Hobbies And Interests
The Beginning
In 1889, four Case brothers--William Russell, John, Andrew and John--began making knives and selling them from the back of a wagon on a trail in New York. The brothers incorporated into the Case Brothers Cutlery Co. in 1900. In 1905, the company moved to Bradford, Pennsylvania, where it has remained for more than a century.
Manufacturing Process
Domestic steel is used to make Case knives. Handles are shaped by hand, and a variety of exotic materials are used for the knives, from mother-of-pearl to Brazilian cattle bone and Buffalo horn. Because of a tang stamp-dating system that has been used throughout the company's history, its knives are prized by collectors.
Government Service
Case was put into duty making knives for military personnel beginning with World War I. Brands include the V-42 knife and the Ka-bar knife for the Marine Corps. In 1965, John Young and Gus Grissom used Case knives on a space mission. President Dwight Eisenhower was known to carry a Case knife.
Brands
Case is famous for its craftsmanship and innovative design. Brands that have been introduced through the years include CopperLock, Sod Buster, Baby Doc, Tiny Trapper and Baby Butterbean. The company has also joined with other iconic U.S. companies, organizations and the families of deceased individuals to produce limited edition knives, including John Deere, Boy Scouts of America, Ruger and Company, Johnny Cash and John Wayne.
Collectors Club
The Case Collectors Club has about 18,000 members and is believed to be the largest association of knife collectors in the world. Members get benefits such as tours of the Case factory and exclusive knife offers. The club began in 1981 with 426 charter members.