looking for a new stockman

[littleknife]

JAlexander, I also like the carbon steel pocketknives. I have several Schrade Old Timers, a Moore Maker and a German Eye stockman in carbon steels. I like both the shiny mirror polished look and the patina covered one, thats why I have both carbon and stainless knives.

My recommendation was based on the preferences of Jack142:

Originally posted by Jack142
I am looking for aus 8 or better I would consider a good carbon steel ( 1095 ) although stainless would be better...

 

[Dr. Nick]

I love the way carbon steel takes an edge but I can't maintain them for EDC. My last Old Timer I used to peel an orange, wiped off the blade and the next day it had rusted away (not really but you get my point). I don't carry oil around with me to take care of my carbon steel properly so I choose stainless, it's just easier for me. That or not use my knife and well..what's the point?

Rob

 

[JAlexander]

Originally posted by littleknife
JAlexander, I also like the carbon steel pocketknives. I have several Schrade Old Timers, a Moore Maker and a German Eye stockman in carbon steels. I like both the shiny mirror polished look and the patina covered one, thats why I have both carbon and stainless knives.

Fair enough. I was just curious. I hope I didn't come across as combative, because that wasn't my intention.
How old are your Eye Brand knives? I had one of their full size trappers that I inherited from my father which was among the best knives I've ever had. It grew legs, sadly. I bought a new copperhead, but the finish isn't as good. The steel still seems okay, thankfully.

James

 

[ExamonLyf]

Fun thread.., remembering some knives I actually forgot about over the years. I also like the Queens a lot.., but haven't carried one for years...

 

[littleknife]

JAlexander, you did not come across as combative at all, Sir.
Au contraire! You were more gentlemanlike than most of us here on these forums tend to be.

I have 2 Eye Brand knives and they are recent productions (Klaas?). I have read very nice comments about the fine steel of the old Eye Brand knives but I have never owned any of those.
The finish of my large (4 1/4") Eye Brand stockman is not the best, but it is one of the strongest pocketknives I own. My large Eye Brand congress on the other hand is a real beauty.

As for your original question, I prefer to cut/slice/peel my food with a stainless knife (most frequently a Victorinox Spartan) and do the rest of muy cutting chores with another knife, frequently a carbon steel stockman.
Fruit and vegetable juices are quite corrosive, and while I do not mind the patina on the knife blades, I don't like corrosion around the pivot area or between the liners and the springs.
It might be just me but somehow I always manage to get some fruit or tomato juice deep around the liners and the springs.

And as Dr. Nick said, frequently you don't have the time to perform the whole cycle of proper knife care, so stainless indeed gets handy for these messy situations.

littleknife

 

[Jack142]

Thank all of ya for your advice and insite. I am still looking for a stockman or a trapper and I looked at a couple of sites...

Meanwhile.. I took TED's advice and went on e bay... I purchased today a Kershaw Double Duty for $ 23.00 .....AUS 8 steel.. Then I got a sale notice from Knife Outlet and purchased a Xikar gents knife for $ 55.00...

Now I got to explain to the Mrs why I needed TWO more knives... So, I'm going to give it a few weeks before I buy the stockman.

What started all this is my "taste" in knives is changing.. I have a shrade stockman with fake stag handles.... AND I want real thing stag/bone/pearl with aus 8 or ats34 or a good carbon steel.
Now like some people mentioned in this thread you have to like the grey patina that carbon steels developes. I'm not to sure I would like the patina. BUT I remember as a kid doing some whittling with some sharp A-- knives that were carbon steel. GREAT knives...
Of course that was many many moons ago..
OR.. I might try making my own knife.. I made a few kits ...fix blades.. and been thinking about trying my hand at a slipjoint.. I'm pretty handy at doing thing with my hands..

Anyway thanks to TED E and all you guys for your advice..

 

[Coonskinner]

I like carbon steel pocketknives.

I like to browse on ebay for older slipjoints. You can pick up some great old users at decent prices that way. I have made some real buys like that.

Old Camillus, Schrade Walden, and Kabar are all good, solid knives.

 

[RattlerXX]

littleknife, Thanks for reminding me about Eye Brand. I have two Eye Brands in a stag Trapper, and black wood sodbuster jr. I love both of these knives. They keep a good edge, and are easy to sharpen. I think I need another Eye Brand come to think of it.