Who Makes The Best Stockman?

[Daniel Sycalik]

You're right...the question should probably be....what is your favorite stockman?......would you play along then??

Always a better question:thumbup:... Everyone has an opinion, it is when the "same answer" keeps popping up is when you see a best option...

 

[knarfeng]

All my Queen #26 do have "1/2 stops".

They are soft and do not snap to a fixed 1/2 stop position.
The 1/2 stop is where the blade does not move, which is a pause from the spring pressure and then the spring takes over to the final opening.

The Dogleg snaps to a 1/2 stop.

But I wouldn't call that a true "half stop".
To me, a true half stop is when the blade sort of "snaps" to a full "stop" at the half way closed point.

That was my understanding, as well. But I continue to be flummoxed by the fine points of cutlery nomenclature. (This being a way to say, "my opinion on this subject plus a couple of bucks will get you a trolley ride.")

 

[Blues]

...But I continue to be flummoxed by the fine points of cutlery nomenclature...

I thought that was something used during the process of soldering on the bolsters!

 

[rifon2]

I too wish S&M would use a better steel on their knives.
That would shift an excellent knife into even better!

What is odd, is that Queen moved to D2, but S&M did not make a move...

It is sort of odd, but I think S&M didn't make such a move since they are generally IMO catering to the collectible market.
So they use mostly 420HC blades which are highly corrosion resistant and take a brilliant, great looking mirror finish.
They continue to look great over time with very minimal care. Also, the steel performs well enough for the "use" (if any) most of those knives probably receive.

 

[neeman]

It is sort of odd, but I think S&M didn't make such a move since they are generally IMO catering to the collectible market.
So they use mostly 420HC blades which are highly corrosion resistant and take a brilliant, great looking mirror finish.
They continue to look great over time with very minimal care. Also, the steel performs well enough for the "use" (if any) most of those knives probably receive.

Case has done a fantastic job in marketed themselves for collectors.

Look at GEC with their runs of numbered runs of 50, and they are in carbon which need maintence.

S&M is way behind targeting collectors as a formal marketing target.
They only have a yearly release of 6 knives of 600 a piece.
So they could move to a better steel that would also need minimal maintence.

 

[rifon2]

It is sort of odd, but I think S&M didn't make such a move since they are generally IMO catering to the collectible market.
So they use mostly 420HC blades which are highly corrosion resistant and take a brilliant, great looking mirror finish.
They continue to look great over time with very minimal care. Also, the steel performs well enough for the "use" (if any) most of those knives probably receive.

Case has done a fantastic job in marketed themselves for collectors.

Look at GEC with their runs of numbered runs of 50, and they are in carbon which need maintence.

S&M is way behind targeting collectors as a formal marketing target.
They only have a yearly release of 6 knives of 600 a piece.
So they could move to a better steel that would also need minimal maintence.

neeman, your points are well taken.

But when I posted that S&M is 'generally IMO catering to the collectible market',
I did not say, or intend to say, that S&M is doing as good a job at it as they possibly could be doing, or as good a job at it as some of their competitors are doing.

I still think, though, that they are generally catering to the collectible market - rather than marketing their knives as "users".

 

[joet47]

I've been carrying pocket knives daily for 55 years and have had many good knives. My all time favorite stockman is a relatively new purchase. It is the GEC Calf Roper. They are very well built with excellent carbon steel. All blades become scary sharp with just minimal effort. The shape is well rounded to be very pocket friendly as well as pleasing to the eye.

 

[Blues]

Well, it took over a year and a half but finally we have the answer.

 

[Blues]

btw, joe, which scales did you settle on with that calf roper? i'm a stockman / cattle knife fan myself and might eventually slide right over the proverbial edge and add one of GEC's versions to the lineup at some point.

 

[matt1987]

i like buck's blade lay out, that way the sheepsfoot blade doesn't rub your palm. even better yet is queen's whittler since it has a thick centered main blade and a pen instead of spey, and D2 steel is pretty sweet.

 

[Blues]

i like buck's blade lay out, that way the sheepsfoot blade doesn't rub your palm. even better yet is queen's whittler since it has a thick centered main blade and a pen instead of spey, and D2 steel is pretty sweet.

Yes, a fine knife (if it's the same one I have) but if it is the same knife I'm thinking of from Queen, then it's not a stockman so it can't be the best one.

 

[matt1987]

Yes, a fine knife (if it's the same one I have) but if it is the same knife I'm thinking of from Queen, then it's not a stockman so it can't be the best one.

Yes you are right, it's not a stockman. but since it uses the same blades, with a different(improved IMO) layout, i felt it would be worth mentioning as an alternative to the traditional stockman.

 

[Stelth]

I like Buck Stockmen...

The Queen Cattle King is excellent...

My Schrade GDOT is also a favorite.

 

[joet47]

btw, joe, which scales did you settle on with that calf roper? i'm a stockman / cattle knife fan myself and might eventually slide right over the proverbial edge and add one of GEC's versions to the lineup at some point.

I jumped off the deep end and got the stag. This was my first GEC. Had been looking at their lineup for sometime. When the #66 came out in stockman I couldn't resist. I've only carried the Roper for a month now, but no complaints and the edge it takes is incredible.

 

[Railsplitter]

I am really liking the GEC Calf Ropers too. It's my favorite GEC pattern so far.

I would have to say that my favorite Stockman is the Case Humpback Stockman. The GEC Calf Ropers have a little better construction and are probably overall a slightly better knife than the Case but the Case holds the number one spot for me with the Calf Ropers coming in at a very close second.


Case Humpback Stockman in Rough Black and
Tidioute Calf Roper in Black Micarta

Tidioute Calf Roper in Dead Skunk Acrylic

I've always liked these older Buck 703's too

 

[Blues]

I jumped off the deep end and got the stag. This was my first GEC. Had been looking at their lineup for sometime. When the #66 came out in stockman I couldn't resist. I've only carried the Roper for a month now, but no complaints and the edge it takes is incredible.

Thanks for the update. I've seen some nice stag come out of their shop. And I know from the one GEC I own that their 1095 will take a nice edge after some sharpening.
(I'm particular about my edges, like many of our members.)

My favorite stock knives are my customs but I'd really have a hard time choosing which one is best from my production versions. Each one has its own special something.

 

[crbauhs]

Well either I read right over my name or I never replied to this thread which surprises me. I'm gonna cast my vote too and side with Carl and his 1.5 year old post. Go find an old Hen & Rooster and you will be happy. I guarentee it. If not, I'll buy it off you Seriously though. My Voss H&R is the best knife I have ever owned. I cant image a smoother, thinner ground, blade playless, gapless knife that wasn't custom made. Now if only it did have better stag...

 

[Modoc ED]

It's hard to beat the ole Case CV Yellow Delrin Stockman.

Hard to pick a company that falls under the "Who Makes the Best Stockman" question (at least for me) as there are so many companies that make first rate knives -- custom makers too.

This has been an interesting thread. Thanks to the OP for starting it.

 

[Mad_Maxx]

I have these from GEC, they're stockmen too right? even if they've been "GECked"

#53 cattle rancher in stag

#53 cattle baron orange wave bone

coming to me
#53 stockman bumble bee bone, musrat clip

like this one too, maybe one day...
#53 rancher bone

on it's way, I'm curious

I also have a 6347 in molasses from case, it's particular with it's pointing down blades but I like to edc it

my small contribution
Maxx

 

[Blues]

Guys, we already have a rather lengthy thread for showing off all of our stock knives.

The question on the floor in this particular thread is "who makes the best stockman?".

No need to recreate the other thread.