Stockman question

waverave

waverave

Collector of Tortoise Shell
Joined
Jun 7, 2018
Messages
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I recently acquired a Stockman and have a question. By design, are the blades normally rubbing against each other in the closed position? My new blades already have scuff marks from opening and closing a few times. I plan to carry this knife, so I'm not too worried about looks, but if this is not normal I might have it replaced. I guess looking at the blades I don't see how you would fit them all in there without rubbing. I just don't know because this is my first Stockman. Thanks for your help.
 
The key to lessening blade rub is how you open the blades. Instead of pushing on the nick as you grab it, try to lift up and toward yourself, away from the other blades. With a little practice it becomes second nature. That said, some will still have rubs, it's just impossible to eliminate all of them.
 
Very common for the pattern. It’s one of the downfalls of having so many blades tucked into one frame without added another backspring. I’ve used a stockman for years and blade rub has never impeded the use, or longevity of the knife.

Black Mamba is 100% right about being cautious in the opening of the blades. Even when they are tightly packed into the frame you can ease the blades out. I try to keep that in mind when opening a stockman that isn’t mine.
 
You bought a new knife, and you didn't post a picture of it?

Any time you get two or more blades in a knife, there is the possibility of them clashing. Stockmans, whittlers, congresses. and the like can be hard to regulate. Some manufacturers tend to be better than others.

I know you read a lot here about blade clash and blade centering. There's nothing wrong with your ignoring those things if they're not important to you. It's interesting to me that one particular manufacturer that gets a lot of notice here tends to do a pretty good job of blade regulating and blade centering, but they make most of their knives with common joints, tangs with very sharp, square edges, and even bolsters with sharp edges. They're pocket rippers, but they're beautiful.
 
The blades aren't supposed to rub, but they often do. Unless they are actually impeding each other, I consider it a cosmetic thing. By impeding I mean, I've handled a few knives in which the spey blade caught on the nail nick of the sheepfoot blade. I'd have to open the sheepfoot first. That was pretty irritating. It's a good thing the spey is my least used blade.
 
waverave said:
Thanks for the info guys I just wanted to make sure. I'll get the hang of easing the blades open to minimize the wear. I do like this pattern though the size is perfect (medium) and so is the blade combination.
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There really won’t be any wear. Just marks. Every production I have is like that in some way. Even one custom I have has a very tiny amount that is alleviated by how you open it. No worries. Enjoy it. It is, afterall, the best pattern to carry! (I’m sure that’ll start a discussion. Lol)
 
Depends from knife to knife, many have it, a good number don't. Not really an issue unless it's bad enough to impede closing and getting decent snap. A result of close nesting the blades using krinking (offset angle to the blades) Buck stockman don't employ krinking, each blade has a liner, makes for a thicker knife though. Whittlers can display blade run too, but better when they don't of course!
 
SVTFreak said:
Enjoy it. It is, afterall, the best pattern to carry! (I’m sure that’ll start a discussion. Lol)
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Sorry ... but I must agree with you.
The stockman is the best pattern to carry.
No one blade profile/shape is ideal for every task. Therefore a knife with three different blades is more versatile than a knife with only one or two blades. :D:cool:
 
afishhunter said:
Sorry ... but I must agree with you.
The stockman is the best pattern to carry.
No one blade profile/shape is ideal for every task. Therefore a knife with three different blades is more versatile than a knife with only one or two blades. :D:cool:
Click to expand...
A Congress too? :) or is that too many blades.
 
waverave said:
A Congress too? :) or is that too many blades.
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Let me think ... Sheepsfoot/Sheepsfoot/Coping/Pen ...
Yep More versatile than a one or two blade. :)

My co-carry with a stockman is a 4 blade Scout or a SAK Huntsman.
There are times a spear point is the "better" choice for a task, not to mention how often a punch/awl is exactly what is needed ... or the can opener ... screwdriver ... bottle opener ... saw ...
 
The more side to side blade play the blades have then the more blade rub you will see. I’ve had a few recent Case Stockmen and all had about twice the amount of side to side blade play and more blade rub as the GEC 66 stockman.
 
Some collectors who want to minimize any chance of rub will open the main first, they the sheepsfoot then close the main before using the knife. Stops rubs marks on the main. More trouble but collectors want pristine blades.
 
Happened to get my second Stockman in the mail today and it comes with a bit more blade space but it is also the punch blade version (Yellow CV). Looks like the punch blade is wedged a little bit to allow more room for the middle blade. Either way, I really like both of these knives.
Stockmans.jpg
 
waverave said:
Happened to get my second Stockman in the mail today and it comes with a bit more blade space but it is also the punch blade version (Yellow CV). Looks like the punch blade is wedged a little bit to allow more room for the middle blade. Either way, I really like both of these knives.
View attachment 956344
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Congrats! The punch blade version is my favorite Case Stockman. Mine has pretty bad blade rub, but I bought them for messy work, not as collectables, so I don't mind. :)
Case Punch Stockmans.jpg
 
black mamba said:
The key to lessening blade rub is how you open the blades. Instead of pushing on the nick as you grab it, try to lift up and toward yourself, away from the other blades. With a little practice it becomes second nature. That said, some will still have rubs, it's just impossible to eliminate all of them.
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Yep, I've noticed I tend to push one blade against another when I open it.
It appears they don't naturally rub on their own, they need my help.
 
This thread reminded me of how much I like carrying medium sized stockman. However, right now I’m don’t have any. I traded away a Case medium stockman and a GEC #66 stockman with Hemlock jigged bone recently for a #38 Farmers Jack that I really wanted. Then I sold my nice 66 SMKW jigged bone stockman to a friend. So now I could use another. What I’d really like to find is a well loved and patina’ed 66 Northfield in red jigged bone from the last run they did.

D5D6D958-E956-44C6-839D-C65E627F87AC.jpeg
 
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