Case XX Sodbuster, Comparing a 1974 vintage w/ recent production

During this video we contrast a 1970s vintage Sodbuster with present manufactured specimens of this time honored member of the Case line.

[@elwha6025]

I have a 1973 and a new one and while the new one is good the old one outshines it in every way. Thicker stock, rock solid lock-up and superb fit and finish. Love the oldies

[@trulsdirio]

Here in Germany, especially my region knives like these were amongst other called Hippekniep.

[@kidseatfree]

just got my yellow handled sod buster jr at Tractor Supply today! $26.99, i love it!

[@criscrisler8604]

I’ve collected sodbusters over the years. i have a number of European variants with wooden handles, several Case ones, both full sized and the Jr.. I love the ratio of handle to blade; makes it easy to use no matter the users hand size. Always one of my favorite knife shapes for general utility…a workhorse for sure.

[@duanehallett2543]

Thanks for raising the question. The Sod Buster is a traditional non-locking slip joint. Please subscribe for future postings and updates.

[@duanehallett2543]

Thanks for taking time to view this video and leaving a contribution ! Somebody at Case got it right with this design. Please subscribe for future updates. We're planing a video on edge renovation on the '70s era black handled Sodbuster in this presentation.

[@duanehallett2543]

Thank you for watching and leaving a comment. I must agree with you. Sadly in recent days things have become very inconsistent at Case . Someone in quality control needs to get their head out of the sand, before they loose all creditability and the brand vanishes !

[@Jimatuscc]

Thanks for the fast education on the CV metal blades.

[@fadingmargins]

Very taken with your no-nonsense reviews - sub added!

[@cliffchilders5820]

This was my very first case knife! I've had it for years! A very gud knife!!

[@erikramaekers63]

I have a small knife collection and I sometimes give away knives to friends or family but my Sod Buster Jr stays with me :)

[@duanehallett2543]

THX for taking time to leave a comment. I likewise keep a Sod Buster Jr around. Please subscribe for future content.

[@marycahill546]

I have the Sodbuster Junior in SS. One of my favorites, feels very good in hand.

[@duanehallett2543]

Thank you for watching and taking time to leave a comment ! Please subscribe for future up dates

[@christopherrobinson9690]

Love the sod buster Jr. Stronger than its predecessor the sod buster in my opinion. I like the bone style the most I admit.

[@grizzlycountry1030]

Appreciate you taking the time to do this video.

[@honestdave]

Mine was made back in 1963. Besides a slight bend in the blade and a little stiff to open it works great

[@DanielGarcia-en7oy]

I have the original sodbuster I purchased in 1977. I have lots of other knives,but my sodbuster is still my go to knife. I have sharpened it so much it is beginning to look like an ice pick,but I still enjoy my knife. I also have the yellow Jr. Sodbuster. No regrets !

[@dalewatkins2141]

In 1975 Case made 500 Sod Buster Knives for at least 4 N. C. Counties with the county emblems on the back side of the blades.(#2138) The first N.C. County that Case made them for was Guilford County and they came in a Non-Stainless blade. The blades quickly started to rust so Case recalled them and replaced them with S.S.Blades. romexistence

[@duanehallett2543]

Thank you for taking time to add content to the discussion. A viewer has taken exception to the existence of Sod Busters w/ stainless steel blades being produced in 1974. This despite facts to the contrary. It's my hope to soon produce an entire video in response to this . But have had COVID related delays Please subscribe to the channel and set the alert.

[@stevenstevepf7727]

@@duanehallett2543 Case introduced the 2138 large sodbuster in CV and smooth black in 1967. In 1970, Case added four more sodbusters - the large one in SS, the large one in SS with a liner lock, the small ones in CV and in SS, all of these in smooth black. So yes the 2138 SS was indeed produced in 1974.

[@sXSniping]

I live in Washington state. Found your channel last year love it keep up the good work!

[@duanehallett2543]

Thank you for the kind words ! We hope to be adding more content on more and varied topics soon. Please like and subscribe for future up dates & postings

[@kommissarjupiter7667]

They're known as Hippeknieb in the area slightly north east of Cologne in Solingen, Germany. What I noticed with this specific design is that european knife makers use wood way more often than american knife makers. I'm still debating getting a Stockman since they're somewhat cheap (sub 100)

[@watchmanonthewall9927]

mr. Duane.. I love my old case knives. sod buster is an excellent blade. I personally prefer the trappers myself. my most used and most carried for several years is their panama trapper. it's a Tony Bose design. to me it is far superior to the other pocket knives I've carried over the years. it's a trapper on steroids. I love it. it's a bit to big to carry in a pocket , so i have carried it in a belt sheath for years and it works every time i need it and it never misses a beat. it would be a good one for.u to get ur hands on if u have a chance.

[@davidcooley5135]

I've got two from the sevenths and one to the 80s and my brother had some specially built with certain still set in it

[@gregkester9075]

Hey good review. Also good choice on the cactus cooler!

[@TylerSnyder305]

The Sodbusters are actually most commonly under $30. My Tru-Sharp Jr was $25 ( got what they had but would prefer CV )

[@duanehallett2543]

Again thank you for viewing our humble documentary and contributing to the conversation. I likewise tend to prefer the C/V for most applications. Yes, if one shops the price, both sizes of the Sodbuster can be found well under MSRP. I did some quick research only to find ( our much beloved) Case's web site is being worked on ( 7/13/18) and hopefully will be in running order soon. The Yellow with C/V blade Sodbuster Jr in the video was bought in '05. I'd been watching the SMKW web site continually for the identical full size model. I ordered the one in the video in 2016 the moment I spotted it.. If anyone has primary source data (not something that was simply posted on an online forum) ) as to when the full size yellow Sodbuster was introduced into the Case line please let us know. THX !

[@Lloyd-mo]

i traded an old cowboy hat for a sodbuster jr. its been around awhile but its a good solid knife

[@krazykat64]

Delrin is definitely susceptible to damage. My old yellow junior got dropped on the kitchen floor and cracked right near one of the back spring pins. It’s fairly tough stuff, but not invincible for sure.

[@sirosis1971]

Ho there and thank you for the video. I just got a new Sod Buster Jr and the graphics on the blade feel slightly raised up off the metal. I don't recall this from my older ones. Any ideas? Thanks a ton!!

[@duanehallett2543]

Thank you for raising the question. I can only speculate, but I suggest it could be the result of greater depth of the etching on the older production ( The etching can still be felt in & barely seen on the blade of the black handed '74 in the video) and or a greater amount of colored fill on the later production examples.

[@duanehallett2543]

To add to the intrigue, I checked on a large retail website, the non commemorative Sod Buster Jrs don't show etching or imprinting.

[@sirosis1971]

@@duanehallett2543 ok gotcha, thank you for your input. Ill keep checking around and post if I find any definitive info.

[@johnsheetz6639]

I'm definitely getting me a real steel Junior and I'd like to find a trapper model too both yellow

[@rhynovanzyl7725]

Was the SOD BUSTER Hammered Forged Carl Schlieper Solingen Germany not made long before Case?????

[@bigjsknives]

I have a 74 model, just put up a vid last night on it and a 2012 jr.

[@kennethking817]

I have one dated 1971 .

[@brokenspear6604]

I just bought a CV sodbuster (full sized) and the quality that case finds acceptable is far from it. There is a large warp from just before the belly moving out toward the tip. It actually makes it really difficult to slice with. There is also large gapping between the back spring and brass liners which lends to side to side play. All in all this blade is unsafe but they allowed it to be sold anyway. This is a shame, there aren't many American knife makers who use high carbon steel any more and I want Case to do well but they could care less. And because of this, they should no longer be supported by us

[@davidfranks3141]

I'm looking for a 73 or 74 pocket knife.It's about the time i started carrying one

[@scottsmith6571]

It’s non locking ?

[@bobitobob3453]

Yes , it’s a slip joint

[@1969jmac]

case has been building the sodbuster and sodbuster jr for a long time so when I received my SB jr and it was absolute garbage I was thoroughly disappointed. it is the quality of a fleamarket $3 grab bag knife

[@davidcooley5135]

Try the original brown mules

[@latetodagame1892]

They should make sod busters without any nail nick.

[@duanehallett2543]

THX for watching and leaving a comment . No nail nick would make an interesting ascetic and an ambidextrous opening slip joint . As a side note, the first production Buck 112 Rangers had no nail nick. And the limited run commemorative edition doesn't either. The present standard productions have the nail nick.

[@latetodagame1892]

@@duanehallett2543 I love sod buster esthetically, but I'd prefer no nail nick and a harder back spring. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@johnbanco862]

Case did not make stainless sod busters in 1974..i have one...1973.

[@duanehallett2543]

In 1970 Case started marking tangs with ten dots. And dropped one dot each subsequent year. The knife in question has six dots and is plainly marked with SS. Therefore we can safely assume it's a stainless blade manufactured in 1974. Please check this link for more information on production dates on Case knives. www.casecollectorsclub.com/college/tang-stamps/

[@johnbanco862]

@@duanehallett2543 ur blade is carbon..sorry.

[@duanehallett2543]

You may indeed have a CV Sodbuster manufactured in 1973. You might want not make absolute statements in a public forum, about a knife you've not actually examined. 1) The knife in question is clearly dated with six dots on the tang making it a 1974. 2) The tang is also clearly marked SS. 3) The blade has no surface oxidation after forty four years, it would have patinated to some degree if it is CV. 4) Case historically has made Sodbusters ( and other models as well) in both CV and Tru- Sharp Stainless. 5) Case is now producing both the Sodbuster and the Sodbuster Jr in both CV and Tru-Sharp Stainless.

[@johnbanco862]

@@duanehallett2543 i realy did ur channel. But there was no tru sharp in 1974...2 years after the case family sold there company..may ur freinds knife is 1984?

[@stevenstevepf7727]

@@johnbanco862 Case did indeed make stainless sodbusters in 1974. Case introduced the full size sodbuster 2138 SS and the locking version 2138 L SS both in 1970. The 2138 SS has been in continuous production every year since then and the 2138 L SS was made every year til 1985 when it was discontinued. I am the author of the book COLLECTING CASE KNIVES, and I have been studying and dealing in Case knives since the 1970's. Very east to tell the stainless version in the 70's - the tang mark will be CASE XX STAINLESS USA and then the dots corresponding to year, and the pattern # will have SS after it.