What's the difference between a stockman and a cattle knife?

I

ISKRA

Joined
Sep 19, 2016
Messages
1,292
Pardon me, if it's a dumb question, but I'm trying to learn as much as possible. What's been puzzling me lately, why are some knives called stockmen (stockmans?) while others are reffered to as cattle knives, despite they often feature the same blade types? Is a stockman only on a serpentine frame while all others are cattle knives, as a sort of umbrella term? I's be interested to know what the criteria is, if there's any. I'd also apreciate if you guys could post some pictures of your fine knives for examples. ;) :D

Also, I've seen some whittlers with blades aranged like a stockman (you know, two at the top pivot, one at the butt). Let's say the frame is a swell center. Would the blade assortiment define whether it's a whittler or a cattle knife? I hope this example isn't too weird.

I thank you in advance and send you my best regards

Žan
 
This topic has been covered a few times on these forums. Perhaps someone who is better at searching than I am, could post the links!!
There is lots of good info in those threads!!
 
Thanks Charlie. I've been searching for threads about stockmen a few times in the past already, can't remember seeing anything about this though. If someone knows the title of a specific thread or even better, can provide a link, I'll gladly check it out! :)
 
ISKRA, a better search function, or some kind of key tags (spoken like the IT idiot that I am!), could save a lot of band width!
Why not attach a "tag" ie. "Stockman-Cattleknife" to a thread that discusses the subject. This would make it simple to find!
 
I think, and I'm sure I'll be corrected, that all stockmen are serpentine frames, but all cattlemen are not, though ,sigh, sometimes they are? Jake knows the answer probably pretty definitively. I'm sure blades and there configurations have something to do with it to. It could also be a bit of a marketing term, but that is a guess for sure. Now I'm interested in the responses. ;)
Thanks, Neal
 
Keep in mind that these are traditional terms, not technical, scientific definitions.
 
Thanks for the links guys. I was in the process of searching the forums myself as I found the OP's question an interesting one. Those threads provide some good clarity.
 
Thanks chaps, that looks like a lot to read through. Since almost 1 am here, I'll go through all the threads tomorrow. Looking forward to it. Much apreciated!
 
It is one of those things that you get different answers dependant upon where your at.
I read and was told growing up that Cattle King knifes always were 4inches+ and had a punch or awl . Any other 3 blade was some sort of Stockman.
 
I've been told that if it has 3 blades, and isn't a whittler, and isn't a jackknife, it is a stockman. Not sure if that holds water though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top