Cutlery Collection Seahorse Whittler 2002 Knives 2003 Knives 2004 Knives 2005 Knives Variants of the same knife - Standard, Mint Set, 1st Run The Collection and EDC . Quick reference list Seahorse Whittler Detail Shield Types Tang Stamps Date Stamps Blade Etchings Bolsters Boxes & Tins Latest Updates Links and Sources of Knives Also see: Bulldog Wharncliffe Whittlers Other Brands Wharncliffe Whittlers MY SEAHORSE WHITTLER COLLECTION IS FOR SALE See here for the full list OTHER CASE KNIVES FOR SALE	The W.R Case & Sons Cutlery Co. Seahorse Whittler 63 Different Varieties Now Indentified (Last update 7 July 2005) New! - Printable collection check list Click to enlarge (It is a cruel enlargement, but the quality of the knife shows!)
Vital Statistics Pattern . 55WH Overall length . 4" Blades 2 1/4" Wharncliffe . 1 1/2" Coping . 1 1/2" Pen . Blade Material Stainless Steel Except 05262 ATS-34 Bolsters Nickel Silver Liners Brass (Except where stated) First Production 2002 Recent Updates 14 January - 01969 "Case Appreciation Tour" knife added. Orange Peel 2004 Mint set knife added. XX jigged engraved bolsters 08193e added. New additions to details page 16 February - 29372P (2004) John Deere knife added. New 2004/5 G10 scaled Seahorse spotted 17 February - Two different knives spotted 2003 Case Product Mint Set (serial #) 100 each produced. Jade Bone and Chestnut Bone Case Bros. The (2003) 06133 is now two different knives! 1. EXXclusive set engraved bolsters - Corn Cob Jiigged Sunset Orange Bone 2. Orgill Sunburst Orange Bone SFO for Red Hill Cutlery Brings the total up to 56 knives. . 1 March 2005 29045 Module 2 photos added 06220 G-10 Orange photos added Details of dated shield knives added Comments on "after market" customs Item numbers and handle material now moved to the top of each one for easier identification. Some values added. If not stated, then expect to pay around $50 - $55 for a standard knife An anomoly has been discovered. The 2003 John Deere knife has started to appear, in 2005, as a non-limited edition. This brings us up to 57 variants of the Seahorse Whittler. 7 March 51118 Kane Cutlery Family Brands set knife has been added - if you want one, here's how to get one. But you will have to be quick! 10 March 01523 Case Collector's Club photos added 22 March Another knife identified, making 58 in total. The 05439 Autumn Bone (2002) as a mint set knife with engraved bolsters. Photos and details added of 51118 Encyclopedia set Kane Cutlery knife. 2 April Photo of 03417 added 8 April Photo of 03771 Bubba Gum Pink added also photo of blade print May Updates 05439 Autumn Bone Mint set photo added 03426e Barbed wire, engraved bolsters photo added 06133 mint set "Orgill" knife photo added June Updates 03845 Indian Paintbrush knife photo added 6416 NEW Spiney Oyster - but only 39 made July Updates 06416 Spiney Oyster photo added 03771 Bubba Gum Pink added - no blade etch Undocumented knife No Case prototype Seahorse Whittlers are known.	The Seahorse Whittler pattern was introduced by W.R Case & Sons Cutlery Co. in the year 2002, since which time it has appeared in a variety of handle types, including various shades and types of jigged bone, stag, mother of pearl, abalone and paua. At the time of writing, (March 2005) there are believed to be 58 different varieties of this knife, but there could be more if one includes special factory orders (SFO). The known varieties are listed on this page, together with photographs where the knives are in my collection. If you know of any others, that are not listed here, please do let me know! Above: A Wharncliffe Whittler by Rodgers & Unwin, Sheffield, from an 1852 advertisement Below, the modern W.R Case & Sons Seahorse Whittler. Above: An antique Joseph Rodgers & Sons Wharncliffe two bladed knife with ivory handles. (Date unknown). Size 3-1/8"   A custom re-handled Seahorse Whittler in polished Mammoth Ivory.
2002 Knives	.
Item #: 00421 Handle: Smooth Genuine Mother of Pearl Patt Number: 8355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: 1600 Shield Type: Ovoid CASE xx Nickel silver pins Absolute perfection from W.R Case & Sons. Expect to pay around $145	Click on the photo above to enlarge
Item #: 01099 Handle: Peach Seed Jigged Chestnut Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: 2000 Shield Type: Case silver script inlay In Autumn Tin Case list the 01099 with an "XX Inlay Shield" as having been produced, but I have not seen one of these, and I have been unable to verify that it existed. Easy to obtain at $50 or less. A gorgeous knife! It would make a great "user".
Item #: 01523 Case Collectors Club Handle: Corn Cobb Jigged Burnt Moss Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: 1050 (some Regular Member and some Life Member) Shield Type: CCC Nickel silver pins and liners Blade Print: Case Collector's Club Life 2002 Member Bolster: Engraved long tailed C xx with serial no. L000 (Number is the membership number, regular member knives are consecutively serialised, without the "L"). In Case Collectors Club zippered pouch Extremely rare. Expect to pay around $200 if you want one badly enough for your collection. close up detail of blade, shield & bolster
Item #: 01533 Case Collectors Club Handle: Burnt Stag Patt Number: 5355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: 100 Shield Type: CCC Extremely rare	Not in the collection Wanted
Item #: 02036 Handle: Peach Seed Jigged Burnt Antique Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: 250 Shield Type: Case silver script inlay	Not in the collection Wanted
Item #: 02452 Case Select Series Handle: Peach Seed Jigged Bermuda Green Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: 630 Shield Type: Case XX Select Tang Stamp: Case xx Select (undated) Comes in a special Case XX Select presentation box. This is a really classy looking knife. The colour really works well. (Currently fetches about $75 on Ebay)
Item #: 03417 Handle: Smooth Pitch Black Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2002 (SFO Smoky Mountain Knife Works) No. Made: 150 Bolster engraved with serial number Shield Type: none Handle engraved with signature of Gregory Booth Blade etch: Case oval logo Not in the collection
Item #: 03426 Handle: Barb Wire Jigged Dark Amber Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: 1000 SFO Shield Type: XX in Circle There appear to be two variants of this knife, with different sized XX in circle shields.
Item #: 03426e Handle: Barb Wire Jigged Dark Amber Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: ? SFO Shield Type: XX in Circle Engraved bolsters (same engraving as Case Mint Set knives)	As above but with engraved scroll bolsters (SFO)
Item #: 03445 Handle: Wormgroove Jigged Red Oak Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: 1000 Shield Type: Oval Case xx script
Item #: 03572 Handle: Bone Stag Patt Number: 6.5355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: 3500 Shield Type: Oval Case xx script A Bone Stag knife was also produced with a blade print for the "Central Kentucky Knife Club 2003" with an outline map of the state and a red star. This knife also had an additional round shield on the handle with the state map outline and CKKC.
Item #: 03572 Mint Set Handle: Bone Stag (Mint Set) Patt Number: 6.5355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: 250 ? Shield Type: Oval Case xx script Engraved scroll bolsters Limited edition serial number etched on blade C ® XX (serial # )
Item #: 73572e (SFO) Handle: Bone Stag Patt Number: 6.5355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: ? Shield Type: Oval Case xx script Engraved scroll bolsters The bolster engraving is of a much higher quality than the Mint Set. There is no special blade etch In W.R. Case & Sons Round Tin SFO Limited Edition. Pratts Collectable Cutlery This is a really gorgeous knife! You will still see them for sale on Ebay. Expect to pay around $75.00	(It is one of these that I used for my mammoth ivory re-handling project. Photo at the top of this page)
Item #: 03845 Handle: Peach Seed Jigged Indian Paint Brush Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: 250 Shield Type: Oval Case xx script Seahorse etch SFO for Shepherd Hills Cutlery This knife is becoming increasingly difficult to find. But my great thanks go to Rod Reid of Shepherd Hills Cutlery for taking the trouble to find one for me, and bringing it down to Nashville TN on 4 June 2005 - because he knew that I was going to attend the Case President's Tour there during my visit from England. That's personal service! Thanks Rod!
Item #: 03845a Handle: Peach Seed Jigged Indian Paint Brush Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: 250 Shield Type: Oval Case xx script WITHOUT the Seahorse etch	As above without the seahorse blade etch Not in the collection
Item #: 03917 Handle: Smooth Mother of Pearl Patt Number: 8355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: 430 Shield Type: Case silver script inlay This is the more rare of the two mother of pearl Seahorse Whittlers (see 00421 above). Expect to pay around $150 From  Spaceport Cutlery - Thanks Perry!
Item #: 03918 Handle: Smooth Abalone Patt Number: 8355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: 500 Shield Type: Case silver script inlay from  Spaceport Cutlery - Thanks Perry! Compare this with the 05274 Paua. There's nothing in it apart from the shield Expect to pay around $150
Item #: 05214 Handle: Vintage Bone Patt Number: V6355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: 5400 Shield Type: Oval Case xx script This is quite an impressive pattern. The bone  handle scales are quite thick, with high points very much like real stag. The natural bone grain adds to the effectiveness, and the jigging is quite a nice representation of stag.
Item #: 05439 Handle: Rogers Jigged Autumn Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: 7250 Shield Type: Case silver script inlay The most common, and arguably the most beautiful of the Seahorse Whittlers. Perhaps it is the rich colour, or the Rogers jigging. The combination really works well. Easy to obtain. There is also believed to be an Autumn Bone club knife (100 made), but I have no further details of that.
Item #: 05439 Mint Set Handle: Rogers Jigged Autumn Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: 250 Shield Type: Case silver script inlay Engraved bolsters Blade etch long tailed C with serial number Very rare
Item #: 10098 Handle: Peach Seed Jigged Kentucky Bluegrass Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: 915 Shield Type: Case silver script inlay
Item #: ? American Set Handle: Natural Jigged Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2002 No. Made: ? Shield Type: **USA** bar Limited edition serial number engraved on bolster - C ® XX (serial # ) Very rare. Expect to pay around $135
2003 Knives
Item #: 01184 Handle: Standard Jigged Jade Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 3200 Shield Type: CASE Arrowhead
The above knife was also produced in a boxed set with a keychain as Case item # 06008
Item #: 01184 2003 Case Product Mint Set Handle: Standard Jigged Jade Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 100 Shield Type: CASE Arrowhead Blade engraving: Long Tailed C serial # This mint set was issued to showcase the standard production knives of the year 2003. Only 100 sets were produced. Extremely rare. Expect to pay around $125
Item #: 01969 Appreciation Tour Knife Handle: Case Brothers Russell Jigged Midnight Black Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 400 Shield Type: Badge Shield Tang Stamp: Case Bros. Cutlery Co. Blade Print: "2003 Collector Appreciation Knife" So rare that it is just about unobtainable! From Cumberland Knife Works (Bill Horn) The place to obtain the rare Case special,  mint set and limited edition knives of all patterns!	In March 2003, Case started conducting their "Appreciation Tour" stops around the country consisting of 8 different locations. These locations were picked from all the dealers nationwide and the Tour Knife was a "Collectors Appreciation Seahorse Whittler". The knife features Smooth Russell Jigged Midnight Bone. (It really looks more like brown than black). A total of 400 knives were produced and only 50 were sold at each of the 8 tour stops. Only one knife per person was allowed to be purchased. They all sold out! The knife comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and is signed by Tom Arrowsmith, Case President. The Case Brothers Collector Tin is also signed by Tom on the bottom. Image of full set with certificate (Opens in new window)
Item #: 02033 Handle: Rogers Jigged Walnut Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 1175 Shield Type: NKCA Shield	Not in the collection
Item #: 02837 Handle: Rogers Corn Cob Jigged Blue Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 6600 Shield Type: Oval Case xx script Note: a small number of these appear to have been made in October 2004, but bearing a 2002 tang stamp. (Possibly a small run using up excess inventory). 25 of them were issued at the Case meeting in Norris TN in June 2005 during a whittling class.
Item #: 03464 Handle: Christmas Tree Jigged Dark Green Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 42 Shield Type: none	Not in the collection
Item #: 03771LC Handle: Bubba Gum Jigged Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 500 Shield Type: Oval Case xx script Blade print: Lady Case Surprisingly, this knife is one of the sought after ones, and one which will commonly fetch over $100.00. The colour is OK if you like that sort of thing! May 2005 update: now seen fetching $150
Item #: 03771 Handle: Bubba Gum Jigged Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: ? Shield Type: Oval Case xx script Blade print: none Undocumented. Box has only 03771 reference number (without the LC)	As above, but without the "Lady Case" blade print
Item #: 03896 Handle: Smooth Giraffe Bone Patt Number: EX355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 250 Shield Type: Oval Case xx script Giraffe bone handled knives vary from a light brown colour to pale cream - and it is very common to have both on the same knife, as this example shows. They are the natural colours with no dye. It is considered to be one of the most dense and durable bones. The giraffe bone handled knives are one of the rare ones.
Item #: 05252 Case Brothers Handle: Russell Jigged Chestnut Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 2200 Shield Type: Badge Shield Blade print: CASE BROTHERS Tang Stamp: CASE BROS. CUTLERY CO. This has to be one of the most beautiful knives in the series. Shop around and you can find it for as low as $45.00
Item #: 05252 Case Brothers Mint Set Handle: Russell Jigged Chestnut Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 250 Shield Type: Badge Shield Blade print: CASE BROTHERS Tang Stamp: CASE BROS. CUTLERY CO. Bolsters: Engraved bolsters Blade etch: C ® XX (serial # ) (this example is #117) Very rare. Expect to pay around $130 from Cumberland Knife Works (Bill Horn)	Identical to the above, but with engraved scroll bolsters and blade etch: C ® XX (serial # 117) Note the marked difference in the jigging. Every Case knife is different because of the hand work involved.
Item #: 05252 Case Brothers Handle: Russell Jigged Chestnut Bone 2003 Case Product Mint Set Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 100 Shield Type: Badge Shield Blade print: CASE BROTHERS Tang Stamp: CASE BROS. CUTLERY CO. Blade engraving: long tailed C serial # This set was issued to showcase the standard production knives of the year 2003. Only 100 sets were produced. Extremely rare.	As the standard Case Brothers Chestnut bone knife (plain bolsters) but with long tailed C serial number
Item #: 05262 Handle: Russell Jigged Olive Green Bone Patt Number: 6355WH ATS-34 Year: 2003 No. Made: 250 ATS-34 steel Shield Type: Pinned Case Brothers Badge shield Long discontinued, but still some around new if you shop around. Expect to pay around $200 plus. This one will become a very rare collector's piece.	Note the satin finished blades of the ATS-34 steel, and the (undated) Case Bros. Cutlery Co. tang stamp. This is one of the more expensive, and sought-after Case Seahorse Whittlers. ATS-34 is probably one of the very best steels used in knives, and this one would make an excellent "user". However, its value is in its collectability, and I would predict that this one will be the most valuable by far to collectors in 25 years time, and will therefore remain mint and unused. Buy one while you still can! This knife comes in a special hardwood box.
Item #: 05274 Handle: Paua Patt Number: 8355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 250 Shield Type: Badge Shield Tang Stamp: Case Bros. Cutlery Co. (undated) Nickel silver pins Comes in Case Brothers tin with knife pouch This one speaks for itself. Expect to pay around $150 Compare this with the 03918 Abalone. There's nothing in it apart from the shield	Click on the picture above to enlarge .
Item #: 05287 Handle: Case Brothers Burnt Stag Patt Number: 5355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 300 Shield Type: Badge Shield Blade print: CASE BROTHERS Tang Stamp: CASE BROS. CUTLERY CO. Comes in Case Brothers tin with knife pouch All are different. This is an unusual example. Most are a very pale stag with little of the natural "stag" look. Bill Horn (Cumberland Knife Works) describes it as "The best I have EVER seen". Try to select one from a place where there is a choice to get one with pretty stag. The price is going up already on this one. You may have to pay $100 or more.
Item #: 05655 Handle: Standard Jigged Navy Blue Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 1400 Shield Type: Case Stars and Stripes
Item #: 06133 Handle: Orgill Sunburst Orange Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 250 Shield Type: SFO for Red Hill Cutlery It appears that there might be an anomoly in product item numbers here, as Red Hill Cutlery list this knife as 06133, and yet the EXXclusive set knife below is also listed as item 06133 Not in the collection Wanted	As below, but with plain bolsters
Item #: 06133 (Mint Set) Handle: Corn Cob Jigged Sunset Orange Bone - "Orgill" From Mint Set 06136 with engraved bolsters. Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 250? Shield Type: EXXclusive shield Bolsters: Engraved scrolled (same scrolling as the Case Mint Set knives) Blade engraved with serial number (#024) in plain numbers. (Not the Case official long tailed C serial numbering, as this is an SFO) Very rare See Red Hill Cutlery	(photo: Red Hill Cutlery)
Item #: 08193 Handle: XX Jigged Dark Red Bone Flat cut faces Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 750 (SFO) Shield Type: Oval Case xx script from Cumberland Knife Works (Bill Horn)
Item #: 08193e Handle: XX Jigged Dark Red Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 250 (SFO) Shield Type: Oval Case xx script Bolsters: Engraved Blade engraved with serial number (089) Note: althought it has engraved bolsters, this SFO is not as valuable as a Case Mint Set knife. Expect to pay around $75. from Cumberland Knife Works (Bill Horn)	As 08193 above but with engraved bolsters. Different engraving to other Case knives. SFO.
Item #: Family Tree Set (Debbie Platts) Handle: Standard Jigged Red Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 250 Shield Type: Bowtie Case xx script Bolsters: Engraved Scrolled Blade etch: C ® XX (serial # 140) Extremely rare as a single knife. Expect to pay around $135 or more.
Item #: Family Brands Mint Set Handle: Honey Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 250 Shield Type: Diamond CASE over XX Bolsters: Engraved scrolled Blade Etch: C ® XX (serial # 209) Extremely rare as a single knife. Expect to pay around $135 or more. I have another of these spare, for trade or swap. Serial # 047 - A really rare knife, as very few of this mint set will have been split up.
Item #: 29372P ERTL Handle: Corn Cobb Green Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 2500 Limited Edition* Shield Type: John Deere Blade Print: John Deere Long Tailed C Serial Number on bolster With Tractor & Wagon * Or was it? Were less produced? See detail of tractor & wagon set	There is something strange going on here. These are knives. that don't appear in the Case catalogue. The tang stamp shows them to be made in 2003. They first started to appear in 2004, but first only as the ERTL Tractor & Wagon set, stated to be a limited edition of 2500 pieces. (That's rather a lot for a set of this type). The four digit serial numbering on the bolster shows that there were (or at least intended to be) over 1000 made. Case also produced (and still do) several other "John Deere" kives in other patterns. These limited edition knives with the Tractor and Wagon started to appear on Ebay in mid 2004, fetching prices of between $130 and $150. That was thought to be the end of the story. It was a limited edition set with the Tractor and Wagon only.
Item #: ?? Handle: Corn Cobb Green Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 (or 2005 release?) No. Made: ? Shield Type: John Deere Blade Print: John Deere NO serial number	However, in January 2005, these knives (still unlisted by Case) started to appear as single knives, in a normal green W.R. Case & Sons box - but without a label showing the item details, and with no production item number. Just a plain unlabelled box. (Not a Case John Deere box!). And, the "new" knife does not have a limited edition serialised bolster. It is shown above. Could it be that Case had 2,500 knives made, but that the serialised limited edition tractor & wagon did not sell sufficiently, and then the remainder of the knives (unserialised) were off-loaded? Addendum 5 March 2005: Case inform me that all 2,500 of the Tractor & Wagon sets were engraved with the serial number on the bolster and shipped out to dealers.
2004 Knives
Item #: 05081 Handle: Pocket Worn Peach Seed Jigged Caribbean Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2004 No. Made: 950 Shield Type: Oval Case xx script (Blade etch on this example is "C 1st Run") A comparison between these two knives serves to illustrate that the jigging on Case knives is always different. No two knives are identical.
Item #: 05081 Mint Set Handle: Pocket Worn Caribbean Blue Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2003 No. Made: 250 Shield Type: Oval Case xx script Bolsters: Engraved Scrolled Blade etch: C ® XX (serial # ) Serial number in this example is 070 Very Rare. Expect to pay around $125. I have one of these knives spare to trade From Cumberland Knife Works (Bill Horn) Thanks Bill !
Item #: 05219 Handle: Honey Brown Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2004 No. Made: ? Shield Type: CASE MADE IN USA
Item #: In Family Brands Encyclopedia Set (Set Item #51118) Volume 5 John D Case/Kane Cutlery Handle: Red Smooth Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2004 No. Made: 350 Shield Type: Diamond KANE CUTLERY CO. Bolsters: Scrolled engraved (different scrolling from other Case knives) Tang Stamp: Kane Cutlery Co. See details page for close up photos of tang stamp, shield and engraving.
Item #: 05311 American Workman series Handle: Standard Jigged Fire Engine Red Delrin Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2004 No. Made: 430 Shield Type: Case Stars & Stripes American Workman series. The red delrin handles and the polished nickel silver bolsters are fine, and the shield is superb, but it is let down by the blades. Not the normal high standard of finishing. The blades are unpolished, and show very distinct grind marks, giving them an "unfinished" and somewhat crude appearance when compared with any other Case knife I have seen. On the other side of the coin, look at how few of them were made! Already discontinued by Case after just one batch. If you are a collector, pick one up now!
Item #: 05916 Handle: Peach Seed Jigged Dark Red Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2004 No. Made: 800 Shield Type: Case silver script (Blade etch on this example is the long tailed C 1st Run) (When new, the 1st Run knives are the same price as the normal standard production knives)
Item #: 05922 Mint Set Handle: Peach Seed Jigged Dark Red Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2004 No. Made: 800 Shield Type: Case silver script Bolsters: Scroll engraved Blade etch: C ® XX (serial # ) Serial number on this example is 006 Rare. Expect to pay $125	Identical to the above, but with engraved scroll bolsters and blade etch: C ® XX (serial # )
Item #: 16077 Handle: Key Lime Green Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2004 No. Made: 3000 Shield Type: Bomb CASE Blade Print: LIMITED XX EDITION 1 of 3000 Not at all rare. Very common and easy to obtain.
Item #: 16077?  Mint Set Handle: Key Lime Green Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2004 No. Made: 250 Shield Type: Bomb CASE Bolsters: Scroll engraved Blade Print: "LIMITED XX EDITION" + "Series XVI Mint Set" Blade engraving: C ® XX (serial # 050) Rare. Expect to pay $125 From Cumberland Knife Works (Bill Horn)	Identical to the above, but with engraved scroll bolsters and blade engraving: C ® XX (serial # ) Also a different main blade print.
Item #: 17077 Handle: Orange Peel Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2004 No. Made: 3000 Shield Type: Bomb CASE Blade Etch: LIMITED XX EDITION 1 of 3000 Very common ,and easy to obtain.
Item #: (17077) Mint Set Handle: Orange Peel Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2004 No. Made: 250 Bolsters: engraved scrolled Shield Type: Bomb CASE Blade Print: "LIMITED XX EDITION" + "Series XVII Mint Set" Blade engraving: Long tail C ® XX (serial # 100) Only 250 of the "Mint Set" were produced, containing several different patterns of knife. Of that 250, very few sets will have been split up and sold as singles, making these very rare items indeed for the pattern collector. Expect to pay around $125 From Cumberland Knife Works (Bill Horn)
Item #: 29045 Module Two Handle: Rogers Corn Cob Jigged Purple Bone Patt Number: 6355WH SS Year: 2004 (December) No. Made: 150 Shield Type: new Case XX USA Blade Print: Handmade with pride in the USA Bolster: Engraved with long tailed C and serial number (011 on this example) In jewelry box with photos of the Module 2 team and the area in which they work. Genuine Case Collectable medallion and Certificate of Authenticity Relatively easy to obtain - for the moment!! List price $125.00 but you can pick it up for $79.99 at Shepherd Hills. Watch this one! It has already been discontinued. It is one to put away and not use.	See also: Shield and Blade Print details
Item #: 06220 Handle: Orange G-10 (synthetic) Patt Number: 10355WH SS Year: 2004 No. Made: 3000 Shield Type: Oval Case xx script A previously unknown (and not announced by Case) Seahorse has been spotted with 2004 tang stamp and Orange G-10 (synthetic) scales. It seems to be only on sale at Lowe's Stores. You either like G-10 with its "fabric" textured surface, or you don't. It is very bright. You are not going to lose this one easily!
2005 Knives No new Seahorses have been announced by Case in their "New Year's" listings for production in 2005. Many others that were listed in the 2004 catalogue have now been discontinued. Only three remain in the January 2005 catalogue.	Last year's knives repeated in the 2005 Case Catalogue: 17077 Orange Peel Limited Edition XVI 05219 Honey Brown Bone "Made in the USA" 05081 Carribbean Blue All others now discontinued. There is speculation that the Seahorse whittler is to be discontinued.
Item #: 06416 Handle: Spiney Oyster Patt Number: EX355WH SS Year: June 2005 (Tang stamp of 2003) No. Made: 39 Shield Type: none "A very short run of 39 pieces untilizing excess inventory. It was sold to several dealers and a couple of distributors". W.R. Case & Sons. This knife must have been made with excess inventory blades from the EX355WH (03896) Giraffe Bone Seahorse Whittler of 2003. This knife first appeared on Ebay in June 2005. It was not announced by Case, and does not appear in the catalogue.
KNIFE VARIANTS Standard Production Mint Set 1st Run SFO Serial Numbered Limited Edition and Mint Set Only the official Case Limited Editions have this blade engraving. SFO limited editions may have a serial number only on the blade or bolster.	The standard production, Mint Set knives and 1st Run knives are all essentially the same model. Some of the standard run knives have very small production numbers. I can see that those may become more collectable, and in turn, more difficult to obtain and more valuable as time goes on. The "1st Run" knives have a "C ® XX 1st Run" blade engraving. (There can be typically between 200 and 500 knives in a first run, depending on the pattern). Generally speaking, they command the same price as a normal production run knife at the time of release, but may well become more collectable. The Mint Set knives have engraved bolsters, and a long tailed "C ® XX (serial # )" blade engraving. Usually in a limited edition run of just 250 knives. A mint set comprises various pattern knives of the same handle material. Very few sets are broken up (perhaps as few as 10 or 20), and therefore these knives are very rare as individuals. The purist collector might like to collect all of them! I have been satisfied with just some of these "duplicates", or not a standard production knife if I have a "1st Run" knife. SFO (Special Factory Order) knives are those that have been specially commissioned by a Case dealer. Many of them are in very small production runs, and usually vary from a production run knife only with engraved scrolled bolsters, or sometimes a different bone jigging. In practice, although they may be in very short production runs, they are not so sought after, and do not command any where near the same price as a knife from a Case Mint Set or Case special set. You may also see some knives with a special second dated shield on the back of the handle. e.g. "12-31-04" or "01-01-05". These are specials sold by Shepherd Hills Cutlery as the last 25 knives of the year, and the first 25 production knives of the year. Only 25 knives of each date are produced.
"After Market" Custom handled knives	A few knives are now appearing with customised handles (seen for sale on Ebay). These range from multi-coloured plastic handles, to some with Jade handles, and also customised exotic stone handled knives by Yellowhorse. The latter are quite nice, but the others could be said to be "novelty" knives and I can't see them increasing in value. Below: A "Yellowhorse" customised Seahorse Whittler - exotic, with a silver inlay steer's head. (Search for them on Ebay if you like this sort of thing) And a "wine" coloured 16077 Limited Edition XVI that used to be lime green! Polished Mammoth Ivory Seahorse Whittler, based on the 73572e SFO from Pratts Collectible Cutlery, with its superbly engraved bolsters.
EDC The Case pocket knives I like to carry They get rotated daily from this pool of knives 8233SC SS Pen knife with scissors and gorgeous mother of pearl handles 5355WH SS Seahorse Whittler with Stag handles (The blade print wore off pretty quickly though) 63032CV Amber Bone CV Stockman (Probably the favourite, and very versatile) 62032CV Amber Bone CV Texas Jack 6207W A Mini Trapper with Clip & Wharncliffe blades The bottom line is that knives are intended to be used as well as collected. And these are just too beautiful not to be used! My other passion - old books and family history and my Archive CD Books Project.	(For those who are interested, the knives are on a huge slab of Muscovite Mica that I collected in Norway) The two Amber Bone CV steel knives A corner of the den, where the knife collection is stored. The cabinet is a modern filing cabinet from a stationery store, intended to hold letter/A4 size paper, and has lockable drawers. On top of the cabinet is a 2004 set of Limited Edition Lime Green knives, and on the wall behind, a Case Collectors Club cabinet.
Links W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. Case Collectors Club W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Forum (Knifeworks.com) Top of this page 2002 Knives 2003 Knives 2004 Knives 2005 Knives Variants of the same knife - Standard, Mint Set, 1st Run The Collection and EDC . Quick reference list Seahorse Whittler Detail Shield Types Tang Stamps Date Stamps Blade Etchings Bolsters Boxes & Tins	Good sources for Case knife collectors, especially the more unusual and rare knives: Cumberland Knifeworks (Bill Horn) Bill is one of the very few people who can supply individual rare knives from the Case Mint Sets and other special sets - all patterns of knife. Spaceport Cutlery (Perry) Perry also has many of the old and hard to obtain Case knives. Shepherd Hills Cutlery A good source for the currently available knives from Case Knife Outlet Some very good prices on current Case knives Collector Knives.net (Mike Latham) Mike has some really nice Case knives at very good prices indeed Also see: Bulldog Wharncliffe Whittlers Other Brands Wharncliffe Whittlers

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