Stockman Bolsters: Rounded or Square?

dannyp

dannyp

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Well, lately I find myself more interested in this pattern than I have been in the past. Obviously there are many different variations to choose from. I've noticed some companies make them with round bolsters, some make them square, and still others offer both styles. I'm partial to the aesthetics of the square kind myself.

I'm curious as to what everyone else thinks about them. Are you a hopeless fanatic who likes them all regardless of style? If you prefer one over the other, what's the reason? I'd also be interested in any other thoughts or opinions on the subject.
 
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I have both but prefer rounded bolsters. I find them more comfortable to use for extended periods. It's just a personal preference... oh, and I ain't no square. ;)
 
For me, the bolster style is a secondary consideration to the blade selection, as well as other elements of the knife.

For example, I have a handful of vintage Case stockmans. 3 6332's, which are all the same, and 3 6318HE's. The 6318HE's are odd because they're not made the same. 2 are, a 1978 and a 1980. The other is very different, a 1973. The older ones are 3 5/8" closed and fairly thick and heavy, and have brass liners and pins. The 1973 is a tad shorter, at 3.5", and is a bit thinner, maybe 1/32" or 3/64, and has nickel silver liner and pins. More significantly the bolsters are tapered on the 1973, whereas the bolsters on the older ones aren't. This might not sound like much, but it's quite significant when you hold the two knives in each hand. The older one are noticeably heavier and bulkier. Not a "large" knife by any means, but it feels much larger than the 1973, which is far nicer to hold, and even nicer to pocket. The clip blades are different as well. The 6332 is kinda inbetween the two for heft and pocketability. I'd show some pictures, but sun is down and the lighting is dark in my apartment.

My point is that there's 3 knives with practically the same blade assortment, 2 even have the same model number, yet they're quite different. My favorite is the 6332, since it has half-stops. But the 1973 6318HE is without a doubt the nicest and most comfortable to use and carry (even though I haven't done so yet - not until I find another to keep mint). I'm honestly not that big a fan of my older 6318HE's because of the extra thickness and heft, but if I didn't have the 1973 or 6332, which are better, I'd probably like them a lot more. I mean, there's nothing wrong with a 1978 AMC Concord AMX, but if you've got a 1973 Jaguar E-Type roadster, it's hard to give the AMC a second glance.
 
I find rounded bolsters feel much better in the pocket. Square ones have a great appearance, but round is preferable for EDC, IMO.
 
I prefer round but also prefer large Stockman most of which have square bolsters. Either works but round are a little easier on the pocket.
 
Firmly in the round bolster camp. NMpops, two nice large stockman with round bolsters are the GEC/Northfield/Tidioute #53 patterns @ 4-1/8" and the Moore Maker #5304 @ 4-3/8" closed.
 
I consistently seem to gravitate to the larger, square-bolstered ones. I hadn't really considered why, as it relates to the bolsters themselves. I do seem to like the aesthetic of the blade extending from the square end of the bolster, though. Seems to look better to me.

There are differences, even among the square bolsters. A square-ended bolster that's been radiused (rounded) on the face looks even better. Some elegant bevels/chamfers on the edges make a difference, too. Examples would be something like the bolsters on an 8OT Old Timer, or a Queen 'Cattle King' #49. Other square-ended bolsters tend to be a little more 'flat' across the face, which tends to make the bolster look a little too 'boxy' to me.

I am becoming more aware that the 'hard edges' on square(ish) bolsters/liners/tang/spine can be tamed, with just a tiny bit of sanding with some fine-grit sandpaper. Can make a big difference in how it carries in the pocket.
 
I definitely prefer rounded. In fact, I won't carry a knife with square bolsters. I just hate the way they dig into my leg.

Even the bolsters on an Old Timer 34OT -- which I consider to be sort of rounded, sort of square -- are a bit too squared for my taste. Could be why I've never really carried mine much (though I am all during the month of June).

-- Mark
 
I really prefer the square ended bolsters. I just think it's a better look.
 
comoha said:
I really prefer the square ended bolsters. I just think it's a better look.
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Agreed. I love the rounded edges of a pen, peanut or canoe, but just don't like them on a stockman. Actually, now that I think about it I guess what I really don't like is a serpentine frame on a stockman, which is what I usually associate with rounded bolsters.
 
Square-ended bolsters are pretty, but they eat pockets for lunch. I stick with rounded bolsters unless the knife is too big to go in my pocket.
 
rounded feels better

I think most of the better feeling things in life are rounded instead of square.
 
It depends on the pattern. Usually I like squared bolsters, like on the Case 32 pattern.
 
I'm a fan of rounded bolster in general. Given a choice I will always go with a rounded bolster, it looks better to me and is easier on the pocket.
 
I like them both, and have both. Rounded are definitely easier on the pockets.
 
I prefer square bolsters on a bigger knife like a Case 75 pattern. However on the smaller ones and particularly edc knives I like rounded......
 
I have 14 Stockmen in my collection. 3 of them are squared and the rest are rounded.

I have carried both but I definately prefer the rounded ones for pocket carry. Asthetically I like them both but I do have a slight preference for the rounded ones in that regard as well.
 
Prefer the square ones. Mostly because my favorite stockman was the medium size Schrade.
 
Square. I wish the bolsters on my 4 1/2" Moore Maker were square. All the rest I have are square. They have to be square. Square, see.
 
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