Stockman pattern overall advice

[Ace Rimmer]

I actually prefer the smaller stockmans, such as my three-spring Buck 703 Colt, my Schrade 897UH, and my Case 6344, the latter being listed as a medium, although it is a small medium. All work very well for pocket carry. I read somewhere (but have never been able to find it again) that the stockman was designed with the proud sheepsfoot so that the blade could be pinched open while wearing gloves.

 

[Old Hunter]

Along with the Trapper pattern, the Stockman is the most prolific of the currently made traditionals. I've carried the pattern from the 2-3/4" penknife variety, the Mediums (3-1/4" to 3-9/16", the Premium (3-7/8" - 4") and the Large (right around 4-1/4"). My favorite is the Medium on the longer end of the scale, but everyone has their own preference in length. I have sold drywall for 41 years and have found a Sheepfoot blade is a must-have for my use (scoring, snapping, and cutting drywall samples) and it's wonderful for cutting up cardboard, the Clip blade is my letter opener, package opener, and general use blade. The Spey is a clean extra, but rarely used by me (in fact the same medium frame pocketknife minus the Spey blade is the only jackknife I carry on a regular basis). I like the looks of square bolster but prefer to carry rounded bolsters - I carry at the bottom of my LFP, no slip, the rounded bolsters seem less likely to wear a hole the pocket in my pants. OH
Case from their smallest, the 33 pattern on the left, to the 75 pattern on the right. Case most common Stockmen L-R, 33, 27, 44, 087, 32, 18, 92, 47, 75.

 

[Old Hunter]

Schrade USA offered a nice variety of sizes in their day as well. Even though they have been gone for 20 years their products are still fairly easy to find. OH

 

[Old Hunter]

As for me, if forced to choose one pattern to carry it would be the Case 18 pattern (or Schrades near twin version, the 897UH and kin). OH

 

[MarbReds]

My favorite stockman to carry and use is the Case Bose collaboration premium stockman. It's an impressive value for what it is. I would like to add a custom stockman or cattle knife to my collection soon.

I don't like my knives to sit horizontally in the bottom of my pocket either. It makes them a pain to retrieve in my opinion. I primarily carry them in a leather slip to avoid this, keeps the knife nice and upright.

 

[Tejas_Burny]

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.

Yes the 75 is the 4 1/4, sorry i should’ve specified. From my experience the blade rub on the 75s isn’t too bad it’s worse on the 18s (3 1/2 inches closed model)

 

[lambertiana]

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:

Another way to keep a pocket sheath or slip vertical is to use one that hangs from your belt or belt loop, like what Horsewright makes. I have a couple of them, and I prefer to hang it from my belt rather than belt loop.

Buckaroo Pouch -gs-pouch

www.horsewright.com

 

[LastRodeo]

If you like your Winchester sowbelly stockman, I think you would also like the Case Bose Sowbelly stockman.

 

[FranklinG]

Lots of good advice here. I think it just comes down to preferences.

I have a couple Buck 301's and 303's (as well as the offshore 371's). They're hands down my favorite. However, my Case '75 is no slouch either. Great knife. Ditto for the Case Sowbelly. I'm not as taken with the Case '18 for some reason. Just never warmed up to it. Not a bad knife, but I have other favorites. That's kind of the point, though. Try a few out, see what you like and get back to us.

Funny thing, though, I can do most of what I need with a peanut.

[url=https://postimg.cc/Wq88MfT6][/URL]

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[Modoc ED]

Around my neck of the woods, we call this a Buckaroo sheath. Make the loop as shown and pass your belt through it. You can let it dangle free or put it in your pocket in a vertical position.







Can't go wrong with a Stockman. The Sheepfoot blade makes an excellent gasket scraper.

 

[oldmanwilly]

I think the stockman is the best traditional pattern: 3 different blades to use for any task you might need in a stylish package. What's not to like?

I consider the Schrade 8OT (and its variations) to be the gold standard for the pattern, but there are so many to choose from. A GEC #81 Abilene is my grail knife. I tend to gravitate towards square-ended bolsters; probably just an aesthetic preference as rounded bolsters may be more smooth/comfortable in the pocket. Case in point, my most recently carried stockmen are the GEC #82 Dixie Stockman and the Case 98865 medium stockman in 20CV (moreso this one recently).

 

[BJE]

I assume when you say “proud spey” you meant a proud sheeps foot, which is normal for this pattern. I like them a bit proud these days as it’s easily pinched open, but in years past I liked them to sit lower in the frame, so I would file the kick down to accommodate that. It’s up to you. Most do come proud, and they are supped to, it easy to lower it but impossible or nearly so to raise it.

A 3 5/8-4 in closed size is my preference, I have a soft spot for the old timer 8OT, that is the epitome of stockman for me. Case and boker make great stockman as well, and a case medium with the Turkish clip is a favorite.

If you like bear trap springs then your best best is GEC. Case, and especially Boker have lighter springs, I prefer lighter springs myself.

The stockman is a great pattern, round vs square bolsters are just personal preference, the round bolsters carry better in the pocket, but using a slip makes that a moot point.

I personally use the sheepsfoot blade for everyday tasks as it’s easy to open and a great shape for general purpose, I use the clip blade for finesse and food, and never use the spey lol, but I do tend to keep the spey sharp as all get out for times where I just just need something that sharp.

 

[Culprit99]

Regarding not liking a stockman to ride horizontal in the bottom of a pocket - I get it. It can be uncomfortable depending on the pants. Two options to consider:

One, a pocket sheath. I use this one from knives ship free that holds a Buck 301 and a small fixed blade. They sell two sizes, I think this is the larger. The stockman was tight at first but wore in really well.

Two, take your pants off, turn them inside out, and sew a single line parallel to the back of the pocket up from the bottom a little less than the length of your chosen knife. Here’s a picture I found searching - I don’t know who originally posted it.

Let us know what you settle on!

 

[Whetstone39]

Great information and advice, thank you all for contributing.

The front runners right now are the Schrade 885UH and the Case large stockman. For the latter an amber jigged bone with carbon steel and a stainless with black G10 have caught my eye. Rounded bolsters don’t appeal to my sense of aesthetics so squared it is.

The sowbelly option is also interesting, there seems to be a wide variety easily obtainable out there. Although since the point is to try the stockman pattern as it was originally conceived, thinking it might be better to go with the classic shape?

I think whichever I settle on I am going to put a 30 degree inclusive edge on all of the blades. This is my preferred angle for almost all of my knives. It is fairly easy to achieve with my wicked edge or sharpmaker systems and very simple to maintain once established.

I carry my Esee Izula in a similar manner to the buckaroo sheath, albeit with paracord instead of leather, so thank you again for that suggestion.

 

[redsparrow]

Big Three Visual Comparison
Case 75, Buck 301, Schrade 8OT & a US Quarter

Favorite stockman comparison;
Buck 303, Schrade 897UH, Buck 301, Case 75

Tom, if a big stockman is what you want, ya can't go too far wrong with a Case 75. Great knife!

 

[Whetstone39]

Big Three Visual Comparison
Case 75, Buck 75, Schrade 8OT & a US Quarter

Favorite stockman comparison;
Buck 303, Schrade 897UH, Buck 301, Case 75

Tom, if a big stockman is what you want, ya can't go too far wrong with a Case 75. Great knife!

Adding the Buck 301 to the short list, thanks James!

 

[Old Biker]

I've seen a number of post about how good the old USA made Imperial/Schrade stockman knives were, but nothing about the old USA made Colonial knives. Also made in Providence RI. In my experience they take a better edge than the ones made by Schrade, and can be fished out of the bay for less money. I'm not knocking the USA Schrade made knives. They were, and are good knives. But in my opinion, the Colonial made knives are just as good, maybe better. At least in their large size. I don't like the blade geometry of Colonial's smaller stockman knives. They were sold under the Colonial, Ranger, and Anvil brands. Maybe others as well.

Here are a few pictures. None of these cost me more than $20 shipped.

O.B.

 

[Whetstone39]

I've seen a number of post about how good the old USA made Imperial/Schrade stockman knives were, but nothing about the old USA made Colonial knives. Also made in Providence RI. In my experience they take a better edge than the ones made by Schrade, and can be fished out of the bay for less money. I'm not knocking the USA Schrade made knives. They were, and are good knives. But in my opinion, the Colonial made knives are just as good, maybe better. At least in their large size. I don't like the blade geometry of Colonial's smaller stockman knives. They were sold under the Colonial, Ranger, and Anvil brands. Maybe others as well.

Here are a few pictures. None of these cost me more than $20 shipped.

O.B.

Hadn’t considered Colonial, thanks for the post OB!

 

[dsutton24]

-...proud spey blade, should I be concerned about that? No. Well, I should say it's never been a problem for me.
- ... bear trap springs? GEC. I prefer something around a 6 - 7 pull. Look at Buck, Case, Schrade or any of hundred or so old names.
- Are there reasons to prefer round over square bolsters? None that I can think of.
- ... different types of edges for the various blades... Seems like a lot of work
- Anything I should know about maintenance...? It's a knife. Keep it sharp, clean it once in a while, a drop of oil, that's about it.
- Are there any issues or concerns...? They're heavy, don't drop it on a bare toe.

If you don't already know about it look up the Stockman Sunday thread here. There are well over a hundred pages of Stockman goodness.

 

[unnecessaryavocado]

Around my neck of the woods, we call this a Buckaroo sheath. Make the loop as shown and pass your belt through it. You can let it dangle free or put it in your pocket in a vertical position.







Can't go wrong with a Stockman. The Sheepfoot blade makes an excellent gasket scraper.

The only good way to get your knife out of your pocket when you're wearing a pair of chaps! You can also loop it around your belt loop if you don't want to wear a belt while riding.