Case has become the undisputed favorite of knife collectors because of the rich heritage, quality and variety of knives. However, the Case dating system is what drives the appeal and collect ability of their knives. From the beginning Case knives have been marked with tang stamps which are useful for authentication and proper dating. The markings below represent some of the tang stamps used throughout the years.
COMPANY HISTORY
W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company was born from an American cutlery dynasty. Four brothers - William Russell (W.R.), Jean, John and Andrew Case sold knives along a wagon trail stretching from New York to Nebraska. They perfected a heat treatment and tempering method for hardening raw steel, marking blades with an X after each oven cycle. This gave rise to the famous "Tested XX" trademark, the symbol of Case quality.
The Case family operated many knife companies, but it was W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company, founded by John Russell "Russ" Case and his father, W.R. in 1902, that would dominate the industry. Case knives hare become part of American history, as evidenced by the rare V-42 carried by U.S. soldiers in WWII and the Astronaut's knife that went with Neil Armstrong to the Moon. Case knives are the most collected in the world, still handcrafted in Bradford, Pennsylvania.
Zippo Manufacturing Company (makers of the world famous Zippo® lighter) has been the company's sole owner since 1993.
Case Means Quality...
Case quality begins with the 125 pairs of hands it takes to create just one knife. Each and every Case knife is warranted to be free from defects in workmanship and materials for the life of the original owner.
A Case knife incorporates 21st-century technology with 19th-century artisanship. In most Case knives, the blades are Tru-sharp™ surgical steel (SS) - a high carbon stainless variety. Through our proprietary heat treating and tempering processes (the "XX" in the famous Case "Tested XX' trademark), our knife blades achieve an optimal balance between sharpness and edge retention.
Blades are stamped from high-quality steel and hardened with precise heat treatment, then ground to a perfect geometry using computer controlled equipment. Handles are made from the finest natural materials. Brass and nickel silver metals serve as highlights to each form, bringing together a knife that's not only beautiful, but able to stand the tests of time and use.