Cattle Knife Roundup

[KnifeHead]

Since the equal end jack thread was such a great success, let's see if we can put together a nice string of cattle knife images.

The cattle knife was probably inspired by the equal end jack, being an equal end knife as well. There are other versions of the cattle knife in serpentine, swell center, sleeveboard, etc. but equal end cattle is probably the original shape for this knife. The standard cattle knife is a 3 blade knife on 2 springs similar to a stockman. The main blade is normally a spear point, the second blade a spey, and the third being the pen or sheeps foot blade. Leather punches are often found in this pattern and also master clips. Four blade versions can be found by Remington and IXL. The cattle knife was made probably as early as the 1870s.

Here is a fine example of an old cattle knife with the Chapman Hand Forged stamp. Ebony handles. 3 5/8" closed length.

 

[Trent Rock]

The main blade is normally a spear point, the second blade a spey, and the third being the pen or sheeps foot blade.

Is this considered a cattleman?

It's not super fancy because I am a cheapo (i prefer the term frugal)
Plus, I like the character of old , weathered knives
No mustard for Trent though

I'm still learning all the folding knife lingo
I guess this would be a serpentine cattleman?

 

[dan97526]

What distinguishes a cattle knife from a stockman?

 

[zerogee]

Trent: No, that's a premium stockman pattern (usually just called a premium stock) -- serpentine handle + rounded bolsters + clip main blade = premium stockman. A standard stockman pattern is much the same, except it has squared bolsters.

Just about all cattleman patterns have a spear main blade and are equal end patterns -- however most of the time it's still a cattleman with a clip main blade - so long as the handle is an equal end pattern. Unfortunately, people have basically called any pattern with a spear main + sheepsfoot + (pen/spey/punch) a cattle knife, so you will see some strange ones -- I've even seen an old Case "cattleman" that was based on a swellback congress handle pattern (pretty, but strange).

 

[thawk]

Heres a 3 3/8" Schrade Walden pattern 856. Kind of a hybrid, more of a stockman blade assembly. Probably a late 50's early 60's version. Seems like the spear bladed Cattleman knife was favored earlier, and more clips were found in later years. I notice these were thicker and heavier knives than other patterns.

 

[smiling-knife]

This is a 4-blade version by Wostenholm as Kerry mentioned earlier. The handles are a textured composite material. My one and only Cattle knife.

 

[billym]

I love how the Wolstenholm's clip blade says to "oil the joints".
Cool pattern.
Bill

 

[KnifeHead]

OOOOHHHHHaaaaahhhh! SK...if you ONLY have one cattle knife, that's a dandy to have. "OIL THE JOINTS", you gotta love that

zerogee - Thanks for the additional info for Trent and all. It's too bad that, over time, some patterns became "confused" by manufactures doing their take on it.

 

[RandyW]

One of my favorite patterns..Thanks for sharing the pics and information. That IXL is a keeper!!

 

[Trent Rock]

Unfortunately, people have basically called any pattern with a spear main + sheepsfoot + (pen/spey/punch) a cattle knife, so you will see some strange ones

I think that was part of my confusion
Thanks for the clarification
I think I got it now :thumbup:

 

[kamagong]

Here's one that I wanted but slipped away.

 

[Original]

Love that IXL, I tend to use every IXL I own, they are just too good to sit on a shelf.

 

[JPD1998]

Here's a pair of mine.
I like the fit & finish of the S&M, but like the heft of the H&R

 

[zerogee]

....Seems like the spear bladed Cattleman knife was favored earlier, and more clips were found in later years. I notice these were thicker and heavier knives than other patterns.

I forgot about that point -- although the "standard" size for the old equal end cattleman knives seems to have been about 3 5/8", they were normally really heavy duty built - thick blades, thick handle -- a real handful.

 

[sunnyd]

.. Those are very nice CK's brother!!.

And S-K That vintage GW I*XL one with oil the joints... OOOHHOO WWEEEE!! Son on this light tackle!:thumbup:..

Smiling-Knife, truth be known, yours is the real deal, that is,, sporting the harness punch blade and with its 4 blades its the true blue user in the bunch!!.

Here is a 4 line,"hand made" Bull Dog with carbon steel., match-striker pulls, frosted etch w/Stag scales & pinched bolsters and hefty at 4 1/4 inches closed.. : )

Hell, they all look good!.

GREAT THREAD..

 

[stockman242]

Thats a nice one you got there. It looks like it has a real nice f&f, I really like the stag.
I've yet to find ma a nice Bull Dog

Thanks for sharing

 

[waynorth]

Beautiful Chapman to kick off the thread, Kerry. Cattle knives are one of my favorite patterns. I used to collect the pattern, and I can't wait to get to my own computer and post a few!
Nice examples everyone! Sunnyd, yours is like a hybrid stockman-cattleman; Nice knife!

 

[JPD1998]

Sunnyd-

I always look forward to your pictures....beautiful Bulldog.

 

[sunnyd]

Thanks fellas one and all, much obliged..

Charlie, thanks for your interpretation.

 

[waynorth]

I like your "magical transformation knife" sunnyd!!