Old Stockman

[Kansaswoodguy]

I've dug out my first pocket knife I ever bought an old Colonial Prov Stockman. I carried it from around age 10 until around 18. I lost it many times over that period of time but alway found it again it once rode 5 miles on one of the steps of a step side pickup. that same pickup some time latter needed the selonoid bypassed to get the engine started the Stockman was employed for this task and was lost again. About a year latter I saw what looked like a piece of plywood sticking out of a rust hole in the front body panel. I reached down and pulled and out popped my stockman. I cleaned it up, oiled it and retired it as having lived a long hard life and was in need of some RR. Well I dug it out of a box of crap I've moved all over this great country of ours for the last 25 or so years and sharpened it up a bit I didn't completely remove the melted spots from bypassing the selonoid 26 years earlier. I don't have the hart to carry this old knife but it did rekindle my interest in a three blade folder. I've been looking around some and think I'd like to try a Queen large stockman or cattle king in D2. I don't mind that it will rust with time but I am looking for a better edge holding steel than 420hc or any of the normal stainless steels used in current production knives of this type. Does anybody now of a different manufacturer of similar knives using better or upgraded edge holding steel other than Queen?

 

[knarfeng]

Thanks for the story of your Colonial. It reminds me of how I used to use my knives for all sorts of things which would make me cringe today.

It's pricey, but Cold Steel is currently offering the "Ranch King", a 4 1/4" stockman in S35VN, a powder alloy metal.

 

[black mamba]

Queen's D2 is hard to beat, but you may need diamond or SiC stones to get it sharpened nicely- it's tough stuff!

 

[Old Hunter]

For a large stockman you have a couple of other choices to consider; Case offers their 75 frame in CV steel (as well as the more common SS). The older Buck 307 was offered in stainless only, but was built by Camillus (there is some discussion as to what SS it was). The two 307's I have owned both sharpened well and held their edges. OH

 

[Ironbut]

I retired my old Uncle Henry large stockman last year after over 40 years of use. The main blade was just worn down too far & it was pretty loose. I bought two Queens, thinking I'd carry the large #49 & save the small #26 for dress up. I fell in love with the #26 immediately & the larger #49 hasn't spent much time out of the box. I may end up gifting the #49 to my son for Christmas. There's been reports of Queen's qc being hit or miss lately, but these two have met all my expectations.

 

[arizonaranchman]

What a great story! That old knife served you well.

The stockman is one of my very favorite patterns. My 6375 Large Stockman is my go-to work knife with it's heavy thick blades and large size. I also have a GEC #66 that's 3.5" and is a great all-around EDC companion. Three sharp blades on tap is a wonderful thing!

 

[Kansaswoodguy]

Thanks for the replies guys. That Cold Steel is very interesting but when I can get 2-3 other good quality knives at the price of just one idk. Does anybody have one of those is it really worth the money? Does Cold Steel accually make those or are are they subbing them out from somebody else I didn't even know they made knives like that. I've been using a S30v single blade knife for EDC and really do like the steel it doesn't seem to keep a insane edge for long but keeps a working edge for a crazy long time. Sharpening is not an issue I use DMT stones. I will have to put more thought into this I really do like the multi blade style of the Stockman. I've strayed from that design for several years and I think it's time to return.

 

[Pàdruig]

Thanks for the replies guys. That Cold Steel is very interesting but when I can get 2-3 other good quality knives at the price of just one idk. Does anybody have one of those is it really worth the money? Does Cold Steel accually make those or are are they subbing them out from somebody else I didn't even know they made knives like that. I've been using a S30v single blade knife for EDC and really do like the steel it doesn't seem to keep a insane edge for long but keeps a working edge for a crazy long time. Sharpening is not an issue I use DMT stones. I will have to put more thought into this I really do like the multi blade style of the Stockman. I've strayed from that design for several years and I think it's time to return.

As far as I know, the Cold Steel Ranch Boss is a somewhat limited edition knife that is advertised as being 100% made in the U.S. Now I do not know who they contracted to manufacture the knife, a wee bit of research might be able to dig that info up though. Cold Steel only "designs" their knives and usually contracts the manufacturing to the lowest bidder, which is usually located in China or Taiwan. However, once upon a time they did have some of their knives made in Japan and I think that is when their quality was the best (just my opinion, of course)

Here is a link to the forum thread here where it was discussed: Cold Steel U.S.A. Made Traditional?

 

[Will Power]

I retired my old Uncle Henry large stockman last year after over 40 years of use. The main blade was just worn down too far & it was pretty loose. I bought two Queens, thinking I'd carry the large #49 & save the small #26 for dress up. I fell in love with the #26 immediately & the larger #49 hasn't spent much time out of the box. I may end up gifting the #49 to my son for Christmas. There's been reports of Queen's qc being hit or miss lately, but these two have met all my expectations.

As I've said before, those are two very desirable knives. I really favour the No.26 as well, amazing compact size yet credible, useful blades, the Clip being nice and long. This delightful smaller knife has a lot going for it: D2 blades and 3 decent blades in a trim handsome frame, feels right in my hand anyway. I wrote recently - with a heavy heart - of my disappointment with some Queen knives, but these two look spot on, glad to hear it.:thumbup:

 

[deltaboy]

Hit the web and get a used to new Old Timer 8OT or Ranger Stockman.

 

[Macchina]

If you can sharpen, I'd vote for Queen for a user knife. Their D2 it's truely incredible.

 

[Ggray830]

I second the Case large stockman in CV. I've read somewhere that the case CV is 1095 carbon steel which I've always considered to be a fine blade steel.