A Case Cheetah® Cub 81086 folding knife shown open. The 2.73-inch Tru-Sharp™ Surgical Stainless clip blade is deployed with a bowl finish — a warm, low-glare surface treatment between mirror polish and satin; the Swing Guard is visible at the base of the blade. The smooth yellow synthetic handle scales are bright, high-visibility yellow with a clean, consistent surface; the Case Oval Shield is inlaid on the handle. Closed length 3.5 inches, weight 1.9 oz. Made in Bradford, PA, USA. 2026 Case XX Vault limited return.

Case Cheetah Cub 81086 smooth yellow synthetic handle — Case Oval Shield, high-visibility, 3.5 in closed, 1.9 oz, 2026 Vault

Case Cheetah Cub - 2.73" Tru-Sharp Surgical Stainless Bowl-Finish Clip Blade, Smooth Yellow Synthetic Handle - 81086

SKU: CA81086

Case

MSRP $114.99 Our Price $95.99

(You save $19.00)

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Overview
Warranty Information
Specifications

Product Description

The Case Cheetah® Cub 81086 returns from the Case XX Vault in 2026 — the same compact Swing Guard pattern that collectors have admired since 2005, now in a smooth yellow synthetic handle that trades natural bone character for high-visibility practicality at $75.99.

The blade is Tru-Sharp™ Surgical Stainless Steel — Case's high-carbon stainless formula engineered for longer edge retention than conventional stainless, with extraordinary blade strength and corrosion resistance. The clip blade carries a bowl finish — Case's subtle, warm surface treatment that sits between a mirror polish and a satin, producing a low-glare finish with a refined appearance suited to a clean, bright handle design. At 2.73" on a 3.5" closed frame, the Cheetah® Cub delivers a genuinely pocket-friendly slip joint comparable in size to the Mini CopperLock®.

The smooth yellow synthetic handle is Case's high-visibility option — bright enough to find in a pack, a truck cab, or tall grass when you set it down. Consistent appearance across every piece, with none of the grain variation of natural bone. Case Oval Shield inlaid on the handle. 1.9 oz. When the 2026 Vault program ends, the Cheetah® Cub returns to retirement.

Key Features

Blade: Tru-Sharp™ Surgical Stainless, bowl finish, clip profile — 2.73 in; Swing Guard deployment; single blade; longer edge retention than conventional stainless
Handle: Smooth Yellow Synthetic — high-visibility; consistent appearance; Case Oval Shield; 3.5 in closed, 1.9 oz
Deployment / Lock: Swing Guard, slip joint — Cheetah® Cub pattern; 3.5 in closed frame comparable to Mini CopperLock®
Carry: 1.9 oz; 3.5 in closed; 2026 Case XX Vault limited return — available for a limited time only; made in Bradford, PA, USA

Outdoor users and hunters who want a high-visibility handle that won't get lost in the field — yellow synthetic is the practical choice when you need to find your knife fast. First-time Case buyers who want the Cheetah® Cub at the most accessible price point in the 2026 Vault lineup. Collectors who want the full 2026 Cheetah® Cub Vault set across handle materials — yellow synthetic pairs with Old Red Bone (10309) and other Vault options.

Add the Case Cheetah® Cub (81086) to your cart today — the 2026 Vault limited return in high-visibility yellow synthetic with the legendary service and fast shipping Knifeworks is known for.

Warranty Information

Case Knives warrants each and every Case knife to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the owner, and will repair or replace with a new Case knife, at Case's option, any Case knife that is defective. Case does not warrant its products or their finish against normal wear or misuse. For warranty service, contact Case directly at caseknives.com.

Specifications

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Product Type	Traditional Knife
Product Brand	Case Knives
Item Number	81086
Model	Cheetah® Cub
Case Family	Smooth Yellow Synthetic
Pattern	Cheetah® Cub
Pattern Stamp	311 1/2L SS
Number of Blades	1
Blade Style	Clip Point
Blade Material	Tru-Sharp™ Surgical Stainless Steel
Blade Length	2.73 inches
Blade Finish	Mirror-Polished
Handle Material	Yellow Synthetic
Handle Color	Yellow
Handle Finish	Smooth
Closed Length	3.5 inches
Lock Type	Slip Joint with Swing Guard
Shield	Case Oval Shield
Weight	1.9 oz
Edition	2026 Case XX Vault — Limited Time Return
Origin	Made in Bradford, PA, USA
Blade Range	2.5-2.99

Product Videos

Custom Field

Product Type Traditional Knife

Product Brand Case Knives

Item Number 81086

Model Cheetah® Cub

Case Family Smooth Yellow Synthetic

Pattern Cheetah® Cub

Pattern Stamp 311 1/2L SS

Number of Blades 1

Blade Style Clip Point

Blade Material Tru-Sharp™ Surgical Stainless Steel

Blade Length 2.73 inches

Blade Finish Mirror-Polished

Handle Material Yellow Synthetic

Handle Color Yellow

Handle Finish Smooth

Closed Length 3.5 inches

Lock Type Slip Joint with Swing Guard

Shield Case Oval Shield

Weight 1.9 oz

Edition 2026 Case XX Vault — Limited Time Return

Origin Made in Bradford, PA, USA

Blade Range 2.5-2.99

Product Reviews

2026 Case XX Vault — Yellow Synthetic

The Cheetah® Cub is back for 2026 only — in high-visibility yellow synthetic at $75.99. Bowl-finished Tru-Sharp™ clip blade, Swing Guard, 3.5 in closed, 1.9 oz. When the Vault program ends, it goes back into retirement.

Tru-Sharp™ Bowl Finish — Swing Guard

Case’s high-carbon stainless — longer edge retention than conventional stainless, extraordinary blade strength and corrosion resistance. Bowl finish clip blade at 2.73 in. Swing Guard for safe deployment. Compact size comparable to Mini CopperLock®.

Authorized Dealer — Case Lifetime Warranty

Knifeworks is an authorized Case Knives dealer. Every 81086 purchased here carries Case’s limited lifetime warranty — free of defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the owner; repair or replacement at Case’s option.

Same or Next Business Day Shipping

In-stock orders ship from Columbia, Louisiana. Questions? Call 888-225-9775 — our team carries these knives daily.

Case Cheetah® Cub 81086: Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Case Cheetah® Cub in Smooth Yellow Synthetic, answered by the Knifeworks team.

What is the Case XX Vault, and why is the Cheetah® Cub only available in 2026?

The Case XX Vault is Case Knives’ program for returning discontinued or retired patterns to production for a defined, limited window. The Cheetah® Cub was first introduced in 2005 as a scaled-down version of the original Cheetah® and has been retired since. For 2026, Case brought it back through the Vault program in a range of handle options — including this smooth yellow synthetic configuration. When the 2026 program ends, the Cheetah® Cub returns to retirement. These are genuine limited-availability production pieces produced for the Vault window only — not an artificial scarcity marketing tactic, but a real production calendar that closes.

Why choose the yellow synthetic Cheetah® Cub over the Old Red Bone version?

The yellow synthetic (81086) and Old Red Bone (10309) Cheetah® Cub share the same platform: 2.73 in Tru-Sharp™ clip blade, Swing Guard, slip joint, 3.5 in closed, 1.9 oz, made in Bradford PA. The differences are handle material, blade finish, and price. Yellow synthetic is high-visibility — bright enough to spot in a truck cab, a pack, or tall grass when set down. It is consistent across every piece with no natural variation. The bowl-finished blade has a warmer, lower-glare character than the mirror-polished Old Red Bone version. At $75.99 vs. $95.99, the yellow synthetic is also the most accessible Cheetah® Cub in the 2026 Vault lineup. Choose yellow synthetic for field practicality and value; choose Old Red Bone for natural bone character and collector appeal.

What is a bowl finish on a knife blade, and how does it differ from mirror polish or satin?

A bowl finish is a surface treatment applied using a rounded buffing wheel that produces a warm, semi-reflective finish — brighter than a satin or stonewash but with less glare and more warmth than a full mirror polish. The name comes from the bowl-shaped buffing wheel used in the process. On the Cheetah® Cub 81086, the bowl finish gives the Tru-Sharp™ clip blade a refined appearance that complements the clean yellow synthetic handle without the high-glare intensity of a mirror polish. It is a practical finish that resists showing fingerprints and surface marks as readily as a mirror polish while retaining a premium appearance.

What is the Swing Guard, and why does the Cheetah® Cub have one?

The Swing Guard is a pivoting safety guard at the base of the blade that swings out of the way during blade deployment and locks into a protective position between the blade and handle when the knife is open. It prevents the hand from slipping forward onto the cutting edge during use — a meaningful safety feature on a slip joint knife, which relies on spring tension rather than a mechanical lock to keep the blade open. The Swing Guard is the signature feature of the Cheetah® pattern family and the detail that most distinguishes the Cheetah® Cub from other Case slip joints of comparable size.

Is the yellow synthetic handle durable, and does it require any maintenance?

Yellow synthetic is one of the most durable handle materials Case uses. Unlike natural bone or wood, synthetic handles are not affected by moisture, temperature changes, or oils from the hand — they don’t swell, crack, dry out, or fade in normal use conditions. The smooth finish requires no conditioning or maintenance beyond occasional wiping down. The high-visibility yellow color is consistent across every piece — unlike Old Red Bone where color depth varies per knife, every 81086 handle looks essentially the same. For buyers who prioritize function over natural material character, the yellow synthetic is the right choice.

What are the full specifications of the Case Cheetah® Cub 81086?

Blade length: 2.73 in. Closed length: 3.5 in. Weight: 1.9 oz. Tru-Sharp™ Surgical Stainless Steel, bowl-finished clip blade, Swing Guard, slip joint. Smooth Yellow Synthetic handle. Case Oval Shield. One blade. 2026 Case XX Vault limited return. Case limited lifetime warranty. Made in Bradford, PA, USA. $75.99. Knifeworks ships same or next business day from Columbia, Louisiana — call 888-225-9775 with any questions.

Tru-Sharp™ Bowl Finish · Clip Blade · Swing Guard · Smooth Yellow Synthetic · Case Oval Shield · 1.9 oz · 3.5 in Closed · 2026 Vault · Limited Return · Bradford PA USA · Authorized Dealer

Tru-Sharp™ bowl finish. Swing Guard. High-visibility yellow synthetic. 1.9 oz at 3.5” closed. The Cheetah® Cub is back for 2026 — when the Vault closes, it’s gone.

Knifeworks is an authorized Case Knives dealer. The Cheetah® Cub 81086 ships same or next business day from Columbia, Louisiana. Call 888-225-9775 with any questions. Case limited lifetime warranty on every knife.

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