Picking A Trapper As Pocket Partner
It doesn't take long to discover the Case Trapper is a real peach of a pocket partner.
Testing The Case Trapper Was Easy
I tested a Smooth Chestnut Bone Trapper, No. 28707, two bladed knife from W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery. I always thought that the most useful blade I can carry is a tactical knife — the ones with the locking blade and pocket clip. I was only partially correct.
The Trapper is a two bladed knife with the traditional pattern of a clip and spey blade. The Case Trapper I tested has Chestnut Bone scales, the Oval Case Script medallion, and Nickel Silver bolsters. My Trapper was built in the USA, and it carries the “Case XX” trademark on the blades. The clip blade is 3.25” long. The spey is 3.27” long. The knife is 4.125” overall, and weighs 4 oz.
Although I love the looks of the Smooth Chestnut Bone, I like more patterned scales for better grip. My next Case Trapper will have BoneStag scale material.
When I test a knife, I stop carrying my primary knife so I am forced to use the one I’m testing. Testing the Case Trapper was easy. I liked the way it felt and cut from the moment of unboxing. However, the smooth surface allowed it to slip out of my pocket at every opportunity. Fortunately, I had a Case Genuine Brown Leather Knife Slip case, which was a perfect fit for the Case Trapper. With my Case in a Case case, it never fell out my pocket again.
The Trapper can take the heat of most any slicing duty.
Handier Than A Tactical Knife
When I began looking at historical blade styles, I found that the Trapper blade pattern is more of an evolved species, rather than a purpose-built knife that reflects the original use of frontier trappers. By the loose definition of the term, a trapper knife is a slip joint where more than one blade extends from the same end. Most trappers have a clip and a spey blade. The other end usually has a rounded end with enough of a swell to increase the grip surface. It does make sense to use a spey blade for harvesting game with a blunt tip. There spey tip prevents the user from puncturing things.
My Case Trapper came with Tru-Sharp Stainless steel blades. Most of us have speculated on the actual makeup of Tru-Sharp, but it is definitely high carbon and high chromium. I cut several things that could potentially stain steel, without problems. In cutting tests, the steel held up well, and one can hone a pretty good edge into these blades.
Case recommends an angle of 10 to 15 degrees when sharpening their pocket knives, which is about the angle for sharpening sushi knives. “Tactical knives” generally are at about 30 degrees. My Case Trapper was sharp out of the box. After some use, I dressed the edge. The Tru-Sharp steel forms a slight bead when sharpening. Running it across a little leather, which is another good reason to put your Case in a Case case, dresses it to razor sharp again.
I was using my Case Trapper for everything; opening boxes, slicing fruit, and cutting bullets out of ballistic gelatin. I have not delved into whittling, but Case is encouraging a resurgence in this pastime, and they even provide instructional pages. As it turns out, a pocketknife is handier than a tactical knife, and I can do things with increased precision.
The Case Trapper comes ready for duty with both clip and spey blades.
Exactly The Right Size In The Hand
Case does a great job offsetting the blades, and adding a generous nail nick on each blade. I had zero hesitancy in decision making when choosing between a clip or a spey in actual use.
The Case Trapper is one of the best trapper patterns made. It has a medium sized clip point. It is slender enough for close work, but it is still wide enough for heavy slicing. For me, too little clip blade means it is too short and thin for anything short of opening packages. Too much clip, and it no longer is a good whittling instrument. This is exactly the right size in the hand, and the perfect blade design in the field.
The most important aspect of a Case knife is pride in ownership. Flip it over and look at the back, and there is the beautiful contrast of the scales, then the liner, and the backsprings in the center of the sandwich. There is an inherent beauty of a true pocketknife, and having a Case Trapper line my pocket gives me comfort. I have to quit shopping for Case Trappers, or pretty soon I will have started a new collection. I do, however, have a thing for stag scales, if anyone is thinking of me over Christmas.
For more information visit Caseknives.com.
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