Stockman/Trapper/Peanut makers

coolhand68

coolhand68

Joined
Mar 12, 2006
Messages
1,347
Lately my interests have been leaning towards Stockman, Min-trapper and peanuts. Something under 3.5 inches. I am curious how the various makers stack up and where the consensus is with regard to a pecking order or best fit, finish and value.

Brands such as Buck, Case, Bear and Sons, older Camillus and Shrade etc. I recently picked up a nice Bear and Sons peanut in yellow delrin which has surprisingly impressive fit and finish for a $30 knife. Curious what everyone's thiughts are.
 
I really like the case mini trapper especially with the clip/spay combo. Not really crazy about peanuts a bit small for my tastes and I'm terrible at freehand sharpening. Stockman's I have a few case examples and a craftsman that I suspect was made by shrade that are ok but I don't carry three blade knives all that much. Ymmv but a Case of some variation has until recently been my traditional companion now it is Case or gec
 
I don't have a Stockman that small, just a Buck 301 (my smallest) and a few Rough Rider large 4 1/4 inch closed stockman and a 3 5/8 closed 5 blade Rough Rider Stockman.
Based on the above Rough Riders, plus a couple of their canoes, Barlows, half hawk, marlin spike, large coke bottle, and a couple large sunfish, I can suggest (with a clear conscious) you give Rough Rider a look.
They may be inexpensive, but they are not "cheap".
I know they make the Stockman, (down to peanut or sub-peanut size) a couple trappers in 3 1/2 or less closed, and peanuts.
 
Case makes a very nice little stockman thats in the peanut class size. The 6333 and the 5333 are about 2 3/4 or so closed length. Small enough to drop in a pocket and forget about until needed, but still has three sharp blades to choose from.

The Buck 303 is a bit larger with a 3 1/4 size. Like all 300 series Bucks, they are built like Sherman tanks for real world working.
 
I'll second the Buck 303 as it's all stainless, no brass, and does not have crinked blades. But, the sabre grind is not to everybodys' taste.

My particular favourite Small Stockman is the Queen No.26. This one is from the early years of this century when F&F was certainly up to current GEC levels. Nowadays it's more debatable so I'd recommend looking for one of these in White Carved Stag Bone. Other scale options have included Amber Carved, Zebra wood, Horn, Walnut. Currently it is also offered as a limited run in Whittler form which could be interesting. The D2 blades once sharp stay sharp, good snap but the pull is not too tough(not weak either). I like the fact that the Sheepfoot blade rides low, some CASE knives have very high riding Sheepfoots which I find uncomfortable in the hand, taste vary of course.

Böker Germany do a very nice Small Stockman in carbon with rounded bolsters, these are very worthwhile too.

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Böker Yellow Smooth Bone

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Regards, Will
 
GEC will soon be making another run of the 66 Calf Roper Stockman. It might be too big for you because you stated under 3.5 inches and it's right at 3.5 inches if I'm not mistaken. Good knife though.
 
I like the Schrade 34ot which is just under 3.5". There are plenty of the old USA made in mint condition around at reasonable prices.
 
I say get yourself a schrade 34OT and call it a day. You can find good ones with full blades for around $10 on the bay pretty frequently.
 
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