Recommendation? Case large stockman

N

Newfie bullet

Joined
Dec 28, 2024
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As you may have read I lost my old timer 8ot , I bought new in 1995, as I have been driving myself a bit crazy looking for it I thought maybe the best way to make it a little easier on myself is to buy a new knife. Since I can't get a new old timer 8ot locally and have to order online and is skeptical on the China made ones I'm thinking about a new Case large stockman , not really sure if I should go with the yellow scales 00203, or the bone amber peach seed jig 00204, thinking in carbon steel . How do you guys like your carbon vs the stainless models?
Newfie
 
Many traditional pocketknife aficionados prefer carbon steel blades and Case has good carbon steel, takes and holds an edge as good as you are at sharpening it. That said, I am a longtime Case carrier and like their SS just fine, many times I prefer it over CV or CS. Their stainless is not a super steel (nor is their carbon) both Case steels get the job done and are easy to sharpen, hone and maintain. Buy the one you like most. OH
 
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I agree. Knowing that they're not supersteels, both are more than capable. That said, I do find that the Case carbon steel is much easier to get razor sharp than the stainless.
And that all said, there are plenty of US-made (used) 8OTs on the big auction site for less than the price of a new Case.

And, just because pictures are fun, here is my 6375 large stockman in CV and amber bone. Doesn't get a whole lot better than this, IMO.
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I have and carry (tho not concurrently) both a 6375CV and 10375SS.
Ease of sharpening, and edge retention are pretty much a draw. Both can be taken to 10 DPS/20° Inclusive, without worry of chipping the edge during use.
To me the SS has the disadvantage of any "mirror polished" blade: That being: They are a 🤬🤬 fingerprint and smudge magnet. 😡☹️🥺

The main thing to consider is: Do you want a patina, or always and forever "shiny - new" blades?

If "shiny - new" (OR you foresee using a blade as a signaling mirror) go with Stainless.
Carbon Steel ("CV" or the new "CS" designation) if you want patina.

Your choice of covers also comes into play, of course. Case offers more cover choices with SS blades.

Another option is a used pre-2004 8OT. "Unused and "unsharpened" examples of the 8OT are commonly available online.
You might be able to find one for less than what a new Case 75 (depending on covers) goes for.
 
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The Case 6375 in carbon steel is a great knife. It’s a big workhorse.

I recently compared it (in size) to the new Blade Forum stockman. If you’re used to carrying a large knife, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

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And here it is compared to a couple other Stockman models.


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USA made Schrade Old Timer 34OT, Schrade “custom” 897PSTP, Rough Rider 1073, Case 6375, GEC 91.
 
I'd absolutely go with the Amber jigged bone because it's can be wo great looking, and of course I'd choose their 1095 carbon steel.

The one thing to think about is whether you want to be surprised by what the covers on your knife will look like.
Stock photos are used and every bone handled Case knife will look different.
their synthetic handles are all identical and there's nothing to worry about.

I've seen a few examples of their amber jigged bone that didn't look so hot, but most tend to look great.
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Fact I say is, CASE offers the best range of Stockman knives at the moment, the proportions of their patterns medium or large are just spot on.

If you can choose one yourself in a store so much the better, but I can say that as a European I have to get my knives online or via the kindness of strangers/friends and I have not been deceived :thumbsup: Hickory n steel Hickory n steel makes a very valid point about the Amber Bone, it can vary in colour a lot but it can be one of the best.

Stainless v CV /carbon is a draw in both senses of the word for me. CASE make pocket-knives not supersteel behemoth moderns, and both types work excellently in their role. So you have to get one of each 😍 I'd suggest Amber Bone carbon/cv and Yellow Delrin stainless-core 'traditional' The only thing I'm not so keen on with their stainless is the mirror polish finish (crocus) it's a fingerprint hell :eek: but a bit of time with paper can give it a satisfying matte (glaze) look- some models come 'as ground' with a matte finish-wish they all did!

Good luck and please report back on your choice.

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Ps. For a Case Stockman the same size as your old Schrade USA 8OT also look at the 47 pattern. It is a 4” Premium Stockman, with the only difference being rounded bolsters. It is also available in a wide variety of handle colors, materials, etc. (maybe more choice than with the 75 frame). The 6347 pictured above is SS with polished blades, all the current CV/CS have polished blades as well. OH
 
The Case 6375 is a pretty good sized chunk of knife. I bought one several years ago. Bigger than your 8OT. I have the Amber Bone in CV. Yellow is pretty traditional. You get it scary sharp and would be a nice every day carry knife. It's just too big for me personally for a daily knife. Study the above pictures of reference carefully.
If you want something similar in size to your old 8OT, as mentioned, Case has many choices in their Medium Stockman. #18 or 47's in any configuration would do nicely to scratch that traditional itch and pass as a more "public friendly" knife.
I'm a big Buck fan and the model 301 is practically identical to your 8OT but with a stainless blade in the famous Buck 420 steel. Heat treated better than average 420, easily maintained and can be stropped on a piece of cardboard like I do.
For a slightly smaller package is the model 303, being more pocket friendly. You can get them most anywhere online for around 70 bucks. They have a cheaper version from Asia, and they are pretty good for what they are, just not my thing.
You may already be aware of this anyway, but I noticed you are a recent member here. Welcome aboard and BEWARE..... You can spend a lot of money .......🤣
 
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I’m a fan. I had to tighten up the Spey joint, so my bolster’s a bit of a mess, but it serves me well. The clip also has a really proud spring in the open position.

I see no difference between CV and stainless, except aesthetics. I have no experience with their regular carbon, but I expect it to be similar. It’s pretty soft as far as heat treats go. Not a big deal, but it’s noticable.

I might recommend the 2024 forum knife as a much more expensive but generally better product.
 
Case's '75 stockman has always been one of my favorites. In fact, it's probably THE overall favorite of mine. Nice thin blade grinds, especially on the sheepfoot blade. All but one of mine are in stainless. One example of those is in the last photo below, and it will take a nice medium-grit edge, like ~400 or so, give or take; anything from a Fine India stone to a 600 diamond works very well with it. And the CV example I pictured below will respond nicely to any edge finish from medium and up. Case has stated on their own forum years ago that their CV, which is a 'modified 1095' by their own description, was hardened to a spec a couple points above what they spec for their Tru-Sharp stainless, published as HRC 55-57. So, that would imply their CV was hardened to HRC 57-59 or so. Takes and holds a great edge. I'd assume they'll try to hold to a similar spec or very close to it for their recent generation of carbon steel, which is still 1095.

(Edited to add...)
BTW, I've LOVED Case's Amber Bone on their knives. Its look varies in any number of attractive ways according to the light under which it's viewed. And in low, warm light, it's beautiful and reminds me of honey. See the 2nd to last photo.
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I'm a fan of both the large case 75 stockman or the 47 stockman. The 47 is really hard to find in carbon though. A certain case dealer has a yellow delrin 47 exclusive in carbon steel, but that's the only way to get a new 47 in carbon.
 
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