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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 Jan Carter on September 15, 2015 at 19:39

Let us know how this turns out?

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on September 15, 2015 at 19:58

I have that 303 I got from Etsy that has a shortened blade, and just got another on the bay that has a chipped handle but intact blades; both Schrade-made '66-'72. I figure if I can switch the blades I'll have one intact knife out of the pair. If they were the Camillus-made versions I would just drive the blade rivets out myself and be done with it, but the SC-made 303's used the Swindon System that requires removing the bolsters, so that isn't an option, (or at least not an option I want to tackle myself). I do have a intact SC-made 303, but it would be better to have two, (and one parts knife), right? (Spoken like a true addict).

Jan Carter said:

Let us know how this turns out?

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on September 15, 2015 at 20:49

LOL, and read by a true addict that was nodding her head all the way through it going, RIGHT!

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on December 18, 2015 at 21:53

Here's a coupla Stockman knives for ya. '72-'74 Camillus-made #307 Wrangler, (4 1/4" closed), and a late 1971 #301 Stockman, (3 7/8" closed). Both farm fresh, but as solid as the day they were made. Camillus really knew what they were doing. How many other 40+ year old tools still look and work so good? It's a happy Christmas around here already!

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on December 19, 2015 at 2:29

As long as I'm at it, here is what I also believe qualifies as a Stockman. Buck #319 Rancher, same size at 3 7/8" closed as the model #301 Stockman, except one secondary blade has been replaced with an awl, (which unlike the SS blades is carbon). These were made by Camillus from 1976 to 1991, one of the few models retained by Camillus after 1986, when Buck took most other Series 300 models back to be manufactured in house. I suspect this one to be a 70's knife as it has carbon springs. They also made a version with a smooth awl without grooves.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on December 19, 2015 at 10:06

Hi Syd. I've own seen this style of stockman called a Cattleman, Cow-Punch, or Saddle knife. I guess I'll add Rancher to the list of names to Stockman with a punch instead of a spay!

Syd Carr said:

As long as I'm at it, here is what I also believe qualifies as a Stockman. Buck #319 Rancher, same size at 3 7/8" closed as the model #301 Stockman, except one secondary blade has been replaced with an awl, (which unlike the SS blades is carbon). These were made by Camillus from 1976 to 1991, one of the few models retained by Camillus after 1986, when Buck took most other Series 300 models back to be manufactured in house. I suspect this one to be a 70's knife as it has carbon springs. They also made a version with a smooth awl without grooves.

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on December 19, 2015 at 15:41

Hi Tobias. Well, it's a "Stockman" frame even if it was called a "Rancher" by Buck. This is one of my favorites to carry, very rugged and usable. The only thing I discovered is that when using the punch on a piece of leather, and you put too much down force on the awl it tends to fold up, which can be a painful problem if you're not careful. The awl has sharp edges on the side, so it's possible to pinch a slice out of your finger if you really bear down on it. It works best if you actually kind of drill your way through the leather instead of trying to "punch" your way through. Handy to have out on the trail I suppose.

Tobias Gibson said:

Hi Syd. I've own seen this style of stockman called a Cattleman, Cow-Punch, or Saddle knife. I guess I'll add Rancher to the list of names to Stockman with a punch instead of a spay!

Syd Carr said:

As long as I'm at it, here is what I also believe qualifies as a Stockman. Buck #319 Rancher, same size at 3 7/8" closed as the model #301 Stockman, except one secondary blade has been replaced with an awl, (which unlike the SS blades is carbon). These were made by Camillus from 1976 to 1991, one of the few models retained by Camillus after 1986, when Buck took most other Series 300 models back to be manufactured in house. I suspect this one to be a 70's knife as it has carbon springs. They also made a version with a smooth awl without grooves.

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on December 19, 2015 at 16:54

Case just calls their version "Medium Stockman with Punch", same size knife, but a "punch" which is flat with an edge like a blade as opposed to the "awl" on the #319 which is a rounded "L" shape without so much of an edge, (more of a sharpish bevel actually). Of course Case offers the knife in a variety of handles. Buck discontinued the #319 Rancher in 1991, Case still makes their equivalent. This is a "stock" photo, I don't have one of these, (yet). If anyone feels so inclined this knife is on my want list, (and Jan has my address lol).