Case vs Swiss

[andy52]

For the most part of my adult life I've carried large lock back folders.
Early on it was mostly Buck knives, later on I became interested in
SOG knives and have carried them for the past 35 years. The first SOG I got was a Tomcat it's one heck of a good knife but a little heavy for everyday carry but I still have it. I now carry a SOG Flash II, lighter and faster then the old Tomcat but still a great knife.

 

[Drm50]

I use to carry 3 blade stockman. Any more just a single blade lock back in
a Lite series. I have one of the new folding knives that uses Utility blades
clipped to tool pouch. I have enough tools at hand in my vehicles that I'm
not going to tote around combo knives to use as emergency tools. I encounter emergencies of some order every day.

 

[garddogg56]

For me Case and Victrnox in SS are of the same value.most of my Case EDC are in CV and are very sharp with decent edge retention.I don't Carry Swiss cause of the cheap scales and for me don't feel good in hand.

 

[gdogs]

I've only ever owned 1 Swiss Army knife that I know of. Never found it to be all that useful. Or I guess I should say that I've always had a better alternative in terms of tools around me, so I've never been in a big of enough bind to actually need to use one. Had a couple of Cases over the years, currently the only one in the safe was my Grandfathers. More often than not you'll find a Gerber auto in my pocket these days. If you're lucky enough to live in a state that allows them, the autos are hard to beat. The American made Gerbers are solid, and use good steel. The all black one just right of center is my daily carry.

 

[kwselke]

Wingriderz,

You have opened up a which is better debate that has extended beyond Case v. Swiss Army.

Here are some thoughts on my in rotation knives, left to right top to bottom.

Spyderco Manbug with a Hitachi HAP-40 powder metal non-stainless tool steel blade. A screamingly sharp high edge retention blade. To its right is a Spyderco Chaparral LW with a Carpenter powder metal stainless CTS-XHP blade. This blade is as or more amazing than the HAP-40 and stainless to boot.

Next row are Case Mini Copperlock and Copperlock in their proprietary CV (carbon) and True Sharp surgical stainless. Serviceable blades, but not state of the art.

Buck and Spyderco have probably had the most pocket time of any brands I've ever used, and I just so happen to own a Buck 110 in 5160 (carbon/spring steel). It's pretty good but folks that have 110s with stainless blades may shake their heads. My Buck 830 Marksman with a 154 CM stainless steel outclasses Bucks 5160 carbon and their 420HC stainless. I feel that 154 CM is up there with the HAP-40 and CTS-XHP blades noted above.

The important thing is if the blade does what you need it to do. There is only a best for a specific task.

 

[Ribwizzard]

This is my favorite case, I misplaced it about a year ago and keep hoping to come across it.

 

[Marshwheeling]

It is not a question of Case vs. SAK for me, it is what is going to go in my pocket with my Alox Electrician. I have several Case knives. The ones I carry the most are a CV peanut in yellow delrin, and a medium stockman with a punch in place of the spey. I actually do more cutting, however with the seahorse whittler that Conchita gave me for Christmas a few years ago.

The knives that really get carried a lot are one of my Opinel 6s and an Okapi Biltong. The SAK will do everything they do and more, but I just like the way thOpinel cuts, while the Okapi has a very satisfying snap.

The interesting brand comparison for me is between Case and Rough Rider, a brand thar Smokey Mountain Knife Works has manufactured in China. The quality approaches, and sometimes surpasses Case, at a third to a fifth the price. For many years, these knives were regarded as an “okay” knife you could spend ten bucks on to investigate a pattern before buying a “real” knife. Eventually, enthusiasts befan to fecognize the qualiry there, irrespective of price.

 

[Texas Star]

I carry a Case - for many years. Case must have a problem with their QC, because if you want one without obvious defects, you have to go through the dealer's stock to find one that comes close to being what used to be normal quality. Also like Swiss, but why they still put the corkscrew in most of them is strange.

Some knife reviewers on YouTube also disrespect corkscrews.

Most are yahoos whose idea of wine (if at all) is a screw cap item like Boone's Farm or Ripple. I'm more into fine wines with corks. I used to attend wine tastings, have wine books, and have written about wine for a major newspaper's food editor.

I use corkscrews! I prefer them to Phillips head screwdrivers on SAK's because I may need a corkscrew but can turn all types of screws with the normal screwdrivers on SAK's.

Some folding German hunting knives also feature corkscrews. But they tend to be larger and work better than those on SAK's. But both work in an emergency. I have a Puma Model 943 and a Henckels folder like that. They also have useful saw blades as well as the main blades, usually a spear shape.

Some SAK's also have saw blades. The Vic. Camper in my pocket now has one and my Hunter model and my German Army model have larger ones. I seldom need a saw but if I do, it's good to have.

Don't disparage a tool just because YOU have no need for it.

And, BTW, a corkscrew is very handy for loosening knots. Keep that in mind the next time you have to rescue a kidnapped damsel in distress and free her hands!

 

[Texas Star]

Oh: I have a very nice Case medium stockman and a Copperlock, both with red bone handles. Quality is very high, but when I carry one or my Puma stockman or a trapper pattern by Carl Schlieper (Eye Brand) I need some tool on a SAK.

My most common EDC is a Victorinox Spartan in my right pocket and a lockblade folder in a belt pouch. A Vic. SwissChamp is in a nice leather SOS Kit in my briefcase. Currently, the most carried lockblade is a Benchmade Model 710.

Oh: a couple of you here can't spell, Knives. You write, Knifes. The plural of Knife is Knives. Works like Wife and Wives.

 

[Texas Star]

I've only ever owned 1 Swiss Army knife that I know of. Never found it to be all that useful. Or I guess I should say that I've always had a better alternative in terms of tools around me, so I've never been in a big of enough bind to actually need to use one. Had a couple of Cases over the years, currently the only one in the safe was my Grandfathers. More often than not you'll find a Gerber auto in my pocket these days. If you're lucky enough to live in a state that allows them, the autos are hard to beat. The American made Gerbers are solid, and use good steel. The all black one just right of center is my daily carry.

I like those Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn knives. I have them in all three sizes. I think the Covert serves most owners best,

 

[one eye joe]

I rotate my carry knifes every week or so. Lock blade right rear pocket and some kind of slip joint right front. I have had the case bug in last few years and really like them. I have had a swiss army that was given to me before retireing . Its about 13 years old. I have the swiss in pocket this week. I am not hard on any of my knifes. I would have to say I think the Swiss is a bit better blade than the Cases I have . The fit and finish goes to case every time. Whats the groups thoughts on this.

IMHO, YOU ARE COMPARING A POCKET TOOL BOX, TO A FINE KNIFE. YOU SHOULD MENTION, IN WHAT QUALITY, YOU DEEM THE SWISS BLADE TO BE, "a bit better"......

I HAVE CARRIED COLLECTED AND TRADED SEVERAL BRANDS OF KNIVES FOR OVER 60 YEARS. THE QUALITIES OF KNIFE BLADES IS DEPENDENT ON THE TYPE OF STEEL USED IN THEIR MANUFACTURE.......

I CONFESS TO NOT HAVING ANY ATTRACTION TO, OR KNOWLEDGE OF SWISS ARMY KNIVES........

 

[Texas Star]

Hi,
This is my first reply in the knives section.
Have you ever looked at the Hubertus knives from Germany?
Great steel with many scale options. Everything from lockbacks, to multi-blades, to hunting knives, to switchers.
Very stylish designs, too.
Great for the aficionado who uses, and appreciates, a fine knife.

Sorry for drifting off from your question a bit, but for the two brands you like, the Hubertus seems to combine many elements of both.

Best Regards,
Jim

I've seen pics of Hubertus knives in German sources, but have never seen one in the USA.

Where do you find them here? How do they compare to Puma?

Isn't Hubertus the patron saint of hunters in Europe? I'm Protestant and not well up on saints. But I think I read that in an old Waffen Frankonia catalog.

 

[chief38]

I've owned many knives in my lifetime including both of the ones in question here. While I have had 6 or 8 Swiss Army Knives (of different models) I have never really found them to be great at doing much. The tools are a little awkward to use, they are limited in dexterity, and in all but absolute emergency's you would be better off with regular tools for a repair or a good knife for cutting. In the same vein, I find a Leatherman Tool is much better than a SAK for a wider range of uses and has far better quality tools.

Case Knives are still an American tradition although the ones I've bought just last year were not nearly as good quality as they use to be. They were not terrible, however as soon as I got them I have to do a little fitting, sharpening and polishing. They were both Christmas gifts for good friends and I did not feel comfortable in giving them the knives in the condition I received them in (both brand new by he way). I was able to get them in proper shape, but if I do buy any more Case Knives, I will make sure to order the Case Select versions which supposedly are gone through and made to ship as they should. In other words you now have to pay extra to get what should be standard! That said, they will at least be descent, American made knives and should cut well. Case is about the last American made, mass produced, descent quality traditional pocket knives still available and even having to spiff them up a bit, I still feel I want to support them and buy their products. Hopefully they will be a bit more fussy in their QC going forward.

Queen Knives went out of business just last year and that was a real shame!! They were very high quality knives made in PA by local employees. They made Case style knives, but IMHO were higher quality and just wonderful traditional pocket knives.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

That Yellow Moore Maker was made by Queen.
Them Texas Boys don’t make knives !
All they make is money!

 

[woodsltc]

Also like Swiss, but why they still put the corkscrew in most of them is strange.

I've used the corkscrew on my SAK several times for various things....including opening a bottle of wine.

Don

 

[wingriderz]

Wingriderz,

You have opened up a which is better debate that has extended beyond Case v. Swiss Army.

Here are some thoughts on my in rotation knives, left to right top to bottom.

Spyderco Manbug with a Hitachi HAP-40 powder metal non-stainless tool steel blade. A screamingly sharp high edge retention blade. To its right is a Spyderco Chaparral LW with a Carpenter powder metal stainless CTS-XHP blade. This blade is as or more amazing than the HAP-40 and stainless to boot.

Next row are Case Mini Copperlock and Copperlock in their proprietary CV (carbon) and True Sharp surgical stainless. Serviceable blades, but not state of the art.

Buck and Spyderco have probably had the most pocket time of any brands I've ever used, and I just so happen to own a Buck 110 in 5160 (carbon/spring steel). Its pretty good but folks that have 110s with stainless blades may shake their heads. My Buck 830 Marksman with a 154 CM stainless steel outclasses Bucks 5160 carbon and their 420HC stainless. I feel that 154 CM is up there with the HAP-40 and CTS-XHP blades noted above.

The important thing is if the blad does what you need it to do. There is only a best for a specific task.

Very nice collection I have the same blue cooper lock

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I love Case CVsteel but I can't use them for EDC. I rust them up in short order. I mean like in less than a week. Body chemistry thing, I guess. Tried a Moore Maker with the same result. I have to have SS for everyday use. In my pocket now is a Kissing Crane SS trapper, yellow delrin scales. I actually just ordered my first SAK, a Spartan with black scales. It should be here today.

 

[VictorLouis]

I think the Copperlock and the Peanut are two of the best Case designs. However, a SAK is nearly always with me while my traditional knives rest at home.

 

[wproct]

I own about 5 Case knives and around 10 Victorinox Swiss Army knives. Victorinox Swiss Army knives have been my EDC for the last 12-13 years. I primarily rotate between a Cadet and Soldier, both with Alox scales, plus a small SAK knife on my key ring. I really like the Victorinox stainless steel blades and find the Alox scaled knives to be very durable. I've never really counted but would guess I own around 45 knives give or take in total.

 

[walnutred]

I bought my first Case knife in the early 70's and accumulated many over the years. Gradually I switched over to the Victorinox Spartan. Eventually I realized the Case knives were just setting in a shoe box so I sold them off. I like them Victorinox Spartan so well I bought a bunch to give away. I think every vehicle should have one. My best buy regarding SAK was when I was tracking down a left handed version of the Camper for my Daughter about 14 years ago. I finally found one knife shop in Tenn who seemed glad I called. He had some left handed SAKs in stock and there seemed to be no interest. He offered me his last 6 at $20 each shipped to get them out of inventory.