Stockman or Jack, 2 or 3?

prisoner6

prisoner6

Joined
Aug 7, 2003
Messages
470
In yet another attempt to recapture my youth, I have gone looking for a Case like the one I was given as a child. And they do still make basically the same model, the Medium Stockman in the brown delrin handles. Then I got to looking around. I found a Medium Jack that I like, bigger than a peanut, but not huge. When comparing the Jack to the Stockman I noticed they are actually the same, just one has one more blade, each are pattern 87.

So my question is: Why not get the Stockman and get more versatility? What does the Stockman give up to the Jack? Strength, or is it just aesthetics? They appear to be the same size, each with two springs.

Any thoughts or input?
 
I look forward to others thoughts on this one. I think I would find myself right in the middle and have to get both!
 
I'd have to say that I like both equally well, and I have both stockmans and jacks coming out my ears.

However, if someone did have a preference, here are some thought on why they may prefer one over the other:

Some people dont like the spey blade in the stockman because there's no point on it, and therefore they argue, no point to it. Oh I'm so witty I can't stand it!

Some people don't like how the sheepfoot blade rides up high in the closed position. I personally prefer a jack if I am using the main/clip blade because I don't have that sheepfoot blade sticking out and it's more comfortable in my hand. However when I carry a stockman the sheepfoot is the blade I use most, so to me it's a wash.

Finally, some people really like a pen blade or a sheepfoot blade and make their decision based on that. If that's your issue, the Case 32 pattern medium stockman has a pen blade in place of the traditional spey, and you can therefore have both. Incidentally that's my favorite pattern of medium stockman, for exactly that reason.

Hope this helped. I agreed with Ed T -- just get both and you don't have to worry about it!
 
Oh, it's academic mostly, I'll likely end up with both. If nothing else I'll get the Stockman to remember my youth.

I'm a big fella, and like the idea of the Peanuts, but they seem to be just a bit small, I was looking at the Jack as kind of a large guy Peanut.
 
I have a couple of jacks but I've never cared for pen blades,to small.I grew up farming and I also did a good it of trapping,back when it was worth doing,and I always used a spey blade for skinning muskrats and other small animals.I guess that it has a little to do with favorites because that is still my weapon of choice,you just can't beat a 3 blade stockman.
 
If the basic knife is the same frame size, why not go with the stockamn and have a third blade? Seems like a sheepsfoot and spey blade will give you a more versitile knife than a clip and pen. I'd only go for a two blade jack in a smaller size knife.
 
That's popped into my head as well, though the cleaner lines of the Jack are appealing as well. Plus I'm guessing you save a hair on weight.

And to be honest, the only things I'm likely to skin these days are some envelopes.
 
After carrying a stockman pattern on and off for for years, I have recently purchased an older Case Texas Jack (6292). It's the 4 inch model and I absolutely LOVE it! The blades are a bit thicker and seem more robust than the stockman I was last carrying (6347). Not that those blades weren't adequate, but after getting used to this jack, I really like having two heftier blades rather than 3 thinner blades. I never was a fan of pen blades before either, but at least with this particuliar model, the pen blade is large and long enough to serve as a nice functional blade. I haven't tried yet, but I don't see why I couldn't skin anything with it that I normally would use a spey blade for. Plus, I can cut anything that I normally would use the sheepsfoot for too. Yeah, you lose a blade, but so far I haven't noticed any shortcomings with this knife in the least bit. As a side note, I purchased the same Texas Jack, but in the smaller size. It is a beautiful knife and feels great in the pocket, but this 4 inch job fills my hand about perfect. I honestly cannot think of any other pocket knife I'd rather carry.
 
So would the two blade version necessarily have more substantial blades than the three blade version or would they just use the same and leave one out?
 
Just to offer up a contrarian vote for a two-blade jack ...... I love that each blade has it's own backspring and has it's own slot in the handle, divided by a liner. Because of that, they fold in straight - no curving to fit.

I don't have a Case jack, but I've put a lot of mileage on the two Old Timer 33OT knives I've had over the years. I can recommend this blade combo highly.
 
I recently bought a small Texas Jack in CV/amber bone.
Yes the handle is the same as the medium stockman in that line.
But the blades are a bit different; the pen blade is more robust and larger than most other Case pen blades. The pen blade has an almost totally straight edge with just a bit of curve at the tip. I like how the pen blade on this model is almost a compromise between a pen and sheepsfoot blade.

I seem to like the look and feel of the Texas Jack over the stockman of the same handle. The jack is more streamlined. I think the clip blade may be a bit robust as well.
Bill
 
Put them both in your pockets. Work the blades. Which one calls out to you most?;)
 
I carry a Case 6.53087 (bonestag, hence the 6.5). This particular Case stockman pattern does NOT have a sheepsfoot. Instead it has a pen. I love the sheepsfoot blade...the knife was a gift and has sentimental value. The 44 pattern is slightly smaller at 3 1/4 inches versus 3 3/8 for the 087, but has a sheepsfoot. Or...the 18 or 032 are both slightly larger at 3 5/8 with a sheepsfoot. The 44 and 032 have pen blades and the 18 has a spey. Is this now clear as mud? ;-)

Having grown up on a farm with stock, I have never used or seen a spey used for its intended purpose. My father knew of older farmers who did, but he is now in his 60's to give you some perspective.

One reason on the jack versus the stockman is cost. You could probably save $2-$3 going the jack route...which is not really enough any more to really factor in.

I have a 6.5327 on my Christmas list. It is the little 2 3/4 stockman. Sheeple tend to think this size is cute versus dangerous.

The newer Case have great fit & finish with good blade grinds. Their dyeing process is not as good on darker colors due to environmental standards. Good for the Earth. Bad for a nice dark chestnut. Lighter colors look great.

Sincerely,
Jay
 
longbeachguy said:
Some people dont like the spey blade in the stockman because there's no point on it, and therefore they argue, no point to it. Oh I'm so witty I can't stand it!
Click to expand...

LOL, you are soooo witty!

longbeachguy said:
Some people don't like how the sheepfoot blade rides up high in the closed position.
Click to expand...

This is the reason why the stockman doesn't appeal to me personally. I guess if they dropped that sheepfoot blade down a bit, I'd give it a chance, but as it is, it just looks bad to me and gets in the way.
 
stingray4540 said:
LOL, you are soooo witty!



This is the reason why the stockman doesn't appeal to me personally. I guess if they dropped that sheepfoot blade down a bit, I'd give it a chance, but as it is, it just looks bad to me and gets in the way.
Click to expand...

Just file or grind down the kick near the blade tang until the sheepsfoot is as low as you want. I do that to my Stockmans.

I have to admit, though, because of my minimalist tendencies that stockmen are becoming overkill for me. I don't really need or use 3 purpose-built blades. Even two seems more than necessary. I'm digging Peanuts and Senators these days, though I'm looking at some nice Queen Trappers in 1095 which are slightly larger.
 
I am a big fan of two blade jacks, and the case medium two bladed jack is a good one. I like the pointy pen blade for picking splinters, and whittling. The clip point is good for heavier tasks, cutting food, and cleaning fish and game. They pack a lot of cutting power and mine is very sleek and rides well in my pocket. I am thinking of using it as my only edc for a while. the only down size is that is only comes in Tru-sharp. I have an amber bone medium Texas jack and it just doesn't do it for me. I like one and two bladed knives because I find them easier to clean after work, or fishing. Joe
 
camo kid said:
I am a big fan of two blade jacks, and the case medium two bladed jack is a good one. I like the pointy pen blade for picking splinters, and whittling. The clip point is good for heavier tasks, cutting food, and cleaning fish and game. They pack a lot of cutting power and mine is very sleek and rides well in my pocket. I am thinking of using it as my only edc for a while. the only down size is that is only comes in Tru-sharp. I have an amber bone medium Texas jack and it just doesn't do it for me. I like one and two bladed knives because I find them easier to clean after work, or fishing. Joe
Click to expand...

Is it the 032 texas jack that you don't like? What is the model that you do like?

About the Tru-Sharp, I know it is very sharp out of the box. But, what about edge retention?

I'd like to know if the Tru Sharp retains an edge as well as the victorinox stainless. What do you know about it? Thanks!
 
prisoner6 said:
In yet another attempt to recapture my youth, I have gone looking for a Case like the one I was given as a child. And they do still make basically the same model, the Medium Stockman in the brown delrin handles. Then I got to looking around. I found a Medium Jack that I like, bigger than a peanut, but not huge. When comparing the Jack to the Stockman I noticed they are actually the same, just one has one more blade, each are pattern 87.
Click to expand...

I am a BIG fan of the 87. Case only makes it nowadays in the Tru Sharp. . .right? How does the Tru Sharp perform for you compared to the Case CV?

I love that 87 two blade (two back springs). I want to get one, but I'm still trying to decide how well the Tru Sharp is going to perform.
 
jtb49er2000 said:
After carrying a stockman pattern on and off for for years, I have recently purchased an older Case Texas Jack (6292). It's the 4 inch model and I absolutely LOVE it! The blades are a bit thicker and seem more robust than the stockman I was last carrying (6347). Not that those blades weren't adequate, but after getting used to this jack, I really like having two heftier blades rather than 3 thinner blades. I never was a fan of pen blades before either, but at least with this particuliar model, the pen blade is large and long enough to serve as a nice functional blade. I haven't tried yet, but I don't see why I couldn't skin anything with it that I normally would use a spey blade for. Plus, I can cut anything that I normally would use the sheepsfoot for too. Yeah, you lose a blade, but so far I haven't noticed any shortcomings with this knife in the least bit. As a side note, I purchased the same Texas Jack, but in the smaller size. It is a beautiful knife and feels great in the pocket, but this 4 inch job fills my hand about perfect. I honestly cannot think of any other pocket knife I'd rather carry.
Click to expand...

I have the 6347 in Tru Sharp and Amber Bone. I really like it, but haven't really carried it, so haven't used it much. I've just been opening feed bags with it and maybe a very little duty around the acreage.

Not enough to know if the Tru Sharp stainless is a real working knife.
 
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