Good "working" knife.

E

ElCuchillo

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Alright, so I am retiring my SAKs for a little while and have returned to my traditional slippies for a while. I've found I really need a knife on a daily basis, but not the other tools that come with the SAKs or my Leatherman. I cut things more then I fix things. Besides, I carry a little Leatherman P4 on my keys so any small jobs could probably be done with that. Now the question is, which knife do I carry?
I have a Case CV Soddie Jr., and it's great. Carries well, handles well (has the best ergonomics of any other knife I own) and is tough.
I have a Case Peanut, and it's my favorite knife. Small, unassuming, and cuts WAY past it's apparent capabilities. A tiny knife that can cut like a friggin sword.
I finally have an old 1970s Boker Stockman in Carbon. Not the best fit and finish, but blades snap like an alligator's jaws, and the blades get scary sharp. At four inches the biggest slippie I own, but still plenty pocket friendly.
Of all of them I think the Stockman is the best working knife. Three blades means you can cut and cut and cut and not worry about running out of a sharp edge. I know each blade has a purpose and can be used for a different task, but in the end, they can all cut. Versatility? Some people keep the main clip blade razor sharp for general use, the sheepsfoot decently sharp for tough gritty jobs (some use it as a makeshift can opener), and the spey blade dull to use as a scraper/spreader. The Stockman was my first traditional knife (Case 6318) and the pattern that introduced me into this folksy world of knives, and I just wanted to know how everyone else felt about it. Is it the ultimate "working" knife? What do you guys think.
 
For the reasons you mentioned, my vote would go to the stockman. I keep all the blades as sharp as I can get them, that way I have a razor edge if I need it, and if I use the blade for rough work, it's no trouble to sharpen it again. Being a "knife knut" does have it's disadvantages, doesn't it? What to carry???
 
Two knives come to mind. The Barlow and the Copperhead. I think they are also strong contenders. I mean if you are really doing nothing but cutting really often, maybe consider a fixed blade. or .gasp. a one handed folder. Like a spyderco or benchmade.
 
Can't go wrong with the Stockman. I think of the knives you mentioned and considering your line of work it would serve you well. If you like the stockman you should really add a Sowbelly to your collection. Just did so myself and I love it. Here are some comparison pics, not that I'm trying to persuade you to buy another knife or anything:rolleyes:. Honest:D!
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In traditional folders, I find that I like the big blade/small blade combos like the barlow, jack, peanut, gunstock, etc. The stockman offers the advantage of a third blade without adding much to bulk or thickness. For some reason, I don't find myself drawn to the stockman though - I don't know why.
 
When I was a Union electrician in NYC, we all had a Colonial Electricians jack knife, clipped on to the knife hook on our tool pouch. Every electricians pouch still has a knife hook.
It had a spear blade and a locking reamer for the inside of the EMT tubing.

When I worked in France everybody carried an Opinel, I was given one as a present. An Opinel is equivalent to a Sodbuster.

If I was still working as an electrician and carpenter, then I would carry a Congress, for the double sheepsfoot blades, I would use one (razor sharp) for wire stripping, and the other for marking wood.

But to be honest, for many many years I carried a $4 plastic utility knife with the long breakable blades, that I could open and close with one hand and put back into my tool pouch closed. Up on scafolding and ladders, I never had two hands to open a knife. I could break off the blunt blade and have a fresh sharp blade. They were great for wire stripping and cutting plastic tubing. It had a good secure lock and you could show as little of the blade as you needed. And it was plastic so it was fully electrically insulated.
Sorry!!!
LOL

But all said and done, a medium stockman is what I carry.
I use the sheepsfoot for cutting thick art paper against a metal edged rule, the clip for food, and the spey as the general use blade as it has a much more robust point.
And if I were to be in a general work situation, I would carry a large 4" stockman.
 
My vote goes to the stockman. I keep my clip blade razor sharp (like you mentioned) with a strop and the other two blades are my work blades that I keep sharp with a little higher of an angle so they won't dull as quick. I like the 4in. stockman too. Seems like it fits in my hand better.
 
I'll be very interested to see if you happen to miss any of the tools on your SAKs. :) My all time favorite is the stockman it is just hard to beat the combo of blades it provides for pure cutting. Personally I think I'd try the Sodbuster first and see if I needed any more edge or not since it is your most comfortable.
 
I have to admit I've a strong bias for a stockman. Thinking back on most of the knives I've carried, its been a stockman the most. I carried a scout knife from age 12 to about 17 or 18, a stockman for about 25 years in the army, with a sak now and then, sodbusters for a couple years at the same time as a peanut took turns in my pocket, and now back to a 3 1/4 stockman. It seems like that is what I always come back to after a fling with those "other" patterns.

The old 301 Buck I carried in the engineers, had the main blade sharp, the sheepsfoot utility sharp, and the spay dull as Aunt Martha's tea party. It got used as a putty knife, scraper, and staple puller. The sheepsfoot did a pretty good job of can opener if you were carefull with technique.
 
im starting a small collection of stockman knives myself, and have they have bee the only knives I've used on my past few hiking trips.
 
I would edc the sodbuster. As you mentioned the sodbuster is very comfortable in the hand, and large enough to tackle pretty much any job. I like single bladed knives for work because they are easy to clean, wit only one blade, pivot, and spring. Also the plastic handles are pretty much unbreakable. Joe
 
I never really thought I liked the stockman all that much, until I was inventorying my knives and discovered I had twenty or so that I had accumulated over the years. The numbers suggest it may be my favorite pattern. I know I usually have at least one on me. Currently carrying a Schrade USA 8OT, with all three blades sharp.
 
camo kid said:
I would edc the sodbuster. As you mentioned the sodbuster is very comfortable in the hand, and large enough to tackle pretty much any job. I like single bladed knives for work because they are easy to clean, wit only one blade, pivot, and spring. Also the plastic handles are pretty much unbreakable. Joe
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I'm kind've torn between a my 4 inch stockman and my Soddie Jr. Both are carbon (well, the soddie is cv) and both have their strengths. As I said, the Stockman has more cutting surfaces if you need to cut for a long time, but the soddie is tough as nails and simple. I have to admit of all my knives, I DO like to carry my Vic Cadet the best because it is so thin and comfortable, but it's that very thinness that makes me reluctant to use it as my work knife, since I don;t feel I can get a secure "handful of knife" grip on it. My Peanut is comfortable to carry, but again, as a work knife it's small size is lacking. I REALLY need to get me a smaller stockman, as my 4 incher is a bit too big for my tastes. Maybe a Buck Cadet, or preferably a Case 6318. I do love my soddie, though. Damn, I don;t know WHAT knife I want to carry. LOL. I'm having an EDC identity crisis.
 
So switch around!!

On any given day, I may be carrying a Copperhead Jack, Texas Jack, Queen Teardrop (single blade jack), Wharncliffe Copperlock, Tinker, Camillus Whittler, or any combination of the above, besides some random other knives I keep around.
 
I say go with a Stockman, any good quality brand. There are several threads where the Stockman is most commonly carried. I inherited one from my grandfather, and it got me interested in traditional patterns again.

For me, since the Stockman is a traditionally American pattern, I usually stay with American mfrs.

thx - cpr
 
ElCuchillo said:
... I REALLY need to get me a smaller stockman, as my 4 incher is a bit too big for my tastes. ...
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May I suggest a Queen small stockman.
3 1/4" with the same blade size as the slightly larger case.
The D2 are thin and can be sharpened wicked sharp.
Wood or stag bone.
And a real quality knife.
 
I'd go with the stockman, I keep all the blades sharp, but sharpened at different angles.I normally use the spey for the dirty jobs or for cutting things I probably shouldn't cut, so I sharpen it at a steeper angle leaving a thicker edge.
 
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