Help find a knife for my husband PLEASE!!!

jone

jone

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2012
Messages
1,808
My husband's grandfather carried a small stockman - or so I think. I'm still learning about traditionals. Here's what I do know. Overall length was 2 7/8" so I assume it was a small one. Had three blades. A clip, sheepfoot and pen. But here's the unusual thing to me. He said the blade shape of the clip resembled the small toothpick clip blade. I've seen pictures and it does look to be the same shape and about the same size as a small toothpick blade. But I've searched and searched and I can't find anything like that in a modern folder. I would love to get him one that he can carry daily that would hold some sentimental value for him and that he could possibly pass down to our son. Anyone have suggestions on what might have that type blade and be about that size in a folder today. I could go with the toothpick, but would prefer to have blade options. Any help anyone can add would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
 
You may have to make some choices.

At 2 7/8” you want to ask for a Small Stockman or Jr. Stockman.

The default for the stockman pattern is a clip, sheep foot, and spey blade. Sometimes the spey blade is replaced with a pen blade. That is more common on the small stockman than on middling or larger versions. You will have to sort through many stockman knives to find the ones with pen blades.

The toothpick style blade shape you describe is often called a Turkish clip. You can find that style of clip blade on a stockman. Again, it is not common. For an example, google Roper® Raider Damascus Stockman. I’ve seen this style of blade more often on middling and large stockmen. It’s not common on the Jr. Stockman.

Finding both blade choices on a small stockman will be tough. If you settle for one or the other you’ll have better luck.

You might check out the custom makers on Bladeforums. It won’t be quick and it won’t be cheap (relative to production knives), but you can get exactly what you want.
 
I have a 70s Case stockman that matches your description. It has jigged delrin and carbon steel blades, a tiny spey that could pass for a pen, sheepsfoot, and the muskrat clip blade you describe-- a serpentine pattern with rounded bolsters. I believe the model # is 6327. Seems like the more modern versions might have a different style of clip blade? I am sure someone more versed in Case history can chime in. Anyway, here is a picture.

fd55b9fb-57e1-4954-87a0-f8037c7fdad9_zps2c97101f.jpg
 
Last edited:
Hi Jone
This is the smallest stockman I have seen, it's 2 5/8ths with a very toothpicky master blade. This one is a late 40s Queen brand knife. The Case medium stockman has a very fine clip blade but is 3 1/2 inches long.If he's going to use it for anything other than opening letters I would look at the larger Case knife.

Good luck
and best regards

Robin
8538405219_8bfb90f69e.jpg
[/url][/IMG]
 
Another couple of options would be to go to Case's web site and try to find a pattern from their archives (IIRC, they have an historical section that allows user browsing) that most closely resembles what you're looking for. Then locate the Case collectors' web site or forum (I'm pretty sure I've been on a site devoted to Case collectors) and see if anyone there can help you obtain the pattern you want.

Also, A. G. Russell maintains a web site for knives he runs across and buys to resell but that aren't part of his normal retail operation. It's called cuttingedge.com. A. G. is a supporting dealer here on Bladeforums as well as a great source for knife knowledge and products. There maybe something listed there that works for you.

Good luck.
 
I was just scanning the stockmans at a large knife e-tailer, and it seems to me there were a lot of Turkish clips. I wasn't checking sizes though.
Am I right in thinking the Turkish or yataghan clip is the same thing as a California clip?
 
Raymond1000 said:
You may have to make some choices.

At 2 7/8” you want to ask for a Small Stockman or Jr. Stockman.

The default for the stockman pattern is a clip, sheep foot, and spey blade. Sometimes the spey blade is replaced with a pen blade. That is more common on the small stockman than on middling or larger versions. You will have to sort through many stockman knives to find the ones with pen blades.

The toothpick style blade shape you describe is often called a Turkish clip. You can find that style of clip blade on a stockman. Again, it is not common. For an example, google Roper® Raider Damascus Stockman. I’ve seen this style of blade more often on middling and large stockmen. It’s not common on the Jr. Stockman.

Finding both blade choices on a small stockman will be tough. If you settle for one or the other you’ll have better luck.

You might check out the custom makers on Bladeforums. It won’t be quick and it won’t be cheap (relative to production knives), but you can get exactly what you want.
Click to expand...


Thanks for your help. You gave me a lot of helpful information. THanks again.
 
Pipeman said:
Hi Jone
This is the smallest stockman I have seen, it's 2 5/8ths with a very toothpicky master blade. This one is a late 40s Queen brand knife. The Case medium stockman has a very fine clip blade but is 3 1/2 inches long.If he's going to use it for anything other than opening letters I would look at the larger Case knife.

Good luck
and best regards

Robin
8538405219_8bfb90f69e.jpg
[/url][/IMG]
Click to expand...

Thanks for the help. That is close to what it looked like from the pictures I have seen. I may think about getting a larger size for him. Thanks
 
dalefuller said:
Another couple of options would be to go to Case's web site and try to find a pattern from their archives (IIRC, they have an historical section that allows user browsing) that most closely resembles what you're looking for. Then locate the Case collectors' web site or forum (I'm pretty sure I've been on a site devoted to Case collectors) and see if anyone there can help you obtain the pattern you want.

Also, A. G. Russell maintains a web site for knives he runs across and buys to resell but that aren't part of his normal retail operation. It's called cuttingedge.com. A. G. is a supporting dealer here on Bladeforums as well as a great source for knife knowledge and products. There maybe something listed there that works for you.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That's a great idea. I will check it out.
 
Jone...

Another couple of suggestions just occurred to me.(removed non BF dealer reference) has a fairly good selection of old Case knives, as does Mike Dye at New Graham Knives. You might look at their web sites since they both buy collections from time to time. They may have something that will work for you.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
dalefuller said:
Jone...

Another couple of suggestions just occured to me. (removed non BF dealer reference) has a fairly good selection of old Case knives, as does Mike Dye at New Graham Knives. You might look at their web sites since they both buy collections from time to time. They may have something that will work for you.
Click to expand...


Thanks. That's very helpful. Will check them out too.
 
Something else to consider, sometimes those old clip blades are sharpened to the point they look more like a toothpick.
 
Did it look anything like this?

craftsmanstockmanDec4b.jpg


This is a Craftsman small stockman, made by Schrade. It is 2.8125" closed.
 
Doug Add said:
Did it look anything like this?

craftsmanstockmanDec4b.jpg


This is a Craftsman small stockman, made by Schrade. It is 2.8125" closed.
Click to expand...


The main blade was a different shape. I think I found out what it was - a Western Boulder #445. Similar in shape and size to this one - just different main blade. I like this one though. Have seen before and considered it as an acceptable option. Thanks,
 
I don't have anything to add that will help you in your search as I'm pretty new to the traditional side of knives but I just wanted to say I think it's very cool what your doing! My significant other just laughs at me and calls me a knife weirdo.... :)
 
jkulysses said:
I don't have anything to add that will help you in your search as I'm pretty new to the traditional side of knives but I just wanted to say I think it's very cool what your doing! My significant other just laughs at me and calls me a knife weirdo.... :)
Click to expand...

Thanks. I love learning about knives and everybody around me thinks a woman interested in knives is a weirdo...oh well, I suppose I could be called worse! Thanks!
 
richard thurman said:
what are you looking for?? a case limit edtion stockman knife??
Click to expand...

After the help here and much searching online, I found the knife his grandfather had - we believe it to be a Western Boulder #445. So, I suppose I'm looking for something like that. Doesn't have to be that brand, but something similar. He's really attached to the memories of that knife, but I'm sure he'd enjoy something else as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top