2022 GEC #59 Shaffer Farm Whittler Thread

sf fanatic said:
Have we reached a tipping point? This model has been up on a major vendors site for almost an hour and not sold out. Is the $195.75 price making folks think twice? 🤷
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Not sure of who the vendor is that had them for $195 but MSRP is $165 on the acrylic. I saw one of the big 4 that had them just over that, and they sold in a flash. The couple who still sell at MAP which was like $143 sold in seconds. I'm not seeing a big mark up on the secondary market yet, but I think once all covers are released that will change.
 
Jiki said:
What the designer/cutler intend and build vs what the owner/user do with a knife can vary greatly.

I learned to carve with a straight blade so that is what I gravitate to for carving. It's not right or wrong just the way I do it. I know several whittlers an a few carvers that prefer a bellied blade and the are really talented.

There is no telling what Bill and Randy were thinking when they put this knife together unless we ask.

Regardless I find it very unique and interesting. Just fiddling with it today at lunch was fun. It was very comfortable in my hand in both directions. The shorter main made the handle feel bigger than 3½ inches because leverage was maintained to the tip. I also find the look of the knife to be very appealing, the sleeve board pattern has very nice lines and the blades that were chosen complement the frame. Anyway, I enjoy learning and trying new things, so I am going to clean up the edges on this 59 and see if I can't carve with it. If you choose to just EDC the knife I think it's going to be a good one. YMMV
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I asked Joan to ask Bill what the intended purpose of this knife was, and he said that it was indeed designed as a whittling knife, and that he hoped it would be used daily.
 
Jiki said:
So? Talking about the knives, what have you all been doing with yours? Warming up to the short spear? I am.
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I'm going to shoot for an IW. I think they will age really well with some hands oils.
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I do like the short spear main blade. That is an impressive swedge they put on there. I think I have when GEC puts a deep swedge like that on a blade it is to prevent me the blades from touching.

The jigging looks different from anything that I can remember. Looks good.

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Travman said:
I do like the short spear main blade. That is an impressive swedge they put on there. I think I have when GEC puts a deep swedge like that on a blade it is to prevent me the blades from touching.

The jigging looks different from anything that I can remember. Looks good.

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I love how smooth the jigging is, with no chipping. Great workmanship on this knife.
 
Jiki said:
If you would like to use the 59 as a whittler I think you will be happy with what it can do. It is not a 62 or a 38 which in my opinion are a little better suited for the task. However the 59 is comfortable in hand in both directions. The blades are thin a cut well with just a little work on the stone. I took the main down to 17° with the thought of it being both a general utility and a rough out blade for carving. It performed with this edge however I may lower it a bit more in the future but there is no rush at this time to do that. I took the secondary blades down by hand as low as I am capable (maybe a nickel under the spine on the stone) both performed well. The pen blade is in my opinion too thick right behind the tip, which is typical on spear blades. I'm going to deal with that today or tomorrow.
This Santa was 98% carved with the 59. I had some issues with the eye lids so I cleaned them up with a gouge.
It took me quite a bit longer to carve than if I were using purpose built carving knives and gouges. Longer that if I was using a 62 or a 38. Some will see this as an issue, in my opinion whittling is an activity that is undertaken to relax and enjoy the process not one to put a timer on.
In summary, the 59 is a beautiful knife (with more beautiful covers on the way). Fit and finish on my example is spot on. This knife can be used as a whittler or an EDC or both. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I will mine.
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This is what i was waiting for! Thanks for the feedback! Still thinking the green jigged bone is the best looking cover... but i'm a big fan of the green Seiko Alpinist so... 😅
Gonna try to get one of the 2 covers left since i missed that one!
 
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