Case XX Knife Blades ---Three Quality Types of Steel

We have sold Case XX Knife Knives, made by W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company, on Ebay for four years. During that time, we have learned a lot of things about Case XX Knives. We are happy to share some of our hands-on and acquired knowledge to help you to buy a Case XX knife or knives online with confidence and knowledge. This guide will introduce you to the W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company. We will then share with you what we have learned about the blades on Case Knives. We hope you enjoy the guide and find it helpful in your search for that "just right" Case XX knife or knives. You can see many of the blades we describe in this guide in our knives up for auction by clicking our seller name, tammylee57.

About W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company

W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company began in 1889. William Russell, (W.R.), John, Jean and Andrew Case began making knives, selling them on an upstate New York wagon trail. Today, Case XX knives are still made in America and remain  quality, hand-crafted knives. Many Case XX knives are passed from generation to generation, and have become collectibles as well as everyday knives carried in pockets around the world. Today's company is based in Pennsylvania, where a huge variety of knives are produced. You can find useful pocketknives, fixed blade hunting knives, working knives, or Limited Edition collectible knifes in the Case XX line of knives. Another family-owned and world-renowned company, Zippo Manufacturing, now owns the Case company.

About the Case XX Knife Blade

How the "XX" come to be the trademark of a Case knife? One has to return to the beginning days of the company to learn about the infamous "XX". The "XX" was used as a way to check the quality of the knives. Case uses a process of heat-treating to make their blades. When the blades were put through the first hardening furnace, an "X" was marked on the pan holding the blades. The blades were returned to the furnace for a second hardening, at which time a second "X" was added. The "XX" was a "check system" to ensure that each blade had been through both hardening processes. The Case "XX" trademark is still used today to represent the quality and craftmanship that is put into each knife.

What are the blades made of? Case uses only premium steels, all of which is carefully selected and then tested for quality. Case has pretty stringent expectations for which steels they will use. Nothing but the best is chosen. Case uses three kinds of steel in their line of knives. They are:

Chrome Vanadium (also known as CV)

Tru-Sharp Surgical Stainless Steel (also known as SS)

ATS-34 (usually referred to as just ATS)

Chromse Vanadium blades come from an alloyed steel. This steel contains characteristics that make the blade easy to sharpen. With just a brisk, quick sharpening, a Chrome Vanadium blade is easily restored to its original edge. Some special care is required to maintain a Chrome Vanadium blade's finish. It's helpful to keep a small amount of oil on the blade. Case makes honing oil that is perfect for the job.

 Tru-Sharp Surgical Stainless Steel blades, or SS blades, are made from a high-carbon steel. This high-carbon steel holds an edge better than a regular steel, and also gives the blade strength and some protection from rust. 

ATS is an actual brand name for a type of steel. The steel contains carbon, chromium, and molybdenum and contains very few impurities. This steel is stainless, is very hard and rust resistant. Sharpening of knives made with ATS is more difficult than with other Case knives.The ATS steel is known for its superb ability to produce blades that hold an edge.

 Case manufactures all of their knives with one of the three kinds of steel explained here. They make many different types of blades, using only the three types of steel discussed in this guide. A list of the common types of blades with a picture follows:

We at Mountain State Cutlery hope we have helped you to become informed about the types of steel Case XX uses in their quality blades. We believe Case XX make a top of the line knife at a very reasonable price. Please look for click on other Guides to find more great information about Case XX knives.