Attention whittlers/carvers, what's your go to GEC knife for this purpose?

C

csisland

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Aug 8, 2013
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Looking to get some ideas for what would be the best whittler/carver from GEC. 33, 66, 81?
 
I love the Courthouse Whittler, but I use an Easy Pocket Congress a lot as well, and the Executive Whittler when I need more reach.





 
If you can find one, the Courthouse Whittler is great, but I have also used (and enjoy using) the Wharncliffe blade on the Montana Workhorse Whittler. Any of the GEC knives with a Wharncliffe works well. The nice thing about the Courthouse Whittler is that you have a Wharncliffe, pen, and coping blade.

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My 57 does it for me. I agree with what others have said about GEC's coping blades -- they are superb. Although not a great whittling main blade, I like the clip main on the Geppetto for general purpose stuff. The clip main plus the fine coping and pen blades make the Geppetto a great all-rounder.

Here's mine:
 
I have two GEC whittlers; a 62 courthouse whittler on the easy pocket congress frame and a 33 conductor whittler on the swell centre frame.

The 33 is a favourite of mine for carrying; 3.25 inches closed is a nice EDC size for me but hopelessly small for whittling - I just can't get a decent purchase on it. The 62 is much better and the congress shape lends itself to whittling, but I am not really a fan of the wharncliffe.

When I whittle, I tend to use a 61 I much prefer the sheepsfoot to the wharncliffe. But then again, I tend to use my 61 for everything. :)

Paul
 
Instead of starting a new thread I thought I would give this thread a bump considering I am looking to get into whittling. I've read a few threads and haven't had any luck finding the courthouse whittler. I've read also pretty much any knife will work.

I found a 57 with a wharncliff main and a few with the clip main. Thought I would seek any other suggestions, or thoughts on the two 57s (wharncliff vs clip) before ordering one. I would prefer thoughts from those who whittle.

Thanks for any help. Feel free to show off your work as well :)
 
I would like to try whittling this winter too Brett. I am also interested in what knife is preferable. :)

Note: I do know that Basswood is the best to work with....or so I've been told. Ball in cage would be my first project...
 
Mark, from what I have read more people prefer the wharncliff, but I thought I would give the clip users a chance to post. The new 38s that are coming are clip. So, I thought I would see if there was any thoughts on it as well from those who whittle.
 
The #57 Geppetto with a Wharncliffe main blade is my favourite knife for whittling for these reasons:
- Wide main blade, meaning higher grind (cuts a bit better than my #62s)
- Very pointy tip, good for detail work
- Love the small clip point, especially when you have to "get in there" (e.g. ball in cage) it's better than a small pen blade
- Very thin secondary blades
- Comfortable (for me at least), sunken joint on the main blade and it fills out my hand pretty nicely

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Sturzi, thank you for the post. The reasons you provided are pretty much what I was looking for and are appreciated.

Now to find some basswood. :D

My nephew would love that dragon. May have to work up to that. Think I'll start off with someithing a little easier.
 
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The only whittling I've done was with a #33 Conductor, which I found to be a little too small for my large hands. I think something with a minimum 3¾" frame would do much better.
 
KBA said:
Instead of starting a new thread I thought I would give this thread a bump considering I am looking to get into whittling. I've read a few threads and haven't had any luck finding the courthouse whittler. I've read also pretty much any knife will work.

I found a 57 with a wharncliff main and a few with the clip main. Thought I would seek any other suggestions, or thoughts on the two 57s (wharncliff vs clip) before ordering one. I would prefer thoughts from those who whittle.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the bump.
My dad was a pretty talented whittler and since knives are my hobby, I'm hoping I have a recessive whittling gene just waiting to express itself. So I'm right there with you desiring recommendations of decent whittlers.
 
Stand Straight - No problem. I've seen a few whittler threads pop up and drift off. Maybe a few more whittlers will jump in to show of their work and educate us new comers to the craft, along with the tools they use. My mom's uncle whittled a few ducks for me when I was a kid and ever since I got into knives I've wanted to find a good sitting place and make a few myself.

Jeff - I thought about the 33, and would love to have a reason to acquire one other just wanting one, but I have read it is a tad small from others as well. One day I'll grab one of those I"m sure.
 
A carving blade that has not been closely reproduced by GEC yet and deserves a look can be found on the elusive queen carver or bulldog brand carving knife. Also the queen/schatt & morgan/northwoods "large dogleg whittlers" deserve a look. I have a half dozen of these in various scales and either clip or wharncliffe mains. You might say im excited to see the split back whittler set up knife on GEC ' S website as it is almost a twin to these large doglegs.
 
I think that #38 is going to be a goodie for whittling!
 
The two most important factors for a good whittler are:

1. Thin blades
2. A flat ground bevel of no more than 30 degrees (15 degrees each side).

Nothing else matters as much as these. If you have these two characteristics, you will be a happy Whittler, as long as you keep the blades wicked sharp.
 
62 and 57 are both great. Although I don't have one I think the 33 whittler would also be very good. The fine point on the wharncliffe blade is nice for some of the more delicate cuts when whittling.

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