Stockman pattern overall advice

[Whetstone39]

Seeking advice and direction regarding the stockman pattern overall. Not necessarily asking about specific models, although that is certainly appreciated. Essentially I am new to this pattern. I had one in my youth (a Queen of some flavor) but did not care for it, especially how it would always work its way into a horizontal position in my pocket. In seeing the many photos and discussion on the forum, I have determined my traditional knife education is sorely lacking and am attempting to broaden my experience.

I am going to try one in a pocket sheath in my RFP, most likely with a clip to hold it in a vertical orientation. I have a sowbelly Winchester that I really like, but find it almost too pretty to use. The plan for this stockman will be a user of some kind, probably a full 4 inch closed length or close to that. Some of my questions include:

- I have seen some with a proud spey blade, should I be concerned about that?
- Are there known models or manufacturers that have bear trap springs? I prefer something around a 6 - 7 pull.
- Are there reasons to prefer round over square bolsters?
- I am a capable sharpener, do you prefer different types of edges for the various blades (for example less acute for the clip but more acute for the sheep’s foot)?
- Anything I should know about maintenance, or are they much the same as any multi blade traditional?
- Are there any issues or concerns with this pattern someone new to it might not readily realize?

I searched past threads but couldn’t really find something like this. Tried researching the internet and think I found some good information, but also some conflicting advice. Then I thought “If only I had access to a resource of trusted experts with lifetimes of experience with these”. Oh wait I do

And advice or direction is greatly appreciated!

 

[black mamba]

Tom, I don't claim to be an expert, but I do have a wide experience of the stockman pattern. I believe that most of the proud spey pics that you've seen have been sharpened into that condition, so don't worry about it. I have rarely encountered a stockman with pulls much below or above a 5-6. Round or square bolsters are just an aesthetic preference. I like my finest edge on the clip main, with the sheepfoot slightly more robust, and the spey used mostly as a scraper. The best value in a 4" stockman is still the USA Schrades, so Uncle Henry if you prefer stainless and Old Timer or Open Stock knives if you prefer carbon. Like new examples can be had for less than $60. The 885UH is my favorite as I like stainless steel and Staglon.

 

[RickHuf]

I keep the sheepsfoot slicey. The spey is the beater and usually has a pretty rough edge and the clip isn't used for much else besides food.

Don't worry about the sheepsfoot. Even if it sits proud the tip is guarded by the other two blades.

No other maintenance besides a drop of oil every once in a while.

You can get a nice Case for very reasonable prices.

The 47 pattern stockman is 3 7/8 and is really nice! If you want a 4" one this is probably the best bet.

The sowbelly is my favorite and I've been carrying it almost non stop since it got here.

 

[Whetstone39]

Tom, I don't claim to be an expert, but I do have a wide experience of the stockman pattern. I believe that most of the proud spey pics that you've seen have been sharpened into that condition, so don't worry about it. I have rarely encountered a stockman with pulls much below or above a 5-6. Round or square bolsters are just an aesthetic preference. I like my finest edge on the clip main, with the sheepfoot slightly more robust, and the spey used mostly as a scraper. The best value in a 4" stockman is still the USA Schrades, so Uncle Henry if you prefer stainless and Old Timer or Open Stock knives if you prefer carbon. Like new examples can be had for less than $60. The 885UH is my favorite as I like stainless steel and Staglon.

View attachment 2571538

Thanks Jeff! I was hoping you’d post in this thread. Good to know the proud spey isn’t really an issue. I like that Schrade a lot, definitely a candidate.

 

[Whetstone39]

I keep the sheepsfoot slicey. The spey is the beater and usually has a pretty rough edge and the clip isn't used for much else besides food.

Don't worry about the sheepsfoot. Even if it sits proud the tip is guarded by the other two blades.

No other maintenance besides a drop of oil every once in a while.

You can get a nice Case for very reasonable prices.

The 47 pattern stockman is 3 7/8 and is really nice! If you want a 4" one this is probably the best bet.

The sowbelly is my favorite and I've been carrying it almost non stop since it got here.

Thanks Rick! Interesting, so do you mostly use the sheepsfoot for daily non-food related tasks?

The Case 47 has some great looking choices for the handle scales.

 

[afishhunter]

gotta ask. sorry.
What's "wrong" with horizontal in the bottom of the pocket?
They can't jab you in the thigh (or more sensitive parts) when horizontal.

I like a 3 7.8 or 4 inch or larger for the most part best.
As for the edges, ... force of habit and 62 plus years of muscle memory equates to all three of my blades being the same: 10DPS (+/- <2.5°).
They cut/slice better with the keen edge, and "stay sharper longer", to boot.

Choice of round or square bolsters pretty much comes down to whitch you like the looks of best ... and if the knife you want gives you a choice.
For example, the Old Timer 8OT and versions made by other divisions such as Imperial, and Uncle Henry, were only made with square bolsters.
The only Old Timer stockman with round bolsters that comes to mind is the 858 Lumberjack. (4.625 inches closed.)
I don't know if CASE has a found bolster version of the 75, or what the pattern number is, if they do.

Proud Sheepsfoot ... the only stockman I've had with a proud tip on the Sheepsfoot is a "medium" (3.625 inch) Case 18.
I did file the kick a couple thousandths to lower the tip, but insofar as safety goes, it wasn't necessary. When using the Spey blade, the clip point primary has the tip blocked. When using the clip primary, the Spey blocks the sheepsfoot tip. When using the sheepsfoot, it is as irrelevant as any other blade tip.

Brands ...
US or offshore Schrade/Old Timer/Uncle Henry.
Vintage Imperial, Prov., NJ or Ireland.
Vintage Camillus. I don't have experience with the offshore Camillus.
Utica/Kutmaster
Vintage Craftsman (made by Camillus or Schrade)
Rough Ryder/Rider Offers 440A stainless and in a few lines T10 carbon steel. Regardless, RR has an excellent heat treat, and come in way above their price point inquality. They also have a no questions asked lifetime guarantee.
(NOTE: The pulls on my 9 examples are a "Buck 301-ish "3" to "4" on all blades.
Since the backspring's ONLY job is to keep the blade from flopping partly open when not in use, or partly closed in use between cuts, the back springs are plenty strong. Fighting with your knife to open it when your hands are cold and/or wet, or sore and stiff cuz Arther Ritis is visiting is much, much, less than zero fun.
On or offshore Marbles. The offshoreare made in the same factories as the Rough Ryder, and have the same guarantee. SMKW owns both brands, and stands behind the warrantee.
(good luck finding one) Any of the Great Eastern Cutlery stockmans.
Pre-2017 Queen ... tho pre-2000 might be better. I've seen a lot of posts concerning Queen and broken backsprings.
Queen/Schatt & Morgan went belly up in 2017, by the way.
Buck 301.

I'd shy away from Frost brands.

 

[JPD1998]

My favorite stock knife is the Case large stockman, although the medium is easier to pocket carry.
I use the sheepsfoot blade for just about everything, makes a great box cutter, and the main blade for food.

With the larger pattern, you get a more hand filling knife, especially when using the main blade.

The pull is consistent with these, I have a few and they all have medium pulls.
The medium stock knives have medium to easy pulls.
I carry the large stockman in a pocket sheath or parked next to my wallet.

 

[RickHuf]

Picture time! Here from left to right is an 18, sowbelly, 47, the large #75 and an 8ot old timer for good measure.

The large stockman is a big boy and I made this belt sheath for it which makes it nice to carry. Just more options to add to jpd1998's

 

[RickHuf]

so do you mostly use the sheepsfoot for daily non-food related tasks

Yes I use it for most things.

 

[Whetstone39]

gotta ask. sorry.
What's "wrong" with horizontal in the bottom of the pocket?
They can't jab you in the thigh (or more sensitive parts) when horizontal.

I like a 3 7.8 or 4 inch or larger for the most part best.
As for the edges, ... force of habit and 62 plus years of muscle memory equates to all three of my blades being the same: 10DPS (+/- <2.5°).
They cut/slice better with the keen edge, and "stay sharper longer", to boot.

Choice of round or square bolsters pretty much comes down to whitch you like the looks of best ... and if the knife you want gives you a choice.
For example, the Old Timer 8OT and versions made by other divisions such as Imperial, and Uncle Henry, were only made with square bolsters.
The only Old Timer stockman with round bolsters that comes to mind is the 858 Lumberjack. (4.625 inches closed.)
I don't know if CASE has a found bolster version of the 75, or what the pattern number is, if they do.

Proud Sheepsfoot ... the only stockman I've had with a proud tip on the Sheepsfoot is a "medium" (3.625 inch) Case 18.
I did file the kick a couple thousandths to lower the tip, but insofar as safety goes, it wasn't necessary. When using the Spey blade, the clip point primary has the tip blocked. When using the clip primary, the Spey blocks the sheepsfoot tip. When using the sheepsfoot, it is as irrelevant as any other blade tip.

Brands ...
US or offshore Schrade/Old Timer/Uncle Henry.
Vintage Imperial, Prov., NJ or Ireland.
Vintage Camillus. I don't have experience with the offshore Camillus.
Utica/Kutmaster
Vintage Craftsman (made by Camillus or Schrade)
Rough Ryder/Rider Offers 440A stainless and in a few lines T10 carbon steel. Regardless, RR has an excellent heat treat, and come in way above their price point inquality. They also have a no questions asked lifetime guarantee.
(NOTE: The pulls on my 9 examples are a "Buck 301-ish "3" to "4" on all blades.
Since the backspring's ONLY job is to keep the blade from flopping partly open when not in use, or partly closed in use between cuts, the back springs are plenty strong. Fighting with your knife to open it when your hands are cold and/or wet, or sore and stiff cuz Arther Ritis is visiting is much, much, less than zero fun.
On or offshore Marbles. The offshoreare made in the same factories as the Rough Ryder, and have the same guarantee. SMKW owns both brands, and stands behind the warrantee.
(good luck finding one) Any of the Great Eastern Cutlery stockmans.
Pre-2017 Queen ... tho pre-2000 might be better. I've seen a lot of posts concerning Queen and broken backsprings.
Queen/Schatt & Morgan went belly up in 2017, by the way.
Buck 301.

I'd shy away from Frost brands.

Thanks for the response Steve! I wear jeans most of the time and a horizontal knife in the bottom of my pocket just feels really awkward to me when moving around. Not so bad with shorts in the summer I guess.

Hadn’t considered RR and was not aware of their warranty, good information

 

[Whetstone39]

My favorite stock knife is the Case large stockman, although the medium is easier to pocket carry.
I use the sheepsfoot blade for just about everything, makes a great box cutter, and the main blade for food.

With the larger pattern, you get a more hand filling knife, especially when using the main blade.

The pull is consistent with these, I have a few and they all have medium pulls.
The medium stock knives have medium to easy pulls.
I carry the large stockman in a pocket sheath or parked next to my wallet.

View attachment 2571600

Great pic! Thanks for the information on the pulls, that helps.

 

[Whetstone39]

Picture time! Here from left to right is an 18, sowbelly, 47, the large #75 and an 8ot old timer for good measure.

The large stockman is a big boy and I made this belt sheath for it which makes it nice to carry. Just more options to add to jpd1998's

The size comparison helps a lot, thanks again Rick!

 

[Tejas_Burny]

Afraid I won’t be able to offer too much new advice, but the stockman is my favorite pattern and the pattern I own the most of. I think it is definitely a jack of all trades knife with the long master blade and two short blades. I prefer the Case 75 in 1095, but the Case 18 is also a great knife. These Case knives rarely have any pull over a 6-7 in my experience, especially once the brass is broken in. I typically sharpen my clip blade and sheepsfoot at 20 degree angle with the sharpmaker, and the spey gets an extra sharp 15 degrees on the sharpmaker. The spey is my “pocket scalpel” and the other two are for utility. I typically try to strop more than i sharpen on a dry piece of leather, i don’t use any compounds. If you want something a little smaller than the 75 and don’t mind stainless I prefer the Buck 301. In my opinion, it stays sharp the longest and is easy to sharpen. The case and USA Uncle Henry stainless is pretty decent. I don’t have a USA Old Timer 80t but I do have a USA OT Trapper and the steel it has is phenomenal. I prefer bone handles or I would’ve found one by now. If you can’t stand blade rub, this isn’t the pattern for you, even my GEC cattle knife has a little bit. I’ve heard rumors that square bolsters can wear holes in your pockets but i’ve never seen any evidence to that. Anywhoo, hope the size comparison helps.
From top to bottom, Case 18, GEC cattle knife, Case Sowbelly , Uncle Henry 885, Buck 301, case 75

https://imgur.com/a/jwNDXLS

 

[Tejas_Burny]

accidental double post

 

[Whetstone39]

Afraid I won’t be able to offer too much new advice, but the stockman is my favorite pattern and the pattern I own the most of. I think it is definitely a jack of all trades knife with the long master blade and two short blades. I prefer the Case 75 in 1095, but the Case 18 is also a great knife. These Case knives rarely have any pull over a 6-7 in my experience, especially once the brass is broken in. I typically sharpen my clip blade and sheepsfoot at 20 degree angle with the sharpmaker, and the spey gets an extra sharp 15 degrees on the sharpmaker. The spey is my “pocket scalpel” and the other two are for utility. I typically try to strop more than i sharpen on a dry piece of leather, i don’t use any compounds. If you want something a little smaller than the 75 and don’t mind stainless I prefer the Buck 301. In my opinion, it stays sharp the longest and is easy to sharpen. The case and USA Uncle Henry stainless is pretty decent. I don’t have a USA Old Timer 80t but I do have a USA OT Trapper and the steel it has is phenomenal. I prefer bone handles or I would’ve found one by now. If you can’t stand blade rub, this isn’t the pattern for you, even my GEC cattle knife has a little bit. I’ve heard rumors that square bolsters can wear holes in your pockets but i’ve never seen any evidence to that. Anywhoo, hope the size comparison helps.
From top to bottom, Case 18, GEC cattle knife, Case Sowbelly , Uncle Henry 885, Buck 301, case 75

https://imgur.com/a/jwNDXLS

Thanks! These comparison photos really help. I am guessing the Case 75 is the the 4 1/4 is inch model, looks nice. Blade rub does bother me, but not excessively so if it t doesn’t impede performance.

 

[Ironbut]

I've been carrying stockmans on & off for over fifty years. My personal preferences are:
Medium size, like Case 18s, or GEC 66s, etc.
Can be stainless or carbon.
Round bolsters.
Loose in pocket, always.

 

[Arathol]

If you want the best, find a 4 3/8" Case 6340 large stockman.

 

[Tyson A Wright]

I've owned small and large stockmen, and they are completely different knives (for me, at least). A small stockman (like a Buck 303) is a knife with a useful clip point blade, and two short-and-not-that-useful blades that only get used if I've carelessly let the clip point get too dull.

A large stockman, on the other hand, is a knife with three really useful blades.

My Case Large Stockman is one of my most carried knives. It's large for a traditional, but if you're used to modern folders, it's medium-sized.

One of my requirements for this pattern is that it must have only two springs. Three spring stockmen are just not appealing to me.

 

[TheJon]

I'm partial to the Buck 301 personally, but I do like a Case 18 or 75 as well. The spey blade tip does sit above the liner, but as mentioned by others it's never bothered me. The one downside about the 301 is that is does have fairly weak springs about a 3 I would say.

 

[Will Power]

The Stock knife really offers a wealth of types, sizes , variations - that makes it both versatile and appealing. As many have noted, pull on these knives is generally pleasant and you can get some very loud 'talk' with some examples, satisfyingly childish . For coat carry in winter I like a Large model, trouser carry a Medium, stainless or carbon-both I like depending on mood. CASE make really good Stockman, the 18 pattern a firm favourite-so many scale choices too- the 32 has Pen instead of Spey and frankly, I wish more Stockman had this-the Big CASE 75 is an essential in any credible collection and it's the knife I'd take if I 'had' to go on a long trip with only 3 knives (the other 2 would be Puukko or Grohmann Bird&Trout flat grind and a locking Laguiole...) If you can find a CASE 47 buy it, beautiful lines.

I find GEC rather less impressive in this area, the 81 Abilene is certainly good but can you find a user? I'd like to! The 82 Dixie is remarkable for its blade arrangement:California Clip, Wharncliffe and Drop-Point, all low riding but it's a big knife and does not have much snap really, looks great mind! They have yet to make a Medium one I like, 68 White Owl frame would be ideal but.....

Buck's Stockman are very satisfying but I really regret the discontinuation of their Yellow delrin models, they cost a lot nowadays too, sabre grind not for everybody but I like that they're all stainless no brass on these.

Look out for Queen D2 models in Carved Stag Bone, high quality.

Finally, check out Böker Germany carbon Large Stockman, tremendous snap on these and good in the hand. As for sharpening, I use a DMT Aligner, it's easy to use, accurate and takes off minimal steel, then strop, all I want is all 3 blades keen and as I'm lucky to have quite a few Stockman, none get blunt very quickly.

King of patterns? Not quite, but near