The Randall Collector

Stockman Sheaths

Stockman Sheaths

There is a good bit of misinformation floating around about Randall sheath maker Jimmy Stockman, a harness leather maker for the horse racing industry in Orlando. Much of this is due to one author’s claims in his publication, that Stockman supplied the Randall logo stamped sheaths in the late 1950’s to early 1960s. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have never seen a Stockman sheath that had an RMK logo stamp.

The period of Stockman’s involvement with RMK,  is from around 1958 to 1962, as Bo Randall had been looking for a local sheath maker. Stockman was used on a limited basis for a one off type piece, or if the Randall shop was out of a particular model of an HKL (Heiser-Keyston-Lichtenburger) sheath, the last incarnation of the H.H. Heiser company. This topic is covered in other articles on the site, primarily ‘”A Johnson Sheath Footnote” part 3.

There is a distinct difference in leather and quality of assembly between the HKL supplied sheaths and the product offered by Stockman. By all accounts, and after examining numerous examples, it is patently obvious that the quality of the Stockman product is inferior to the HKL product, and also inferior to the subsequent Maurice Johnson supplied sheaths. Johnson replaced HKL, and is the man who would become the sole sheath supplier to Randall Made Knives for decades.

In addition to what seems as a lessor quality leather used by Stockman, his stitching was  noticeably irregular. The Stockman stitching was different and often “erratic”, not being as “clean” looking as the other makers. Two other telltale differences between HKL made and Johnson made sheaths versus Stockman, is the reinforcement back stitch at the throat, which is distinct to Stockman’s, and is almost a loop. Second is the abbreviated “butterfly” stitch on the rear for the belt loop. The “butterfly” stitching may be the most obvious difference between the other two sheath makers. The hides Stockman used were definitely different than what HKL used, and closer to what Johnson used yet still  different. 

Based on extrapolation, I estimate maybe a couple hundred Stockman sheaths may have been made during the time frame mentioned, and that estimate may be generous. Of the number of Stockman sheaths I have seen/examined, there is no mistaking whom they were made by. The sheaths are that distinct compared to other makers.

You can see these differences in the photo reference I have provided, which should give the reader a decent handle on what to look for if they run across that odd sheath.