Best Stockman

A

allenC

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Jun 18, 2000
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Okay, what is your pick for the best 3-blade stockman pocket-knife (sorry, no customs)?
 
The Buck 301 is my favorite of the stockman pocket knives. I've had one for years. They are still being made.
 
That's a tough one. I guess my vote would be for the Buck 303. It doesn't sit heavy in the pocket and cuts like gangbusters. I have to admit that I'm growing fond of the Shrade Old Timer 80T though. That carbon steel is great.

I have yet to order one of the Camillus abalone 1095 steel stockmans, but plan to do so in the near future. I should also have a couple of German Bulldogs arriving in the mail tomorrow to try out this weekend.

Does anybody know anything about the steel on the new Marbles pocketknives? That Wharncliffe whittler looks might fine. :D
 
I have one of the Camillus faux tortoise-shell celluloid stockmen. Great knife made all the more special for having received it from James Mattis. Excellent carbon steel blades.

I saw in Knife World today where it said the Marbles folders were going to be 1095, but I could've sworn they were going to be 440A.

I'd check it out beforehand.
 
Queen cutlery makes a knife brand called S & M (no not that type of S & M :)). A lot of thier prior knives were made with ATS34.

Schrade old timers are a bargain and a half and get an honorable mention follwed by the Buck stockman.
 
Woohoo!!!! I got in my two German Bulldogs today!!!

These are sensational slipjoints. The first is a Tennessee Walking Horse Stockman with stag handles. The second is a 1998 Canoe pattern. I've always been a stockman kind of guy myself, but the canoe pattern could change my mind in a hurry. It's just the right size and has two great blade shapes.

I must say that American manufacturers need to look to the Germans for a better understanding of "walk and talk". The quality of these Bulldogs is almost unbelievable. They're very smooth to open and close, but the spring action is still very strong. I didn't know that you could get both qualities in a slipjoint. I always thought that one quality was a trade-off with the other. I’m happily corrected.
:)
 
Sounds like some great knives.
My choice is also the Buck 303. Although I prefer flat-ground blades, the fit and finish and ergonomics of the 303 are nearly perfect (much better than what I've seen from most of the other makers).
Now if it only had white micarta scales...
 
Check out the Mooremakers. Wonderful craftsmanship, stag handles, and high carbon steel.
stagstockman2ongreen.jpg

Queen Cutlery and Schatt & Morgan also make nice ones but I think they use SS. AG Russell has a nice selection.
Lenny
 
All of the knives in this thread are very good knives thus far. They point up a the huge variety in slipjoints for
the knifenut to enjoy. The Stockman that is my daily pal is a yellow Buck 307 at 4 1/4" closed. Of all the many,
many knives I own this stockman just never seems to be the wrong knife for daily chores of all types.

There is an article in Tatical Knives Nov 2001 issue that Steven Dick (editor) wrote about the beloved stockman
(and slipjoints in general) that is a great read. Steven has always been a big fan of the stockman too.
 
I used to carry two Case medium stockmans, one a Red Bone and one with Brown Bone. Both these knives served me very well, I only stopped carrying them because I became worried if I ever accidentally dropped them, what with their bone handles.

I own a Camillus #67 stockman that is very solid/well-made, with stainless blades. Strangely, it has an odd smell to it, and my hands smell after I handle it a lot (came from the box that way).


I have owned a few Schrade stockmans, in both carbon and Schrade + stainless. Their carbon blades seem to come much sharper out of box than their stainless, but all are solidly made.

My favorite as far as pure use with less worry about maintenance are the Buck versions, the 303, 703, or even the 301. Each blade on the Bucks has its own separate backspring, so the blades aren't "crimped," or bent to accommodate each other. The 420HC blades seem to hold an edge nicely, and resharpen fairly easily, and resist rust very well. Also, the newer Buck 300 series have the edges of the bolsters more rounded off, so as to lessen the effects of pocket wear.
Jim
 
I'll have to go with the Buck 703 for now. I've had my eye on a Marble's stockman lately though. Anyone had a chance to check one out in person?
 
I have several, Browning, Case, Uncle Henry, Camillus (mine has a smell, too), but the Old Timer 8OT, and Buck 301, are my favorites. I would like to own a Boker someday, or a Queen, but they are not in the budget for now. My favorite is my Old Timer. It takes a great edge, doesn't look too bad, and has never let me down. I like the patina the blades are developing, from slicing apples, sweet-potatoes, spilled coffee and so forth. My Buck 301 is an excellent knife, and it usualy goes with me when I worry about rust problems. I split them up about 50/50 (or just take both). I prefer large stockmans, but on the advise of Buzzbait, I recently got a Buck 303, so time will tell how this one works out. So far, so good, though!) :D
 
I recently picked up a stockman that surprised me: a Sears Craftsman 4" with wood scales and brass bolsters. I am nearly certain that this is a Camillus product. The knife came in a sealed blister pack, so I was unable to check it out before I bought it, and I was concerned about side-to-side play. This knife came shaving sharp, had nearly no play on any of the blades, and had excellent walk and talk. I've touched up the edges on the two blades I've been using most, and they come right back to an even sharper edge with no effort at all. The best part: this knife cost me a twenty dollar bill and change. Many of the more expensive brands I've handled recently all exhibit a fair amount of blade wiggle and less than desirable edges, and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this knife. I don't know what steel is used for the blades, but I'm hoping it's at least 440A. It's certainly not carbon, since it has been cutting fruit for a while now with no noticeable effects. I think this knife will end up replacing my large Old Timer stockman for camping and outdoor work, since it won't have corrosion issues.

It seems that the stores in my area tend to specialize in tactical/cheap United fare, and Frost or Bear MGC slipjoints when they carry slipjoints at all. It is refreshing to find good quality at reasonable prices (and with wood scales!)
 
I'm very fond of the Hen & Rooster knives, as long as they are the carbon steel blades. Also, the Eye Brand carbon steel knives are some of the best edge holders out there.
 
Here's my choice (though admittedly, I don't own one yet :( ). Click <a href="http://www.knifeoutlet.com/henpocket.htm">here</a> and scroll down to the "Henckels 7 Whittler." While I know it's not the traditional stockman, it does offer most of what I look for in a slipjoint: carbon steel blades, pocketable 3 1/2" size, rounded bolsters, natural handle materials, and quality fit/finish.
 
My vote goes to the Buck 307. I bought mine new in 1984 and have carried it so much that the black is fading from the handle. It still is tight and has been used a lot.
 
I would recommend Queen or any of their associated brands which includes Schatt & Morgan and Robeson. These are all made by Queen and they use the best steel of any mass produced multiblades (ATS-34 & 440C).
 
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