My new Case

[jmr40]

I just got home from a trip to the Smoky's. We spent the last 3 days hiking in the park and slumming around. Of course, I made the mandatory stop at Home Page | SMKW.

I saw something new to me in the Case knife display and ended up bringing this home with me. They do offer it in other colors and with a tanto blade. But I liked this one.
Case Kinzua Red Drop Point | SMKW



It reminds me a lot of a less expensive version of the Benchmade 940. I know $116 isn't cheap, but in today's world with production knives costing $200+ I thought it was a fair price for the materials used and the quality.

So far I'm really liking it and I'm glad I could support a grand old company like Case. Just passing this along. I only think of Case as making traditional slip joint folders and didn't realize they were now making a modern style knife.

 

[SteadyD]

Report back as you use it. I’m glad to see case expand into “modern” knives. They are an icon, but the knife market has been changing, so I’m glad to see them jump in to that newer market to help stay relevant.

 

[troy fairweather]

I like it they got orange?

 

[rabid wombat]

Looks like a modern take of the Sodbuster…..

 

[hso]

An S35VN, ball bearing pivot, frame lock, flipper bade in the USA for $116 ain't bad at all!

 

[jmr40]

An S35VN, ball bearing pivot, frame lock, flipper bade in the USA for $116 ain't bad at all!

The Marilla caught my eye 1st. But when I got them out of the case and held them in my hand I just felt the tip on the Marilla was just a bit too pointy for my tastes. The drop point Kinzua isn't shown in the video, but that is the one I liked best. SMKW only had red, black and blue to choose from, but I've seen green from other sources.

The color on mine isn't quite as bright as it appears in the photo I posted above. Blue is the color you'd want to pick if you wanted to be able to find it easily if you dropped it in some leaves while outdoors.

 

[gotboostvr]

Looks like a nicer version of my new favorite EDC, a Harnds "Wind".



Bought it as a lark. But it's an extremely nice knife. Sandvik stainless steel, G10 grips, very smooth flipper. Blades a little smaller at 2.9" but that's the size I like for EDC's. For $35 I think it's among the best values going. It's displaced my Spyderco Endura Wave as my go-to knife.

I should start my own thread and give a quick review.

 

[jmr40]

I'd bet that is a Chinese made knife. And I'm not knocking them, or anyone for buying one. I have a few myself and they are usually a lot of knife for very little money. If someone wants to stay in the sub $50 range and doesn't mind a Chinese knife they have a lot to offer.

 

[gotboostvr]

I'd bet that is a Chinese made knife. And I'm not knocking them, or anyone for buying one. I have a few myself and they are usually a lot of knife for very little money. If someone wants to stay in the sub $50 range and doesn't mind a Chinese knife they have a lot to offer.

It is Chinese, unfortunately.

But if it's not the Sandvik 14C28N steel they claim, it's something else sufficiently decent. It's definitely a step or two up from the 8CrMov13 steel typically found in <$50 knives. It strikes a good balance between holding a good edge, and not being a PITA to sharpen.

And if it gets lost, or I forget about it and have to throw it away going through security someplace, I won't be to heartbroken or put out to replace it. Which is a mild concern on EDC knives for me. Less so with my camping type fixed blade knives.

I really like that Case the OP posted and might look into one as an even nicer version of my Harnds.

 

[redneck]

I saw the new Case knives online awhile back and have been curious about them. Aluminum handles and frame locks don't quite seem to go together to me but maybe I'm missing something. They do look nice.

 

[jmr40]

I've been carrying it for just over a week now and I've found very little to complain about. It is a good size for me for most situations. There are times when a 3.4" blade is a bit much to carry, but for everyday chores it is about right. I like the weight at 3.4 oz. For general use I like to keep it under about 4 oz.

Spyderco has been one of my favorites but one minor quirk is that most of their blades tend to be wide, which takes up more space in my pocket. I like the thinner profile on this.

Frame locks are not my favorite. If given the option I like the Axis type lock used on Benchmade and some Spyderco knives. I also have several back lock Spyderco and Buck knives that I like well enough. This one is easy to open one handed, but I need to either use 2 hands to close it, or press the back of the blade against my leg or something to close it after unlocking the blade. For some people that would be a deal breaker. One YouTube reviewer that I watched felt so.

But it is just as fast and easy to close using the same technique with a lockback. For me it is a non-issue.

 

[Boattale]

I've been carrying it for just over a week now and I've found very little to complain about. It is a good size for me for most situations. There are times when a 3.4" blade is a bit much to carry, but for everyday chores it is about right. I like the weight at 3.4 oz. For general use I like to keep it under about 4 oz.

Spyderco has been one of my favorites but one minor quirk is that most of their blades tend to be wide, which takes up more space in my pocket. I like the thinner profile on this.

Frame locks are not my favorite. If given the option I like the Axis type lock used on Benchmade and some Spyderco knives. I also have several back lock Spyderco and Buck knives that I like well enough. This one is easy to open one handed, but I need to either use 2 hands to close it, or press the back of the blade against my leg or something to close it after unlocking the blade. For some people that would be a deal breaker. One YouTube reviewer that I watched felt so.

But it is just as fast and easy to close using the same technique with a lockback. For me it is a non-issue.

You might really like a BM 940. They carry small for what they are.

 

[jmr40]

You might really like a BM 940. They carry small for what they are.

I have one, and like it. To me, my new Case, with the blade style I chose reminds me of a heavier duty version of the 940, but about $85 less expensive.