New knife released - Tuna Valley - Cattleman Stockman

Rookie82

Rookie82

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2014
Messages
2,410
I see that the newest Tuna Valley release is available now. I really like the looks of this pattern, although I don't have one in hand yet to give a proper review. It is an equal end stockman pattern, 3 7/8 inch long. It has a spear point main blade, coping blade and leather punch. Blades are 154CM steel. Nickle pins, liners, and bolsters. Bolsters are lined and crimped. No shield. They made 50 in burnt stag, 50 in amber stag, and 25 in buffalo horn.

As usual the pictures online look like the handle material chosen is quite nice. I ordered one of these, so I'll be sure to check it over and post some pictures once it comes in.
 
Look forward to your photos and feedback on the fit and finish.

In case you're interested.... Years ago they made a "Queen Classic" cattle knife that's very similar except for the blade steel. Queen has been making a lot of their coolest old patterns lately (the carpenter's whittler and sowbelly for example).
 
It is probably me...but I can't find any pictures or places that have them for sale! Can you post a picture for me please?
 
Ernie1980 said:
It is probably me...but I can't find any pictures or places that have them for sale! Can you post a picture for me please?
Click to expand...

Not sure if they're a member dealer here, so I'll just steer you in that direction. Go to Charlie Campagna's site & click on "Dealers." Go to the third dealer from the bottom, then look for Tuna Valley on that dealer's site. I think that's the one you mean, close to the bottom. There are probably others, but that's the one that I found.
 
Ernie1980 said:
It is probably me...but I can't find any pictures or places that have them for sale! Can you post a picture for me please?
Click to expand...

There are 3 main Tuna Valley dealers. All 3 have knives for sale, in all 3 handle materials. None of them are paid dealers on BF though, so I can't mention them.
 
I ordered a cattleman in buffalo horn this morning. :) I can't wait!
 
Last edited:
Those Cattleman Stockman caught my eye as well. How's the quality on Tuna Valley compared to a run of the mill GEC?
 
supratentorial said:
Look forward to your photos and feedback on the fit and finish.

In case you're interested.... Years ago they made a "Queen Classic" cattle knife that's very similar except for the blade steel. Queen has been making a lot of their coolest old patterns lately (the carpenter's whittler and sowbelly for example).
Click to expand...

Here's a pic of two QCCC cattle knives from 2003.
The first has Casein handles, the second has Winterbottom bone.
Second pic is from the dealer I purchased it from.




 
Last edited:
Pokerface said:
Those Cattleman Stockman caught my eye as well. How's the quality on Tuna Valley compared to a run of the mill GEC?
Click to expand...

Tuna's are my main focus for my collection right now. I find the TV line to be top notch, probably the best that comes out of the Queen factory. Their handle materials are premium quality. They are by no means as good as a custom made, but for a factory run I think they're really good. There are a few issues I've noticed that seem consistant. The Railsplitter pattern had a slight wobbly secondary blade, that was present on every one I've held, so it must be a design issue. The Teardrop pattern has a very slight burr on the edge of the blade where it barely kisses the inside of the backspring if you let it snap closed, again it was present on every one I've seen. Usually all the blades on every pattern are "kind of sharp" but not very sharp. I've heard others say they got a blade with very uneven grinds, or with bad spaces between the handles and bolsters, however I've never had these issues with the ones I own.

When they're all good, I would say they are every bit as good as a well made GEC knife.
 
I just received my first Tuna Valley, a stag railsplitter. It's over in the newest addition thread. Dynamite knife.
 
The photos of the Cattleman Stockman i've seen on reseller websites show a blunt/rounded leather punch. *scratches head*
 
Finally got this in today, and am quite impressed. It is a lot more beefy than I expected, it has a strong pull, and a killer snap. I may run a little oil in the joints to see if I can get it a pinch easier to pull open. Fit and finish are near perfect. The blades have nice even grinds on this one, and there is no blade rubs. No blade movement, handles are tight all the way to the bolsters, it really is a top example of a Tuna Valley made knife.

It appears to be identical to the Queen versions pictured above.

Jrawk, yeah I saw that as well. Once I got the knife, I really inspected the punch on it. It indeed is blunt/rounded on the end, but the "blade" edge of it is razor sharp. I did notice that other Queen/S&M made knives with a punch use this design as well. It must be a different style punch that they like to use, instead of the more traditional spike style that GEC and others use.
2016-tuna-valley-cattleman-burnt-stag.jpg
 
Last edited:
If the punch is at all like the one on my cattlemen stockman, it will be no problem to use. I actually (bad Neal) used it to drill a hole thru a piece of antler one day while waiting in the car with our two year old. Result: 1 good hole, 2 nasty bites from a very, very sharp punch. I've used it as intended on leather and it really is my favorite for its real purpose. The 35 is a close second, but completely different style. I will say I too thought it looked a bit blunt in photos, but if it's the same as they've used for ten plus years you're good to go.
Thanks, Neal
Ps-sorry if I left a dangling participle, it's laundry day, er I mean I'm tired ;)
 
bdev said:
Here's a pic of two QCCC cattle knives from 2003.
The first has Casein handles, the second has Winterbottom bone.
Second pic is from the dealer I purchased it from.




Click to expand...

Only just noticed this but that Winter Bottom Bone is fantastic! I yearn to see it on more knives and not the faux delrin version.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top