Specifications
Weight3.4 oz / 96g (handle-material dependent)
Blade Length3.0″ (clip blade)
Closed Length3.875″
Overall Length6.875″ (clip blade open)
Blade SteelTru-Sharp surgical stainless steel
Lock TypeSlipjoint (no lock)
Blade ShapeClip point, sheepfoot, and pen blades
Handle MaterialBone (jigged) or synthetic, brass liners
OriginMade in USA (Bradford, Pennsylvania)
WarrantyCase limited warranty against manufacturing defects
What Sets It Apart
A slipjoint mechanism uses a flat spring inside the handle that creates resistance against the blade's tang, holding it open or closed through tension alone rather than a mechanical lock bar. This is intentionally less secure than a liner lock or AXIS lock under heavy pressure — the blade can fold if force is applied to the spine — but it is also a design with effectively no failure points: there is no spring-loaded bar to wear out, no pivot screw under lock pressure, and no lock mechanism to malfunction.
Tru-Sharp is Case's proprietary name for its surgical stainless steel formulation, chosen for a balance of corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening rather than maximum edge retention. The three-blade configuration — a clip blade for general cutting, a sheepfoot blade for detail work, and a small pen blade for fine tasks — reflects the Stockman pattern's roots as a multi-purpose farm and trade tool rather than a single-blade EDC knife.
Three blades, no lock, bone handles — the pattern American pocket knives were built around for a century
Who This Is For
The Stockman is right for: traditional knife collectors and enthusiasts who value heritage construction and bone handles, users whose primary tasks are whittling, light food prep, or general cutting where a lock isn't necessary, and anyone giving a pocket knife as a gift where craftsmanship matters more than tactical features.
A note on pricing and links: Prices are current as of June 2026. Some links are affiliate links.
How It Compares
Common Questions
Is a slipjoint knife safe without a lock?
Slipjoint knives are safe for the traditional tasks they're designed for — whittling, cutting cordage, light food prep — where the blade is unlikely to encounter unexpected spine-direction force. They are not recommended for tasks involving prying, batoning, or any use where the blade might bind or twist, since there is no lock to prevent it from folding closed.
What are the three blades on a Case Stockman for?
The clip blade (the largest) handles general-purpose cutting. The sheepfoot blade, with its flat cutting edge and rounded spine, is suited to controlled detail work and is traditionally favored for tasks like cutting rope without risk of puncturing. The small pen blade handles fine, precise cuts such as sharpening a pencil or trimming.
Why is the Case Stockman more expensive than some locking knives?
The price reflects the bone handle material and traditional manufacturing process — each bone handle is individually jigged and fitted, and the three-blade construction requires more assembly than a single-blade folder. Collectors and heritage knife buyers often value this construction process as much as raw cutting performance.
How do you maintain a bone-handled knife?
Bone handles benefit from an occasional light application of mineral oil to prevent drying and cracking, especially in low-humidity climates. Avoid soaking the handle in water or harsh cleaners, and store the knife in a moderate-humidity environment when not in use.
