The History of the Stockman | Most Popular Knife Ever?

Class is back in session with TC teaching us the history of the famous pocket knife pattern "Stockman". Let us know if this is your favorite and what you would like to hear more about next in the comments below. Check out all of our Stockman patterns in the link below.
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[@leonstancliff7218]

That "sheep foot" blade is for exactly what it says. Before the days of modern hoof trimmers that was the preferred blade shape for trimming excess growth from the sheep hooves. Yes, trimming sheep's feet is a thing! The spay blade and the hoof trimming blade was how the knife got the name "stockman". The clip point blade is just there to do general work.

[@ElGranRojo903]

Everyone here in east Texas loves the trapper especially the cowboys but I love my stockman bc my father since he was a little boy in Mexico carried one and like usual we wanna be like our fathers

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Red!

[@DeanMD77]

Why do the cowboys prefer the Trapper? And why over, lets say, locking or one handed folding knives?

[@ElGranRojo903]

@@DeanMD77 Spey blade is use to neuter the steer easier without piercing too much, also having the 2 blades u can use the clip point for general purposes and the Spey sharper for more precise cuts

[@ElGranRojo903]

I use the a lockback for hunting like my Buck 110 but everyday I carry the 301 or the 303

[@DonnieDailey]

I'm from the Northeast and I don't recall any of my friends carrying a Trapper. I carried a Schrade (USA) Stockman 34OT for 35 years. Growing up most of my friends carried Scout knives or SAKs. My current everyday knife is a Case Medium Stockman but I also love the smaller Case gentleman's knives like the Peanut and especially the Sway Back.

[@SMKWcom]

We have always found it interesting how some patterns never seem to get popular in one part of the country or another while some are loved all over.

[@davidbaize4825]

Like a lot of guys have pointed out, the stockman is geared toward working people. The trapper seems geared more to people that like hunting. What does Greg say!😁👍

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching David!

[@colincavender9477]

Good series keep going tc.

[@lincoln2douglas]

I've got a new Rough Ryder Arctic Fox stockman in my pocket right now. While going through some of my childhood stuff around 5 years ago, I found my long deceased (and dearly missed) Grandpa's Keen Kutter K10 stockman from E.C. Simmons out of St. Louis. It re-ignited my love of a good knife. Along with the utility and artfulness, these knives revive memories of a kind man who smelled like cherry pipe tobacco and who is waiting for me in heaven.

[@SMKWcom]

Glad you found his knife and that it reminded you of your love of knives!

[@Richard-1776]

what if that spay blade were to open accidentally in your pocket...Doesn't that worry you?

[@stevelewis1721]

I don't know about market poppularity but I know I have four stockmans and four trappers. Tie!

[@SMKWcom]

Balanced as all things should be

[@galenmullenax4039]

Very good information! I prefer the Trapper pattern because I use them for skinning game. The Stockman is my next favorite and what my dad carried. Great showing TC SMKW ❤

[@claytonslavens2074]

My EDC for so many years. I love this knife.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@Robbie7441]

Very informative, thanks TC👍🏻👍🏻

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@JacobBrantley90]

Great info, keep it coming

[@SMKWcom]

Thank you!

[@theeddorian]

My first pocket knife was a small spear point and sheep's foot, two bladed knife, that was a Christmas present in second grade. After that, I can't remember what happened to it, I have always carried a Stockman pattern. The clip point blade is used for the same things you mention, cutting up sausage in the field, as well as opening mail. The sheep's foot is use as a marking knife in wood working, shaping small pieces of wood where the clip point is two big to see around, etc. The spay blade comes in handy for many tasks where you might resort to a utility knife, cutting paper in an office for instance, while making labels for maps (largely superseded by computers these days). The make I usually carry these days is a Buck with three springs. I've carried both Case and Schrade as well, and Bökers are nice but have more flexible blades than I am comfortable with.

[@dhawk6896]

Ranchers and farmers carried The stockman clip point, hay bal rope. Sheep foot for leather Spay for cattle, squirrels, rabbits

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Hawk

[@rialobran]

I have a George Wolstenholme (Sheffield, England) Stockman made for the US market circa late 1890's with 'Texas Stock Knife' etched into the main drop point blade. Interestingly the spay blade is also on the same side as the drop point. Wood handles with brass liners and springs like new.

[@SMKWcom]

That is an awesome knife to have in a collection!

[@petesheppard1709]

For me, this is a real deep dive, thanks. Until watching videos like this, I have never heard many of the descriptive terms. To me, they were just 'pocket knives'. The only real distinction I made was the Barlows, with the tear-drop shaped handle. The little Old Timer knife you point out as a stockman was to me a 'pen knife', since its small size made me think of the small blades once used to cut and sharpen quill pens. I've carried mine for decades and think of it as my 'formal knife'.

[@alanparks7919]

A Case Stag small stockman is in my pocket every day. I own a number of trappers and like them; but my favorite will always be a Stockman.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Alan

[@DonnieDailey]

One of my favorite pocketknives is a Remington Small Stockman in Green and Yellow sawcut delran. It was made in the USA by Camillus (1980s). I've often thought about buying a small Case Stockman but with the prices as they are, I always end up choosing something larger.

[@robertbudnik3318]

Great historical rundown TC!

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks Robert!

[@chrisreuther4546]

I’ve been wanting someone to do one of these on different patterns for so long!! Thanks TC! I think the stockman pattern is one of the best! I find the blade arrangement super useful.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Chris!

[@matthewjeffres4640]

For daily use I have carried a Uncle Henry Senior Rancher 885 for years. The most useful blade being the sheepsfoot. Opening boxes, letters and other daily task. When I hit the woods I still carrier it but add a Buck 110, a Mora Heavy Duty Companion and a Estwing camp axe to the mix. Stockman knives just make good sense.

[@SMKWcom]

Your daily and woods carry are awesome!

[@kjgas6945]

These are some of my favorite knives! I love the Stockman’s. And I also love the traps for different uses. but Stockman’s are my first love. I am now using them, and roughing out figures, and Wood carving, with the sheep foot blade. Changing the geometry, my large Stockman to less than 15° works perfectly, with the 1095 steel! Been using it daily. It will close on your hand, if you are not paying attention! That case Stockman with 1095 steel, is a beautiful knife I have it! That would be my favorite, out of the ones you just showed. Thank you TC. And thank you Smoky mountain knife works!👍🏻👍🏻🤠🤠

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching KJ!

[@hettro-cv6082]

Good video!

[@99dsm1]

Carry a case medium stockman, retired the vintage primble my dad gave me before he died. He had carried it around 50 years

[@SMKWcom]

Love a good Primble knife

[@Tracy81258]

A great job on the history lesson. I’m a big fan of this pattern. One of my favorite knives is an old Colt stockman with a punch/awl in addition to the traditional 3 blades.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Tracy

[@danielruthven2739]

I love the stockman, one of my favorite traditional patterns. I also love the canoe as well, Never was a big fan of the trapper. I just picked up a large stockman today at an antique store. It's an old cutler with Dwight D Eisenhower etched on the blade. Old cutler was a sub brand of Colonial knife Co, made in the usa.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Daniel!

[@dasx2gra]

hey T. C., love the informative video! would love to see a new pattern each month! gotta say a stockman has always been my favorite, but in the sow belly version!! it's what my grandfather carried. i have about 35 sowbelly's and my collection is still growing! i love the Rough Ryders, they are beautifully made and very affordable! thanks for the info, please keep teaching

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching and for the suggestion!

[@Dreweldeenknives]

I’m ordering one for sure

[@Dreweldeenknives]

It shows up today and I put afresh edge on all blades ! Large green and black stockman absolutely blown away

[@ronaldmoore7698]

Like the Medium Stockman for EDC but like the Trapper for cleaning small game for the longer blades

[@SMKWcom]

Good reasons to have both

[@geico1975]

Got my eye on the BUCK 301 CLASSIC STOCKMAN FOLDING KNIFE ROSEWOOD DYMONDWOOD I have several BUCK's traditional model knives.

[@SMKWcom]

No school like the old school

[@stevewalker4638]

Good information

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@thevelointhevale1132]

"There is a bit of mis-information regarding the origin of the Stockman. Considering that a Stockman began turning up in Australia around the 1790's during the period of British settlement you can be sure that these knives were being brought over from Sheffield, England." Ie The Barlow Knives ... Exactly what the Australian Stockman needed when dealing with livestock on an export ship.The Blade types are Clip Point - Spey and Sheepsfoot .... the knife is named after Australian Stockmen ( Analagous to American Cowboys ) - these blades were the Aussie Bushcraft Blade for over 150yrs among my ancestors and were suited for all jobs required on the land. The Spey blade is for Neutering livestock safely without a sharp point to potentially cut an artery or other vital organs thus causing unwanted death to the animal. The Sheepsfoot had a similar purpose and is essentially a Safety Blade - excellent for carving or cutting materials and objects where care is needed when not wanting to pierce an item you are working on. The British Army Clasp Knife of WW2 were issued with the Sheepsfoot blade for this very reason and are superb carving blades. The Clip Point would cover all other activities where piercing the target ... ie skinning ... was acceptable.

[@richardhatt6541]

I had to pull out my Kabar Stockman when I was watching this. An oldie but a goodie.

[@SMKWcom]

No school like the old school

[@fishingunboxingsandreveiws7226]

Just recieved a RR2424 and I love it. Well made knife

[@SMKWcom]

🙌🙌🙌

[@user-iw2mo7yu4d]

Stockman is my favourite pattern, it just looks the best.

[@SMKWcom]

Gotta love a good stockman pattern

[@joelramirez1556]

I prefer the stockman over any other pattern. Thanks for the info.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@desertratedc9596]

The stockman is by far my favorite! I personally own over 30 of them and use them all but I do favor 3 of them above the others. My case #75 CV amber bone, Schrade USA Old timer carbon steel 8OT and Remington (Camillus) 9501 with green sawcut delrin. I also have a Western 742 D that sees some frequent and my out with the boys knife is my RRR pattern #008 stockman because of its bottle opener. Only other note worthy stockman I can think of is my case burnt jigged bone #18 PU medium punch stockman from 1992 shortly after Zippo tool over case.

[@SMKWcom]

That is an awesome collection!

[@troublewells8777]

I have carried a trapper for around 46 years, never owned a stockman. My grandpa gave me my first one!

[@SMKWcom]

That is an awesome knife tale in and of its self!

[@jimmyking8206]

I Love the Stockman. That's what i carry. I like the options. The sheepsfoot blade i use the most.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Jimmy!

[@propblast82nd]

I’d have to go with the Stockman by about a frogs hair 🐸 but I like Trapper also . Got a RR Stoneworx Stockman in my pocket today

[@viking7560]

Stockman has always been my favorite probably because a lot of men in the rural area where I grew up carried them.

[@SMKWcom]

All of our heros carried a pocket knife!

[@frankjolly1680]

I like the stockman pattern👍 Sowbelly💪

[@SMKWcom]

We love a good Sowbelly!

[@johnallen4460]

Both?

[@SMKWcom]

💯

[@bryancouch6130]

From a technical/engineering standpoint, I feel like Buck makes one of the best stockmans of all time because their design incorporates one back spring for each blade (3 total instead of the 2 that you typically see). They also have the sheepsfoot on the side opposite the clip point and centered between two backsprings, adding rigidity. They did this because of how popular the sheepsfoot blades are and how much they're typically used in comparison to the other two blades on a stockman. Thoughtful, efficient engineering if you ask me.

[@SMKWcom]

Buck has been making great knives since 1902!

[@elvinamillaneam]

Greetings TC, This's a tough one... I usually carry both in my EDC. Wow I think I have to go with the Stockman for the three blades.

[@SMKWcom]

We love a good stockman!

[@GromMolotok]

Thanks for the history lesson. I have no idea about popularity, but I do know I prefer a trapper. Mini size is even better as a pocket dropper.

[@SMKWcom]

Great patterns and we love being able to choose a size as well 👍

[@DonnieDailey]

While I'm not a fan of the full-size Trapper, I really love the single-blade Case Mini Trappers when they become available. Very slim and sexy little knives.

[@ruffinogold5440]

My Case CV Large Stockman and a sharp finger ... Im good to go . My two favorite folding and fixed patterns

[@SMKWcom]

Great EDC carry!

[@markweber5296]

Every rancher I worked for has a stockman for ear marking in particular. They want a clean strait cut and the Case delivers..

[@terrillschneider3778]

Nice

[@brianc9374]

The stockman is better than the standard trapper for everyday use. However, there are some great trapper variants. I used to carry an electrician knife, a trapper with a screwdriver instead of a 2nd knife blade. Working in a warehouse, I used the knife for cutting open boxes and you always need a screwdriver for something.

[@SMKWcom]

Love that there are so many options for us to choose from in the knife world!

[@jonnyarmstrong4281]

Trapper is honestly way more popular then any other design I think the larger size is the big difference

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@Thefrenchmen24]

do more of these on the other classic traditional patterns

[@SMKWcom]

We have plans in place to cover more in the future! Thanks for watching

[@pebourhero]

My Case Medium Stockman has squared bolsters.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Jason!

[@DonnieDailey]

Overall, I prefer the squared bolster version because I prefer the clip point main blade and the pen blade instead of the Spey blade. It's not made in as many options as the rounded bolster models, unfortunately.

[@mikecurtis2585]

Love a great stockman pattern! I have a KZbin now!!

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Mike!

[@randymartin5521]

I've never cared for the trapper, I've got three or four stockmans but my favorite pattern is a simple main clip and secondary pen jack knife like Case's 22087.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@chrisreuther4546]

Ok... So, I Buck 310 is a tiny little 3 blade whittling knife... I am curious about a Buck 301... they call it a stockman... but it does not meet the back spring configuration you described.

[@gilbrandao6929]

The clip blade was used too to degase' the cows stomachs, a perforation was made in the lateral cow belly to let the gas escapes. In emergencies cases, and last resource, it could save the cow from death when severely inflated...

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching and for the information

[@joeltowle2737]

Barlow is #1!!! Lol

[@aaronwilkinson8963]

I just got a middleman but it's identical to the stockman

[@DonnieDailey]

The Schrade Middleman (34OT) is a perfect pocket carry.

[@aaronwilkinson8963]

@@DonnieDailey mine says 34 OTW but the Brand is old timer there's no schrade Brand on it. What would have been the spade blade in more like a pen knife but I won't be castrating any bulls any way. It's a really nice knife. I really like it. It's perfect for my needs. I see little point in buying a knife so expensive that you scared to use it

[@jamesherrington5606]

“Squared and pinched bolsters” is the usual wording

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching and letting us know

[@nitrorc4life1]

Hmm, I have to say the stockman is more popular, though I prefer a trapper more I like a stockman too. In fact I usually carry a trapper in a belt sheath I made and a medium stockman in my pocket. I will swap a trapper for a large stockman on the belt occasionally.

[@frankmorris4790]

The spey looks like a scalpel, because that's what it is, treat it as such. The trapper has almost perfect geometry , for closing up on you!

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@petrosspetrosgali]

Lol @“lagoolie”.😂😂😂😂😂

[@SMKWcom]

thanks for watching

[@4570george]

All Aussie farmers carry a stockman and have done for many generations.

[@woodsontr]

I have both but I have more stockmans.

[@SMKWcom]

Stockmans are a classic!

[@stevehuffman7453]

which is more popular;stockman or trapper? for ME the answer is: As a USER, the STOCKMAN, since with (the standard) 3 blades it is more practical. A 4 blade "punch Stockman" (Clip point or spear point main, sheepsfoot or Wharncliffe and Spey/Grafting/Budding or small drop point plus a punch/awl/reamer) is a bit more so because of the punch/awl/reamer. I would LOVE a equal end/Cigar Stockman, similar to the earlier 3 blade "cattle knife" the Stockman evolved from, but with the Spey/Budding/Grafting blade rather than the pen knife blade. (Any chance of a Rough Ryder (not in the high dollar Rough Ryder Reserve series, if possible) or Marbles equal end Stockman .... with T10 carbon steel blades, please?) The Trapper MAY be more popular with "collectors". I've tried warming up to the Trapper pattern, but don't care for it. For the full length clip point/Spey or Spear point combination, I prefer the (large) Moose pattern.

[@jesusfernandogutierrezterr3011]

Preciosas navajas dignas de un verdadero vaquero

[@SMKWcom]

Se puede aprender mucho sobre alguien a partir de sus cuchillos y cómo los tratan.

[@adamclark1611]

Which size was more commonly carried by 1800’s frontiersmen, the medium or the large?

[@rsv-code7004]

The stockman has become one of my favorite patterns. I don't quite understand the trapper so much.

[@SMKWcom]

We love a good Stockman as well

[@hichamtata4774]

Hello mon ami 🇺🇸🫡 très jolies séries de couteaux

[@SMKWcom]

Merci beaucoup!

[@johnclarke6647]

Either, as long as it says Case on the side of it.

[@RandysWSG]

100% the stockman

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Randy

[@radar468]

I myself like the Stockman a bit more than the trapper.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@brucemcmicking9614]

I was hoping to find out who first produced the Stockman. Do you know?

[@skcamerican]

I like a sowbelly stockman, especially a drunken stockman, with two clips and a sheep’s foot, all opening at wonky angles. Standard trappers, meh.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Su!

[@danlooper2196]

Stockman by far

[@piperkennard1039]

👍💯

[@SMKWcom]

🙌🙌🙌

[@rickbuchanan5762]

The Trapper may sell more but the Stockman is better/more versatile. In my opinion the BUCK 307 was the best large Stockman ever made. CASE makes the best medium Stockman with their SS blades.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@markchoate9021]

Like them both but I carry a Stockman.

[@SMKWcom]

Hard to beat a good stockman pattern

[@timothybeck1460]

The stockmen.

[@SMKWcom]

Hard to beat a good stockman

[@Ersk88]

I’d say stockman is the most popular..my favorite slipjoint pattern

[@SMKWcom]

We love a good Stockman!

[@propblast82nd]

I believe it’s a coin toss between the Trappers and Stockmans.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Prop!

[@williammcintyre1396]

Stockman

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching

[@cintage]

Don’t only look at the US. The most popular pattern by far is the Swiss Army Knife.

[@terrillschneider3778]

I’m carrying a trapper today but I like Stockman knives a whole lot better

[@rwe1]

Stockman for me. (And I like the Congress.) But I can't stand Case's. Because they do shove three blades in two slots and they rub. Most other brands give each blade it's own slot (spring). So they don't touch. (Buck 301&303, Bokers) Case should build their stockman like their Seahorse Whittler the way they offset the blades. Or give each blade it's own slot.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching, and many knife makers look to online boards for ideas and suggestions

[@colincavender9477]

Trapper series.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching

[@RichardTuckman]

What is the point to having 3 blades

[@SMKWcom]

Different blade shapes to help with different jobs

[@jonathancupp3686]

I always thought the trapper was the most popular, but I have always been more in favor of the stockman.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching

[@Irishsaxon]

I got stockman's, i got trappers. 9 days out 0f 10 its the stockman I carry. I think the stockman is more popular.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching

[@thereedster1000]

Trapper is the most popular pattern 100%

[@olaf_industries]

trapper is no 1

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching

[@johnbox5965]

Trapper!👍🔪🇺🇸

[@user-nx2rx2iw5x]

Trappers are far more used than your average stockman from everyone like cowboys to blue collar mining workers

[@michaelmcdonell9492]

When we had hogs always carried a Stockman.

[@SMKWcom]

Can't go wrong with a good Stockman 👍

[@scottemory72]

I personally love stockmans over trappers.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@kevinfonseca6233]

Trapper

[@SMKWcom]

Love a good Trapper!

[@Legion-it6db]

Did he really pronounce Laguiole as "La goolies"?

[@SMKWcom]

Yep! When you throw in a strong southern accent you get some awesome takes on classic names