Knife Collecting

W.R. Case & Sons is celebrating its 125th anniversary with updated manufacturing facilities, a new repro of the legendary Case V-42, a Tony Bose classic pocketknife, a special anniversary celebration in August and much more.

Long recognized as one of if not the most collectible factory knife brands in the world, Case refuses to rest on its laurels and is using its landmark birthday to ramp up its knife operation on a variety of fronts.

Zippo, Case’s parent company, is investing nearly $10 million for renovations on the Case manufacturing plant in Bradford, Pennsylvania. The revamp will include a complete remodeling of the factory, including new equipment and floor configurations designed to promote better efficiency, productivity and quality. The renovations are due to be completed by the end of next year.

As a result, Case will have an increased ability to revive such classic patterns as the World War II Case V-42 stiletto issued to the First Special Service Force—a.k.a., the Devil’s Brigade—and also a new cattleman’s knife collaboration with Bose.

And, on Aug. 16, there will be a special celebration of the company’s 125th anniversary at the Museum of Appalachia in Norris, Tennessee. For more information, visit wrcase.com.

A byproduct of Case’s updating its manufacturing facilities is the ability to get more Case knives before more customers than ever before. In addition to the over 2,000 Case authorized dealers nationwide, such chains as Cabela’s, Bass Pro, Field & Stream, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Tractor Supply stores, Sportsman’s Warehouse, REI, Academy Sports + Outdoors and Costco carry Case knives. Case exclusive e-tailers and Amazon.com also sell Case knives.

Case’s wide array of collectible pocketknives has been supported by the Case Collector’s Club since 1981. The club features exclusive knife promotions and collectibles for members, and publishes and distributes a quarterly magazine, The Case Collector. For more on it, visit http://www.wrcase.com/collectors_club/.

Zero Tolerance’s Model 0392 “factory custom” collaboration with Rick Hinderer is not only a new knife idea, it might be an entirely new knife category.

Here’s how it works: Hinderer makes and supplies the knife parts such as the pocket clips, screws, spacers, filler tabs, standoffs and other furniture and Zero Tolerance employs them in the manufacture and assembly of the resulting knife—thus the name, ‘factory custom.’ The initial parts will be titanium anodized cool blue.

According to a ZT news release, “While we’ve often worked with custom knifemakers … we’ve never had this kind of partnership before. Now, working together, we can create knives with true custom details, while producing quantities that would be impossible for a custom knifemaker.”

The resulting factory custom knives will also offer “after-market customization.” Customers will be able to buy the furniture from Hinderer with different finishes, anodized in different colors, etc. The furniture may even come in different materials, including copper, to go with the standard titanium. The different finishes, anodizations, etc., apparently will come later.

An award-winning custom knifemaker out of Shreve, Ohio, Hinderer is best known for his XM-18 folder, and his knife lotteries are always among the best attended. He also has been expanding his knife operation to offer semi-production-type knives. He had a booth at the recent BLADE Show, where he celebrated exhibiting at his 25th consecutive rendition of the event.

A flipper folder, the 0392 will feature M390 blade steel, a titanium handle and the KVT ball-bearing opening system.

For the time being, the factory custom project is in the formative stages. Exactly how many of the knives will be made or when they will be available remains unknown. Stay tuned to Zero Tolerance and blademag.com for more details.