Stockman suggestions sought...

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bryan123

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Feb 7, 2017
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Hi, my current Stockman is a promotional model that is most likey an Ozark Trail given its family resemblance to what I see in Walmart. It's not terrible and currently sharp thanks to my Spydie Sharpmaker, but the two smaller blades have some horizontal blade play, and of course it's mystery steel, and I'd like a suggestion for something nicer.

Wallie World has Buck Stockmans and I know Case makes some.

That do you think?

Thanks
 
bryan123 said:
Hi, my current Stockman is a promotional model that is most likey an Ozark Trail given its family resemblance to what I see in Walmart. It's not terrible and currently sharp thanks to my Spydie Sharpmaker, but the two smaller blades have some horizontal blade play, and of course it's mystery steel, and I'd like a suggestion for something nicer.

Wallie World has Buck Stockmans and I know Case makes some.

That do you think?

Thanks
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First of all, Ozark trail doesn't offer a stockman not that it really matters at all. My guess would be probably a Chinese Winchester knife.

Case has you covered if you want multiple handle options to choose from, and if yo want carbon steel.

If you don't have to have carbon steel, don't care about a specific handle material, and want straight blades ( some such as Case bend the secondary blades to fit them, that's just how it is ) then I'd go with a Buck 303.
I've wanted a 303 for a while, I just haven't gotten around to getting one yet.
 
I'd get a schrade, it's the best 4" stockman IMO. The best ones are bone and pre swinden pivots but those are tough to find. I think you'd be pleased with an 8ot, 885uh or 881. It's not hard to find delrin/swinden ones, they made a lot.
 
What size and how much do you want to spend?
 
Your question is too broad to give specific recommendations. I suggest you familiarize yourself with Buck's 301 and 303 patterns, and the wide range of sizes and blade combinations in the Case stockman patterns/sizes/handle materials - there are over 100 of them ranging from small to large, stainless and carbon steel, dozens of handle materials.
 
bryan123 said:
I'd like the longest blade to be 2.5 inches or under for Boston legality. I'd go $50-$100 for something nice that I'd really like.
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Ok - with your blade length restriction, that leaves out a lot. Case 6344 and 63087 in their Medium Stockman family, and 6333 in the Small Stockman, will fit that blade length restriction.

Buck's 301 and 303 are too long, as are Case's larger stockman patterns.

Case 6344 is probably your best shot.
 
jc57 said:
Your question is too broad to give specific recommendations. I suggest you familiarize yourself with Buck's 301 and 303 patterns, and the wide range of sizes and blade combinations in the Case stockman patterns/sizes/handle materials - there are over 100 of them ranging from small to large, stainless and carbon steel, dozens of handle materials.
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This... :thumbsup: John
 
bryan123 said:
I'd like the longest blade to be 2.5 inches or under for Boston legality. I'd go $50-$100 for something nice that I'd really like.
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2.5" isn't much. That'll limit the closed length (traditional knives are usually measured by the length closed rather than blade length or OAL) to about 3.25", give or take. I checked my Case 6344 stockman and the main blade is indeed just under 2.5". My Buck 303 is also under 2.5" (by a hair), but it's an older Camillus-made model, so I can't speak for the newer ones (old ones are readily available on auction sites).

I'd suggest either of those knives. The Buck will be a bit stouter, and the secondary blades will be a bit longer. The Case will have thinner blades that'll slice better. Buck's steel is better. Case will give you far more variety of handle choices - if you can't find a 6344 with handles you like, you're far too picky a person.

EDIT: I just rechecked my Buck 303 after jc57's post, and it is indeed just over 2.5". I forgot my ruler has about 3/32" of space before the scale starts. Oops.
 
The Wally 371 is good, I have a couple. The 301 has better steel, but both have a great heat treat.
Rough Rider makes some fine stockman, that hold an edge quite well. They do a good heat treat on their 440A.
Allegedly, the new Old Timer's with bone covers, like the 8OTB have "440C" equivalent steel blades.
I do not know if that is true though.
Same for the offshore made BTI Schrade Old Timer's and Uncle Henry, they have a good heat treat.
If you want USA made, Buck, Utica, and Case for new, or you can find an old(er) USA Schrade, Ulster, and others from various used knife sellers, or maybe at a yard sale or 2nd/3rd hand store.
FWIW, the old clamshell Imperial's and Colonist's had GREAT carbon steel blades.
 
Boker medium stockman is a nice option as well. I like their jigged bone
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I used to own one of those Böker Stockmans. I really liked it overall. However one thing bugged me. The sheepsfoot blade was a pain to open. The nail nick was to shallow, which I guess was due to the blades being so thin. I ended up selling it.
 
I also like boker's traditions lately. They've been all-around good buys for the price, not a GEC but not a rough rider. Honestly, not sure if anything they have is under a 2.5" main blade but it should be close.
 
traumkommode said:
Find a USA Made Schrade 34OT. The guy I know who carries them swears by them, and HeathH HeathH probably has some to say, too ;)
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The Schrades have some really excellent steel... I don't think I've come across any 1095 I would take over Schrade's, and the springs are usually strong and nice. The older ones are really well put together, but some of the newer (end of days) made knives are sub-standard. If blade play is a concern, the Schrades in stock form are iffy. If you get a good one, they're fine but a lot of them have blade wobble that isn't easily corrected due to the Swinden Key construction. They're not totally pinned through the bolsters, so you can't fix them yourself with a hammer unless you want to go kind of crazy... but going crazy on them can be half the fun ;)

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I also really like the suggestion of the Boker. I haven't tried their version of the medium stockman but I've picked up several other Bokers over the last couple of years, and been very impressed by them! I'd put them a step ahead of case in my limited experience.

A Buck 303 is another strong contender if stainless blades are of interest to you. It's a really great, refined design. I've put some Buck 309s and most recently a modded 303 to some pretty heavy use, and I'm *extremely* impressed with Buck's interpretation of 420HC. It feels like a step above 440c in terms of edge holding. I haven't tried one of the Wal-Mart Buck stockmen, as the ones made here in Idaho are not too much more .

If you've got some spare cash laying around, there are seem to be some GEC 66s around too ~ I have one and, after dropping the sheep's foot down a bit, it's magnificent! I think I will pull it out of the box when I get home and put it back into my carry rotation...
 
Planterz said:
I just rechecked my Buck 303 after jc57's post
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I pulled out a handful and measured them all before responding. My recent production (2012) Buck 303 is just a bit too long. The Case 032, 18, 47, and 75 patterns are too long. 087, 44, and 33 were under 2.5" blade (measured from tip of blade to front of bolster. I do own a 090 pattern but it is in a box someplace and I didn't go looking, so that's also a possibility.
 
traumkommode said:
Find a USA Made Schrade 34OT. The guy I know who carries them swears by them, and HeathH HeathH probably has some to say, too ;)
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I had one. It's a great choice.

The one I had was well used when I got it. There was some slight side-to-side blade play but it didn't effect it's performance.
 
Given your size restriction a Case 6344 would be worth considering and is in the price range you mentioned. It has a pen blade (which I prefer) in the place of the usual spey blade. I really like mine.
 
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