Buck
I worked for Case as a salesman for about a year while I was in college (2 years ago).
Yes, they are still American made. In fact, while I worked there my manager visited one of the knife factories and was given a tour and they let him pick out and make his own knife. He said it was absolutely awesome.
Our outlet store also sold Buck--which has a lot of knives made overseas now--leatherman, and chicago cutlery. But we were a Case knives store.
~Norinco
p.s. I have forgotten a lot about the different models but I remember that in general Case knives were worth their weight in gold as compared to most of the china made Buck junk.
Note that
a) Buck's classic patterns have always been made in the USA (the 110, 119, 105, 301, etc.), only certain newer patterns went overseas,
b) their QC in China has actually been quite good,
c) they're bringing everything home.
I'm speculating here, but they seem to feel that the perception their stuff was "all Chinese now" has hurt them. Repeat, that's speculation.
I talked to a number of their employees at the last factory sale, and they're pleased and relieved that production is coming home.
Back to the original topic . . .
If you want to stay with the three-blade tradition, Case still does the Medium Stockman in CV steel. The springs have a real snap to them, so you'll want to make sure he has the finger strength to manipulate that. Buck also does a Stockman (their "medium" stockman is called the "Cadet"), and they're easier to manipulate, but it's a stainless, not carbon steel.
As suggested above, Queen still does carbon steel blades, but I have no exposure to them.
Alternative Case patterns in CV steel: Sod Buster Junior (single blade, good general purpose knife), Peanut (pictured above), Medium Trapper (two blades), Slimline (Barehead) Trapper (one blade).
You can look around the knife-related forums (BladeForums comes to mind) and surf eBay for carbon steel classic patterns no longer in production. I got my large yellow-handled CV steel Case Sod Busters on eBay. I got one of my CV Sodbuster Jr pieces by shopping local feed stores for old stock.
I've even found old Imperial Barlows (Irish production) in carbon steel at local shops. Sometimes sporting goods shops and feed stores will have no idea what they've got, other than "it's old" and they've stuck a discounted price on it.
Look around.
What you want is out there.