Help me find the right Case Stockman

B

B.F.U

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Jan 1, 2013
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Hello all on the porch!

I have been around for a while now, and although I have some Case knives I don't have a Stockman variation. I'd like to have one that's unique to Case (if possible) to make a set with my GEC #82 Dixie Stock Knife and Queen #63 Railsplitter.

The problem is, I really don't like when the sheepsfoot blade sits high in the frame, and I can't stand if it sits with the tip proud of the frame (even if the other blades make it not a safety issue). Also, there are no knife stores nearby that carry Case in wide variation (afaik).

Could anyone point me to 1) The Case stockman with a low sitting sheepsfoot blade 2) The Case stockman that is relatively unique to Case (similar to the blade combination of the GEC and the frame of the Queen mentioned above)

Thanks for all your help!
 
I don't have access to them right now but try taking a look at the 090 and 046 patterns. (63090 and 63046 for example)

Those both have sunken joints which might help with the height of the sheepsfoot blade. I'm not sure without being able to look at mine.

The Case/Bose Cattle knife has a low riding sheepsfoot but it comes with a high price tag.
 
Try farm and feed supply stores. Locally owned ones are best. Usually those places have the case knives displays. At least around here, the two of those have them where other places don’t. Even small local hardware stores have the schrade/Chinese knife displays.
 
Funny you should ask - I'm also a fan of the Stockman pattern, and just last week took delivery of a nice Case knife in CV that might fit the bill.

I should add that my current two favourites are also a GEC (53) due to the comfortable, low riding sheepfoot, among other things, and a Queen number 9, in D2 which is my beater knife.

I got the Case 6375 Large or 'Jumbo' Stockman with Amber bone covers. It's a solidly built, large premium stock knife, and the hefty sheepfoot blade sits even with the top of the main clip blade. The sheepfoot point is also well nested in the blade channel when closed. The 4.25" size when closed makes it relatively 'unique' and I feel it's one of the best value traditional knives available at around $54.

ZxOs5Cn.jpg


I've thinned out the blades behind the edge on mine, and lowered and smoothed out the hump on the clip blade a little, as well as grinding a bit of a scale detent to access the spey blade nail nick more easily. The main blade backspring is a little proud when open, but overall I'm very pleased with it, for the price. Highly recommended.
 
Grind down the blade kick.. I do it on all blades of my CASE stockman.. That way all blades are riding low.. John
 
A 3 7/8" 6347 Stockman would do you just fine
5CkgBmz.jpg

bgPhemu.jpg


as would a 3 7/8" Sowbelly
SpyWWIl.jpg

37cficM.jpg


The 3 7/8" length will ride nicely in your pocket.

Don't worry so much about a high riding Sheepfoot blade as you'll never notice it when using the knife. Further a proud blade is not a problem in actual use either at least to me.
 
Large Stockman ('375) and Stockman ('347) patterns - the sheepsfoot doesn't sit much higher than the clip when closed, and both are well covered by the handles. The sheepsfoot has to sit a little high to give you access to the nail nick above the closed spey/pen blade. Overall, I think the 6347 is a good solid stockman pattern.

The 63046 Humpback Stockman was discontinued a few years ago but if you do some diligent searching and aren't married to a specific handle material, you can still find a few old-stock at some dealers. I have the whittler in that pattern but no personal experience with the stockman variant.

Here is a comparison pic I took a while ago of 4 Case stockman patterns:

6375, 6347, 6318, 63032:
Case Amber Bone Stockman Comparison_Reduced.jpg
 
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Case makes a lot of different stockmen, and having tried most of 'em, I'd say the humpback stockman (really a cattle pattern) is their most distinctive. It's the 046 pattern, and this one is in their 6.5 bone stag covers. It also comes with a clip main. With both the spear main and sheepfoot blades the same low height when closed, no matter which blade you are using it feels the same. The round bolsters and sunk joints are a big plus in the pocket. A very nice medium sized 3-blade.

l5uxOjj.jpg

VAmlWgs.jpg
 
SVTFreak said:
Try farm and feed supply stores. Locally owned ones are best. Usually those places have the case knives displays. At least around here, the two of those have them where other places don’t. Even small local hardware stores have the schrade/Chinese knife displays.
Click to expand...

I'll check that out.

I've tried some in the past and only found Rough Riders at ridiculous prices and cheap modern knives.

Cambertree said:
Funny you should ask - I'm also a fan of the Stockman pattern, and just last week took delivery of a nice Case knife in CV that might fit the bill.

I should add that my current two favourites are also a GEC (53) due to the comfortable, low riding sheepfoot, among other things, and a Queen number 9, in D2 which is my beater knife.

I got the Case 6375 Large or 'Jumbo' Stockman with Amber bone covers. It's a solidly built, large premium stock knife, and the hefty sheepfoot blade sits even with the top of the main clip blade. The sheepfoot point is also well nested in the blade channel when closed. The 4.25" size when closed makes it relatively 'unique' and I feel it's one of the best value traditional knives available at around $54.

ZxOs5Cn.jpg


I've thinned out the blades behind the edge on mine, and lowered and smoothed out the hump on the clip blade a little, as well as grinding a bit of a scale detent to access the spey blade nail nick more easily. The main blade backspring is a little proud when open, but overall I'm very pleased with it, for the price. Highly recommended.
Click to expand...

That looks like a nice one!

I also had and really liked a GEC 53 stockman. Talk about low sitting blades!

LastRodeo said:
I think the Case Sowbelly stockman is their best.
Click to expand...

I like the looks and sunken joints a lot, but not the sheepfoot positioning unfortunately.

jmh33 said:
Grind down the blade kick.. I do it on all blades of my CASE stockman.. That way all blades are riding low.. John
Click to expand...

That's a great suggestion John, but I've done that so many times that I've decided that I should be happy with a knife upon receipt, not after having to modify it myself.

Modoc ED said:
A 3 7/8" 6347 Stockman would do you just fine
5CkgBmz.jpg

bgPhemu.jpg


as would a 3 7/8" Sowbelly
SpyWWIl.jpg

37cficM.jpg


The 3 7/8" length will ride nicely in your pocket.

Don't worry so much about a high riding Sheepfoot blade as you'll never notice it when using the knife. Further a proud blade is not a problem in actual use either at least to me.
Click to expand...

I've found a high riding sheepfoot can be uncomfortable in the hand during certain usages, and less comfortable to carry. I agree that with three blades the proud tips aren't a practical problem, I just think it looks terrible and is bad design.

jc57 said:
Large Stockman ('375) and Stockman ('347) patterns - the sheepsfoot doesn't sit much higher than the clip when closed, and both are well covered by the handles. The sheepsfoot has to sit a little high to give you access to the nail nick above the closed spey/pen blade. Overall, I think the 6347 is a good solid stockman pattern.

The 63046 Humpback Stockman was discontinued a few years ago but if you do some diligent searching and aren't married to a specific handle material, you can still find a few old-stock at some dealers. I have the whittler in that pattern but no personal experience with the stockman variant.

Here is a comparison pic I took a while ago of 4 Case stockman patterns:

6375, 6347, 6318, 63032:
View attachment 923042
Click to expand...

Super helpful comparison picture, thank you!
 
Only example I have but the 090 pattern would suit you requirements, secondaries ride low. Only example I have and no pics of it closed but the opposite side has a thumb notch to access the Spey blade and the sheepsfoot only rides a little higher. A little small for my tastes( sub 3-1/2”)but quit comfortable and useful for a small knife.

A5910758-27FB-44A0-99F0-57BBAAC7C9DA.jpeg
 
jmh33 said:
Grind down the blade kick.. I do it on all blades of my CASE stockman.. That way all blades are riding low.. John
Click to expand...

I was going to offer the same suggestion, but I can understand you not wanting to modify the knife if you can find what suits you in a different pattern altogether. I've filed the sheepsfoot kick on a few 47 patterns with great success.
20180611_221614.jpg 20180611_221717.jpg
I just love the 47 too much to give up on it. Admittedly, the 06247pen is my favorite of all the 47s...and yes, it has everything to do with the lack of a sheepsfoot blade.

I also second the Case Bose Cattle knife. Pricey...yes. Everything you ever wanted in a stockman/cattle style knife...definitely!
 
Queen 26 is in my view the best Small stockman ever, blades sit low etc but may not be easy to find

Consider CASE's 63090 pattern. 3 3/8" sunk joints, nice cut out on pile side to access the Spey (which can be ground into a Pen should you prefer) Equal End pattern, long pull Clip and a Sheepfoot that is only just above the Clip when closed. Brilliant smaller knife, like a Pen Knife but with 3 blades and unique to CASE.

I live in Europe and get my CASES from an excellent, trustworthy Bay seller. Can't name him here but can let you know privately. Point is, if I can buy with total confidence overseas should be the same for domestic buyers:)

g8ItoIY.jpg
 
My Case 6332s have the tips buried in the frame and the sheepsfoot's spine is more or less equal to the clip. One's a 1965-1969, the other is a 1974. I can't speak for ones later than that, or the 63032 that replaced it. Both also have halfstops on all blades, a nice touch.
 
L.H.S said:
Hello all on the porch!

I have been around for a while now, and although I have some Case knives I don't have a Stockman variation. I'd like to have one that's unique to Case (if possible) to make a set with my GEC #82 Dixie Stock Knife and Queen #63 Railsplitter.

The problem is, I really don't like when the sheepsfoot blade sits high in the frame, and I can't stand if it sits with the tip proud of the frame (even if the other blades make it not a safety issue). Also, there are no knife stores nearby that carry Case in wide variation (afaik).

Could anyone point me to 1) The Case stockman with a low sitting sheepsfoot blade 2) The Case stockman that is relatively unique to Case (similar to the blade combination of the GEC and the frame of the Queen mentioned above)

Thanks for all your help!
Click to expand...

Its an easy fix - just take a thin file & take some off the tang - it doesn't take much to lower the height of a sheepsfoot - may have to take a little off the spey blade also so the nail nick of the sheepsfoot isn't hidden under the spey. It s an extremely easy fix if that really bothers you ...
 
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like Planterz Planterz said, I would consider an older model 6332 (3 5/8")
I found this one from the USA era ('65 - 69) on ebay for $60.. great walk and talk, all springs sit flush at open and half stop, and no wobble.


sheepsfoot sits at same height as clip
(pics get bigger if you click on them)
ELFcBGG.jpg



tip sits way down into the well
zD9Ey6l.jpg
 
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