Stockman

yobbos1

yobbos1

Joined
Mar 29, 2002
Messages
2,342
What is the best 4" Stockman for everyday carry? I should add that blade steel is not a concern (stainless vs carbon). I would also prefer wood handles but I'm not stuck on 'em. The main concern is toughness and cutting ability.
 
Queen cutlery makes a great looking stockman with coccbolo and carved stag bone with D2 steal. I handled one at a knife show and liked it alot. Case also makes a stockmen with CV steal that is a good user. You can see the Queen knifes at www.queencutlerycollectors.com. There are many others but these are a good place to start. Also, Schrade makes a good knife for the money if you don't mind delrin handles. I'm sure others will post with more suggestions. Good luck...


Dean
 
Buck 307's are a good choice in stainless,and Case makes a good yellow-handled version with the chrome vanadium blades.
 
Well, I can only comment on what I have, but here's my .02....
I have two Queens in D2, an initial pain to put an acceptable edge on, but are now stellar performers.
My third stockman is the humble carbon series from Camillus. Has 1095 steel with Delrin handles. She ain't a looker, but the steel sharpens easily, holds it's edge for quite a while, and is a value to boot. I'm carrying her today!
All in all, my favorite pattern. I would stick with either D2 or carbon steel, but that is just my personal preference.
Good luck,
Mongo
 
What is the best 4" stockman for everyday carry? Well, there is no right answer for everyone - there are just too many factors involving your own tastes. If you're looking for stockman that's

* hard-working and made to work hard
* made to last
* takes a great edge
* doesn't cost too much

I can think of four good options:

Buck 301

Camillus 63 in 1095 carbon steel

Queen QN-9JBC in D2 steel with black cherry delrin handles

Schrade Old Timer (S-8OT)


I found all of these <a href="http://www.ndsproducts.com/knifelinks.html">here</a> and they range in price from $25 for the Camillus to $31 for the Queen (which, IMHO, is the best knife for the money, a real lifer). They're all great knives though and come at working guy, not knife knut, prices.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.
 
Dollar for dollar it's hard to beat a Buck 307.;)

The 307 is 4 1/4" closed with a main blade of 3 3/8 +/- "
the sheeps foot and spey are also just enough larger to make them
real working tools. I carry a limited run yellow saw cut delrin handled
307 finding it to be the best size for urban / woods / farm use of any
of the many knives I own.

Is the 307 heavy? No, not really. It has enough mass to be stout while
never being flimsy. A knife this size offeres the same handle /blade
length as a good paring knife which is why it is so darned useful.
I suppose that's why I carry a lite lockback and 307.

The best of both worlds:D :D :D :D
 
Of all my stockman knives, the ones I like the best for performance are the Queen D2/cocobolo and my Kissing Crane with horn handles. The Kissing Crane is good carbon steel, a little better than Eye Brand (which is no slouch); it is hard now to find one with natural handles, but you can easily find one with red, black, or yellow composition handles. My Case Cr-V stockman knives are pretty good performers, but they only offer the standard 4" stockman with their stainless steel, which isn't the greatest at holding an edge.
 
One more vote for the Queen D2 in Cocobolo. Great knife, but doesn't come with much of an edge.
 
As I see it so far, we're got the "good knife/good price" knives (Buck 307 or 301, Camillus, Case yellow comp./cv steel, Queen delrin/D2 steel, Old Timer, etc.) and the "fancier knife/higher price" knives (Queen cocobolo/D2, Kissing Crane, Eye Brand, Buck Creek, Henckels, Case amber bone/cv steel, Moore Maker, etc.)

Since yobbos1 doesn't mention a budget and says his "main concern is toughness and cutting ability" and that he'd "prefer wood handles," I think the <a href="http://www.queencutlerycollectors.com./catalog/images/9COBO.jpg">Queen cocobolo/D2</a> wins hands down. <i>And</i> it's only $45 from the place that 3nails listed.

So yobbos1, what'll it be? :)
 
Thanks to all for the advice. I must admit I never even considered a Queen, until today that is. I'm intrigued by the idea of cocobolo handles and D2 steel soooo...I'm looking forward to carrying a "lifer".
Thanks again everyone.
 
I think my favorite Stockman is my Hen & Rooster with carbon steel blades and stag handles. Not a small knife, I believe it is 4" closed, but man those blades take and hold a super edge! The steel is taking on a nice blueish patina too. I bought this old knife(probably 25 years old,in mint condition) a couple years ago at a pawn shop in Nashville for $65.
 
I'll add vote for the Schrade Old Timer, it's offers excellent bang for the buck and the steel sharpens easily and holds a nice edge. I believe they have a lifetime warranty as well (if it matters on a knife in this price range). I believe they're under $25 at your local WalMart or sporting goods store.

Jon
 
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