Interesting medium stockman comparison (#18 vs. 32)

[Lansky1]

I've always gravitated to the medium frame stockman - somewhere around 3-1/2" long; in between the #44/90 & 47. That pretty much leaves the #32 or 18 in the Case world. I've found the 32 always seemed to ride in the pocket better than the 18. Here's why ...

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The #32 is noticeably thinner ... just an interesting observation.

[XX Case XX]

I've always liked the 32 pattern over the 18. The 18 is not bad, I just like the 32 for it's sleeker look and size. And I like the square bolsters.

____________
Mike

[Steve Warden]

The #32 is noticeably thinner ... just an interesting observation.

Optical illusion because the bolsters are pinched on the 32?

[royal0014]

Huh ... and here I've been thinkin' the difference was only the
pen vs spay blade. Thanks for the visual comparison !

I've been eyeballing a 32, this cinches it . . .

[Greenman]

The #32 is noticeably thinner ... just an interesting observation.

Optical illusion because the bolsters are pinched on the 32?

I believe Steve is correct; part of the perceived thickness difference is an optical illusion caused by the pinched bolsters on the 32. However, the centre liner on a modern 18 pattern is much thicker than that of a 32. Older 18s feel much slimmer in both the pocket and the hand due to their thinner centre liner and also because of more skilled hafting. I don’t know when the transition to the current design occurred; with the exception of two recent examples, all of my 18s are pre 1980.

Personally, I’ve always preferred round bolster stockmen such as Case’s 18s or 47s—they simply feel better in both my pocket and my hand. YMMV

[Lansky1]

The #32 is noticeably thinner ... just an interesting observation.

Optical illusion because the bolsters are pinched on the 32?

Actually the 32 in the pics above doesn't have pinched bolsters (oops, when I got home I checked - the bolsters are pinched on the 32's, so my bad ) . The pic isn't a distortion - the modern 18 is quite a bit thicker than a comparable modern era #32 (I don't have an older 18, so I can't say if they're thinner than the modern versions -would be interested to see a comparison if anyone has a 70's vs. modern #18).

[kennedy knives]

Here is a USA 6318 & a 2008 6318 Blue Jean Bone the USA liners are thinner , the bolsters are thinner all around thinner USA . Much better looking the older knives . The newer 6318 are just a little longer also . The first photo you can tell a big difference

[Lansky1]

Thanks so much for posting those pics - really get a sense of how the #18 has changed over the years ! Do you happen to know the year of the older one (just trying to get a feel for when the change occurred) ?

[kennedy knives]

Thanks so much for posting those pics - really get a sense of how the #18 has changed over the years ! Do you happen to know the year of the older one (just trying to get a feel for when the change occurred) ?

The Case XX USA 6318 was made between 1965 to 1969 .

[kennedy knives]

If you look at the back springs how they are even on the USA Model verse the 2008 model also at the tang area of blade the USA look more symmetrical than the 2008 . The Newer 2008 Stockman looks fatter not near as much fit & finish on it . I will try to find a current bone 6318 so we can have a better comparison Maybe someone can be me to the punch on that .

[steve99f]

I've noticed the same thing regarding thickness at the bolsters on the copperhead jacks They got thicker in '79 or '80.

[kennedy knives]

Couldn't find a new 6318 . So I thought that we would just compare a USA 6318 to a 1973- 6332 There is difference that you can see right off the 6318 measures 3 1/2" while the 6332 measures 3 5/8" . They look about alike in width . There is a difference in blades ,Both have a sheep foots the 32 has pen while the 18 has a spay blade the Clip on the 32 is more of a normal clip where the 18 looks like a California Clip . Still a lot better than the newer ones better looking Bone, fit & Finish &Thinner.

[Lansky1]

Great stuff - I'm learning alot on this thread !

[AR Norby]

Old or new I still prefer the 6318

[Mumbleypeg]

I also prefer the 18, primarily due to the rounded bolsters and serpentine shape. Just my preference.

Here's a comparison showing a 1971 versus a 2002 Case 3318 pattern. Both have green carried and used extensively by me (I "retired" the 1971 many years ago and replaced it with the 2002 version). As you can see the 2002 version (top knife in the picture) is thicker. While the trend recently seems to be people wanting "thinner" knives, IMHO the newer knife is a substantially sturdier knife.

Ken

[knifeaholic]

The change to the bolsters started in the late 70's when Case stopped being as careful in the final hafting. so the bolsters started becoming somewhat blockier.

However, the big change occurred in 1985/86 when Case started stamping bolsters for all knives out of flat sheets of nickel silver. The traditional way prior to that point had been to die-form the bolsters out of square nickel silver bars, so the bolsters as formed were half-round to begin with. During final hafting of the knife, the handles were hafted to match the half-round bolster shape.

After 1985 with the bolsters stamped from flat stock, the only rounding that occurs happens during the final hafting, which seems to vary from pattern to pattern. You will see more rounding on the modern "pocket worn" knives.

[Lansky1]

Thanks Steve for that info - interesting how the methods of manufacturing bolsters at Case has changed.

[markpreston]

Does the squared bolster knife have half stops,and if so do they feel better on opening than the 18?

[Lansky1]

Does the squared bolster knife have half stops,and if so do they feel better on opening than the 18?

I have about a dozen post 1980 32's (square bolsters) & none have half stops. I have read some of the 1970's 32's have half stops though...

[32man]

Thanks for that info Steve! I love my 32's!