According to the testimony of Juro ABE included in "Shidankaisokkiroku" (stenographic records of recollections of historical events) a compilation of stories told by old people during the Taisho era, Oishi, along with Soji OKITA and the like, was mentioned numerous times suggesting that he was among the most formidable swordsmen in Shinsengumi.
大正年間に古老の話をまとめた『史談会速記録』における阿部十郎によれば、大石は沖田総司らと共に何度も言及されており、新選組の中でも筆頭の脅威たる剣客だったことがうかがえる。