Best Sub $100 Stockman For EDC

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eNon

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Hi All,

I'm looking for my first knife for EDC that I'll have purchased through deliberation and intention rather than just a quick selection from a hook at the store. I'm not really into the tactical style, which along with memories of my grandfather's traditional knife collection has brought me here for a classic gentleman's folder.

Right now I'm carrying an alox rambler on my keychain, but the only non sak knife I have is a small chinese made 2 blade buck. I was looking for something nicer.

I've flipped through a number of threads on here and I really like the idea of having a 3.5" - 4" knife and a clip & sheepsfoot combo sounds really good. Seems a Stockman is the best route for this, though I don't think I'd find a use for the spey that the other 2 couldn't handle. I found this S&M Horticulturalist which fits the bill, but I wasn't that into the bright red scales and jig patterns on those. I'm more of a fan of darker bone colors from what I've seen so far like ambers and browns. I'm a big fan of woods as well, but it doesn't seem like wood is used as much for scales.

Anyways, I'm interested in some opinions on a solid EDC stockman for under $100. What do ya'll think? Thanks.
 
Well, they may not have the scale material you seem to like, but I think the USA made Schrades are definitely worth checking out. The 34OT if you want something medium sized, or the 8OT for something larger. They aren't the prettiest knives around, but man do those carbon blades get sharp.
 
Hello, and welcome :)
I'm not the greatest expert on American multibladed traditionals, but, considering your requirements, I would probably look for some other pattern, and not necessarily stick to the stockman.
A wharncliff trapper, for example, would fit your needs better than a stockman.
But I'm sure others here will be able to give you great feedbacks.
Fausto
:cool:
 
OK my vote goes to Case...If you want one nice EDC that your going to take care of,, drop 45-65 bucks on a Case...I have one Case knife that was a gift and I'm too hard on my EDCs to carry it all the time....Its my Sunday church carry.....

Case does make some beautiful stockman models as well..

CD
 
I'll put in another vote for Case.

They have a nice selection of jigged bone scales and the stockmen are in a range of size from large to medium. Stockmen available with square bolsters or round, and I believe they have a medium stockman that has a pen blade in place of the spey blade. You say you like the darker bone, so I'd really recommend the chestnut jigged bone. The chestnut bone Case's I've seen in the last year leads me to believe they have their best elves working on them. Fit and finish has been great. Plus they are right here in the U.S. and they are great people. If you have a problem with their product, you can give them a call, and they will make it right. Case service is great.

Also you can get the Case CV which is some very good carbon steel. The CV is not as available on a wide range of models, but you can look through their offerings and pick and choose what you like.

Carl.
 
I like the one I have. Case CV medium Stockman, with jigged amber bone.

cvstockman.jpg
 
Here's a Stockman that you don't see too often. Schatt & Morgan Railsplitter. 3 5/8 inches closed. Last time I looked there was a dealer that had them in stock for less than your spending limit.

IMG_0472.jpg


IMG_0476.jpg
 
mdsmith said:
Well, they may not have the scale material you seem to like, but I think the USA made Schrades are definitely worth checking out. The 34OT if you want something medium sized, or the 8OT for something larger. They aren't the prettiest knives around, but man do those carbon blades get sharp.
Click to expand...

This. But I would also throw in the open stock model Schrade 881 as I find that jigged delrin prettier.

I have a few 881s and they are solid, good fit and finish, with 1095 carbon blades that sharpen up fantastic. A certain auction site has a few on there right now and they seem to be easily had for less than half of your budget.
 
The Case humpback stockmans are a neat variation on the standard stockman, and depending on scales, they are well under a hunsky. Buck 301 in any variation is well under a hundred. If you can find one on the auction site which shall not be named, you can get a brand new Schrade 8OT for well under a hundred. I found mine at an oceanside resort in MD, at a huge discount in a hardware store display case. You can find most any Case stockmans in both CV and SS for well under a hundred. Queen makes some nice stockmans for under a hundred. I did get a really nice Tidioute cattle rancher/king(4 blade stockman) at a show direct from the GEC guys for around a hundred.
 
I just found the knife I was thinking about...again, it's a two bladed jack and not a stockman, but apparently has everything you need:
GEC #53 furtaker trapper.
Fausto
:cool:
 
My recommendation is for a Queen large stockman (#9), like this one here:
9acsb.jpg

The ACSB (amber carved stag bone) is just about my favorite production handle material, lately, and Queen's D2 is amazing. :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
I would second both the Queen #9 in ACSB or the GEC #66 Calf Roper in either ebony or purple sage bone.
 
Thanks for all the info gents.

BTW, where do these companies get the bone that is used for these knives? Once it's processed for these it kinda looks shiny like plastic (at least in some of these photos).
 
eNon said:
Thanks for all the info gents.

BTW, where do these companies get the bone that is used for these knives? Once it's processed for these it kinda looks shiny like plastic (at least in some of these photos).
Click to expand...

Much of it is sourced (or at least was) from Brazilian cattle shin bones.

Welcome to the forum. I like your taste in patterns. :thumbup:
 
Case,Buck,GEC,Queen,or an American made Old Timer.Good knives all.The Queens D2 is a little harder to put an initial edge on,diamond stones are handy for that,but once you get an edge on it'll hold it for a long time.
 
I have a G.E.C. cattle rancher that hasn't left my pocket for a year. Can be bought for around $100. Might be a bit large though at 4 1/8 inches.
 
All good suggestions. For WELL under a hundred you can pick up a vintage Schrade or Camillus. New old stock. That's my bias though. First thing I thought was a nice old Uncle Henry would fit the bill. But then, I was just looking at them. :)
 
Everyone has there favorite. As I gain wisdom with maturity, I see that lots of knives are of high quality and have a harder time saying which one is best. I collect Bucks so I provide info and photos of what I have. Here is photo of slightly older 301s, but it gives a good look at the scale materials. New models are slightly more rounded on the bolster ends. I guess I need to make a new photo....all these ought to be under $100 but the old ones will take some searching.....
300Bucks

301Group.jpg


My favorite handle material offered on a modern 301 is the smooth yellow.
Yellow301frnt-1.jpg


My favorite 'old' standard issue, you can find it around if you look, 301 is from the mid-80s (bottom 2). Buck made, unique shield, 425M Paul Bos heat treated steel.
BuckOne.jpg


My personal all time favorite 301 has some kind of antler on it , stag or my persoal choice elk.....(you will have to search for these)
301-Stags.jpg
 
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