Case Bose Lanny’s Locking Clip 2020 Collab Smooth Ebony

• Made in the USA
• Micarta and 154CM-Steel 
• Limited Design by Ton Bose

Close to Custom 

A custom knife from Tony Bose is considered by many friends and collectors of classic pocket knives as the ultimate grail. After his sudden death in 2020, rare Bose custom knives are moving into an even more unattainable distance for most than they already were. But even before his death, a Tony Bose pocketknife was well above the budget of many fans at two to four thousand dollars.

In order to make his Customs accessible to a somewhat larger clientele, Tony Bose decided towards the end of the 2000s to launch an annual, strictly limited mid-tech series, of one model each, produced under his auspices at Case. Only the four best and most experienced employees are allowed to work on this project, and only after Tony Bose has personally explained each step in detail. To make a long story short, this is as close as you can get to a custom Bose knife. What Case delivers with these limited edition models is pretty impressive. Loving craftsmanship at a high level is on display here.

For 2020, it was the turn of the Locking Lannys Clip, a modified version of an absolute classic.

In the early 90s, Tony’s friend Lanny asked him if he could build him a sturdy folding knife for working on his farm. What was needed here was a slipjoint with a stiff spring that could also do rougher work. No sooner said than done. Tony liked the result so much that he not only named the knife after his friend, but continued to build and modify it. Today, the Lannys Clip is one of the benchmark patterns for knifemakers around the world.

In 2020 Case decided to make a new version of the Lannys Clip – this time with Tony Bose’s signature mid-lock. Much like his Customs, the first thing that catches the eye on the Locking Lannys Clip is the curved handle. The knife feels rich and grippy in the hand and offers a high level of security. Both the blade, bolsters, liners and back spring were made from 154CM stainless steel. This is the American answer to the legendary ATS 34 from Japan. Both steels are extremely popular with US knifemakers thanks to their universal properties. To keep the blade running as smoothly as possible, the liners of the Locking Lannys clip have been milled out so that the blade sits on integral washers. This has the advantage of allowing the visible portion of the ricasso to run freely and not become marred with radial scratch marks over the years. Just like the grip panels, the shield was pinned cleanly and not glued on. The brushed bolsters, with a wide Rat Tail groove, provide additional stability to the knife.

The blade is clearly identifiable at first glance as a Tony Bose Clippoint. With 3mm blade thickness and the Sabre Grind, the Lannys Locking Clip is a real working knife, which can handle tougher cutting tasks thanks to the lock. The swedge starting at slightly halfway down the back of the blade, makes for an elegant but still very stable tip. The Lannys Locking Clip is opened with the large nail nick, which offers plenty of space and a good grip. For a small, optical highlight provide the tempering colors, which were left in the milling of the nail house. 

All in all, it remains to say that we have it here due to the limitation with a clear collector’s item zutun. However, it was important to Tony Bose that his knives are also used despite the high prices. The Lannys Locking Clip is a pocket knife that wants to be worn and used despite its noble workmanship.