The Case XX® Vault Program Explained

For the past several years, Case fans have been asking, “What’s in the Vault, and will I ever see my favorite patterns in stores again?”  Here is some background on the program and our most up-to-date information to help answer these common questions. 

What is the Vault Program?

The Case XX® Vault provides Case with a way of preserving our slip joint knife patterns so that the spirit of Case knives and knife collecting are kept alive for today’s consumer and across future generations. 

Case’s Vault program originally launched in 2008, aimed at reaching several key goals. First, we wanted to address manufacturing concerns that are endemic to operating a factory that maintains roughly 140 unique knife patterns. Second, was to address a growing demand for hand-crafted Case knives, especially as Case continues introducing new knife patterns. Third, and most important, was the commitment we want to uphold to our community of Case fans and collectors that want access to an exciting lineup of new patterns, as well as their own personal favorites from the past. Doing so keeps our product assortment fresh while also helping to ensure older knives become more sought after over time.

To that end, Case categorizes slip joint patterns that are not currently part of our core line of offerings yet are considered “collectible” and/or significant to Case’s history. 

Pattern Category Definitions 

Case can assign a pattern’s status as Active or Vaulted based on equipment and tooling condition, sales history, current consumer demand, and changing business conditions.

  • Active – These patterns are currently offered for sale in our core assortments, promotional families, commemoratives, and dealer Special Factory Orders (SFO’s). These can be found in our current CORE Product Guide on caseknives.com. 
  • Vault – Patterns that are not currently part of Case’s core offerings. Before being reintroduced, these patterns must pass through our own Vault process that progresses over a period of at least three years. This includes a tooling evaluation to identify any improvements, repairs or rebuilds necessary to the success of a pattern’s rebirth. A small committee of Case employees meet annually to choose the returning Vault pattern for the coming year.
  • Collaborations – Case patterns built in accordance with a custom maker’s unique design, manufacture and final approval. These are the Case knives made in our factory with a fit and finish that rivals that of a bona fide custom model. 
  • Inactive – These patterns do not qualify to be candidate Vault patterns due to limited resources, materials, low demand/overall consumer interest, or other problematic aspects of their design or manufacture.  Inactive patterns can be brought back into production when conditions are satisfactorily met. However, in some instances, Case may ultimately have to cease production of certain patterns due to irreparable damage to original tooling, critical machinery or other special equipment or circumstances. In such cases, those patterns will live on as representations of a previous era in Case craftsmanship, symbols of notable accomplishment along Case’s storied history.

Conclusion

We understand that Case fans would like us to produce every known Case pattern at any given time. However, with well over 100 unique designs produced over more than 135 years of history, it would be simply impossible for Case to manufacture them all in perpetuity. With 50 different Case patterns currently in Active and Vaulted status, our priority continues to focus on providing you with high quality, traditional Case® knives while we continue to innovate for the future. It is that ideal that made the Case name one of the most popular knife brands and a symbol of quality in the USA and abroad. 

-----

List of Product By Status

Here is an account of our slip joint patterns that are currently in ACTIVE or VAULT status

 ACTIVE

  • ’54 Trapper
  • ’07 Mini Trapper
  • ’18 Medium Stockman
  • ’37 Sod Buster® Jr.
  • ’20 Peanut
  • ‘0096 Small Texas Toothpick
  • ‘131 Canoe
  • ‘048 Slimline Trapper
  • ‘032 Medium Stockman/Jack
  • ’38 Sod Buster®
  • ‘749L Mini CopperLock® 
  • ‘953L RussLock®
  • ‘44 Medium Stockman
  • ’65 Folding Hunter
  • ‘059L Mini Blackhorn®
  • ’47 Stockman
  • ’33 Small Stockman/Pen
  • ’75 Large Stockman
  • ‘0094/ ‘0094F Medium Texas Toothpick/Fishing Knife
  • TB’39 Sowbelly
  • ‘549L CopperLock®
  • ‘009 Barlow
  • ‘087 Medium Stockman/ Medium Jack/Pen
  • ‘225L Lockback
  • ‘132 Baby Butterbean
  • ‘154 Tiny Trapper
  • ‘55WH Seahorse Whittler
  • MUSKRAT Muskrat
  • XR’37 Crossroads Sod Buster® Jr.

VAULT

  • TB’028 Teardrop
  • ‘052 Medium Congress
  • ’85 Doctors Knife
  • ‘165 Pocket Hunter
  • ’49 Copperhead
  • ’25 ½ Small Swell Center
  • ’68 Small Congress
  • ‘005 Razor
  • ’82 Baby Doc
  • ‘130 Gunstock
  • ’08 Half Whittler
  • ‘265L Mid-Folding Hunter
  • ‘063 Eisenhower
  • ‘1 ½ Cheetah® Cub
  • ’15 Small Gunstock
  • ‘156 Tuxedo
  • ‘83WH Splitback Whittler

 

 

Please note that currently ACTIVE patterns can be found in our 2025 PRODUCT GUIDE

Back to blog