The 2024 Case Zebra Wood Medium Toothpick (and a bit of a rant)

This video is primarily about the Case Zebra Wood Medium Toothpick, a knife that is part of a series of knives for 2024. And while the knife is the primary focus, I did digress. My digression discusses what I believe is the best course of actions to take when a knife is not up to their individual standards.
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[@ericstarr9399]

Beautiful knife! Thanks for sharing! I agree with your opinion on how the retailers should communicate issues back to Case.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Glad you like the knife. Thanks also for your thoughts.

[@slick_slicers]

Comment number 2. One of the things that I really like about case knives is what I call the fondle factor. That is the way they feel in your hand they seem to achieve this better than most. I also like zebra Wood, but like called materials there will always be different grades at different prices. This looks really good, but the downside to zebrawood is that it does have natural voids in the wood. They could fill these voids, but then you’d lose the character of the Wood. I think that the case copper lock is a good looking knife, but remember it is half.trapper! Actually, it is a trapper with a copperhead bolster at the other end. I hope this doesn’t put you off! The move from stamps to etches is a real shame to me, but it is even affecting some of the best traditional Sheffield makers now. I enjoyed the video very much, you talk a lot of sense, as ever!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

As long as they don't start calling the Copperlock a "Copperlock Trapper" I'll consider purchasing it. My main issue with the way some companies call any "jack knife" or any knife with a spay blade a Trapper. There are so many excellent exotic woods out there. Quality Zebra wood is really nice. I think that sod buster sold by Frost just cut some cross grain cut pine wood and sold as Zebra Wood. The etching of tang is definitely a bad sign to me. Hopefully Case will be able to survive the current economic conditions. And hopefully the Sheffield community will also survive these difficult times. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@slick_slicers]

I can feel a few comments coming on here. I’ve just paused the video at six minutes to make this comment, but I suspect they’ll be more! First of all, gapping in knives. Gaps between bolsters and liners and between covers and liners are unacceptable, but very small gaps between the spring and the liner are really part of traditional knife making. In days gone by the liners were either cut or stamped from Brass sheet, hammered flat and then dished. This insures that a convex liner meets the flat back of the cover. When pinned together this gives more pressure around the edges, making a good seal. The invert of this being a convex liner is meeting the spring and it can allow for small cap, but they do no harm. Many companies now use either laser or water jet cut parts from a flat sheet. On the one hand this means that dishing is less necessary, but it also means that they are not made in the traditional way. This is especially the case with GEC, and they add to this by riveting their covers, rather than traditional peened rivets. Next, you should always return items to the retailer, not the manufacturer, as your contract is with the retailer who sold you the knife. Their contract is with the manufacturer or distributor. Manufacturer May except warranty work Direct, but certainly in the UK they have no obligation to do so, as they have no contract with the end user. Back to the video!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

You are 100% spot on. Often warranty papers on major sales will even boldly print, to return to the item to the retailer if it is found faulty on receipt.

[@JoseGonzalez-yx6vm]

Zebra wood grain is really nice, the medium is a comfortable carry, thanks for sharing it, Tobias.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I agree about a comfortable carry. They just disappear in the pocket but are very useful when you need something sharp or pointy. Thanks for watching and your input. Really appreciate it.

[@Zen_Ali_123]

I've been waiting for your take on this one. Thanks Tobias 👍

[@jeffjackson5331]

Beautiful toothpick Tobias. Beautiful knives

[@dougwatkins5441]

To me That's not a gap that's even worth worrying about. I think it's a beautiful little knife.Thanks for sharing Tobias

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

My experience with light shining through a gap is people using a parlor trick to complain about particular knives they don't like. If you look hard enough, you can always find something wrong.

[@singingtoad]

I think zebra wood looks very pretty, I'd like to get a knife that has it some day. 👌 Thanks for sharing about your pretty zebra wood knives. 😊 Take care my friend and Cheers!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Skip will be showing one pretty soon. I think I have about two or three other ones I failed to show. It is an interesting wood grain.

[@davidkurle5418]

This was the first video I've seen on one of the zebra wood knives, I think it's a very handsome cover material👍I definitely want to get at least one pattern with these covers. Cheers, buddy!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

They are really quite nice. I'm very happy with the knife

[@artawhirler]

Excellent video as always! Thanks!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Thanks for watching and your input. Really appreciate it.

[@terrillschneider3778]

Light will shine through a .001” gap Paper will slide through anything over.003” If people are that concerned with gaps I would suggest going to an auto parts store and buying a feeler gauge I’m planning to buy a Case Zebra Wood knife soon

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Thanks for the info and the tip. Let me know which one you bought and your thoughts, when you purchase one. Thanks for watching.

[@Pocket_EDC]

Some good points, Tobias.

[@checkmatekingtwothisiswhit7685]

When I send a knife back (which is rare) the retailer has always sent me a prepaid shipping label. Thanks Tobias

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

This is almost common practice these days.

[@beaurex4756]

I have some high-grade wet/dry sandpaper in very fine grits to smooth transitions on almost perfect knives. Then I finish them with a Sunshine polishing cloth. Happiness is a shiny, smooth knife.

[@LeashMechanic]

That’s a great looking toothpick, thanks for showing it! I was so on the fence about buying it last week but ended up not. Light coming through a micro gap doesn’t bother me and the blade centering on yours would be acceptable but when it came down to it looking at the bills I have this month I couldn’t justify spending almost $80 for a small collectible right now, maybe in the future. Love the way it looks though!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I think you made the wise choice. What good is a pretty knife in your collection if you don't have a roof over your head or food on the table.

[@bdh3949]

It truly is a good looking knife and the just under 3.5" blade is legal here. This is worth a look I think. Tobias, my most expensive Case is an abalone large copperlock. It rubs the liner, so I don't use it. I have 3 other copperlocks and all of them are off center which does not bother me at all but it seems either I have bad luck with copperlocks or copperlocks are the issue. Thanks Tobias.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Maybe you have the same luck with Copperlocks that I have with the Case Canoes.

[@gizmocarr3093]

Most all woods are graded for appearance, grain structure and for levels of quality. It looks like Case use a higher quality Zebrawood on your knife.👍

[@Stans_Collectors_Universe]

WOW, that Zebra wood looks good. When it comes to blade centering, I agree when it is hitting the side then yes send it back. The blade for mee just has to be not touching. Thanks for sharing and Collect Your Own Way!

[@WoodsmanHobo777]

I have very little money but I managed to save up for a Case knife, I bought a yellow comp slimline trapper and around three of the small pins it had deep circular imprints in the comp covers around the pins, like they hammered or pressed to hard. The blade was also not centered but I'm like Tobias, the centering doesn't bother me that much as long as its not rubbing. I basically threw $50 away.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

If you're not happy with it, and I would send it back. I've sent back more that one knife. I know what you mean about those circular imprints. That would annoy me to no end and I think that shows poorer workmanship that the uncentered blade. It is also a sign that whatever Case was using for the Yellow Comp must not be Derlin anymore.

[@WoodsmanHobo777]

​@@KnifeChatswithTobiasthank you, God bless brother

[@rasputinscastle]

Pretty wood 😊

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

They did a good job with the zebra!

[@patricegarnierlobo25111967]

nice knife

[@skatepuunksurvivalist8536]

SMKW told me to deal with Case XX USA directly for a poor quality Zippo Trapper with a bad linerlock. Disappointed with both on this one

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

did you buy it from SMKW? If so did they offer to exchange or refund if you returned it? This is usually what they can do with a knife you purchased from them if you're not satisfied. If you want to have it repaired then you will need to deal with Case or Zippo for the warranty issues.

[@hleeky]

this is off topic but i wish CC used better steel bc they have some appealing knives; however, i do agree that the quality of their zebra wood is not that great

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I saw one source that had their steel on the scout knife listed as 440C. I'm almost positive that was wrong. I too wish they'd step away from 3Cr and up to at least a 440A.

[@rockets4kids]

None of my GEC knives show even the slightest hint of light through the backspring. I'm really kicking myself for not buying more GEC knives when they were easy to purchase at an affordable price. (edit: I paid less than $100 for most of my GEC knives, btw.)

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Use a brighter light and look closer. Seriously the amount of light shining through most of my knives is negligible. But with a bright enough light I can make it to show through by partially opening the blade and wiggling the knife around just right. To me, It's truly a parlor trick that some people who are looking for issues will do. For me, light shining between the gaps between back spring and liners is not an issue unless it hampers the function of the knife. Does the blade open and close smoothly? Is there noticeable grinding when the blade is moving. Is the blade lock up nice and tight and to your satisfaction. Is everything flush? Then who cares if you can shine a bright light on one side of the knife and keep see a razor thin sliver of light? If the gap you see is unattractive, then don't buy the knife. I have seen knives with gapping issues and I don't need to shine a light to discover it. I stopped worrying about the light thing along a time ago. It's like examining the blade grind under microscope. People will use the light trick to condemn Case and then ignore the light on a brand they want to promote over Case. I know what you mean about GECs and the difficulty obtaining them and their prices. I think I paid over $100 for one of mine but it was in Stag. Most were in the $80-$95 range.

[@rockets4kids]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias I've tried really darn hard and still nothing.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

@@rockets4kids , could be one of three reasons, 1) there’s no light getting through 2) your vision is failing 3) you need to clean the knife. In all seriousness, the build quality of GECs is fantastic. My GEC with most light bleed is the 97 BeaverTail Allegheny

[@rockets4kids]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias I don't have any problems whatsoever seeing the light coming through most other knives. The GEC knives I have are really that good.

[@propblast82nd]

Maybe Case should start employing Chinese workers ?

[@WilliamsKnifeLife]

Heads would explode on that one.🤯 Made in the USA by Chinese workers 😂

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

My experience has been that QC issues are throughout the industry and they tend to wax and wane over time. The more the economy sucks, the more QC drops. For me, this knife is pretty good. The blade centering doesn't bother me but I know for many, its the most important thing they look at in a knife.

[@rockets4kids]

Case needs to take some lessons from GEC. They are only a 90 minute drive away...

[@propblast82nd]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias I love Case but have got a couple with ridiculous flaws from faulty construction . Seems like they are suffering from a lack pride in their work

[@hectorsoto3772]

Case has serious problems, I stopped buying case knife , a lot of disappointment