Case Seahorse Whittler or Bulldog Viking Whittler?

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Mar 7, 2002
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392
I am not a big fan of case knives and have never seen a bulldog knife, however I really like the patterns. Which one would you all suggest? This is to be a user and not shelf decoration.


Thanks Dean
 
I am a big fan of Bulldog knives, but have not seen the Viking Whittler. The Case Seahorse is a good looking knife and probably is good quality. I find that in general the Bulldog Brand knives are better made.
 
I'm also interested in a comparison of these two knives. I've got a Bulldog Viking Whittler on the way to me right now so I'll be able to offer a review of that in a few weeks...
 
numberthree where did you find the Bulldog whittler? I love the Case Seahores but if there is a Bulldog version out there then I need to check that out!! In general where are you guys getting your slipjoints online? I scan several of the bigger sites which seem OK for the more 'mainstream' stuff but am always on the look out for the more exotic patterns.
 
Dr. Van,

I read on another post that someone got their bulldog at
1-800-247-0599. They have a second cut stag handle for about $40.00.
They have them in stock as well as other handle material. Hope this helps.

Dean
 
Seen a Case Seahorse Whittler in a case today and I must say WOW. First of all it was bigger than it looks in pictures. Looked like a hand full. I didn't get to handle it today but I'm going back this week and if it feels as good as it looks it's mine. I know I stated that I didn't care much for case knives but this one may change my mind. The point actually looked sharp on this one. I'm going to get one of the case and one of the bulldogs and compare them side by side. Will post results later...

Dean
 
That is a comparison that i will be very interested in. I will probably get myself a Bulldog, but if people think the case is as good or better I will definitely take a look at that one as well.
 
I've never handled the Bulldog version, but I did handle the Case Seahorse about a week ago. It was the silver script, Autumn Bone variety. It was bigger than the photo suggests, and to be honest, I liked it a lot. The main Wharncliff blade is quite thick, at least an 1/8 of an inch, maybe more, and the pen and coping blades were practical, but layed low in the handle as not to be intrusive into one's palm whilst whittlin'.

If I had the extra cash, I would've picked it up, but I didn't. It was $50.00, and I know I could have had it for no more than $45.00. A pretty good value if you ask me.
 
The factor that tilted me towards the Bulldog is that the Bulldog has carbon steel blades whereas the Case has 'tru-sharp stainless' blades. The vagueness of Case's description of their steel is concerning, and probably hides a medium/low grade stainless. Perhaps I'm wrong and I apologize to Case for any aspersions if so. At any rate, I prefer carbon steel for my 'user' knives when possible.
 
Don't know how true it is, but I heard that the Viking was not carbon steel, but stainless.
It was a couple of weeks ago on the discussion forum.

Alex
 
whoops! I had assumed that since most of their offerings were carbon steel, the Viking would be. That's actually quite disappointing to learn... :(
 
The Viking Horn and Stag ARE carbon steel.MOP and Ivory are stainless.:)
 
That is a relief to hear! I have a stag Viking on the way to me, and I'm very glad to hear it'll be carbon steel...
 
I was at SMKW in Tenn. yesterday and I got to handle these knives. I must say the case brand were much better looking knives. The fit and finish were very good. The handle and bolster connection were smooooth. the walk and talk were good. The grind on the blade was even on both sides all the way up. The rivets were smooth and felt like they were part of the handle material.
The bulldog on the other hand was less impressive I'm sad to say. The fit and finish were poor to say the least. The second cut stag was well above the bolsters. The rivets stuck in my hand as I handled the knife. The grind on the main blade was much higher on one side and almost none on the other side.
The clerk said the case was 420 and the bulldog was high carbon steel. The main wharncliff blade on the bulldog was almost curved on the edge side and it didn't have much of a point to it. The case had a very defined point.
I handled 4 bulldogs trying to find one that wood compare to the case. But no go. This is just after a few minutes with these knives. I have them on order and will do a complete review when they come in. I hope my bulldog is better than the ones I seen and I hope my case is as nice as the one I seen. The bulldog may be a better user but it will have to go a long way to look and feel better than the case. As they say this is just my .2cents worth.
By the way neither knife was sharp at all. I mean dull dull dull except the little coping blades may cut if you push real hard.

Dean
 
3nails, most of the German and many other Central-European stag handled slipjoints have scales protruding well above the bolsters. If you have ever seen a Laguiole knife, they have also quite thick scales, however with more smooth convergence to the bolsters. I think this is due to the tradition out there to have more hefty handle scales, pocket wear comfort (slim profile) was traditionally less of an issue.
The protruding rivets are usually well rounded, this is also a traditional decorative trait.
The things you have mentioned are strange because you are used more to American standards, and these specifics are more common in Europe or at least in Germany.
 
Just got this yesterday.Like it enough, may put it into rotation.Have a couple of Bulldogs coming.
 
Have not handled the Dogs yet, but I am impressed the the Seahorse that I have had for about a month now. This one is a silver script too. I am very impressed with the fit and finish on this puppy. Some of the best work I have seen from Case in a couple of decades. Smooth transition between the bolsters and bone. No gaps. Crisp walk and talk on all three blades. (Most of my modern Case three blades from the 80's and 90's (not including the classics) have a lazy blade.)

Nifrand, are the Bull Dog's split backsprings or dual backsprings?
 
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