Small or Large Stockman?

ivan_yulaev · Jun 20, 2004

Most companies, like queen, offer both large and small stockman models, the former being around 4", and the latter 3.25". Which do you prefer, and why?

I am looking to get a queen stockman after owning a OT 34, and just can't decide. The small is nice and convenient to carry, but the large is only 1$ more...

JD Mandrell · Jun 21, 2004

ivan_yulaev said:
Most companies, like queen, offer both large and small stockman models, the former being around 4", and the latter 3.25". Which do you prefer, and why?

I am looking to get a queen stockman after owning a OT 34, and just can't decide. The small is nice and convenient to carry, but the large is only 1$ more...

I know how you feel I am trying to decide between a large Queen Stockman and a Large Jack, but for what it's worth, I grew up on a working farm in Il. and I have Stockman's from my father, grandfather and both great grandfathers in my collection, and every single one of them is the large. Even my own current Sears Craftsman. I can't think of anybody in my area that carries the small ones. Which makes me think that the larger Stockman's must be more practical?

WIL TERRY · Jun 21, 2004

Choose the Stockman that is as long as your palm is wide. Lay the knife closed upon yore palm and the one which is as long or a touch longer is the one to carry. Remember this, the length of the knife closed is also the length of the knife you use as a handle in the palm of yore hand.

glennbad · Jun 21, 2004

Both, of course....

After all, you can never have too many knives .

JD Mandrell · Jun 21, 2004

WIL TERRY said:
Choose the Stockman that is as long as your palm is wide. Lay the knife closed upon yore palm and the one which is as long or a touch longer is the one to carry. Remember this, the length of the knife closed is also the length of the knife you use as a handle in the palm of yore hand.

Better answer than mine! Makes a lot of sense.

kapt kopter · Jun 21, 2004

For me I like to carry the med stockman as one of my EDC'S.......but if I am out in the bush or fishing I like to carry the L Stockman or a Trapper instead.

I like the size of the med stockman in my pockets......just the right size without creating the dreaded "pocket bulge" I don;t like in a EDC.
But when you are in the bush who cares if the LStockman is making my pocket bulge.......those large blades are mighty handy!

JMHO

Kap

steve1701d · Jun 21, 2004

I like the larger ones, Buck 301/Old Timer 8-OT sized, better. They seem to be a little more versitile, and feel more robust than the medium ones. A little more blade length, but still not a big knife.

In general, stockman knives rule for versitility!

GRMike · Jun 21, 2004

The only size stockman I can't get behind is the little ones. They are cute I suppose, but to my mind the point of a little knife is to be optimally slim and light. A stockman with its at least three blades and at least two backsprings is never going to be as slim and light as a one or two-blade single backspring pattern of the same length. But any stockman from 3 1/4 on up works for me. Like Glennbad said, get them all. They all have their uses. BTW, a 4 1/4" German Eye stockman is one hell of a nice handful of knife.

Morgoth412 · Jun 21, 2004

Around the house I use a Buck Cadet. It's a medium/small stockman and it fits my hand fine. I have a large Schrade stockman as well and that works great too. Ok, that wasn't much of a help, but in my mind they are both fine.

-Kevin

Sword and Shield · Jun 21, 2004

Large. I don't carry anything smaller that 3 1/2", as it's a practical working size. <3 1/2" tends to get lost in my pocket.

PWork · Jun 21, 2004

WIL TERRY said:
Choose the Stockman that is as long as your palm is wide. Lay the knife closed upon yore palm and the one which is as long or a touch longer is the one to carry. Remember this, the length of the knife closed is also the length of the knife you use as a handle in the palm of yore hand.

I thought I was the only one who used the "palm of the hand" method for knife sizing.

Seriously, it's a good way to judge a knife that will be used for serious work.

Paul

OTguy · Jun 22, 2004

I think there's a story or tradition about the large and small stockman sizes. The larger models were the everyday work knives for farmers, ranchers, etc. The smaller models were their "Sunday go'ta meet'in" knives that they carried when they wore dress clothes. The smaller knives were also usually a little fancier, to go with the dressier look. Maybe a MOP or stag model? Don't know for sure, just speculating. Most of these men carried a knife because they felt like missing something if they didn't. I've also heard that the smaller models were/are a popular choice as a boys first knife, until his hands were large enough for a large one.

Danbo · Jun 22, 2004

I prefer the larger version. I do, however, wish they would make a large Stockman with rounded bolsters.

PWork · Jun 22, 2004

Danbo said:
I prefer the larger version. I do, however, wish they would make a large Stockman with rounded bolsters.

Square bolsters and pockets don't mix very well... :grumpy:

Paul

Sword and Shield · Jun 22, 2004

PWork said:
I thought I was the only one who used the "palm of the hand" method for knife sizing.
Seriously, it's a good way to judge a knife that will be used for serious work.

Paul

Now y'all will want to know what's the best way to get a sledgehammer or axe handle the proper length.

There's a secret to it, and I know very few people who don't work a sledge all day that know it.

fulloflead · Jun 22, 2004

Sword and Shield said:
Now y'all will want to know what's the best way to get a sledgehammer or axe handle the proper length. There's a secret to it, and I know very few people who don't work a sledge all day that know it.

I'll bite.

tarsier · Jun 22, 2004

Most of the knives that I own are sub 3". One exception is my stockman, which is the large model. I typically don't pocket carry it, just grab it when I need something larger.

Sword and Shield · Jun 22, 2004

No bite involved, just an old trick from a guy who's worked a hammer for a lot of years.

Take standard hammer, and stand it on end, on the hammer itself. Stand in front of hammer, and back up to it. Cut it right about at the level of the middle of your pants seat- or the level of a particular bodily orifice.

Your hammer is now perfectly adjusted to your height. Round the cuts off a little with a file, and you're all set.

lambertiana · Jun 22, 2004

I have both, and my answer depends on how you will use and carry it. The large 4" stockman (which does have round bolsters, unlike the 4.25" cattle king) is well suited for everyday tasks, and can handle heavy work. The Queen small stockman, although it is close to the same length as the 34OT, is slimmer, and feels pretty light. I carry it when I am wearing a suit. Good for light tasks, but it wouldn't be my first choice for any hard use.

fulloflead · Jun 23, 2004

Sword and Shield said:
No bite involved, just an old trick from a guy who's worked a hammer for a lot of years.

Take standard hammer, and stand it on end, on the hammer itself. Stand in front of hammer, and back up to it. Cut it right about at the level of the middle of your pants seat- or the level of a particular bodily orifice. Your hammer is now perfectly adjusted to your height. Round the cuts off a little with a file, and you're all set.

Interesting.
By the way "I'll bite" just means that you threw the bait out there and I took it.

Small or Large Stockman?

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