Case Star Spangled Knife Review | Case Pocket Knife Review

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R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company is known worldwide for producing highly collectable folding pocket knives. In my opinion, there is only one worldwide collectable handgun revolver Colt. There is only one worldwide collectable rifle the Winchester lever actions. Finely, there is only one worldwide collectable pocket knife W. R. Case & Sons. This is my opinion only and I am sure people will disagree. But we are talking world wide.

When I was overseas and in Iraq, when the subject turned to firearms and knives, it was Colt revolvers, Winchester lever actions and Case pocket knives. I was invited to see some of the collections of the Kurdish military and police officers I worked with. In Kurdistan I found Colt revolvers, Winchester lever action rifles and Case pocket knives. The Case knife collecting was something new to them brought to Iraq by American soldiers and police advisors. The Kurdish Warriors love their knives. They like to use them in Combat. Several of them have WWII vintage fixed-blades which were passed down to them. To them, the best thing is the blade is marked “Case”.

Some History

In 1958, as a school project, a 16 year old Lancaster, PA high school student by the name of Robert G. Heft (1942-2009) designed the current flag of the United States of America. Historians are not clear or do not agree on who designed the first “Stars and Stripes”. But it is generally accepted a committee made up of George Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross came up with the basic design we have to this day. Betsey Ross, being a relative of George Ross and accomplished paid seamstress, was commissioned to sew the first flag. Betsey Ross’s contribution to the design was to changing their six pointed star to a much easier five pointed star.

Since I was a small boy, I liked pocket knives. Back then we could carry them to school, and at recess we would play mumbley-peg. Since then I have had many different pocket knives. I still have my first pocket knife. Later in life I learned the importance of having a quality and appropriate size pocket knife. I use to help my Grandfather and Uncle work cattle. At branding time we would run the cattle through the squeeze chute. As I herded each head into the chute, grandpa and my Uncle Mike would squeeze them in place. Depending what each head needed we would dehorn, vaccinate, brand and if it was a young bull, Grandfather would remove the testicle with his case pocket knife. Even though Grandfather’s Case knife blade was razor sharp, the young bulls loudly protested their expressed dislike.

Facts of the Case Star Spangled Knives

Case is now offering a line of eight traditional pocket knives with bone handles which are adorned with the Stars and Stripes. The design thereon gives the name “Star Spangled”. There are eight styles of folding pocket knives which sport the Stars and Stripes design. They are the Trapper, Mini-trapper, Folding Hunter, Canoe, Tear Drop, Sowbelly, Russlock and Medium Stockman. My favorite are the full size Trapper and the Hunter. The quality of workmanship of the Trapper and Hunter is just amazing. What a beautiful patriotic set of knives.

: Case Folding Hunter & Trapper

: Smooth Natural Bone

: Case Star Spangled Series

Traditionally when I review an item I put them through some serious testing. With cutting tools, I cut items such as cardboard, hard wood and wire. I do this to see if the quality and workmanship is there. With Case knives I just look for imperfections. I already know their knives are top quality. Even with Case some imperfections slip through quality control, but this is rare. However, in this case the Trapper and Hunter with the Star Spangled bone handles were perfect. It is rare to find imperfections in a Case product. If you do, Case will take good care of you.

Evaluation of the Star Spangled Knives by Case

Both the Hunter and Trapper I received had good blade snap. Some other brands have too tight of a slip-joint locking system. I know as I have one. I love the knife which is like a XL Trapper. I have carried it enough to loosen it up some but it is still tight. The Case Hunter and Trapper I received are just right on the tension from the Slip-joint. Both Hunter and Trapper’s blades are very sharp. These knives would make a great EDC tool. I believe if you have an American Hero who is coming home from serving our Great Country, one of the Star Spangled knives would make a great and memorable gift.

In conclusion, Case makes and sells World class knives. They are stepping outside of their comfort zone and expanding into new adventurous markets such as the Kickstart® which is an assisted opening folding knife. I highly recommend the Case brand knives made in the USA.