Decent budget traditional?

JupiterPaladin

JupiterPaladin

Joined
May 4, 2016
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Ok guys after getting reintroduced to traditional I decided I need a decent Stockman next. I've been super pleased with my Boker Plus Urban Trapper so I was considering a Boker Plus large Stockman in 440c. Anybody have experience with that one? I know Rough Rider is good for the money. What other brands are good for not much cash? I know I could get a Buck for about $20. How is their 420HC steel compared to the Boker? Are the Taylor Schrades worth a shot?
 
Honestly, id either go with the buck 301 or pony up a couple more dollars and go with a case. I like the think grinds on those better. Plus the plethora of slab materials.
 
I like many of the Boker Plus models. Also very pleased with the several models of Rough Rider that I have. Also I suggest taking a look at Marbles knives (made by same as Rough Rider - but a wee tad nicer perhaps). The only Buck I have is the Solitaire in 420HC and it sharpens up well, the general style of it is a bit thin for me though. I also have several Taylor Schrades, generally good knives IMHO. I tend to go more for medium priced, but quality knives - don't see the point in paying a zillion $$ for a knife when there are lots of quality knives available for $40 of less.

Rich
 
Rough riders are definitely decent if you get a good one.
And while they don't make a stockman you still can't go wrong with Victorinox.
 
Never handled a RR, but they seem to deliver a very nice and quite consistent product for their price.
Buck would be a very safe quality choice without a doubt.
If you're ok with carbon steel, though, Solingen-made Boker could be a nice path as well.

Fausto
:cool:
 
Marbles and Colt Also keep in mind there are a ton of good used and even NOS USA made traditional knives out there on the big auction site as well as flea markets, yards sales, and such.
 
Also, browse the sales section here. Stockman knives are quite common (for example, there's a Case one for 30 usd which might be a good choice) ;)

Fausto
:cool:
 
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The Bokers Plus line can be incredible. I have one of their Tech SAK-like knives, and if "Made in China" had not been written on the box, I would have bet good money that it came directly from Germany. China makes some great stuff, but I was floored by the Tech.

That said, Rough Riders are fantastic values. For under $20 you can get a knife with fine fit and finish and a stainless blade. I tend to prefer carbon steel on my traditionals, though unless it a Buck band.

RR knives really do put a lot of performance in a low dollar package.
 
Some of my favorite knives are the Colt knives, also made by the factory that makes Rough Rider.
They look nice, work nice and sharpen up very well and hold a great edge.
The buckshot bone and gunstock bone are my favorite scales and I really like the teardrop whittler
and the railsplitter they produce. I know that's not a stockman per se but they're still multi blade so I thought I'd share.
I think they have discontinued the line but you should be able to get one for around $20 pretty easily.
 
Case sodbusters in delrin are always a good value. Full size or Jr. Blue or yellow covers. CV or tru-sharp steel.....It's all good
 
I appreciate all the input guys. Thanks!

I actually agree on the preference for carbon steel on traditional patterns, but my budget is at odds with me. I had like $14 sitting in my PayPal so I was looking at auctions to score a deal. I figured the Boker in 440c would be better than about anything else for that small amount. I will look at the Rough Riders, Colt, and Schrade as well.

Victorinox is always a good choice Hickory, but I already have a SAK Tinker scored for $8.10 carried but never used. Blades were mint! Such a great value SAKs are. I decided on a Stockman next as I want the sheepsfoot blade for some light wood carving.
 
I've found the steel in Colt and Rough Rider knives to take a very keen edge and they hold it whittling needing nothing more than regular stropping.
 
What luck! I just scored a new 3.75" yellow handled 5 blade Sowbelly Stockman for a whopping $4.99 with free shipping!
 
You'll like that 5 blade old yella Rough Rider stockman. The blades play well together. I love mine. 👍
 
JupiterPaladin said:
Ok guys after getting reintroduced to traditional I decided I need a decent Stockman next. I've been super pleased with my Boker Plus Urban Trapper so I was considering a Boker Plus large Stockman in 440c. Anybody have experience with that one? I know Rough Rider is good for the money. What other brands are good for not much cash? I know I could get a Buck for about $20. How is their 420HC steel compared to the Boker? Are the Taylor Schrades worth a shot?
Click to expand...

I was gifted a Boker Plus Barlow 01BO493 and have a Taylor Brand Old Timer dogleg 72OTB.
Both are very nice for the money, no complaints with either knife. Fit and finish is good, a little better on the Taylor brand dogleg. The Boker's main blade isn't perfectly centered but acceptable, with no rub.

I gifted a Taylor Brand Old Timer 80TB fit and finish, walk & talk on it was very good. All blades were centered with no rub.

With Taylor Brand I would stick to their Old Timers and avoid their Schrade, Imperial, Uncle Henry lines.

Boker's 440C and the 9Cr18MoV Taylor uses on their bone handled versions will hold an edge better than Case or Buck's 420HC.

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Got this Colt medium stockman recently, its the model with the awl. Got to say I'm knocked out with this knife. Great quality, sharp with good looking stag/bone scales for very little money. To me its like a presentation version of a rough rider but still a very usable knife. The other one is a rough rider medium stockman with red jigged bone scales. Its a similar size to the Colt but a bit slimmer, not as fancy but also a great knife. This one has a really good feel to it, sharp blades and for me is a great everyday working knife. I have a number of R.R. stockman knives and, personally, favour the small versions for everyday carry, but these mediums are more than adequate for any eventuality. Would recommend either. :thumbup:

Untitled by Blake Blade, on FlickrUntitled by Blake Blade, on Flickr
 
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