What are some of the better stockmans on the market today?

If you're dead set on surprising him, maybe you could find a way to get him inside a hardware or sporting goods store for another reason. Then casually walk past the knife displays and say "Hey Dad, why don't you go ahead and pick out a new knife. My treat". That way he gets to choose the knife and he will still be surprised.
 
Railsplitter said:
My apologies if this has already been asked. Have you considered letting him pick the knife out himself?
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Ill most likely will get a group together and ask what he likes casually and base it off that. This is more if a research period. I have a strong idea of what he likes, so getting some options together won't be hard. Hes stubborn and will tell me not to spend my money. But im finally at a point inmy life where I'm comfortable if that makes sense.
 
there's also the queen #63 rail-splitter-lots of cool covers/handles, 3 5/8" long closed, and perhaps a bit stouter than some stockmen, also in d2 steel. fair number around in stores and auction sites.(the big auctionsite has one with white covers-bone, i think-very nice.)
thanks, Neal
 
Stevenmw said:
Ill most likely will get a group together and ask what he likes casually and base it off that. This is more if a research period. I have a strong idea of what he likes, so getting some options together won't be hard. Hes stubborn and will tell me not to spend my money. But im finally at a point inmy life where I'm comfortable if that makes sense.
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I completely understand.

In that case, I'll second the notion (Neal beat me to it) for a Queen or Schatt & Morgan Railsplitter depending on which blade steel you prefer. (D2 or 420HC) There were also some Tuna Valley Railsplitters made with 154CM steel. One thing to note about the late model Queen Railsplitters is that they have a nice Pen blade in place of the Spey blade. I believe the Tuna Valley's have this same feature but I'm not sure. Maybe not for everybody but I think it's a nice change of pace.

I like the Railsplitter pattern primarily because the handle is chunky for a 3 5/8 inch knife. While not officially called a Stockman, the three blade Railsplitters are basically a Stockman with a fat handle and often overlooked when considering a Stockman because they don't carry that name.

Please let us know what you decide on if the mood should strike you. Good luck. I hope whatever you choose, your Father adores it.
 
Railsplitter said:
I completely understand.

In that case, I'll second the notion (Neal beat me to it) for a Queen or Schatt & Morgan Railsplitter depending on which blade steel you prefer. (D2 or 420HC) There were also some Tuna Valley Railsplitters made with 154CM steel. One thing to note about the late model Queen Railsplitters is that they have a nice Pen blade in place of the Spey blade. I believe the Tuna Valley's have this same feature but I'm not sure. Maybe not for everybody but I think it's a nice change of pace.

I like the Railsplitter pattern primarily because the handle is chunky for a 3 5/8 inch knife. While not officially called a Stockman, the three blade Railsplitters are basically a Stockman with a fat handle and often overlooked when considering a Stockman because they don't carry that name.

Please let us know what you decide on if the mood should strike you. Good luck. I hope whatever you choose, your Father adores it.
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I'll be sure to post what I pick. Thanks!
 


These are all variations on my favourite pattern, the most typical example being the Schrade 897UH, but also included the 98OT and 'open stock' variants.

The reason I love the pattern is the size, the ergonomics, and the Turkish clip point blade, which is slicing heaven.

 
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I've got a USA made Schrade Uncle Henry Senior Rancher that was my grandfather's. I love that knife. At first they seem a little big, but they grow on you.
 
Oh yeah, I forgot that since I bought my 53 Cuban, I love straight and serpentine stockmans equally. I think a straight that's not quite big enough for your hand is more comfortable than an equally undersized serpentine. IF I score a job I applied for I'll try to buy another serpentine and see how I like it, hopefully a big Old Timer.
For now I'll see how my Case sowbelly performs.


Connor
 
I'd look for a NOS 701 or 703 Buck, depending on which size you want, which aren't that hard to find. A late 80's, early 90's with the three springs.

A great knife, very well built, classic design from Buck. A model that really needs to be reissued imho. And who doesn't like a Buck pocketknife. :)
 
I have a walloping load of stockman knives. I have many that I like and carry.
But I have two favorites.
  • For a hardworking knife, I've never found a stockman that would beat a Buck 301. The blade shapes are superlative for working. The admittedly unique hollow grind works nicely at all sorts of cutting jobs. The edge grinds are likewise excellent. The blades are sharp right out to the tips. The heat treat Paul Bos developed for Buck gives the best performing 420HC around. Yes, I know that Queen uses D2, but their blade shapes and grinds are not as refined as those on the Buck, and geometry is more important for performance than is blade steel.
    .
  • For a nice knife, my favorite is the Case humpback stockman. The blades are offset rather than crinked. This gives a knife with no blade rub. It's pretty and polished. The shape of the drop point main blade is to die for.

Stock picture of the 301
0301BKS-B.jpg


humpback
IMG_5751_zps8e0658b1.jpg


top down view of humpback
216ba8b5-6ea2-4e49-b9d4-644f07555662_zpscb7afa2b.jpg
 
Frank, that drop point blade on the Case looks quite similar to my specialty blade shape. Here is a pic, basically a sheepsfoot with upswept tip that still allows for cutting sheet goods.

The SAK has a more curved tip that I find works better for a single bladed knife, but the jack on the right's shape is better when you have another blade.

0cb1f09bc5531c24b8ee1c1a7554715a.jpg


Connor
 
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