Grandpa Bill's old delrin Stockman

M

MeanStreaker

Joined
Jan 13, 2006
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Hi everyone, I'd appreciate any information you might have regarding this pocket knife my Grandma recently found in a box and gave to me. Who made it? Is it a typical pattern that was just rebranded for Sears? Any idea of what blade material was used? Anything else interesting? I'd love to learn more about the history of this model, even if it's something very common and there are a billion out there.

Grandpa Bill passed away a few years ago at the age of 86. He and Grandma Doris worked a 300 acre farm that had been in his family for generations. He was a quiet and serious fellow and about the only "vice" I ever knew him to allow himself was following NASCAR on race day.

Although the blades are dull, it doesn't look like this Stockman has seen much, if any use. I'm guessing he had another workhorse or two around the farm. Grandma found this in the original cardboard box on a shelf.

I'm brand new to learning about traditional patterns and their history. I've very much enjoyed reading through this forum for awhile. Thanks for any information you can point me towards.

The badge says Sears Craftsman and the tang stamp on the clip blade says Craftsman U.S.A 95044












 
Schrade made some of the Craftsman knives and that one looks like a Craftsman Version of their 8OT. Nice knife for sure..... I'd sharpen up the edges and use it. Schrade usually has great steel.
 
Woodrow F Call said:
Schrade made some of the Craftsman knives and that one looks like a Craftsman Version of their 8OT. Nice knife for sure..... I'd sharpen up the edges and use it. Schrade usually has great steel.
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I think Woodrow nailed it. :thumbup:
 
That's a really nice find. Really nice. I have a few old Schrades, and typically carried a UH or OT stockman in my younger days. Easy to sharpen and slices like crazy. My Craftsman Barlow is Schrade made. You've got a nice little stockman there.
 
Great looking knife! I like those creamy handle slabs.

Talk about a coincidence. I just bought this Scout knife this morning about 2 hours before your post. It's hard to see in this photo but it has the same markings as your Stockman. Small world.


 
Looking at my Old Timer 8OT sort of puts things in perspective. There are more ornate knives with 1095 steel that cost $100 but these Old Timers originally cost much less and they also have excellent construction and 1095 steel.




 
That is a nice knife your Grampa had. As an aside; the WLS in the Craftsman etching stands for Worlds Largest Store. That is why the big 50,000 watt AM Chicago radio station's call letters are WLS. Sears started it and gave it it's call letters.
 
sceva said:
That is a nice knife your Grampa had. As an aside; the WLS in the Craftsman etching stands for Worlds Largest Store. That is why the big 50,000 watt AM Chicago radio station's call letters are WLS. Sears started it and gave it it's call letters.
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That's interesting. I was wondering what WLS stood for. Thanks for sharing that.
 
sceva said:
That is a nice knife your Grampa had. As an aside; the WLS in the Craftsman etching stands for Worlds Largest Store. That is why the big 50,000 watt AM Chicago radio station's call letters are WLS. Sears started it and gave it it's call letters.
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Very cool. Thanks for that info.
 
1977 Schrade made I'd be willing to bet carbon steel so keep a little oil on the blades. Looks like a great knife. If you google Craftsman 95044 knife you will find some just like it and a little more info.
 
Great knife! I've got one, and really like it. Also a big Old Timer 8OT fan. I agree with the previous comments: sharpen, oil, and use!
 
sceva said:
That is a nice knife your Grampa had. As an aside; the WLS in the Craftsman etching stands for Worlds Largest Store. That is why the big 50,000 watt AM Chicago radio station's call letters are WLS. Sears started it and gave it it's call letters.
Click to expand...

Very interesting ref WLS. I grew up in the suburbs or Chicago in the 60's n 70's and remember listening to WLS on the radio.

Very cool knife to have from your Grandfather. That Sears / Craftsman logo on the shield looks 1970's to me.
 
supratentorial said:
Looking at my Old Timer 8OT sort of puts things in perspective. There are more ornate knives with 1095 steel that cost $100 but these Old Timers originally cost much less and they also have excellent construction and 1095 steel.


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Amen. Where I grew up, Old Timers had a sterling reputation among guys who valued a quality cutting tool without any unnecessary bells and whistles. Simple recipe: A no-nonsense, affordable work knife with solid construction, great steel and delrin handles that would survive a nuclear blast. Case's yellow CV knives also fit this niche, IMO.

-- Mark
 
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