: : Tuesday April 30, 2002 : :

Zippo/Case International SWAP Meet 2002; "Friends for a Lifetime"

BRADFORD, Pennsylvania (April 29, 2002) - Officials at W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company and Zippo Manufacturing Company are pleased to announce the upcoming Zippo/Case International SWAP Meet 2002. The event will be held on Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20 at the Zippo/Case Visitors Center in Bradford, PA. This biennial event, which drew 6,000 people from over 20 states and seven countries in 2000, gives collectors the chance to display, swap, buy and sell Case knives and Zippo lighters. This year’s theme is “Friends for a Lifetime.”

“The SWAP Meet is an event I always look forward to because it gives us a chance to interact face-to-face with so many collectors. We are grateful for such dedicated customers,” says Case President and CEO Tom Arrowsmith. Case knife enthusiasts can purchase limited edition commemoratives during the SWAP Meet, including the President’s Tour knife. Arrowsmith will be on hand during the selling of these knives to sign certificates of authenticity.

In addition to the President’s Tour, the SWAP Meet will include a one-of-a-kind Legends Tour stop. Never before have collectors had an opportunity to meet four Case Legends all in one place. The stop will include appearances by Mary Petro, a 70-year Case associate; Shine Jessup, the well-known Case salesman; John Osborne, great grandson of company founder W.R. Case and former Case associate; and Bob Farquharson, former Case president. The Legends Tour, developed four years ago, features former Case associates who have made significant contributions to the rich history of Case knives. During the stop, Legends share their experiences with collectors and autograph certificates, hats and knife boxes.

Tom Wolfe of North Carolina will demonstrate and teach the art of woodcarving. “It’s amazing to watch Tom create his art and he does a great job of teaching that art to others,” says Case Marketing Director John Sullivan. Wolfe, a long-time user of Case knives, is one of America’s foremost woodcarvers and a noted author of wood carving how-to books and videos.

Other Case activities include a Collector’s Clinic, which will provide helpful tips to new collectors and veterans alike. Tony Bose, famous knife designer, will be available to talk to participants about knife designing and his Case collaborations. Knife repair, sharpening, and cleaning will also be offered. Representatives from the Case Collectors Club, which now has over 18,000 members, will be on hand to explain the benefits of the club and to sign up new members.

Other events of interests are the Zippo tricks competition, Motorcycle Fun Run, and gigantic tent sale that offers both Case and Zippo merchandise at reduced prices. The Zippo/Case Store will feature special products and souvenirs available only at the SWAP Meet.

Thursday, July 18 is Collector’s Day and is reserved for registered collectors only. In addition to the displaying and swapping of their collections, collectors will take part in a tour through the Case and Zippo manufacturing facilities and then a barbecue and auction event held at Case.

The Thursday night auction event gives collectors the unique opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind Case knives and Zippo lighters. Among the Case knives up for auction is the Seahorse Whittler Set with Natural Abalone handles and the arrowhead shield. One knife will feature Damascus Steel Blades and the other, Tru-Sharp‰ Surgical Stainless Steel blackened blades. Also on the auction block is the Tony Bose Set which includes the Tony Bose Prototype and the Case Prototype of the 2002 Tony Bose/Case Collaborative Gardener’s Knife.

To register as a participant or to find out more information on the Zippo/Case International SWAP Meet, contact Case Consumer Relations at 800-523-6350 or consumer-relations@wrcase.com. Click for more information.
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