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Stockman Show Case!

The stockman pattern was a folding knife pattern developed specifically for the American cattle industry by Sheffield Cutlers. These earl Cattle Knives were made on large cigar (equal-end) frames and had between two and four blades. The primary blade on early stockmans was a spear blade. The number two blade was most often a sheepfoot. These blades were considered essential for the cattle industry.

They were normally mounted at the top pivot of the knife. Often one or two other blades were mounted on the opposite end. These most common blades were the spay, the leather punch, or a simple pen blade. Overtime the spear master fell out of favor and was replaced with a clip blade and the three blade configuration of Clip master and Sheepfooit at the top and either Spay, Punch or Pen on the bottom (with the spay being most common) became the standard. What fell out of favor, however was the large cigar shaped frame. Indeed, today Stockmans are found in a number of sizes and a variety of frame shapes. What makes a Stockman a Stockman is truly the blades and the way they are arranged.

Above: W. R.Case & Son 4 1/4 inch 75 Pattern Stockman with 113 production year shield.

The Stockman is an extremely diverse family of knives and remain probably the most widely used of any traditional pattern knife and probably the second most collected pattern .

As mentioned, the Stockman normally has a clip (or Spear) master blade, a Sheepfoot, and third Spay blade on the opposite end. The Main blade rest in front of the two secondary blades and works on its one spring. The two secondary blades are nestled behind the front blade, sharing a spring. The sheepfoot is normally closest to the main blade when folded and the spay dropes between the handle and sheepfoot.

Occasionally you’ll run across a two blade Stockman. These are normally called Cattle knives. They will normally be on cigar frame and have a clip or spear blade in front and sheepfoot or large pen in back.

Another popular pattern of Stockman has a leather punch in place of the spay blade. I’ve seen this type of Stockman referred to as the Cattleman Knife, a Cow Punch, and a Saddle Knife. It often also just called a Stockman with Punch!

Another popular variation replaces the spay blade with a pen blade. These are often called a Middleman, Journeyman, Wrangler, and Drover.

I’m sure many of these alternative names were given to Stockamn variations developed by Knife makers. For instance the Middleman was a name given to a 3.5 inch Stockman with a pend blade that was made by Schrade.

Among Stockmans, the Sowbelly is probably one of the most popular models. It is basically a very thick serpentine handled Stockman ranging from 3.5 to 4.25 inches in the closed position. It will typically have a clip, sheepfoot, and spay blade. Some stockman collectors only collect Sowbellys!

Regardless of the style, size, size, or shape –let’s see some Stockmans!

8 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by tim payne on March 28, 2015 at 11:08

Parker 1985 - 3-7/8" Seasons Greetings Stockman #1002-SB, smooth bone, long pull master blade etched "Jesus and His Disciples", second blade etched "Seasons Greetings from Parker Cutlery", third blade etched "Follow me and I will make you Fishers of Men.-Matthew 4:19", with fancy bolsters, tang stamped 'Parker Cut. CO. SS-Japan.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on March 28, 2015 at 12:01

WOW! That's a good'en, Tim!

Permalink Reply by tim payne on March 28, 2015 at 12:22

thanks tobias

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Charles Sample on March 28, 2015 at 14:14

Case 6318 SS medium stockman.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on March 28, 2015 at 17:34

My all time favorite pattern! I really do like the sowbelly, only have a few ....have a long way to go though!

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on March 28, 2015 at 21:24

Steve, I'm also partial to the Sowbelly. Currently I don't have any American made ones but I hope to rectify that this year. I've got a few by Rough Rider, however.

Corn-cob jigged bone, and a nice blade etch. Plus the little shot glass and whiskey barrel.

Permalink Reply by John Bamford on March 29, 2015 at 3:54

Three Stockmen here Tobias,

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on March 29, 2015 at 6:03

Thanks, l.lantz. Good looking Q knives John. Is the black one also a Queen?

Permalink Reply by John Bamford on March 29, 2015 at 7:34

Tobias Gibson said:

Thanks, l.lantz. Good looking Q knives John. Is the black one also a Queen?

The black knife is a GEC #81 Abilene Stock Knife in African Blackwood Tobias . The GEC is 1095 whereas the Queen's are D2 .

Permalink Reply by tim payne on March 29, 2015 at 8:00

terrific trio of stockman beautys john.

Permalink Reply by tim payne on March 29, 2015 at 8:36

Kutmaster - 3-3/4" Stockman, Redwood scales, 3-blades, Utica, NY; tang stamped "KUTMASTER UTICA N.Y U.S.A.", mirror polished SS blades, nickel silver bolsters/brass liners/pins.