A tale of three Stockman

T. Erdelyi

T. Erdelyi

Joined
Feb 3, 2001
Messages
32,359
Alright here's what I wanna do, I have three medium/small Stockman patterns that I EDC,

034.jpg


036.jpg


1)A Faux Pearl Buck 303T with Bucks 420HC

2)A Northwoods medium Stockman with Burnt Stag scales with 1095 CV blades

3)Finally a Queen with Stag scales and D-2 blades.

I plan on EDCin' the three knives for a week exclusively and keepin' a short diary of my impressions to be posted here at a later time, (not too much later).

Anyhow first impressions, the Buck feels like the beefiest knife of all and I like the fact that it has three backsprings one for each blade yet it's really no wider than the other two Stockmans, I really like the heft of the Buck, it actually feels heavier than the other two, I'll have to put 'em all on a scale and post the specs for each knife.

I really like the hollow grind on the Buck and also the fact that the sheepsfoot is sandwiched between the other two blades makin' stronger and more centered which aids in it's use as a point cuttin' blade.

What I don't like are the phony MOP Scales, although overall F&F are excellent, blade sharpness Outta da box, on a scale of 1-10....I'd give it a 7.

The Northwoods, (the 2008 Traditional's Forum knife) was keeper from the day I laid my hands on it, even though they burnt the tips on the blades, (all three of 'em) while sharpenin'/polishin' the blades durin' production but the Stag scales just sucked me in, they were a supper match, with such a warm and comfy feelin', the flat ground blades outta box sharpness about a 6.

It just nestled in yer hand perfect, it makes ya compulsively wanna rub it, the Arrow Head shield fits perfect, again F&F were perfect, once I put a sharp edge on all the blades I was happy.

Negatives, the only complaints I had about this knife were the tip burnin' and the nail nick could've been deeper, nothin' I can't live with the spring strength and nick depth still balance well.

Lastly a Queen #26 with Stag scales also with flat ground blades in D-2, F&F were great this knife has half stops on the two smaller blades and quarter stops on the main Clip blade.

The Stag on this knife is really grippy which feels good when the knife is wet, F&F with this one also excellent the only problem I had was the shield popped outta the scales within the first week I had it but I used a clamp and some twenty four hour epoxy and it's held for the last year and a half.

Sharpness outta da box rated a 5 :( but once I dressed all the blades on each knife they were a 10 on all blades.

The Northwoods sharpened the easiest

The Buck was the next easiest and the Queen in D-2 was the hardest but I think it'll hold an edge the longest.

Well those are my thoughts I'll post more as the week progresses, if ya have any requests or comments feel free to post 'em here and I'll try to address 'em all.

Thanks for readin' what probably is my longest post to date.
 
Last edited:
I look forward to following your post. I really like my Northwoods too.
 
This will be interesting, thanks for posting. I like the crisp appearance of the saber(?)-ground master blade on that Buck, and that unusual blade layout looks like it might offer improved ergos over the more traditional arrangement when using the main blade.
 
I had that same buck as my first slip joint. Like an ass, I passed it on and still kick my self for it. The buck is probably the only knife you can get with dove tailed steel bolsters for that price. Enjoy it.

God Bless
 
99f250 said:
I really like the Northwoods you have there.
Click to expand...


So far I like the way the Northwoods feels in my hand, it has that pocket worn feel to it, a warm kinda smooth feelin'.

The Queen because of the high ridges in the Stag seem to grip better when my hands are cold or wet

The Buck feels like a quality tool, you know kinda like the difference between Snap-On tools and Sears, one is just a better quality better ergonomically fit tool, the other still a quality tool but not what the pros use, in this case the Buck is the Snap-On, used by the pros.

Later I'll talk about cutability, (is that a real word?).
 
Man you are killin me. Those are gorgeous knives, especially the queen. I cant wait to hear what you have to say about them.
 
I have similar knives.

I will be interested to hear what you think of the Buck with the hollow grinds and full spines
I find the blades much thicker to use than the Queen/Northwood, especially the secondary blades. They do not slice as well.

What is interesting about the 303 and the #26s are their clip blade lenghts are as long as the larger Case stockmans, so you are getting the same blade lenght in a noticably smaller knife
 
Good post, interested in how it turns out. I also have the same Buck and like it alot.
 
Looks like if the Buck had stag it would be a no brainer.

That said I like the Northwoods as it has the same blade steel as my Case Medium. And I can get the best edges on CV steel or plain old 1095.
 
Interesting thread you got going here. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and findings on blade performance. I have a poly-pearl 303 myself and like it alot.
Jim
 
Are you sure that Queen has stag scales? They look more like stag-bone to me.
 
PBJS, You can get it in stag, you just have to find one on a stores shelf or an auction. I like the even older elk scales the best. 300
 
Alright how about some quick specs:

Buck 303T

OALC 3 1/4" :: OAW 1/2" :: LOALO 5 7/8"

length tip- tang

Clip 2 1/8" ::::(width @ tang) approx. 5/64"

Sheepsfoot 1 1/2" " 5/64"

Spear 1 1/2' " 5/64"



Northwoods Medium Stockman

OALC 3 5/16" :: OAW 1/2" :: LOALO 5 15/16"

length tip- tang

Clip 2 1/4" :::: (width @ tang) approx. 5/64"

Sheepsfoot 1 1/2" " 5/64"

Spey 1 1/2' " 5/64"



Queen #26

OALC 3 5/16" :: OAW 1/2" :: LOALO 5 7/8"

length tip- tang

Clip 2 1/4" :::: (width @ tang) approx. 5/64"

Sheepsfoot 1 9/16" " 5/64"

Spey 1 1/2' " 5/64"



Spent most of yesterday goin' through a months worth of mail and junk mail, so I spent a lot of time slicin' usin' the clip blades on all three, the queen had the pointiest blade of all three and punched through the little windowed envelopes with ease.

They all excelled at opening mail, which I expected but the Buck handled the heavier envelopes much easier, the hollow ground blade on the Buck, although the edge was a little toothier, overall was the slicin' winner when it came to cardboard and thicker envelopes.

For lunch I had some kielbasa and some veggies and cheese, the flat ground blades both on the Northwoods and the Queen went through bread, kielbasa and veggies with ease, they all cut well with the Buck bein' better at cuttin' the harder veggies and the flat ground showin' their abilities with the softer veggies, tomatoes and mushrooms.

Worked out in the barn later in the afternoon tyin' up some old leather drive belts and some cardboard I cut up earlier, the Buck seemed to stick out here as the better work horse, the placement of the Sheepsfoot blade sandwiched at the opposite end between the other two blade made it sturdier, more comfortable and more accurate when cuttin' shapes outta the cardboard, the other two, (Northwoods, Queen) after a while because of the blade placement and the way the blades were bent to allow them to nest together made long term use uncomfortable after more than 10 minutes, (but durin' an average days use, I don't see any problems.

I did slice up some of the 1/4" thick leather drive belts all knives cut through with relative ease, here again all the sheeps foot blades excelled but the Buck stood out above the others, it cut straight without wantin' to drift.

So as of right now as far as workin' goes the Buck is in the lead with the Northwoods a close second, (Ican't help it I love the feel of the Northwoods) followed closely by the Queen.

More to come.:)

More pics too.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top