Knife Model Of The Week The Cattleman!!

Knife Model Of The Week The Cattleman!!
3 ¼ blade of 3/16 stock. Sheep’s foot design blade. Top notches. Reduced-only brass hilt. Approx. 4” flat-sided stag handle. ( stainless is recommended for marine use.) Supplied with cover sheath. (wt. 40z.)
Ladies and Gentlemen: can we please se some Cattleman!!!!

Y'all don't slip on something and hurt yourselves running out to the barn to get your Cattleman to photograph for this weeks K.M.O.T.W.!
If you do have one with scrimmed crown stag I would really like to see it!

Ya' know, Jesse...for years the "Cattleman" was not available in stainless. It's interesting seeing the comments suggesting stainless for marine use. This could have (simple conjecture on my part) been due to the blade design being so similar to the "Yachtsman" knife made popular by "Buck" and others. The sheep foot blade and a marlin spike (some may remember) were ever-present on that model. Just my "take" on it. Gary and Bo had the original carbon steel "Cattlemans" made up for their ranch foreman and wranglers down at the ranch. I'll quite blabbering on now and hope someone has photos. I cannot find my one and only Cattleman. Hope someone does...Best, Capt. Chris

Hi! Capt.,
these'R my two "cattleman"...please tell me something
about the different grind.



Also handles are different: stag is square...not round.
Wood(Australian)is regular rounded but exsctly two tone:
one side very pale, other very dark.
Stay well Capt.
Best
Guido
PS: yes! one carbon & one S

Guido,
The carbon steel is a bit earlier. The stag is "slab side", or flat side. One of the topics at the blade show Q&A that Scott and I fielded was regarding "slab side" knives.
At this time only the "Cattleman" and "Stanaback Special" are available with this handle shape. I didn't know that, but apparently to reduce time spent per knife this option has been eliminated. Because the Cattleman and my dealer special have always included this option, they were spared.

Hope this helps, Capt. Chris

Capt.!
"slab side" talk.... One more missed occasion not be able to come over for the BLADE SHOW...
Capt. thanks...as usual...
best
Guido

bump

Rigging knives is another one of my passions. Interesting tidbit, in the old days, when a man got on a sailing ship, one of the first actions the captain did (not Chris!) was to have the tip broken off his knife - no need for his men to be stabbing each other. There are other benifits to the sheep foot blade and the most obvious is on a rolling deck you don't want people falling on their knives.

The last important part of this design is the way the knife was used to cut rope. (Except for cutting small stuff), the proper way to cut rope was to set the rope on a block of wood, then place the cutting edge of the knife on the rope. The man then would hit the back of the knife with a block of wood or wooden hammer. For this to work, the cutting edge of the blade must be straight and the back must be thick.

Granted the cattleman was originally made for land, however, I think if Randall had made it with a micarta handle, ss blade and pitched it as a rigging knife, he may have had many takers.

This is one that is missing from my collection but IS on the list.

Best, Bill

Interesting stuff, there, Bill. Thanks for the info.

They have (except for calling it a "rigging knife").....check out the new Chef's Knife.

http://www.knifetalkforums.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=83294#Post83294

Well, my new Cattleman's showed up today. I think it's a pretty cool setup: SS,NSH(reduced), Alum/Black spacers, NS Butt, Wrist Thong. Great stag as well, what do you think? Thanks Cap for a great order!!

Pap

Already!! I mailed it yesterday...or the day before...Pretty fast! As I told you, Pap, you already know what I think. The combo is fantastic. Great stag, plenty of heft and good all-around hardware. What's not to like? Glad you like it. Good luck with it.
Best, Capt. Chris

Hi Pap
very nice Cattleman, I may have to get one for myself some day
I would probably get it the same as yours

Peter

WOW! That is absolutely perfect. I think the shop nailed that one. Sweeeeet!

Congrats!

Bill

You were right on Cap, and believe me, these pictures really don't do it any justice at all; it's a knockout.
I have to also add that the Cattleman's model doesn't get much respect and I don't know why. I have another, not so nice Cattleman, and I generally pack it every day as it comes with a pouch sheath and is 1/2 the size of other Randall models. It's a very handy knife and even with the stubby look, it has a very sharp point. I can promise you if you ever own one, you'll find yourself packing it more often than not.

Pap

I've never been a big fan of the Cattleman, but, Pap that one sure is sweet. Just when you think you know yourself....

Supernice combination Mike...well done indeed !
Slab side?...perfect to add the cherry on the cake!
Send it to RB...why not?
Best
Guido

+1! That is the best setup cattleman I have ever seen! Any pics of the sheath?

Hey Pap!
That's real purdy Cattleman! One of the nicest I've seen!
Enjoy!
Tony

Here's a comparison between a "standard" Cattleman's and my "optioned" Cattleman's along with the standard pouch sheath and my Sullivan's Beavertail/medalion pouch sheath for my custom Cattleman's to sit in. A hot setup, IMHO.

Pap

Does anyone have a photo of a cattleman with a basic micarta handle? Either with a buttplate or not.

Would be appreciated!
Chad

Here is the Cattleman that I just received, ordered about 5 years ago. Stainless, ns hilt, aluminum and black spacers, slab side very nice stag, wrist thong and black left hand pouch sheath.
I'll bet there aren't too many sheaths like this
Great job shop, thanks guys

Peter

Peter, that's a very cool Cattleman's. The Cattleman is small enough and with the pouch sheath, it's a very good daily carry knife. I pack mine almost every day.

Pap

Early Carbon Blade Cattleman with Griffin single finger Ivory Tusk Tip.

Eric,

That is one of the most unique Cattleman's I've seen to date.

Very cool

Thank-You for sharing the picture.

It appears that you have gone into your stash, and have every thread covered!!! nice knives!!!
WoW!!!
:-)ROcky

What is the main function of a cattleman? Why is the shape of the blade that way and what does it service? Is it used for cows or farming?

It's for removing the testicles of calves.

It turns Bulls into Steers.

Ouch.

Hmmm ... I THINK the blade shape lends it's usefulness to the profession of a Farrier, I THINK.

You can't get tipped knives from the shop anymore. Hang onto that Eric.

My daughter rides. In that line of endeavor, there is a lot of leather work, as well as general horse/field work. It would fairly useful to someone in that line of work...I've wanted to get her one for several years....kind of like the fireman...it is somewhat specific, however, I've seen it paired up with the chiefs knife as well...
:-)Rocky

Wally,
Only if the farrier is de-nuttin' a bull! (I see what you're saying). Original intention was castration.
Best, capt. Chris

I now feel as if I may never need a cattleman. Oof. Thanks for the clarification though Cap'n!

That is until Lori bids on 1 next year at Blade!!!!

No. There will be NO tools of castration in my wife's hands. I can't bear to even think of it!

The group would however, VERY appreciate you NOT sharing the photo of that... we voted... it was unanimous

Would a Cattleman, in the hands of any wife, not be somewhat redundant?

You have a valid point, the knife may be quicker...

The Cattleman is also similar to a sailors knife which is a sheepsfoot blade. Anyone agree?

Camillus 702, navy issue (among many others) very similar!

Here's mine.
Promptly sharpened and put to use.
Thank you so much Guido!!!

Hopefully not off topic re: blade design, shape, use & similar blades....bet a few guys have owned one similar to this in their lives. I held many newborn pigs & calves legs while grandpa made "the cut". Until receiving this one from him at age 7 & being taught exactly how to do the cut under his supervision. Over time also learned from him that the blades in this knife can do any/everything from peeling your apple to field dressing whatever needed dressing out.
Pic sizing help anyone??

here you go...

Yes it does, a sailor's knife back in the day , had a blunt tip incase .... incase tempers flared and a guy tried to stab another guy, not falling on them 🤓I

Not the sailors knife I recall. Sailors knives have a marlin spike suitable for braiding and rigging and yes have a sheepsfoot blade made for cutting rope.

Sailors had ugly knives so
Uncle
Sam's
Misguided
Children
wouldn't take them away from them

Clarification...... I am talking about sailor knives used in the era of wind and sail. Men who were sailors then were either conscripted off the street or other ships, not the best people. These were the days when the English issued gin that was 151 proof so if gun powder got wet with it would still ignite. Plymouth Gin still makes this gin. 🤓

And now.....back to your regularly scheduled program......

And now.....stay tuned for a preview of next weeks episode.....

Bill,

Looking good; the SFG on that tip is awesome.

Can't wait to see the next one.

Tom Flynn

How about this Cattleman.
SS, Brass and Black, Shop supplied Iron Wood
The shop has some nice IW on hand right now.
A great idea from the Ol Capt. and great knife from the shop.

Dennis

Nice knife. Pretty all the way 'round.

Larry

You did REALLY good with this 1 my friend! Bring it down next time you're in Florida! =)

Very nice!!!!

Glad you like it Bro! Great package, for sure!
Stay sharp, Capt. Chris

WOW!
I think that's the nicest Cattleman I've seen!

A BEAUTY!

Tony

I just got a CATTLEMAN today.....GIDDY UP

It really fits the hand perfect because of the angle of the stag on the top of the handle and the sides cut down.
I have not seen a sheath like this one with this knife, is this what is supplied with the CATTLEMAN now?
I like the knife and want to see some more pics of this model.

Outstanding knifed and photo's
You done Good.

Dennis

That is a very nice knife and the pics are great, I wish mine were close to that.

It should have come in a pouch sheath..."still". Must have been a special request.
Capt. Chris

Thanks for the information.
It is new, I just got it from a dealer.

The Cattleman was my EDC for 3 years and is a great choice. You done good.

Pap

The pouch sheath makes this knife an excellent EDC. I have been carrying this one for a few months.

The CATTLEMAN was my very FIRST Randall!

I liked it so much that I got another in Large and another in Extra, Extra Large!

Very nice knives ERIC and COACH,
I like the shape of that pouch ERIC and do you know the age of your knife since the angle of the blade grind is very different?

Coach, I need to get me a Chef’s knife. Nice clever!

Kelly, Thank you. It has Westinghouse Micarta, so I would guess early to mid 90’s. I like the earlier parallel grind.

Eric, I need something in Westinghouse or Old Yeller.

I’m ready for the damn Pandemic to be over so we can have shows again so I can get out and find some.

The Cleaver is from Behring and the Chef is a re-handle from Behring also.

Eric,
It's early 90's not mid..."IF" the sheath/knife are original to each other...which I have no reason to think otherwise.
Hope this helps, Capt. Chris

Thank you Capt. Chris. Early 90’s it is.

Did RANDALL stop using the yellow micarta because it fades?

The shop used it for nearly 20 years. I think Westinghouse discontinued it.

One knife I acquired was probably stored in the sheath and changed on the end....it may have been gold micarta

I have seen examples of micarta go from yellow to dark brown. I seem to remember some Vietnam ribbon knives that Behring made had this issue.

It all depends on the maker and the resin.

Exposure to UV light is thought to be the main culprit on the Westinghouse material. I have seen some that were on display with the side facing out almost orange while the inside facing side a faint yellow.

I have also seen some that was almost white or an off white color, but I don't think those handles ever saw daylight.

Each one of my CATTLEMANS is unique
The thumb notches are made different for one

A NICE CATTLEMAN I was lucky to find !!

From the Black Handled Collection

Nice examples y'all have.
Walker

That black and silver handle looks great ....2 thumbs up