In Bradford, Pennsylvania at the WR Case and Sons Cutlery Company a work day unfolds that is as un compromised as the time where it’s authentic craftsmanship first began. Made in the USA and hand-crafted are trademark traditions that are almost unheard of in this day of imports and assembly line products. These meticulously sculpted knives are smooth to the touch and polished to a shine that every Case knife owner appreciates. “Generations of family have and still do work here.” Says, Rich Brandon, the Senior Engineer for Case. “It is a family friendly business. It is a great place to work and there is just a fun atmosphere at work.”

A tour through the factory will offer a unique opportunity to watch as skilled workers attend to handcrafting Case knives through a 160-step process. Rich tells about the other guys, “If you tour any of the other knife manufacturing plants, you will find they mechanically produce every thing. We are the last of our kind to do the shaping and finishing by hand. We do employ mechanical processes but all finish work is done by hand. Walking through the Case manufacturing plant in PA is like stepping back in time about a hundred years, 117 years ago to be exact. The Case name transcends its own products with quality hand crafting. We started it that way and we still manufacturer every knife that way.  When you hold a Case knife in your hand, you know it is well made. You can see the time someone took to finish and hand polish the knife. Someone once said of Case, “We make jewelry here.” I cringed when I heard that, but as beautiful as these knives are they do their job and do it well. That is really a great testament to the W.R. Case name when those who are buying our knives still use grandads’ Case knife. They are the ones who will hand the tradition of carrying a Case knife down to the next generation.”

Case Knives are only sold through Case dealers. WR Case knives are not mass produced for other companies to sell. Each is made by the same standard of process and sold by the WR Case company. This is one way to ensure the quality is not lost to the production of mass quantity

Consumer Marketing Coordinator for Case Knives, Fred Feightner shared the Case marketing goal. “We want to promote Case knives through the fun of outdoor family time together and the appeal of collectibles. The products appeal to ladies and gentlemen as well as kids. We are one of the few outdoor product manufacturers who still find the real value in that and we want to promote our product to women in a positive way. That way is through family and fun.  Having fun and using appropriate family themes in advertising is how we do that.”

I met Mr. Feightner on September 9, 2006 in Lebanon Missouri at the 12^th annual Shepherd Hills Case Cutlery Celebration. He introduced me to Tom Arrowsmith the President and CEO of Case Knives. While Tom signed my daughter’s Case knife box, we chatted about the importance of the family and the need for positive moral and healthy activities for young people today. He was supportive of our WomenHunters® Organization where ladies can find support for their hunting interests. Before our conversation ended he encouraged me to let Case know if I needed anything. They have been a trusted sponsor for a couple of years now bringing quality knives to our hands in many outdoor adventures. But.. there is much more to this story than an exchange of product for an editorial. Genuine people who take the time to make conversation and share a bit of themselves in the process always impress me. I think it is important to share knowledge of the past about ones life; whether it is about their hunting heritage or the history of Case Knives. One after another, stories rich with the traditions of former days started to spill out. An interesting thing that I gleaned from these bits of conversation is the fact that when guns became harder to acquire under stiffer state regulations, fees and paper work; Case knife popularity increased. Case collectors have continued to demand a steady supply of new and remade antique knife styles. “Going back to move forward,” is a motto that he and others used to describe how they tell the stories about Case.

One handshake later I was face to face with Ed Jessup, Case Vice President of sales and marketing. We began talking about the bowhunters he let hunt his Tennessee property and about Missouri’s fall whitetail archery season. More lessons learned from him told about the original use of the Razor for shaving and that the hook on the tip of the blade was originally used for trimming nasal hairs. Who knew? A style of blade called the Russlock has always been known as a knife that allows a one-armed man to open his knife with ease. My grandfather was a one-armed man and I can picture him, slinging out his Case and thrusting the hooked edge of the clip blade against his shoe heel to open it; as easily as I can make the picture of him carrying his .22 in the crook of his arm as he made his way through the woods hunting squirrels. Mr. Jessup also believes that there is a need to tell the stories about the times and traditions of yesterday. Ed told me that every knife and every style blade has a story to tell. The whole point of the shows like this one is to share the new traditions with the people and listen to what the collectors and customers are looking for. Collectors share their stories and everyone begins to get feed back on the knives that are popular and what the consumer wants or needs.

When I was introduced to Tony Bose I knew I was just in the right place at the right time. A kindly gentleman and a real story teller to be sure. Oh what I wouldn’t give to be gifted in oral storytelling. He is more known for the skill in his hands that make some of the most sought after knives in the world. With a three year waiting list for clients who can and do afford the best hand craft experience in knife making he has only one requirement for the new knife owner. “I want them to use that knife,” he said. “ I won’t make the knife unless that person will use it.” No collectors case allowed for Tony Bose one-of-a-kind knives. I hinted that I would definitely use a knife like that. I think his eyes twinkled a bit when I responded so quickly to his comment. We all laughed and then he began to talk about taking old knives apart to rebuild a new one. He handed me a beautiful bone-handled piece that was a current choice for reproduction as a Case pocket knife. “I bring knives back to life he said. I take old worn knives and those with broken blades and I re make them into handles and knife blades. I make a one piece knife and then I remake it in pieces so that Case can reproduce it into an exact replica as a Case pocket knife.”  This agreement between Tony and Case Knives means I can afford a Case reproduction of a Tony Bose knife.

I confess I have also been infected by the Case collector fever. Pink pastels, new paisley print handles and red worn barn wood called to me from glass display cases and Case Celebration table displays. It did not take long to see that I preferred the look of certain knife blade designs like the Wharncliff and the long clip blades over others.  I also picked up a catalog to wish from and plan my next purchase.

My daughter and I found ourselves browsing the Miss Case and Lady Case Collections, which offer color choices that appeal to women and young ladies as shades of Bubba Gum and Cotton Candy. Ultra-Violet, and Smooth Salmon are just a few other sweet colors that are only available from the Shepherd Hills Case Cutlery Store. Shepherd Hills Cutlery Stores have several locations and a website where you can check out their hip new Case colors. www.casexx.com

New materials include synthetic and bone handles along with the popular Mother of Pearl pieces.Case employees dye and shape several different designs and some natural colors with smooth polished surfaces. Rich Brandon suggests, “Knife safety is just as important as gun safety. They are not toys they are tools and collectibles. Children should always be taught how to handle a knife for their own safety. Case College Kids Camp offers their annual knife safety class at their Shepherd Hills Case Celebration to the kids who pre register for that event. Each child gets a knife after their safety class that is numbered according to their class registration.” Rich went on to add, “I have an 8-year-old who likes to collect Case knives. I teach her to be safe and responsible with any knife she uses.” Rich said, “I have been a hunter all my life.” Rich also enjoys fishing with his wife and their daughter. The outdoors is an important part of his family life. Case knives are just a part of that lifestyle.

Rich is responsible for all aspects of manufacturing and designing new products. His staff tests colors of new bone, working with about 75 different colors. The newest product is the Genuine India Stag bone that they recently allowed as an import to our country from India. This is a highly sought after resource and a beautiful knife color choice in every hand. Another popular color is the synthetic G-10 fiberglass handle. This bright orange handle consists of layered fiberglass and resin that form a very hard substance. Ladies I own a G-10 fishing knife myself and highly recommend it. I enjoy using it and I like the smooth polished look of the blades and the unusual outer surface. 

Rich says, “Case differentiates itself with the ability to bring back the vintage knives from the early 1900's that might be found in antique stores. Case collectors are known to collect by pattern and deviation of the blade.” Looking at the styles and shapes of each collection it is easy to see why people are drawn to these pocket knives. These were popular yesterday and are just as popular with collectors today. The new materials bring back old favorites in antique reproductions of knife styles like a Barlow in Caramel Barnboard. The unusual shapes catch the eye and the familiarity of a knife like grandpa had cause people to continue to purchase these classic blades.

To start your own Case collection call 1-800-523-6350  or visit the WR Case website at www.wrcase.com  to browse the entire collection of Case Knives.

 

© September 2006