XX-Changer


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ArfinGreebly
May 31, 2008, 03:01 AM
Had never heard of it.

Fell over one today while looking for something else.

Here are some hastily shot pictures.

The blurb in the box
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=79183&d=1212216029

The beast from the box. (Reminds you of the Hammerhead, no?)
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=79184&d=1212216047

Pieces parts . . . this one comes with the utility blade instead of the gut-hook.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=79185&d=1212216068

Posing for the camera.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=79186&d=1212216083

More posing.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=79187&d=1212216094


Now, the finish was not up to the Case standards to which I have become accustomed. I had to spend a few minutes with a diamond steel to clean up the burr on two of the blades.

However, once it was cleaned up, it's got a serious "wow" factor.

It's actually very well built, and quite suitable for field use.

Way too much knife for everyday carry, but for a road trip, camping, hunting, and that kind of thing, I can see it being just the thing.

Interestingly, it doesn't cost that much more than the Buck 112 Ranger, and compares quite favorably in quality, but this one comes with four blades.

Now I just need to dream up an excuse to use it.

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JTW Jr.
May 31, 2008, 03:26 AM
very nice. What do you have to do ( or undo ) to swap out the blades ?

be a nice addition to the " to go " kit.

ArfinGreebly
May 31, 2008, 03:38 AM
If you take the blade to about 90° and fully depress the lock release, the blade can be pulled away from the pivot (see the notch).

Just snap the next one into place and let go of the release.

Opens and closes without any "hitch" if you just use the lock release normally. It only lets the blade out at the half-stop position and with the release fully depressed.

It's actually pretty quick.

Whichever blade is mounted just behaves like it belongs there. There's no slop to hint that the blade might be removable.

I have a cheap Frost (China) knockoff of the style, done in genuine plastic and 440 stainless that I picked up last year for $20. It's surprisingly good, but not nearly the quality of this Case.

I could see myself stashing one of these in a go-bag or even in the car console.

Like I said, now all I need is an excuse to use it.

Jason_G
May 31, 2008, 03:30 PM
Nice. That's the first I've seen of those. I have to admit, even though it's made by Case, if I had just seen one of those on the shelf, I'd have been leery of it simply because most things that claim to be "all in one" don't do anything very well. It looks like this is a welcome exception to that. I really like the way the clip point looks in it, too. Thanks for posting that.

Jason

sm
May 31, 2008, 07:23 PM
Whoa, I had not thought of these XX Changers is some years.

For a "go" kit, or to have in a cabin, base camp, or boat, quite handy.

Contrast:

Kershaw made something along the same line, they might still do.
Originally Kershaw used wood handles, later went to a rubber type.

Three blades, main clip, fillet, and saw. I want to say a bottle opener was on either the fillet or saw, just I cannot recall for sure.
Nylon sheath, with a plastic sleeve to hold the blades.

Kershaw was/is a "fixed" - once assembled.
One simply lifted a hinged steel "cover" and the blade all had a matching cut out, to fit a protrusion on the "tang", for lack of a better term.

Lift, fit, close, and one had a fixed main/fillet/saw blade knife.
Kershaw's sheath was / is not designed to carry the fixed knife, instead in Parts.

Both knives work great for all sorts of uses and tasks.
Downside is, if one loses the handle on either one.

Case has the advantage of allowing it to be carried with a blade ready to go from the sheath.
Kershaw requires one assemble the knife.


Concept was real popular some years ago, and still is for many with these stashed for all sorts of reasons.

Just another tool for the tool box...

Arf,
Thanks for sharing as always with pics.
Some folks might have a niche to fill and Case or Kershaw might just be the ticket.

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