I’ve gone over how Case still makes exceptional blades. Slip joint knives are in decline in most parts of the world. However, in the country, you can still find Case knives on the belt of any working man. The Case Sodbuster is a popular design that has been around for decades.
USE: The Sodbuster is an EDC knife. There is no way a slip joint of any kind could be used as a tactical knife.
DURABILITY AND STEEL: The Sodbuster is a classic knife. It is .08 inches thick and 3.55 inches long. It isn’t the most robust knife I have ever seen, but it was designed during a time before “super hardcore” EDC knives were a thing.
The steel is Case’s Chrome Vanadium (CV) or Surgical Stainless (SS). The CV steel has high resilience, is easy to sharpen, and rusts easily. The SS steel is a mediocre steel that can be compared to 440A.
3/5
ERGONOMICS AND TEXTURING: The Sodbuster has natural ergonomics. It feels great in hand, however it has no traction plan to speak of. It is an old design, so I may have to cut it a break because apparently grandpa didn’t believe in G10 and gimping.
“I killed fitty men with a Sodbuster!”
3.5/5
ACTION AND LOCKUP: There is no side to side or up and down play in the blade during lockup. The slipjoint action has a very strong backspring but won’t close without deliberate action.
4/5
COST: The Sodbuster can be bought for anywhere from 25-100 bucks depending on the handle material. I bought the yellow synthetic handle with the chrome vanadium blade. I think the lower end handle materials make for a great deal to the slipjoint aficionado.
4.5/5
FINAL THOUGHTS: The main issue I have with Case Knives is that they have really lost some of their quality control. The last two I have purchased have had small issues that shouldn’t be present in a U.S. produced blade carrying the name “Case”. The Sodbuster I purchased has terrible blade centering and it scratches the finish of the blade every time I close it. Come on Case, we deserve better.
OVERALL SCORE: 3.5/5 Good Enough For Government Work
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