattern this knife measures a full 5" rather then 4-7/8". I think it's actually a 62093f which is a tested era pattern 5" long. I found reference to the "Case XX Stainless" stamp but it didn't give a date. There was the "Case (with long tailed C) Stainless" in the mid 30's and the "Case's Stainless" used from 1945-1955. My only guess is that it may have been made between these 2 dates. Say 1935-1945. The handles appear to be celluloid rather then the later compositions post '55 or so. Other then the gassing of the celluloid handles the knife is in great shape and I'm pretty sure there isn't enough wear to have worn away a model number. It appears to have simply never been stamped with one.

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Permalink Reply by Gerald Hines on January 15, 2011 at 0:22

Rob here is the tang stamp page from the Case web site.

http://www.wrcase.com/case_college/tang_logo_stamp/

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Permalink Reply by Rob Gregg on January 15, 2011 at 1:25

Hey Gerald, that worked! Looks to have been made between 1950-1964. I bookmarked that page for future reference. As a follow up to my last post, the pattern (I think) would be a 32093f not a 62093f and obviously not all were tested era knives. Although the books I have show the 5" model only being made prior to 1940. Still not sure why there isn't a model number stamping. From what I know, Case didn't do that very often. Anyway, thanks for the help. Rob

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Permalink Reply by Gerald Hines on January 15, 2011 at 2:33

Rob at that time they didn't keep very good records if at all, and they used all the inventory so you do find factory errors in all time periods. If the celluloid is gassing off already you need to get the scales off before it damages the metal.

Rob Gregg said:

Hey Gerald, that worked! Looks to have been made between 1950-1964. I bookmarked that page for future reference. As a follow up to my last post, the pattern (I think) would be a 32093f not a 62093f and obviously not all were tested era knives. Although the books I have show the 5" model only being made prior to 1940. Still not sure why there isn't a model number stamping. From what I know, Case didn't do that very often. Anyway, thanks for the help. Rob

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Permalink Reply by Rob Gregg on January 15, 2011 at 9:07

Yah, I hated to do it, but removing the scales was the first order of buisiness. I was able to get them removed and still preserve the original hook sharpening stone. I've located a modern day yellow acrylic that looks to be a fairly suitable replacement material. It has the color and translucent appearance of the original celluloid but with none of the down sides. (if anyone knows of a REALLY good material for this purpose, let me know) Of coarse all original is always better, but sometimes it's just not in the cards. I paid very little for the knife and it's in otherwise fine enough condition to warrant a fresh set of scales. I'll figure out a way to tag the knife as restored for future reference and post some before and after pics here to show the transformation. In the meantime, thanks for all the help and info. It's greatly appreciated. Rob

Gerald Hines said:

Rob at that time they didn't keep very good records if at all, and they used all the inventory so you do find factory errors in all time periods. If the celluloid is gassing off already you need to get the scales off before it damages the metal.

Rob Gregg said:
Hey Gerald, that worked! Looks to have been made between 1950-1964. I bookmarked that page for future reference. As a follow up to my last post, the pattern (I think) would be a 32093f not a 62093f and obviously not all were tested era knives. Although the books I have show the 5" model only being made prior to 1940. Still not sure why there isn't a model number stamping. From what I know, Case didn't do that very often. Anyway, thanks for the help. Rob