Case knives WERE the standard that all others were just by. However in 1970 the Case family sold its ownership in the company and as happens most time, quality suffered after that date. Old man Case was the father of the knife industry in our country. His influence was wide spead. His relatives started many companies including Western knives. Old Case knives are the most sought after and valuable folders around. The days of the old folders seem to be gone. To hold a bone handled knife with blades of carbon steel that has a long matchstriker pull and double cut swedges, a beautiful nickel bomb shield , nickel pinched bolsters and brass liners, is like fondling a fine old firearm. Like older firearms, older knives were all handbuilt by craftsmen , one at a time. Unfortunately like firearms that are now made of plastic and potmetal, the knife market has followed suit. Now the knife industry is headed for the " all steel and industructable" standard. Plastic guns and all steel knives have no personality. Just like a beautiful wife, a quality knife or gun need to be taken care of and charished, and act of taking care of them shouldnt be a chore but an act of reverence.