"Sodbuster"

[dogstar]

I've been watching episodes of "The Rifleman" lately. It seems the term "sodbuster" is used in a derogatory sense in the series. Even the Rifleman, Lucas McCain, considers himself a cattle rancher, a notch above a dirt farmer. Enemies refer to him as "that big sodbuster."

In this forum, "Sodbuster" is a well made, no-nonsense, working slipjoint. I guess the dirt farmer has finally gotten the respect he/she deserves.

 

[Smaug]

Agreed. It may have been a title of low rank in the 19th century, but to me, it means: 'hard-working laborer." There's no dishonor in that.

I think Case's blade art sums it up well.

I posted a recent thread about this: 'What's the point of a Sodbuster' and I think I've been won over. I always try to keep an open mind, so I owe it to myself and all sodbuster fans to try one again. (I had a cheapy United Cutlery model in the 80s, and managed to lose it)

 

[LKJW]

My Great Grandfather was a sharecropper. He busted his share of sod. And he raised a family that loved him.

 

[edbeau]

We would all be a bit hungry without a "sod buster". As Smaug said "hard-working laborer" and there is nothing wrong with that.

 

[pinnah]

Couple of things to add that may relate the terms "sodbuster", "stockman" and "jackknife".

First, in my youth, I grew up in Kansas and as I recall from my hazy recollection "sodbuster" was a term first and foremost for the John Deere steel plow, which was the first plow that could reliably punch through the tough, thick sod of the prairie lands of Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. After that, it became a term for a person who would use a plow, namely farmers, who came to Kansas well after the expansion of free range cattle ranchers. These two camps did *NOT* get along at all and the literal dividing line was barbed wire fencing. Most agricultural museums have displays of barbed wire and their very contentious history, especially surrounding range wars. Crudely, the second wave of settlers included sheep herders, farmers and "civilized law and rights" (translated as get off my land), which flew in the face of the practice of open range ranching (brand 'em and turn 'em loose to feed and then drive them to Dodge City). See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Range_wars

So, it makes sense that the Rifleman was called a sodbuster. He was the law and he had a farm.

I believe the term "jack knife" is similarly tied to a name of derision. It appears that "jack knife" is derived from "jack leg knife", which meant crude tools used by unskilled carpenters who lacked more expensive tools and training.
http://www.word-detective.com/2012/01/10/jackleg/
http://www.wordorigins.org/index.php/site/comments/jackleg_jackknife/

So, it would appear that the stockman pattern and the sodbuster pattern literally belong on different sides of the fence and that the fence is made of barbed wire.

 

[jwh]

I like my Case Sodbusters and they make graet gifts for newbies.

jwh

 

[Rsmith_77]

Couple of things to add that may relate the terms "sodbuster", "stockman" and "jackknife".

First, in my youth, I grew up in Kansas and as I recall from my hazy recollection "sodbuster" was a term first and foremost for the John Deere steel plow, which was the first plow that could reliably punch through the tough, thick sod of the prairie lands of Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. After that, it became a term for a person who would use a plow, namely farmers, who came to Kansas well after the expansion of free range cattle ranchers. These two camps did *NOT* get along at all and the literal dividing line was barbed wire fencing. Most agricultural museums have displays of barbed wire and their very contentious history, especially surrounding range wars. Crudely, the second wave of settlers included sheep herders, farmers and "civilized law and rights" (translated as get off my land), which flew in the face of the practice of open range ranching (brand 'em and turn 'em loose to feed and then drive them to Dodge City). See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Range_wars

So, it makes sense that the Rifleman was called a sodbuster. He was the law and he had a farm.

I believe the term "jack knife" is similarly tied to a name of derision. It appears that "jack knife" is derived from "jack leg knife", which meant crude tools used by unskilled carpenters who lacked more expensive tools and training.
http://www.word-detective.com/2012/01/10/jackleg/
http://www.wordorigins.org/index.php/site/comments/jackleg_jackknife/

So, it would appear that the stockman pattern and the sodbuster pattern literally belong on different sides of the fence and that the fence is made of barbed wire.

wow, nice info
learn something new everyday

 

[jackknife]

First time I ever heard the term sodbuster, it was on the big silver screen. Alan Ladd (Shane) and Ben Johnson having a bit of a anti social moment in Graftons Saloon.

Sodbusters came out a bit ahead in that one.

Carl.

 

[jackknife]

So, it would appear that the stockman pattern and the sodbuster pattern literally belong on different sides of the fence and that the fence is made of barbed wire.

So it was a good thing I never put my stockman and sodbuster in the same pocket, huh?

Carl.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Couple of things to add that may relate the terms "sodbuster", "stockman" and "jackknife".

First, in my youth, I grew up in Kansas and as I recall from my hazy recollection "sodbuster" was a term first and foremost for the John Deere steel plow, which was the first plow that could reliably punch through the tough, thick sod of the prairie lands of Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. After that, it became a term for a person who would use a plow, namely farmers, who came to Kansas well after the expansion of free range cattle ranchers. These two camps did *NOT* get along at all and the literal dividing line was barbed wire fencing. Most agricultural museums have displays of barbed wire and their very contentious history, especially surrounding range wars. Crudely, the second wave of settlers included sheep herders, farmers and "civilized law and rights" (translated as get off my land), which flew in the face of the practice of open range ranching (brand 'em and turn 'em loose to feed and then drive them to Dodge City). See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Range_wars

So, it makes sense that the Rifleman was called a sodbuster. He was the law and he had a farm.

I believe the term "jack knife" is similarly tied to a name of derision. It appears that "jack knife" is derived from "jack leg knife", which meant crude tools used by unskilled carpenters who lacked more expensive tools and training.
http://www.word-detective.com/2012/01/10/jackleg/
http://www.wordorigins.org/index.php/site/comments/jackleg_jackknife/

So, it would appear that the stockman pattern and the sodbuster pattern literally belong on different sides of the fence and that the fence is made of barbed wire.

That's a top-notch post and consise history lesson there. I'm gonna bookmark this thread. Thank you pinnah. :thumbup:

 

[Modoc ED]

Case has introduced a new version of their "Sod Buster" Jr. for June 2012 delivery with Carbon Fiber covers.

One dealer has them for a 74.99 dollar bill. Yikes!!!!!!!

Dealer photo

 

[DeadFall27]

Case has introduced a new version of their "Sod Buster" Jr. for June 2012 delivery with Carbon Fiber covers.

One dealer has them for a 74.99 dollar bill. Yikes!!!!!!!

Dealer photo

Love the CF!! But not the price...If I wanted CF that bad, I would do it myself.

 

[Biggerhammer]

And to think that Lobster started out as a "Poor mans" food. Some things get their just deserves in time.

 

[DeadFall27]

And to think that Lobster started out as a "Poor mans" food. Some things get their just deserves in time.

So, by your logic, I am going to be married to a supermodel of a wife whom will be many years younger than I? You better be right

 

[Brian.Evans]

Couple of things to add that may relate the terms "sodbuster", "stockman" and "jackknife".

First, in my youth, I grew up in Kansas and as I recall from my hazy recollection "sodbuster" was a term first and foremost for the John Deere steel plow, which was the first plow that could reliably punch through the tough, thick sod of the prairie lands of Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. After that, it became a term for a person who would use a plow, namely farmers, who came to Kansas well after the expansion of free range cattle ranchers. These two camps did *NOT* get along at all and the literal dividing line was barbed wire fencing. Most agricultural museums have displays of barbed wire and their very contentious history, especially surrounding range wars. Crudely, the second wave of settlers included sheep herders, farmers and "civilized law and rights" (translated as get off my land), which flew in the face of the practice of open range ranching (brand 'em and turn 'em loose to feed and then drive them to Dodge City). See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Range_wars

So, it makes sense that the Rifleman was called a sodbuster. He was the law and he had a farm.

I believe the term "jack knife" is similarly tied to a name of derision. It appears that "jack knife" is derived from "jack leg knife", which meant crude tools used by unskilled carpenters who lacked more expensive tools and training.
http://www.word-detective.com/2012/01/10/jackleg/
http://www.wordorigins.org/index.php/site/comments/jackleg_jackknife/

So, it would appear that the stockman pattern and the sodbuster pattern literally belong on different sides of the fence and that the fence is made of barbed wire.

Kind of what I was thinking too, Pinnah.

For those who can't be bothered with reading all of that, just watch Oklahoma. Lol.

Good stuff though sir!