Which Stockman?

[sXePhenomenal]

Of the ones you’ve chosen to narrow to, I would go with the GEC or case. Voted GEC cause it’s a great knife, but I’m also not fond of round end stockman.

Is there a reason these are the ones you’ve selected? I can think of a few other examples that might appeal to you. Moore maker has a fine one still easily available. An old fightin rooster in bone or stag make a find knife also, again not too hard to track those down. S&M has some recent stockman patterns that come in just under 4” available out there, but I find the pull on those to be a bit stiff. As far as the 81 Abilene, yes they are chickens teeth now, but if you can snag one without a big premium, they are worth owning and a pleasure to use. Almost the perfect stockman, honestly.

Just a few that I liked the looks and quality of. I did check all the suggested ones out Moore maker is nice and classic looking. Last fightin rooster I saw was nice and the jigged bone was immaculate. S&M i don’t like that much. Oh yes the #81 it looks like a 885uh to me it’s very close. I’d pay a ridiculous amount for a natural stag one.

I voted for the Case because it's closest to the size of the Case/Bose knife you are wanting.

I'm not familiar with the Katz but it does look nice.

A pattern that often gets overlooked when discussing the Stockman pattern is the Queen or Schatt & Morgan Railsplitter. There are different versions but the one that seems to be the most popular has the three blade Stockman blade arrangement. The Queen has a nice Pen blade in place of the Spey blade. It also has D2 blades and Amber Carved Stag Bone similar to the handles on that Katz knife. Also available in a few other handle materials.

The Katz does look nice but it’s a unknown to me besides that one video. Looked up the railsplitter it looks odd not a fan of it. The older case is nice nib old ones are a little pricey. It’s a good size

Where’s the all of the above choice?
I have an example of all but the Katz (I have been tempted) I’ll give you my thoughts.

The Böker I recently purchased is very fine, though not the stag and 440c(on my short list for sure, stag and 440c!). Clip blade will rap the backspring if your rough with it.

I had 3 GEC 66’s (now 2, eventually maybe 1). The hemlock bone is a looker for sure but they are just shy of 3-1/2” and I just haven’t really warmed up to them in hand. “Weak” pull on secondaries? Sure but that’s relatively subjective and they give me no pause for use.

Case large stockman? Well... it’s iconic. Big in the pocket but great in the hand. I have had no issues with the few I have.

So I can’t decide on a vote for one of those over the other. Well.... I do love stag.

All the above would be a good one too. The Katz is interesting for sure. Have 3 Bokers all carbon and they’re great knives. Stag and 440c would be a nice addition. The 66 is nice looking as I like 4” stockmans but I don’t think it’d be too small plus don’t have a gec. As long as it’s not too weak or could go for the ebony that someone said had better pulls. That one does have some nice stag and don’t have any stag hmm

I voted for the Boker because the GEC is too small for me and Case runs their steel too soft for me. I'd get carbon steel, I like what Boker does with it and I prefer the fine edge I get over the toothy edge I get on 440C. The Katz is interesting, but expensive. I looked up XT-80 and it's an ingot steel similar to 440C. So no big whoop there. Had it been a fancy PM steel, or even Super Blue, I might have voted for the Katz.

I’d get the carbon version if I didn’t have 3 of the c75 Bokers already. The stag on that ones really nice. The Katz has my interest it’s around the same price as the other choices. If the steel was something else it’d be more alluring for sure.

Another vote for the #66.

I love, carry and typically prefer a 4" stockman w/ square ends (when not carrying a #35).

I have no experience w/ Case.

The #66 is just a great size and the rounded bolsters work on this..it is a little wide in the hips, probably exaggerated by the approx. 3.5" length...but it is an easy carry and prefer the clip shape, grind and long pull of the GEC. And the Hemlock bone us fantastic.


Very dramatic intro on the video..Wagner?

The Katz looks very similar to the #66. I like the wider flutes and the build quality looks top, top. With the choices given, I'd go w/ the 66..again, blade shape/pull and the Hemlock bone being the deciding factors, along w/ being of a USA build.

I've owned many Japanese and Taiwanese builds of very fine quality.

I actually walked away from the video now wanting and searching for a...? Looked like Jim Bowie..? On the stag...what the host described as a Gunstock, stockman of German manufacture ..couldnt quite make out the tang stamps..

I too prefer the 4” patterns. They do look similar and cost the same. The clip blade on the gec and Katz I do like better than the other two. Hemlock bone is very good looking the amber bone is exceptional too. I couldn’t tell what it was either odd that he didn’t say blades and stage on it eye catching but that huge shield on it throws the thing off for me.

I like and own gec 66's and case 6375's. I also own a boker like that but in bone and carbon steel. It's a hard choice but I went with the 66. The 66 is a little fat for the size, but it's not a huge deal.

I prefer a 4" size stockman like the boker but the 66 is not lacking at 3 1/2". I have such a fondness for the 66 because it's very reminiscent of a schrade walden 890. The hemlock "green" bone looks similar to schrade peachseed and the color is similar to the red tinted peachseed used in the 50's like many S-W 890's. The 66 is just a great choice, even if you aren't schrade biased and it doesn't personally remind you of a nice old schrade pattern that is one of your favorite patterns.

Edit to add:
I have two hemlock 66's and the snap on the secondary blades is good. The tidioutes are slightly lighter than the NF's in my experience. The only one I had an actual problem with the snap was a tidioute antique bone or whatever it's called, that one is long gone.

I do like how gec does that with their knives the 66 as you said and the 81 is basically a 885UH. Sense we both like 4” Stockmans and the 66 isn’t too small is reassuring. Thanks for adding in that your hemlocks were fine.

 

[sXePhenomenal]

That Katz is a looker in stag. I'm also in the stockman market. That case bose is tempting i just can't justify it.

I'm leaning towards boker and Katz. I'd prefer the 440c over 1095.

Glad to see I’m not the only one intrigued by Katz they look incredibly well made the steel someone said is similar to 440c they run around $120 or less. Böker makes some of my favorite knives. Good f&f pulls and snaps good steels. Pinned shields. Great quality for the money

 

[SVTFreak]

Oh yes the #81 it looks like a 885uh to me it’s very close. I’d pay a ridiculous amount for a natural stag one.

I know what you mean. I searched far and wide for a copperhead jigged bone one to no avail. Lucked out and scored The sambar stag One and never looked back. FWIW, I still haven’t see a copperhead come up for sale and that’s going on 2 years now. I wouldn’t mind a green jigged bone either but I wouldn’t pay big price for that one.

 

[Modoc ED]

Why would you call it "Old Case 6375" ? I just ordered three of them from Mike at Collector Knives this morning. They're still relevant and still made.

The first run of the GEC #66s were nice knives with a firm but not difficult pull. This last run of the GEC #66s pulls were/are weak - 3, 4, 5.

Can't speak to the other two as I don't own one nor have I handled one of them.

 

[Mingecutter]

I voted for the green hemlock bone GEC 66

As a matter of fact, I just ordered this exact knife from Mike a little earlier

Good luck with your choice!

 

[sXePhenomenal]

Why would you call it "Old Case 6375" ? I just ordered two of them from Mike at Collector Knives this morning. They're still relevant and still made.

The first run of the GEC #66s were nice knives with a firm but not difficult pull. This last run of the GEC #66s pulls were/are weak - 3, 4, 5.

Can't speak to the other two as I don't own one nor have I handled one of them.

I want an older one from 70s or 80s

 

[redsparrow]

Having experienced only the Case 6375 and the GEC 66 I can't comment on the other choices presented but between the two I have tried, I would choose the Case over the GEC. The 66 is a nice size for the pocket but too rounded for my grip. The Case comfortably and securely works well with my hand. YMMV
My preferred stockman is not on the OP's list, the Buck 301. It is by far the best for me in hand (ergonomics) and in pocket (size) and is my personal favorite for a 4 inch stockman.

 

[sXePhenomenal]

I know what you mean. I searched far and wide for a copperhead jigged bone one to no avail. Lucked out and scored The sambar stag One and never looked back. FWIW, I still haven’t see a copperhead come up for sale and that’s going on 2 years now. I wouldn’t mind a green jigged bone either but I wouldn’t pay big price for that one.

View attachment 966808

Very nice #81 maybe I’ll luck in to one some day. I do have a chance to get a 82 Dixie might have to jump on it

 

[TheChunk91]

sXePhenomenal are these the only stockmans that you're considering as an option? The schrade 881/8ot/885 etc frame has a plethora of options for any preference.

 

[Ironbut]

Looks like he is ready to pounce. Did you use a telephoto lens to stay a safe distance away?

Nope. I weren't skeered a no pesky amphibian. I had my trusty ole #66 to protect me.

 

[sXePhenomenal]

sXePhenomenal are these the only stockmans that you're considering as an option? The schrade 881/8ot/885 etc frame has a plethora of options for any preference.

What do you have in mind. I’m already selling a couple moderns bc as always 1 is not enough

 

[Modoc ED]

I want an older one from 70s or 80s

Those are nice ones. I have three or four myself but you'd be just as well served with late manufactured 75s.

 

[TheChunk91]

What do you have in mind. I’m already selling a couple moderns bc as always 1 is not enough

Just so you have options I wanted to turn you on to the 4" schrade stockman as it's my favorite pattern. The pre 1960 schrade knives in peachseed bone are the cream of the crop but they are hard to find in nice shape and usually command a hefty price, however the swinden assembly knives are much more common and generally easy to find a variety of in nice condition.

Below is a standard schrade walden 881, but all the stockmans made off this frame like the 8ot and 885uh are the same knife in size and blade configuration. You can find dozens upon dozens of versions in stainless or carbon steel, with different handle options and different stamps. There are variations that go by a name other than schrade such as ulster and sears/craftsman but they are essentially this same knife.



There are also some very nice versions such as this 1983 heritage series 8801 in bone with all the bells and whistles.

 

[SuperHowl]

hard choice! I have a 66 and love the pattern and size, but there is nothing like a large stockman! I really like the large Boker stockman, and the one you have is a looker. No job too big for that one!

 

[sXePhenomenal]

Just so you have options I wanted to turn you on to the 4" schrade stockman as it's my favorite pattern. The pre 1960 schrade knives in peachseed bone are the cream of the crop but they are hard to find in nice shape and usually command a hefty price, however the swinden assembly knives are much more common and generally easy to find a variety of in nice condition.

Below is a standard schrade walden 881, but all the stockmans made off this frame like the 8ot and 885uh are the same knife in size and blade configuration. You can find dozens upon dozens of versions in stainless or carbon steel, with different handle options and different stamps. There are variations that go by a name other than schrade such as ulster and sears/craftsman but they are essentially this same knife.

View attachment 966951

There are also some very nice versions such as this 1983 heritage series 8801 in bone with all the bells and whistles.

View attachment 966968

Dang to find one of the first one you showed in near mint would be awesome. Actually am considering one of the 8801s

 

[sXePhenomenal]

Had the chance to get this bad boy and had to take it. Thanks to @black mamba Now for the second one this knocks the other stag out of the running. Considering the 66 in hemlock or ebony, the Katz, and a couple older knives from fightin rooster and Schrade

 

[Astronaut FX]

Of those you have listed, I have a GEC 66 and a Boker Buckskin stockman. Both are very nice. However, the Boker seems significantly sturdier and well suited to stand up to hard use whereas the GEC 66, while nice in its own right, seems more like eye candy than a hard use tool. I think you’d be very happy with the Boker.

EDIT: I'm a dope...I completely forgot that I also have a newer Case large stockman. Still, of the Case, Boker, and GEC, the Boker falls into the middle as far as size. Of the three, it gets far more carry time.

 

[TheChunk91]

However, the Boker seems significantly sturdier and well suited to stand up to hard use whereas the GEC 66, while nice in its own right, seems more like eye candy than a hard use tool.

I can tell you, with absolute certainty, that the 66 is capable of anything the boker is. My 66's stand up to plumbing for a living very well, and plumbing for a living can be rough on a knife.

 

[deltaboy]

Case!

 

[pmek5]

I really like the 1971 64047P I had recently acquired. That's the biggest Case model I would ever carry. Having the punch makes it that much sweeter.
I have the #66 Blood Red in which I have never carried. Nothing wrong with it at all; just have too many other knives I like to carry. Probably going to dump it. Can't go wrong with a #66 though. Just my 2¢