.38 Special!!

[pertinux]

Sarah, the whittler has always seemed thinner to me, even though it's actually wider. The reason is that the bolster on the large end is thinner than the jack's.

The smaller end (knives switched positions.)

The whittler is also a little lighter, at 2.38 oz. vs. 2.40 oz. (67.4 grams vs. 68 grams), but too close to tell.

Thanks so much for taking the time to take these pictures, which were especially helpful, and provide your impressions. I greatly appreciate it.

I had a weigh-in just now down on the farm and my results are very slightly different from Bob's:

Orchard Gem Cranberry Bone 69g. Tidioute Whittler Green Bone also 69g dead heat! Interestingly, the Rosewood Northfield Whittler comes in at 64g. now that's not much less but lighter nevertheless.

An interesting difference, duly noted. Thank you.

Lighter is what I predict Sarah's cash-stash will become... these Whittlers are svelte and un-bloated. Best three blade knife available at the moment, that is if they don't all run out.....

Well....

It should surprise no one that, as helpful as the above information was -- thanks again for all who took time to photograph and reply-- I somehow felt compelled to conduct my own hands-on comparison.

I am sorry to have missed out on an ebony Tidioute whittler, with its sleek, simple presentation, but this rosewood serves me just fine. Understatement! I am grateful that the knife sports non-typical-for-Northwoods satin-finished blades, and the grain in the wood is a treat. (Special thanks to Gunstock Jack, who provides images of each knife front and back, and thus enables informed decisions about delectably different derivations.)

It has rained almost constantly since the whittler arrived, reducing opportunities for the right light(ing), but this is the general idea:

A frame in fine form, whatever the blade selection:

Mine own 'well' shot:

I admire both knives for different reasons-- the Farmer's Jack for its substance and strength within the frame, the whittler for its thin slicey svelteness.

Happy choices, each; so fine, together.

Here are my 2 #38 Farmer Jacks along with a vintage Henckels of the same size & pattern. The Henckels is very similar but a little heavier and slightly thicker stock for the master blade

kj

Ah, such a wondrous array, and interesting comparative of pieces old and new. Thanks!

There's something really special about this pattern.

Very useful shot Sub showing different masters, thank you.

Agreed.

~ P.

 

[GBPacker]

The 38's all look great, I'm loving the two I was able to get and hope to pick up a few more in the future if I'm lucky. Easily in my top two as far as GEC patterns.

 

[Ernie1980]

Just got mine today! Very impressed overall, I see what the fuss is about I can't post pictures for some reason...but it's the rosewood version.

 

[pertinux]

Svelte and sleek (and far less cumbersome than the Schrade earlier discussed, veritable and welcome workhorse though the 804 be):

... This one still has me by the heart:

~ P.

 

[dispatch184]

As much as I love single blades 38's are singing to me. I keep coming back to this thread and immediately zone into them on the 'totin today' thread. Hope to be lucky enough to find one soon. Keep the pics coming!

 

[Mr. Chips]

I have been tempted to get a GEC knife for years.

The 38 pushed me over the edge!

Several years ago I got an old Western - Boulder CO whittler, which to me seemed like the perfect size and blade selection for what I do - whittlin". It seemed a pity that no one was making any like it anymore.

Enter the Grinling whittler.

I had to get one and when I saw where I could get one in ebony I ordered it.

Wonderful knife!

GEC nailed it with this one. Thinly ground blades, that keep cutting even if the super razor just off the strop edge has gone a bit; perfect pulls and snap; perfect fit and finish - just everything is right on.

I have whittled a lot of stuff with it since I got it, and it has squeezed out everything else as my go to whittler.

Here it is with a whittlin'

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Beside the old Western

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The Western has blades that are very similar (modified a bit), except for a sabre ground master

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I have found no need to modify the blades on the 38 (yet!). As others have said, rounding the top corner of the coping blade at the factory was a good idea.

[/IMG]

 

[blademan 13]

Wow! As much as I am a fan of the Grinling, it will never live up to its namesake in my hands. Beautiful work there and a fitting tribute to the knife used. Good to know the knife is capable, even if I am not...

 

[Mr. Chips]

Thanks Jamie.

You would be surprised what you are capable of in the whittlin' area.

There are lots of books on the subject that can help, YouTube Videos, and online tutorials (some even by me), that can help.

I strongly suspect that you have several sharp knives that will work, and wood is everywhere.

Give it a try, but be warned - whittlin' is at least as addictive as knives!

 

[Pipeman]

These beautys just arrived after chasing me around the countryside for over a month (my fault)))
These are amazing knives,the fit and finish is perfect, they came very sharp and after a lick on my strop board they are scary sharp.
The grafting blade is a little scalpel and the bone jigging and dye is out of the last century great.
Thanks to Lyle and Charlie for these Gems.

Best regards

Robin

Here's a little Pile side goodness.

 

[supratentorial]

I think there's a Farmer's Jack waiting for me at my PO Box.

 

[wlfryjr]

Our pleasure Robin. I got a few more FJ examples at the Blade Show,one dates the rooster pattern to 1916,earliest to date. It is a Camillus.Been to busy and tired to scan and post,forthcoming soon I hope.

 

[supratentorial]

 

[blademan 13]

IMO, this is just an amazing pattern put forth by GEC. Also one that is very under appreciated. Some of my most cherished knives of yesteryear revolve around this approx. 4" serpentine whittler pattern. It is almost without peer, when properly executed and in my opinion, rarely executed to the level of the current release. Chronological presentation forthcoming. The tolerances, fit & finish and overall presentation of the #38 whittler quite simply trumps 95% of the offerings put forth in the so called "Golden Age" of pocket cutlery. The precision executed at the current price point of these #38's is without peer in the modern time frame and well above the generic offerings of the most reputable companies of 80-100 years ago. Those who doubt this fact have either/or the distinct lack of historical reference points to base their opinions, lack of visceral experience with the current GEC offerings or a distinct bias in favor of their position. The Farmer Jack version on this frame is every bit as good of a reference point as the whittler. You want to own some of the finest examples of these patterns made to date? There is no need to search high and low for the ultimate historical interpretation of this pattern, it just may be right in front of you in the current GEC #38 offerings. IMO, they just may be that good.

 

[supratentorial]

Jamie, I also think GEC hit the nail on the head with these knives.

I'm hoping there will be more SFOs. There are so many nice variations of this pattern but I would like to see one more: 2 blades except with the clip main blade and a larger coping blade secondary. With the same trimmings as the other SFOs.

I'm loving the Farmer's Jack that I got yesterday. I'm actually looking forward to doing some yard/garden work! Unfortunately it's raining. I bought the knife used on the exchange so I sharpened it up last night. I used a DMT diamond cone for a few passes to set the angle and then sharpened with the medium and fine ceramic rods from Spyderco. Super sharp!

 

[JSCHENK]

These have been the two knives with me while i've been making my three girls a pay house. The #38 has become my favorite knife...at least for now. The house still need a door, windows, and a porch, but there's light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[supratentorial]

Nice work on the play house! Your girls must love it.

 

[RobbW]

I wanted to show some appreciation to Lyle and Charlie for creating such wonderful knives. This SFO is one of my absolute favorites! Sorry the backgrounds are a bit redundant.

Below is my favorite Lick Creek, something about this blend of colors just calls out to me:

 

[RobbW]

Here are my two others:

 

[RobbW]

Here are my Orchard Gems. Not surprisingly, my favorite is also in browns and yellows:

 

[RDaneel]

Beautiful photos of these "gems," Robb. I just discovered these with my first purchase a couple of weeks ago. I got the Amber pick bone Orchard Gem and can't seem to let it linger. Love it. My not so great photo: