Indian Head or Eye Brand?

[BJE]

I am looking at getting either an Eye Brand stag handled stockman or an Indian Head stockman. I know they are made at the same factory, but which usually has the better fit and finish? Also, can I expect better F+F from a 1990 Eye brand than I could a newer one? Thanks.

 

[wintermute]

BJE,

Hope you don't mind if I piggyback on your thread, but does anyone know where you can get Indian Head knives?

 

[BJE]

BJE,

Hope you don't mind if I piggyback on your thread, but does anyone know where you can get Indian Head knives?

Don't mind at all. I have only found one Indian Head stockman, so I can't help you there. I havn't had much luck finding any info on them. There are a couple listed on flea-bay, but not much listed anywhere else.

 

[BJE]

I ended up ordering a yellow celluloid Eye Brand 4.25in. stockman from knife center today. The stag handles looked too thick, I like thin handles for edc. I will let you know what I think of it when it arrives. I am a little worried about the celluloid, I have heard bad things about the old stuff, I just hope this is an improved version.

 

[cerulean]

I have an Eye Brand 4.25 inch stockman that I like a lot. It's a couple of years old and it also has yellow celluloid scales.

The fit isn't that great, but the finish is very nice. I love the thin blades that Eye Brand uses and the clip point blade on the stockman is an especially good cutter. Their carbon steel is easy to sharpen and it gets ultra-sharp, though it might not hold an edge as long as some other steels.

I doubt that the scales are real celluloid... at least not like the celluloid used on older knives. The scales look really good though; they're a creamy yellow and very shiny. The yellow plastic scales that Eye Brand uses on their sodbusters aren't as nice, BTW; they're duller, not as polished, and may show some burn marks.

I would carry it more often, but it's a pretty beefy slip-joint. A 3.5 inch stockman is more manageable for me.

Be sure to give us a little review when it arrives.

 

[BJE]

I already posted this in another thread, but you asked for a review, so here it is.

I got my Eye Brand Stockman today! It is a very well made knife, the smooth yellow handles and older styling makes it look like a new old knife from the 60's. The fit is close to perfect, the blades must rub a little because there are some scratches on the blade like when they rub but it isn't very noticeable. The springs are very strong and there is ZERO blade play whatsoever, none! Overall finsh is very good, better than a lot of Case but not quite as good as my Queen. The edges were where the problem starts. They are worse than the edges on Queen knives, almost none there at all, took a very long time with some 180 grit wet/dry sandpaper to make them useable. A would say it is a great knife if you have some time to work on the edges, I hate when a knife come incredibly dull, it is one of my worst pet peeves. That is why I already have a Moore Maker stockman from Cumberland on the way.