The Undauntable Cattle Knife

Gevonovich

Gevonovich

Joined
Jan 17, 2011
Messages
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More at home in the backdrop of a mountain range, snow capped peaks,high mountain meadows, walled canyons, clear rushing streams, the edge of deep dark forests under full blue skies. Work in its blood. Wilderness in its heart. Gentility forgotten.

A display of the pattern. Let's see as many variations as possible!

Valley Forge Cutlery
Newark N.J.

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Oh, this thread has Blue's name written all over it. I expect Elliot to be here soon with some fantastic pics!

What is the blade for in the original post? It looks like it was manufactured that way, not shortened by sharpening over the years. I like the modified-Wharncliffe look to it. It looks really useful.
 
Rob, I am not certain whether or not it was modified. I suspect it was. It may have originally been a sheep foot, but I sure like it now.
 
I dont have any Cattle knives either, but sure would like to see that Valley forge with the main blade open. Great knife and looking forward to seeing others.
 
I only have one to contribute Gev. A venerable wreck.

Best regards

Robin
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Help me understand the nuances in nomenclature - is the Cattle knife essentially a larger, more robust incarnation of what we commonly call a stockman pattern?

Or rather, isn't the stockman just a small cattle knife? Or does it need to be a cigar shape, and serpentine makes it a stock knife or stockman?
 
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jc57 said:
Help me understand the nuances in nomenclature - is the Cattle knife essentially a larger, more robust incarnation of what we commonly call a stockman pattern?

Or rather, isn't the stockman just a small cattle knife? Or does it need to be a cigar shape, and serpentine makes it a stock knife or stockman?
Click to expand...

According to Levine, 90% of cattle knives were equal end and most were three bladed. Most were 3 5/8ths or 3 3/4, with smaller at 3 1/4 and up to 4 1/2 inches. The other frames were Premier, eureka, balloon, jumbo, canoe, and surveyor. Stockman is on a serpentine frame.

Hope this helps

Regards

Robin
 
Pipeman said:
According to Levine, 90% of cattle knives were equal end and most were three bladed. Most were 3 5/8ths or 3 3/4, with smaller at 3 1/4 and up to 4 1/2 inches. The other frames were Premier, eureka, balloon, jumbo, canoe, and surveyor. Stockman is on a serpentine frame.

Hope this helps

Regards

Robin
Click to expand...

Thanks, Robin!! That is how I understand it.

InTheSticks said:
I dont have any Cattle knives either, but sure would like to see that Valley forge with the main blade open. Great knife and looking forward to seeing others.
Click to expand...
I will get you something tomorrow as I'm pressed for time now.
 
Gev, that is a beauty. To me, cattle knives seem more "old school" than some other patterns. So far there's only serpentine patterned stockmen in my collection, unfortunately.
 
What GEC calls their #53 Cuban Stockman is by definition a cattle knife. Not too many in the past were made with a muskrat or California clip main, so as many of GEC's knives are, this one is somewhat of a hybrid. Makes a great carrying large, utilitarian knife, though.

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1949-50 Sears catalog...
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And 1930 Simmons Hardware pattern guide

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1910 Boker Tree Brand

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1940 Belknap John Primble

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Many believe the stockman is an evolution of a cattle knife.
Some producers interchange the names, confusing us all.
I call equal-enders cattle knives, including some variations.
And I agree with Robin (pipeman) that Stockmen are serpentine patterned.
Did I mention I love the Cattle pattern?
I will dig up some pics also!!
 
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