Opinion? The better Stockman

afishhunter

afishhunter

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I have decided to get a stockman, that is not a Rough Rider.
My budget says the Case Tan Caliber ("medium" size at 3 5/8 inches closed) or the Buck 301 ("large" at 3 7/8 inches closed) Both are made in the USA.

Both are about the same price. Between these two, which do you think is the better knife insofar as steels used, projected longevity/durability (not being abused and used as a screwdriver or prybar, of course) and ease of sharpening using Arkansas stones and ceramic rods?

I like the Case for the "as ground" blades. I don't think they will show every smudge and fingerprint like a more polished blade does. I'm not sure how well the Zytel handle will hold up though. I cannot afford a Case with "traditional" construction, so that is not an option.
I like the Buck for the traditional bolster/liner construction. (and the fact they have the "best" 420HC blades out there, as far as heat treating and hardening goes.)

I am not concerned about the weight difference.

Thank you, in advance.
 
afishhunter said:
I have decided to get a stockman, that is not a Rough Rider.
My budget says the Case Tan Caliber ("medium" size at 3 5/8 inches closed) or the Buck 301 ("large" at 3 7/8 inches closed) Both are made in the USA.

Both are about the same price. Between these two, which do you think is the better knife insofar as steels used, projected longevity/durability (not being abused and used as a screwdriver or prybar, of course) and ease of sharpening using Arkansas stones and ceramic rods?

I like the Case for the "as ground" blades. I don't think they will show every smudge and fingerprint like a more polished blade does. I'm not sure how well the Zytel handle will hold up though. I cannot afford a Case with "traditional" construction, so that is not an option.
I like the Buck for the traditional bolster/liner construction. (and the fact they have the "best" 420HC blades out there, as far as heat treating and hardening goes.)

I am not concerned about the weight difference.

Thank you, in advance.
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I didn’t know what the Case Tan Caliber was. Now that I’ve looked it up….

Buy the Buck. Even with plastic scales, the Buck is a genuine traditional. Not to mention a damn good knife.

I carried Buck’s big stockman for years, when I was an apprentice carpenter. Great knife. It withstood a lot of youthful stupidity.
 
Buck 301 (or 303 for a smaller carry). I say this as an owner of both of those Bucks and a number of Case stockman patterns (though not the lightweight Zytel Caliber models). The Buck steel is better, and still sharpens up easily enough on just ceramic stones. My Buck 303 is one of the sharpest knives I own.

The Buck is more of a workhorse. Solidly built, 3 springs so no crinked blades.

My daily office job doesn't require much serious knife usage so I don't carry the Bucks often (well, the 303 did get a lot of carry time last year) but if I were a working man, I'd carry a Buck 301 over a Case with the lightweight Zytel handles.

No criticism of Case knives in general - I own over 100 of them and love them. But for your purposes and between those two, I would go with a Buck.

And if I had known you needed a stockman, I could have fixed you up with one instead of that other one that's waiting on you. :)
 
I just purchased a 303 a few weeks ago, the fit of the knife is perfect, the finish almost so. The blades are polished on the spines and flats but the grinds are left as ground so not much smudging to be had. This 303 is better than many knives costing twice the price.

Having owned a case stockman (but not the model you're looking at), I'd say the Buck is the way to go.
 
I agree with the others. The buck 301 is the better choice. I've owned a couple 301's and bought several for gifts. This is a solid knife.

-Rex
 
My vote is for the 301. With the integral stainless bolsters, it's going to have a more solid feel in hand. The 3 spring construction also makes it easy to clean the inside of the knife. That's not to say there's anything wrong with the Case. If weight isn't a concern for you, then I just think the Buck will have a better overall look and feel to it.

My slightly modified 301 with charcoal Dymondwood covers.

 
jc57 said:
Buck 301 (or 303 for a smaller carry). I say this as an owner of both of those Bucks and a number of Case stockman patterns (though not the lightweight Zytel Caliber models). The Buck steel is better, and still sharpens up easily enough on just ceramic stones. My Buck 303 is one of the sharpest knives I own.

The Buck is more of a workhorse. Solidly built, 3 springs so no crinked blades.

My daily office job doesn't require much serious knife usage so I don't carry the Bucks often (well, the 303 did get a lot of carry time last year) but if I were a working man, I'd carry a Buck 301 over a Case with the lightweight Zytel handles.

No criticism of Case knives in general - I own over 100 of them and love them. But for your purposes and between those two, I would go with a Buck.

And if I had known you needed a stockman, I could have fixed you up with one instead of that other one that's waiting on you. :)
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Not a problem ... I just recently decided I "need" another one. I have a RR sowbelly stockman that is waiting on me, and I think one of the standard serpentine/dog leg, too.
Trust me, the one you sent is going to see a lot of pocket time. The Buck canoe I have has displaced the sunfish and Barlow from my pocket, most days already. The one you sent will displace it, I like carbon steel blades.

I do believe I'll order the Buck, in a couple weeks.

(darn N+1 rule ...) :)
 
The larger Buck 301
A classic solid worker that will serve you for years
Sharpens to sharp
I like the black delrin as it is the trad color
 
Get the Buck. I like big stockmen so I'm partial to my 307, but if you're already considering the 301 then get it. It will serve you well for years to come. Many of the Case stockmen can be found for around $40-50 so you could also save up and get a normal Case for not much more. From the looks of the Case Caliber though, I'd say you'd be happier with the Buck.
 
I like the Case for the "as ground" blades. I don't think they will show every smudge and fingerprint like a more polished blade does. I'm not sure how well the Zytel handle will hold up though. I cannot afford a Case with "traditional" construction, so that is not an option.
I like the Buck for the traditional bolster/liner construction. (and the fact they have the "best" 420HC blades out there, as far as heat treating and hardening goes.)

I am not concerned about the weight difference.
Click to expand...

I think you answered your own question. Get the buck.
 
The Buck is by far the stronger knife and I like the steel better, too. The "liners" in the Buck are one piece with the bolsters. On the other hand, the flat ground blade of the Case will make it a better slicer in some materials, such as an apple, or a tomato. Buck changed to a hollow ground blade a few years ago, much to my dismay. Still, I would choose the Buck.
 
You might want to consider a vintage stockman. It's a pattern that is common and can be found in many flea markets and thrift stores at a reasonable price. I have a 40s Schrade that shows years of use, but is still as tight as a drum with bone intact. I wouldn't trade its pocket worn appearance for a new one.
 
John, you do realize I'm going to be drooling now until I get home in July, right? :)
 
I have seen it repeated here several times that the Buck slips (made in USA anyway) have integral SS bolsters. I believed this for a while, but was told that it was untrue by someone respectable on this board. From the pics posted here, they look to be nickel silver to me, but photos lie.

Which is it? I wish they made a Lancer in a Soiitaire size.
 
They are nickel-silver bolsters like most Traditionals have, they do have stainless liners rather than brass ones though.
 
MarkPinTx said:
I have seen it repeated here several times that the Buck slips (made in USA anyway) have integral SS bolsters. I believed this for a while, but was told that it was untrue by someone respectable on this board. From the pics posted here, they look to be nickel silver to me, but photos lie.

Which is it? I wish they made a Lancer in a Soiitaire size.
Click to expand...

The Bucks have integral bolsters?! :eek: Why did I not know this?!
 
Railsplitter said:
The Bucks have integral bolsters?! :eek: Why did I not know this?!
Click to expand...

Actually, I guess I should clarify that I have heard that the bolsters are SS and it is said upthread and elsewhere that they are integral. But it has been confirmed again that neither is true. The pins wouldn't show as well as they do if they were SS, I believe.
 
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