A (Sea)Horse of a Different Color!

waynorth

waynorth

Dealer / Materials Provider
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Nov 19, 2005
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Not wanting to hijack Rick's great thread on his Damascus Seahorse, I am posting this separate thread on another non-420HC horsie variant.

In their "Case Brothers" line, they made this interesting knife in ATS-34 steel!

These knives, correctly called Wharncliffe Whittlers IMO, are arguably one of the best-proportioned knives of their type. My only regret is they don't have the tapered wedge that denotes true whittlers.
Sunk/semi-sunk joints, a chunky main blade with plenty of width, and nice fine blades for details, everything fits well.
Sorry to disappoint the pointy stick makers, but this particular one is a Safe Queen!:D Preserved for prosperity, or until acquired by a die-hard user when I am no longer on the top side of the grass:eek:;)
ATS34Seahorse.jpg

ATS34Seahorse1.jpg

ATS34Seahorse2.jpg

ATS34Seahorsetang.jpg
 
It deserves as a safe queen. But please teach me, what is: Sunk/semi-sunk joints? Thanks.
 
That's a beauty Charlie :thumbup:
-Vince
 
I've never given the pattern much attention, but thats a dandy.
I've always liked the Case Bros knives. Maybe its just the shield, but to me they look nice.
I wish I would have gotten a few of the ATS-34 versions when they were easily found. It's been one of my favorite steels for quite a few years.
 
U.C.O.K, the top knife (below) has an exposed joint, which is the opposite of a sunk joint.
Note the back corner of the tang, sticking up into the air. It is always defined on a closed knife.
SardinianPattada2.jpg

You will see this on simple jackknives, and other patterns.
On fancier, or more expensive ones, or by design on less expensive knives, you won't see the tang corner or "run-up" as that edge is called by cutlers. Like the main blade on the Seahorse. It has a sunk joint i.e: concealed or not visible. It being a pocket knife, the benefits to the pocket (no sharp edge showing) are obvious. It's also more comfortable to hold.
ATS34Seahorse.jpg

The small blades have semi-sunk joints. That is, they are partially concealed. Here's another knife with semi-sunk joints.
DavisClipHJ1.jpg

Hope that is clear. I get carried away sometimes!!
 
Are they also called Dogleg Whittlers?
S&M have 'Seahorse' in both a Wharnie and Clip
May I post a picture of a S&M Wharncliffe Whittler?
 
Thanks for posting Charlie. After these two threads, I'm really starting to like this pattern.
 
That sure is purdy! Aren't those also called Rodgers wharncliffe whittlers? I've seen some with the main blade similar to a hawksbill. I love the lines of this pattern.
 
You lucky dog Charlie. I wish Case would offer this knife again with ATS-34 steel, I'd snap it up in a heartbeat.
 
neeman said:
Are they also called Dogleg Whittlers?
S&M have 'Seahorse' in both a Wharnie and Clip
May I post a picture of a S&M Wharncliffe Whittler?
Click to expand...

I suppose it resembles a Dogleg, but I usually think of a dogleg as a little "beefier" in silhouette, and as a Jack, with the main blade(s) on the smaller end.
Neeman please post anything you like that is relevant!
I believe Baron (Lord) Wharncliffe invented or influenced the highly arched, pointy blade shape with a straight edge.
It has come to mean the whole serpentine knife it is usually fitted to. I think!
 
kamagong said:
You lucky dog Charlie. I wish Case would offer this knife again with ATS-34 steel, I'd snap it up in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...

I remember buying that knife, and hiding the invoice from my sweetie, because it was so freakin' expensive! Case is not shy in their pricing of exotics, as opposed to Queen, where you could get an ATS-34 knife for half the price at the time. If it was more reasonable, I would have bought a few, kamagong!
 
That's schweet, Charlie. I'd definitely make an exception to my no-stainless-on-production-slippies rule for ATS-34. The bone reminds me of the "antique" variety used on some of the Case/Bose collaborations, but with finer jigging. How does the workmanship compare to your damascus Seahorse? The federal shield is certainly a step up (I really dislike the current small 'n' bland oval Case shield).

Thanks for posting. You always have the good stuff.:thumbup:
 
Really streamlined look that knife has Charlie, total art!

Only problem is, how'd you oil those sunken joints:D (they are a real quality touch in my view)

Rick, I agree about the dullness of the production CASE shield, Federal is much more in keeping. I like the diamond shaped shield CASE uses as well.
 
good explanation of sunk joints waynorth. i remember when i described this to a good friend years back. a feature of very quality knives.love the oldies you are always posting waynorth. they are the best
 
Rick said:
That's schweet, Charlie. I'd definitely make an exception to my no-stainless-on-production-slippies rule for ATS-34. The bone reminds me of the "antique" variety used on some of the Case/Bose collaborations, but with finer jigging. How does the workmanship compare to your damascus Seahorse? The federal shield is certainly a step up (I really dislike the current small 'n' bland oval Case shield).

Thanks for posting. You always have the good stuff.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Small differences. The rivets are set cleaner, the blades more precisely fitted on the ATS. The nail nick is placed better on the damascus knife though.
Dead heat really in F&F.
DamStagSeahorse-1.jpg

The performance of the blades, I cannot speak to!
The one problem with Safe Queens!:rolleyes:

I agree on the shield - it's a goodie on the ATS.
Some of the recent Case styling cues don't pick up on the old stuff that we all love so much!
 
P.S. still hoping for a CV or 1095 Seahorse!
That's going to be the ultimate using whittler!
When are they going to figure that out!!
 
waynorth said:
I suppose it resembles a Dogleg, but I usually think of a dogleg as a little "beefier" in silhouette, and as a Jack, with the main blade(s) on the smaller end.
Neeman please post anything you like that is relevant!
I believe Baron (Lord) Wharncliffe invented or influenced the highly arched, pointy blade shape with a straight edge.
It has come to mean the whole serpentine knife it is usually fitted to. I think!
Click to expand...


S&M in their pamphlets call these Dogleg whittlers
They have the tapered wedge that denotes true whittlers.

S&M 18th Series Whittler

picture.php


S&M 19th Series Whittler

picture.php



Also
Queen call their #51 (Mini-Trapper frame with a pen as a second blade) Dogleg Jack.
Are these 'correct' names?
 
Cutleries naming knives creates a thorny path!!
I have seen the same handle pattern called;
1)a serpentine sleeveboard
2)a serpentine jack
3)a dogleg
4)a Wharncliffe jack/whittler/pen
Maybe a couple more. Patterns cross over. So a name/label can be simple or complicated. I am a proponent of the concept "let's all agree on a logical name or even a nickname"! But it's like herding cats - impossible!
"My Grandaddy called it a half trapper, and by gum, that's what it is!!"
Schrade called it a serpentine Jack. Case collectors called it a slim trapper, even if it didn't have the two blades that usually define a trapper. Mamma Mia!!

Neeman, the first knife you picture can be called a Wharncliffe whittler, IMO.
But the clip-bladed one cannot. (well, it CAN, but it shouldn't be!) I think the blades and springs define the Wharncliffe whittlers.
Why not call the second one a dogleg?? Because the main blade is on the large end, IMO. I'd call it a serpentine whittler, or a serpentine sleeveboard whittler.
Got a pic of the #51??
 
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