A new line of knives launched in 2021 modernizes Case’s line with single-hand-opening flippers and high-end steel. We put the Case Marilla pocket knife to the test for this review.
Case Knives have been around since W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. launched way back in 1889. And throughout its life, the Pennsylvania brand has found its way into literally millions of pockets around the world.
Now owned by Zippo Manufacturing Co., Case knives are still made in Bradford, Penn., and carry a legacy of quality. But they also lean toward traditional designs like friction folders and fixed blades.
But a recent launch, the Marilla, brings Case firmly into the 21st century.
I’ve been carrying the Marilla for a couple of weeks, and it’s quickly become a favorite among my quiver of dozens of EDC knives. Read on to learn more about this modern knife from an iconic American brand.
Case Marilla Review
The Case Marilla is a one-handed flip-opening knife with a 3.4″ CPM-S35VN drop point blade with a saber taper to the tip and aggressive jimping on the spine. This is an eminently practical blade shape that you can deploy for nearly any use. Open a package, skin a deer, or whittle some wood — this blade should handle the task.
The blade is a bit thick to chop veggies well, but it’ll definitely do in a pinch in camp.
The handle is anodized aluminum with a G10 inlay. This provides a strong, reliable handle with some decent friction for use in wet conditions.
The blade flips open with a pull by your index finger and a slight flip of the wrist. It snaps open smoothly on a ball-bearing pivot. The action is very nice in the hand, making it a nice fidgeter while watching TV if you’re so inclined.
So far, the knife has proven to have a great shape and heft for EDC and outdoor use. The CPM-S35VN steel is excellent and should hold an edge for a very long time. It’s one of our favorite mid-grade steels and very popular on good knives.
The knife has a nice ambidextrous pocket clip that allows for deep carry. The only ding against it is that the screws securing the clip make it a little hard to insert the knife into your pocket. It’s not a big deal, but a minor annoyance if you are regularly clipping it over a day.
Overall, I like the Case Marilla a lot. It’s a great first flipper from the brand. If you’re looking for a fairly robust flip-folding knife with an aluminum handle and good steel, it’s a nice knife from an iconic brand. Find one at Blade HQ for about $136.
