eisman
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2009
- Messages
- 6,539
A couple weeks ago I was working down in SoCal and being close to the Cold Steel showroom I had to stop by and visit. Along with the hundreds of sharp, pointy objects on display they had a Ranch Boss, first one I'd seen in person. I got to talking with the guy behind the counter, and he told me they still had "a few", so I figured, what the heck. When he told me they still had number 357 he made the sale. (I seriously considered 257 also, but couldn't buy two.)
This is a Stockman pattern in modern CPM535 steel. I believe they were made by Canal Street, although I've also heard Queen mentioned. Since both companies are now defunct, that just adds to the appeal to me. It's fairly large, and not something I plan on carrying, but I thought you might be interested in seeing how it compares to some other makers in the same pattern. I chose some I could find, in as close to the same size as possible.
What we have here are (L to R) a current production Case, the CS, a Kutmaster, a Puma, and a Schrade. As a teenager this was my preferred pattern (preferably Uncle Henry), but I've less use for the large clip these days. I have to say the shape of the Schrade clip is still my favorite of this bunch. I miss the California clips...
Just looking at the Sheepsfoot blades I'm struck by just how nice the Cold Steel blade is. Its got good proportions, super clean, straight, lines, and a nice relief at the kick so you can get the whole blade straight and sharp. Only the Puma comes close.
The variety of Spey blades surprised me. And, again, I find the execution of the CS to be best of the bunch. This is a very well done knife, and at the asking retail price it needed to be.
It's also a fairly big knife. I tried carrying the Case for a couple weeks earlier this year but found it too big for comfortable fit in my pocket. The Ranch Boss is the same size, and with the squared bolsters I fear it too would not be pocket friendly. Interestingly enough the blades are ground thinner than the Case, so it should be a really good cutter. (The Kutmaster, a three spring knife, is one of the slimmest in this bunch due to it's thinner blades.)
In sum, a really nice knife, from a unexpected source. Too expensive for the market, and fairly uncommon. Fit and finish to match anything short of a custom (and would give many of those a run for the money). Walk and talk were excellent with blade pull around 6-7 (to me).
This one punches a lot of my buttons: hard to find, well made, useful, unusual, uncommon materials, uncommon (and possibly extinct) maker. I believe it would have sold out quickly with a different company selling it, and a price point closer to what the distributors were selling it at four years ago.
This is a Stockman pattern in modern CPM535 steel. I believe they were made by Canal Street, although I've also heard Queen mentioned. Since both companies are now defunct, that just adds to the appeal to me. It's fairly large, and not something I plan on carrying, but I thought you might be interested in seeing how it compares to some other makers in the same pattern. I chose some I could find, in as close to the same size as possible.
What we have here are (L to R) a current production Case, the CS, a Kutmaster, a Puma, and a Schrade. As a teenager this was my preferred pattern (preferably Uncle Henry), but I've less use for the large clip these days. I have to say the shape of the Schrade clip is still my favorite of this bunch. I miss the California clips...
Just looking at the Sheepsfoot blades I'm struck by just how nice the Cold Steel blade is. Its got good proportions, super clean, straight, lines, and a nice relief at the kick so you can get the whole blade straight and sharp. Only the Puma comes close.
The variety of Spey blades surprised me. And, again, I find the execution of the CS to be best of the bunch. This is a very well done knife, and at the asking retail price it needed to be.
It's also a fairly big knife. I tried carrying the Case for a couple weeks earlier this year but found it too big for comfortable fit in my pocket. The Ranch Boss is the same size, and with the squared bolsters I fear it too would not be pocket friendly. Interestingly enough the blades are ground thinner than the Case, so it should be a really good cutter. (The Kutmaster, a three spring knife, is one of the slimmest in this bunch due to it's thinner blades.)
In sum, a really nice knife, from a unexpected source. Too expensive for the market, and fairly uncommon. Fit and finish to match anything short of a custom (and would give many of those a run for the money). Walk and talk were excellent with blade pull around 6-7 (to me).
This one punches a lot of my buttons: hard to find, well made, useful, unusual, uncommon materials, uncommon (and possibly extinct) maker. I believe it would have sold out quickly with a different company selling it, and a price point closer to what the distributors were selling it at four years ago.
Excellent write-up!
