Sometimes, you can go home again.

Thirty years ago (gasp), I walked into the ancient S.F. Travis hardware store in Cocoa, Ha., in search of a good pocket knife. The clerk wasted few words as he pointed to the display of knives from Case Knife Company: "These are the best," he said.

I purchased a Case Knife called "Sod Buster." It was big enough to do real work, it rode smoothly in my hip pocket, and the price was right. I carried that knife for years, and used it for everything from dressing game to cutting radiator hoses.

Checking out a current catalog from Case XX Knives was like walking into that wonderful hardware store again. I ordered a fresh example of the Sod Buster for inspection.

Frankly, the new Sod Buster is far better than my old one, as it is now constructed from corrosion-proof stainless steel. It's a simple, reliable working tool, nicely made in the U.S.A., and still sold at the right price.

Case offers a stunning variety of different models, all made in the best traditional manner. As a sample of something a little fancier, I examined a Case "Peanut" knife in mother of pearl.

This beautiful little pixie measures only 2 3/4 inches closed, and positively gleams with its nickel-silver bolsters and mother of pearl scales. Mother of pearl is an unforgiving material, and it takes real skill to fit and pin these scales into place.

The Peanut carries one clip-point blade, as well as a dainty pair of scissors. Just the thing for snipping that loose thread or cutting a story out of the newspaper. It has a ball for carrying on a chain, and would be a peach of a gift for some distinguished fellow who carries a pocket watch and chain.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Publishers' Development Corporation
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group

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