Three blade stockmans

Junkyard

Junkyard

Joined
Aug 8, 2002
Messages
710
Hello all, I am a long time knife nut, but I have always owned and carried various knives until about 6 years ago. Then I made my transition to the "tactical folders" then I went to "customs."
Anyway, I currently carry a Small sebenza (and have every day for the last four years,) as well as some others. My partner, (we are Cops and are zone partners,) gave me an unexpected gift, he gave me a Case Three blade stockman. I was never really interested in this style of knife, nor have I ever owned one, but something has happened to me. I Like it, infact I have started carrying it all the time. I reminds me of the knife that my dad used to carry when I was a kid. That was the knife that sparked my interest in knives. My girlfriend, (also a cop,) carries two Microtechs and she thinks that the stockman is an old man's knife. Go figure. So now to my questions, as I am not well versed with this style of knife, I was wondering if you could help me.

1) Is this knife generally thought of as a good knife?

2) What would you consider to be a top end three blade stockman, and who are the manufacturers?

3) I'm sure that there are custom makers that work with this style of knife, Who are they? Web addresses please?

4) Lastly, any suggestions or info on this style of knives would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for you help,

Jason
 
Well, I can help you with some of your questions... Yes, I think that this is a highly thought of slipjoint pattern. Arguably the most popular pattern, or at the minimum an American classic. The stockman pattern historically is/was used by the working cowboy/farmhand. The main clip blade is your basic cutter. The sheepsfoot blade is used to cut things like leather straps and related chores. The spey blade is intended for castrating and other various flesh cutting chores.
Personally, I like this pattern alot. I use the sheepsfoot for alot of whittling, pretty much keep the spey razor sharp (never know when you may need to castrate something!), and use the main clip blade for a myriad of uses. I find this knife to be rather sheeple friendly, and will use this one in public.
As far as "top end" makers, there are many, and I'm sure that my fellow forumites will chime in with their favorites. I personally like the new Queen models in D2. I also have Camillus' carbon series stockman... a no frills user that I rather enjoy. Also have had but gave away as a gift one from Schrade I believe. The last two both had 1095 carbon steel, which takes a nice toothy edge.
I must admit that I don't know much about custom makers, but you will find many gorgeous makers here. I guess the problem that I haven't gotten over yet is that custom slipjoints are un-godly expensive to me. Maybe someday I'll be able to afford them, but not now!
Good luck on your quest, I think you will find the stockman to be a very versatile pattern and it will only lead you further down the path of being a knifeaholic.
Mongo
 
My favorite pattern! Stockmen are the focus of my collecting. Mongo did a nicel little history lesson there, I think that's another reason I love them so much - the history, along with their functionality.
Haven't got a custom stockman yet - I am sure Gus or Nifrand will drop by with suggstions and hopefully some drop dead gorgeous pics!! :)
Some of my favorite brands are Queen/Schatt and Morgan and Kissing Crane. On me at the moment I have a Moormaker 3 blade stockman with yellow plastic scales a great working knife!
 
Being from San Diego I "have" to own a Buck knife. My three blade Stockman is my favorite. I have the larger model and while I don't carry it often, it is always in my truck, and I use it everyday. Definately a must have.
 
Stockman pattern slipjoints are among my favorite EDC's. Having worked on various ranches throughout my youth, I can testify that the spey blade does a fine job castrating calves, although the other two blades do ok too when the spey gets dull and there are a lot of calves yet to cut.

I carry a tactical type knife some, but while they are utterly useable, they don't really give me the kind of feeling a well-worn Stockman with jigged bone scales and a nice patina on the blade does when I pull it out of my pocket.

They don't lock, but if I'm going to be doing something all that strenuous, I personally opt for a fixed blade. Stockmen tend to do one thing very well...cut.

And as someone has mentioned, they are sheeple friendly. Where I live I am fortunate to be able to carry about whatever I want, but this might be a consideration for some.

Makers to check out are guys like Tony Bose, Dan Burke, Bailey Bradshaw, etc.
 
Jason:

I own a Shadley Sowbelly Stockman. I had a very similar knife by Tony Bose at one time. In my opinion, and I think most would agree, these are the two foremost custom makers for this type of knife. The Shadley is a little beefier and every part is handmade by Gene. The blades and backsprings are ATS-34, heat treated by Paul Bos, handle scales are jigged bone. Fit and finish are beyond description, the gaps between the different parts are basically invisible. Action is really tight and every blade has half stops. Expect to pay $1200 with a year wait for a Shadley, more from most purveyors. A Bose will cost even more. The good part is that prices are always on the rise and these knives make great investments. With Embretsens, Jess Horns, etc... bringing in the $2000 range, a 3 blade Shadley looks like a bargain. A heck of a lot of work and craftsmanship goes into a knife like this. I think I'll take a few pics of mine today, let me know if you'd like to see it.

Pete
 
I am jealous of your custom Shadley stockman, I truly would love to experience one some day. My question for you though is; do you use this knife or is it a safe queen? Right now, my mindset would be to preserve it's original condition and treat it as an investment piece. However, if I ever get to the point financially where $1200+ doesn't mean as much as it does now, I think that I would really use this quality of a knife. Ah well, maybe someday.
Gotta get back to work,
Mongo
 
Mongo:

Indeed, it's a safe queen. It's an investment and a good one, too. There's absolutely no doubt, though, that it would be a fantastic carry knife that would last a lifetime and then some. It's as sturdy as a Sherman tank, 416 stainless steel frame, ATS-34 with Paul Bos heat treat, the best of everything. Now that you mention it, $1200 isn't all that much for something that last 3 or 4 lifetimes, is it? Tell you what, I'll hold it for you... I can't post pics here right now, but I'll send you one.

Pete
 
Thank you all for your replies, and the helpful information. I really appreciate it. I think I am going to focus on adding a few stockmans to my collection.

Thanks again,

Jason
 
Hey Farmer, could you possibly post a picture of the Shadley.
Junkman, as for users, check into Tony Huffman
Don't think he's taking orders now, but his stuff looks nice.
My EDC is a Bulldog Stockman with jigged Stag bone handles.
Very nice, sturdy, easy to sharpen knife. Plus, the Bulldogs have the very cool matchstriker blade pulls.
Lenny
 
Lenny:

Sorry, I can't post a pic here, yet, bit I'll Email you one. Thanks,

Pete
 
Regarding actually using an expensive custom slipjoint (not that anyone here's necessarily advocating that) ... to me part of the joy of toting and using a well-worn slipjoint is the connection it provides to the men who came before me - my grandfather, first and foremost, but to all those oldtimers in overalls, and dusty boots, etc. Think for a minute how hard those sagely oldtimers would laugh at you if you were whittling with 'em in front of the courthouse and said how much you'd paid for your custom knife. I think my grandad would have wet his pants. :p
 
mnblade - I agree with you. I'd love to be able to carry even a Shadley peanut model but it just doesn't make sense. You can find some damn good EDC's for a tenth, even a twentieth of what the top custom stockmans go for (I'm thinking of Schrade's Old Timers, Camillus, Bulldog, Queen's D2 series, green-box Pumas, etc).

Jon
 
Mnblade,
You've got a good point. My grandad would have laughed at me for spending the money that I do on knives.

Thanks again for all of the great info everyone.

Jason
 
I am really trying to resist getting the Queen d2 stockman. Last thing I really need is another stockman. I carry and use a stockman and a 1 handed folder everday. The stockman is one of the most useful knives I can think of. A D2 stockman is really irrresistible.
 
Hey, I just picked up Schrade's 4 inch Old Timer stockman last Friday night. Fit and finish are great (I guess Delrin is easy to work with?), action is smooth and snappy, the steel is good 1095 and it only cost me $20 at Walmart. Seriously, am I nuts or are these things a great value?

Jon
 
I have one in my pocket right now. One of the best knife values you can find. Bang for the buck you cann't bet it.
 
As you have discoovered the stockman is favorite
because it's so......darn useful:)

Steven Dick in his book recommended the 4 1/4"
closed stockman as a perfect daily carry. Ya' know
he is right!! I bought a Buck 307 stockman (4 1/4"
yellow handle) and it's by far is the most useful
knife I've ever owned;) They can be found on e-bay
for a reasonable price and will quickly defy you to
find a job they can't do that doesn't take a fixed
blade for!!

Yes, one hand wonder knives are all the rage now,
but at the end of the day the reliable stockman
will stll be in the game:D
 
I've only been into pocket knives for about five years now and up until maybe 12 months ago all I cared about was one-handers.

I won't deny that one-handed opening is very, very useful but in general the blades are wider and thicker than they need to be. Thin and narrow seem to do the job in every case for me. So, I've had my share of benchmade, spyderco and even Chris Reeve one handers but there are only two Spydercos and an Outdoor Edge still in my collection. Now my EDC is a stockman, whittler or small jack. (But my Spyderco Starmate still sees plenty of action on the weekends and when I'm doing yardwork).

:)

Jon
 
Thanks all, I appreciate the input. I have also just purchased a couple of more case stockmans. I understand now why my grandfather liked his so much.

Jason
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top