#46 WHALER , History and function ?

[Will Power]

These must be Whalers

And this must be a Whaler also ???? Bought this because of the Desert Ironwood . Pull is about 9.5 out of 10



Harry

And a fine Pod too

When you think about it, Cetaceans come in many sizes and shapes: Beluga, Sperm, Blue-Whale so it's fitting the knives follow suit.

 

[Rockon75]

And beautiful pics they are!!
I never heard of these "Elephant Toenails" called "Whalers" until GEC adopted that name!! Other names were "Sunfish", "Pocket Axe", and sometimes, "Old English Rope Knife"!!
I feel that Whaler is still an adopted/borrowed name!! True Whalers, also known as "New England Whalers" are these medium sized Rope knives!!View attachment 1566998
They were also sold as Florist's Knives!! Swayback handle - Sheepfoot blade!!
What's in a name???

Mr . Charlie,

If those are "whalers", then I need to adjust my thinking. I've always called this baby below a swayback jack, .

Low and behold I have the giant white whale....

 

[afishhunter]

They were like most folding knife patterns, just one more gimmick to sell knives. It never was a big seller anywhere so it easily slid into obsolescence.

The second half of your statement is true. Back "in the day" they weren't a big seller.
Honestly, I would not be surprised if they are more popular today, than back then, considering the full size 4 to 4.25 inch closed Sunfish is currently a standard production model by at least two, possible three companies. FROST has two in their Ocoee River line. Rough Ryder and Marbles also have them.
There is a 4th, better known for their flasks, and bags, I think, that has some with WW2 Bomber Aircraft nose art/pin-up girls, or card suits on the covers, some have a cap lifter secondary blade, rather than the normal "pen" or small spear point blade. I don't know if they make them in-house, or if they are contracted.

I must disagree with the first part of your statement, "Like most folding knife patterns, just one more gimmick to sell knives."
Most, if not all popular patterns available today, such as, but not limited to, the Stockman, Trapper, Moose, Muskrat, Canoe, Peanut, Cattle Knife, Pen Knife, Jack Knife, two or three blade folding hunters, and the Barlow, have been in continuous production for over a hundred years. The Barlow for at least 200 or 300 years.
Charlie, waynorth , our resident expert on the Barlow pattern, can correct me if I am mistaken, but I believe the Barlow has been in production since the 1600's. Alledgedly none other than General later President George Washington carried a Barlow during the war.

Forgive me, but I fail to see how a popular for generations, multi blade knife like these that have been produced "forever" is a gimmick.
Gimmicks are usually/generally/thankfully impractical, and short-lived.

 

[Rockon75]

These Whalers are outstanding working knives....

 

[Arathol]

Mr . Charlie,

If those are "whalers", then I need to adjust my thinking. I've always called this baby below a swayback jack, .

The original whaler, the Remington R-1962 New England Whaler

 

[Heynowwww]

Hello, sorry for adding to an older thread but I enjoyed reading about the history of the whaler and thought I would post up my collection. Thanks, Rick