Recommend a Quality Large Stockman, Brass Bolsters?

Woodtroll

Woodtroll

Joined
Oct 15, 2001
Messages
193
Good morning,

For over 20 years, I've carried one of two stockman knives daily - either an Uncle Henry 885, or a Craftsman/Camillus 95235. I like the stag on the 885, but am not wild about the nickel silver bolsters, and after all these years that knife is developing a lot of blade wobble. I really like the wood/brass look of the Craftsman knife.

I'm now looking for a quality replacement stockman. A few years back, I had about made up my mind to buy one of the Queen King Cattle stockmans, but couldn't find one with brass bolsters, and now it looks like thay have been discontinued and all sold anyway. Custom stockmans seem WAY out of my price range, and since I use them daily and sometimes roughly, I probably don't want a nice custom for EDC anyway.

So, can anyone point me to a:
- Large Stockman, 4" to 4-1/4"
- Brass bolsters
- Stag/antler/synthetic stag, jigged bone, or quality wood scales
- Very good to excellent quality
- Made in USA
- D2 blades would be great, but would consider any quality stainless or carbon blades
- Current or recent production (would be okay with a nice used one)
- Up to $100 or so, maybe $150 if it hits every criteria

I've eyed the Buck 301, but just can't adjust to the slanted cuts on the bolsters.

Any recommendations y'all might have would be sincerely appreciated.

Thank you,
Regan
 
Sounds like you have limited yourself to surfing the bay and classifieds until what you want shows up. Its out there, keep looking - Craftsman (Schrade or Camillus) Remington (Camillus) and others have offered what you want over the years. Good Luck in your quest. OH
 
:);)
Old Hunter said:
Sounds like you have limited yourself to surfing the bay and classifieds until what you want shows up. Its out there, keep looking - Craftsman (Schrade or Camillus) Remington (Camillus) and others have offered what you want over the years. Good Luck in your quest. OH
Click to expand...

Thanks, OH, I expect you’re right. I had already done internet searches without coming up with anything current on my own, so I thought maybe someone here would say, “Oh, you want XYZ”. ;) And honestly, I thought maybe there was something available that was the next notch up in quality from what I’d been carrying.

I do appreciate your reply, and would be interested if anyone has recommendations for specific models to be looking for. Scrolling through the “large stockman knife” listings on EBay every few days gets time consuming, and then “the one” I’m looking for will probably just be listed as “Vintage Pocketknife -RARE!” anyway. ;)

Thanks again!
 
Must it be a Stockman? GEC made a 44 Gunstock with brass bolsters and shield in Coco wood not long back, could be worth looking into?

@black mamba Did show some brass bolstered Stockmans from his extensive collection, maybe ask him?

Regards, Will
 
I guess I'd go looking for Camillus stockman brass. The bay is better than the river at narrow searches.
The Case large stockman is 4 & 1/4" and their large medium (xx47) is 3 & 7/8", but no brass as far as I know.
 
Buck 301 Chairman Series is the only brass bolster stockman I can think of.
The Chairman has wood covers, but is only 3 7/8 inch closed. :(
I don't know what the current availability is like.
 
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I love my two Craftsman 4” Stockmen in brass and stainless. 95284 for the wood and 95066 for the delrin/eagle. I use the heck out of the black and keep the wood in the knife roll for whenever the black gives out. With some patience you can find them on the auction site in great condition for cheap.

 
Not brass bolsters *, but some of the Schrade Old Timer stockman still have bone scales and 440C blades.

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/SC...berjack-4-58-inch-closed-genuine-bone-handles

I have two, large 4+" and medium 3+"- excellent knives. Bone scales, NS bolsters, good steel, well made, take/hold good edge. Can't get more traditional than that :-)

Rich

*Edit: Nickle silver is a brass alloy, sometimes called white brass. So maybe it would do for you. Love mine.
 
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Wow,

Thanks, everyone, for all the input. I really appreciate it!

I didn't realize the Craftsman/Camillus knives were relatively common and available; maybe I should just keep an eye out for a couple nice used/NIB ones, and be satisfied.

abcdef suggested saving for a custom, and I wouldn't be opposed to that just on cost alone, but then I would be afraid to pry, tap, and srewdrive with it, as I occasionally have to do. I know it's a tool, too, and shouldn't be babied, but I try to protect my investments... Do y'all know of anyone that might be able to put stag or bone scales on a Camillus stockman? As silly as that may sound, that would be very close to perfection, for me, and would be cheaper than a custom. Or is that idea completely impractical?

Thanks again for each and every post - all were useful and very much appreciated!
 
Rich S said:
Not brass bolsters *, but some of the Schrade Old Timer stockman still have bone scales and 440C blades.

*Edit: Nickle silver is a brass alloy, sometimes called white brass. So maybe it would do for you. Love mine.
Click to expand...

Haha, Rich, excellent point! But it's the mellow gold color I'm partial to, not necessarily the material. Thanks for trying, though. :D In fact, I have actually seen some old nickle silver that had started to take on a golden/brassy hue.
 
HJ1AvNE.jpg

Another vintage one that may aid in your search, is a Frontier Double Eagle. I think its the same as the Craftsman branded one JonMcD JonMcD posted, not sure who made them but the one I have is well built.
 
Misplaced Hillbilly said:
HJ1AvNE.jpg

Another vintage one that may aid in your search, is a Frontier Double Eagle. I think its the same as the Craftsman branded one JonMcD JonMcD posted, not sure who made them but the one I have is well built.
Click to expand...

Interesting, David, thank you! As you might guess, I'm partial to the Schrade LB7s and LB8s, too! I still frequently carry an LB7 that I got when I was about 14 (and that's been over 40 years ago now). Thank you for the photos.
 
Woodtroll said:
Wow,

Do y'all know of anyone that might be able to put stag or bone scales on a Camillus stockman? As silly as that may sound, that would be very close to perfection, for me, and would be cheaper than a custom. Or is that idea completely impractical?
Click to expand...

I know it can be done. I had an individual re-handle my 1979 Camillus #66 Stockman with autumn bone. He clean it up as well. Not too bad for a 41 year old pocket knife!

Oc4KAnm.jpg
 
Is it just me, or do the brass bolstered knives look more ... "workman" ... like, and less .... "dressy"/"formal" ... than German Silver bolsters do?

If only they made the 858 with brass, bronze or copper bolsters. All the current copper bolster stockman I see, are a itty bitty teeny weeny 3.5 inch "medium" :( I like the Large/XL/XXL/XXXL; Better grip. Plus, they don't look or feel ... I dunno ... "fragile"? .... when using it, like a "medium" does, either.

(Yes, I am aware they are not really all that fragile.)
 
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afishhunter said:
Is it just me, or do the brass bolstered knives look more ... "workman" ... like, and less .... "dressy"/"formal" ... than German Silver bolsters do?

If only they made the 858 with brass, bronze or copper bolsters. All the current copper bolster stockman I see, are a itty bitty teeny weeny 3.5 inch "medium" :( I like the Large/XL/XXL/XXXL; Better grip. Plus, they don't look or feel ... I dunno ... "fragile"? .... when using it, like a "medium" does, either.

(Yes, I am aware they are not really all that fragile.)
Click to expand...

Yes, I think so, too. Whatever reason, I just like the warm color of brass, especially brass and a darker wood together. I don't understand why someone doesn't use brass (or bronze, or copper - those would look great!) bolsters on a stockman.

I've got a couple of searches saved on Ebay, and will see what Craftsman/Camillus knives I turn up. If I find a couple, I may try to swap out the scales on one.
 
I'd look for a like-new Camillus or Craftsman/Camillus and keep the possibility of having someone replace the handle scales in mind. Then, you'd have something sort of custom for a not-so-custom price. The Camillus is my favorite large stockman out of the three brands I have.

Maybe someone could put together a frankenknife for you... another sort of custom approach on a budget.
 
desmobob said:
I'd look for a like-new Camillus or Craftsman/Camillus and keep the possibility of having someone replace the handle scales in mind. Then, you'd have something sort of custom for a not-so-custom price. The Camillus is my favorite large stockman out of the three brands I have.

Maybe someone could put together a frankenknife for you... another sort of custom approach on a budget.
Click to expand...

I actually am leaning heavily that way, and am toying with trying to do it myself. I'm pretty mechanical, have built a few fixed-blade knives, and have been a hobbyist woodworker and gun tinkerer most of my life. Probably will find a "junker" knife to try it on first, though. ;)
 
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