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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 Michael Squier on March 29, 2015 at 10:53

Nice knive guys, I especially like that redwood handled Kutmaster of Tims. Im not sure if i even have a stockman, now im curious and have to look in my folder drawer.

Permalink Reply by John Bamford on March 29, 2015 at 10:53

l.lantz said:

Canal Street Sepentine Stockman.Chestnut scales.

They are a nice knife Leo I keep thinking I should try a Canal St and I am sure I must need a new Stockman !!

Permalink Reply by John Bamford on March 29, 2015 at 10:55

tim payne said:

terrific trio of stockman beautys john.

Thanks Tim, I really like the D2 on the Queen's but that GEC is certainly worth every penny .

Permalink Reply by tim payne on March 29, 2015 at 10:57

thanks for sharing these john

Permalink Reply by tim payne on March 29, 2015 at 11:03

thanks Michael. appreciate your comments.

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on March 29, 2015 at 11:10

I'm not known for stockman's, but this little gem that I found at the Dalton show may change my mind...

Permalink Reply by tim payne on March 29, 2015 at 11:16

grrrreat looking queen stockman JJ

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Charles Sample on March 29, 2015 at 12:02

Case 6333 SS #059 of ? (Wish I had gotten clearer pictures of the bolsters)

Here is a little better pic of the bolster.

Permalink Reply by tim payne on March 29, 2015 at 12:04

very nice case stockman Charles. know what those scales are?

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Charles Sample on March 29, 2015 at 12:16

Case calls it Cabernet Smooth Bone.

tim payne said:

very nice case stockman Charles. know what those scales are?

Permalink Reply by tim payne on March 29, 2015 at 12:19

very pretty scale color & fancy bolsters

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on March 29, 2015 at 12:27

Below is a Hammer Brand Cow-Punch! This one dayes from 1945-53 according to the tang stamp. That said, it's cigar shaped handle and spear master blade harkens back to an even earlier days. However its closed length is just 3 3/5 inches.

By 1945, Hammer Brand was an economy type of knife sold by Imperial. This one features shell handles that look like abalone or black pearl or dirty cracked ice, I guess! Still, some 60-70 years later then knife remains solid with tight blades that can keep a decent edge.