2020 GEC #62 Easy Pocket Congress and Pocket Carver Thread

So I have a habit of using my knives to shave spots I miss on my face at work; those pesky little missed bits bother me a lot and my GEC’s are always sharp enough for the job.

found out today though that the pocket carver isn’t good for that- the blade isn’t long enough for a straight edge. Bellied blades can be short because they are less pokey and more forgiving.

I just whittled a fine line in my face, haha.
 
New arrival! Very pleased with the grain on cocobolo covers.
Nice firm pulls on all three, much stronger than the white bone I received
Havent shaved with a razor for over a decade and wont be trying it with this one :p:)
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EngrSorenson said:
So there’s no difference for you in tools or method? A guy carving with a chainsaw for his own entertainment is whittling?o_O

Not that Wikipedia is the end-all-be-all, but for fun I just looked it up and found the following which happens to be the point I’ve been trying to make.

“Occasionally the terms "whittling" and "carving" are used interchangeably, but they are different arts. Carving employs the use of chisels, gouges, with or without a mallet, while whittling involves only the use of a knife.”
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whittling#Background_of_whittling

But what do I know? I’m just a guy who does a thing and says some stuff to some people. :p:D;)

The term “pocket carver” is perfect in my book because whittling is carving, but not all carving is whittling. It’s one of those “squares vs rectangles” things.

and if I still haven’t convinced you, I’ll just say we can agree to disagree and we’ll maintain a shared bond in the appreciation of the #62 PC and removal of wood with sharp metal.:thumbsup:
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EngrSorenson said:
let me begin by saying that this is how I define these things because of my experience, but I’m not the Oxford Dictionary.

Personally, I consider whittling to be what someone accomplishes with a general purpose pocket knife (designated carving blade on a multi blade is acceptable). I believe a key aspect is passing time doing something creative and spontaneous. As such, I think of a true Whittler as someone who uses their pocket knife (not even a pencil!) and some piece of found wood.

Somethings like making a ball in a cage can be sped up by drilling out the areas above and below the ball. A carved chain can eliminate a lot of preparation time by going to the table saw and drill. I think the true Whittler isn’t going to use those strategies because their genuinely spontaneous and likely don’t have a table saw on hand.

I think there’s also a level of expectation for the finished product from whittling. I expect that it will not be sanded, or finished with anything other than a simple finish like mineral oil to protect it for posterity. Surfaces aren’t likely to be flat, and the whole creation might appear bent, as it may have just been a stick prior.

wood carving/working, on the other hand? I use an axe and hand saw to trim up blanks for spoons and other things I make from raw materials. I consider that more wood carving/working than whittling because usually it takes preparation and more tools. I might even have to seek out specific materials.

for me the only difference between wood carving and woodworking is that carving is a specific type of wood working and generally for the aesthetic, though not always.

True whittling? This is that boyscout sitting by a campfire with his scout knife laboring to make something from a neat stick he found in the woods, or that old timer turning a scrap of 2x4 into a chain on his front porch with that stockman he always carries.

just one guy’s opinion.
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wardcleaver said:
I got my Carver yesterday and would have to say I'm a little disappointed with the W&T of both secondaries. Weak springs and very sluggish with next to no snap. I'm sure it could be improved some with a good flushing but wondering if it should be returned. The main blade action is good, and I'm satisfied with everything else concerning the knife.
I'm loving the action on my 62 Goldenrod.

I haven't heard anyone discuss the Carver secondary blade pulls in this thread, but I'd like to hear about yours.
Thanks.
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Kiteman72 said:
I would absolutely exchange it while the exchangin' is good. :)
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Advice taken.
Happy to say my replacement Carver arrived Friday. The pull on the main is every bit a 6+, the pull on the show secondary is a 5+, and the pile is a solid 5, all in my unexpert opinion. Now for a good flush and the world will be grand(er) :D No blade rub, minimal black compound specks and good F&F. Overall the 1st knife had maybe a wee bit better F&F, but I'll take nice snappy blades every time.
 
My coco arrived today... I think it's the most unusual cocobolo I've seen. It looks like it might be from the edge of a burl, or something like that. It doesn't really have the grain pattern I'm accustomed to seeing in coco...
Fit and finish, and the walk and talk are classic GEC... I think I like it. My second carver...
The yorkie was unimpressed...takes more than a new knife to get Duke excited...:D

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hornetguy said:
My coco arrived today... I think it's the most unusual cocobolo I've seen. It looks like it might be from the edge of a burl, or something like that. It doesn't really have the grain pattern I'm accustomed to seeing in coco...
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Wow! That is the most unique cocobolo I have seen in my short collecting career. Very nice! Super jealous of that one
 
I finally got my own carver in. I chose Cocobolo. The bit between the secondary blades is paper thin, kind of amazing, though I work about damaging it. I can also open up all the blades independently without rubbing, which is pretty impressive.
 
I really can’t explain why it has taken me so long, but I’ve finally got aboard the #62 Train! :D Thanks to my friend Harvey @cigarrodog for putting this beautiful Sambar example on the exchange for what I thought was a very fair and reasonable price. :thumbsup: It was a case of right time, right place for me! ;) This knife shows typical GEC quality. The F&F is spot on. The stag, while not as gnarly as some I own, is very well matched. The color and texture is very pleasing on a knife this size. Thanks Harvey! :) :thumbsup:

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Half/Stop said:
I really can’t explain why it has taken me so long, but I’ve finally got aboard the #62 Train! :D Thanks to my friend Harvey @cigarrodog for putting this beautiful Sambar example on the exchange for what I thought was a very fair and reasonable price. :thumbsup: It was a case of right time, right place for me! ;) This knife shows typical GEC quality. The F&F is spot on. The stag, while not as gnarly as some I own, is very well matched. The color and texture is very pleasing on a knife this size. Thanks Harvey! :) :thumbsup:

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Good grief.... those two sides look almost identical! VERY nice....
 
Half/Stop said:
I really can’t explain why it has taken me so long, but I’ve finally got aboard the #62 Train! :D Thanks to my friend Harvey @cigarrodog for putting this beautiful Sambar example on the exchange for what I thought was a very fair and reasonable price. :thumbsup: It was a case of right time, right place for me! ;) This knife shows typical GEC quality. The F&F is spot on. The stag, while not as gnarly as some I own, is very well matched. The color and texture is very pleasing on a knife this size. Thanks Harvey! :) :thumbsup:

49669519462_022633e923_o_d.jpg


49669519427_7955e2c1fb_o_d.jpg
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I thought you were never going to post a picture of that beauty !!! That is some very nicely matched Stag . In a heart beat , I have a Vintage Colonial Barlow that I would trade you even up for . You would not need to kick in a little cash .

Harry
 
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