Half-Whittler Haven

sailfish

sailfish

Joined
Jan 1, 2019
Messages
1,756
A seemingly less common traditional pattern that I've grown quite fond of over the past year is the half-whittler. Although there appears to be no real standardization for its name or composition like more popular patterns, "half-whittler" seems to be a term adopted by a number of knife makers throughout the years (with exceptions) to designate a medium sized (3"-4" closed) slipjoint with two blades, typically a larger clip blade and smaller pen blade on opposite ends of the handle that may be on one or two backsprings. Not to be confused with the more generic and encompassing "penknife". As of late it has become my near exclusive traditional carry. I absolutely adore this pattern and can guarantee my collection of them will continue to grow.

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Great pictures. I have not had this pattern before but they look like wonderful pocket knives.
 
khopesh said:
Great pictures. I have not had this pattern before but they look like wonderful pocket knives.
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I find them just the right size for a light-duty slipjoint. Small and light enough even for a watch pocket (though I prefer carrying in the main pocket in a leather slip) and although my typical use only calls for two or three fingers on the handle, I can still fit all four if absolutely necessary. I've typically been a wharncliffe guy when it comes to traditionals, but a small clip point can still get in there and do nearly just as good a job but is more well-rounded across the board for everything else, which is more so why I've always kept a small secondary knife on me in the first place. Plus you get the pen blade if the job calls for some real precision. Then to top it all off, I think they look fantastic. It's just the quintessential "traditional pocket knife" in my eyes.
 
Never had one but they look good and a easy carry.
Stupid question are they designed for whittling or is it just a name?
 
Johnnythefox said:
Never had one but they look good and a easy carry.
Stupid question are they designed for whittling or is it just a name?
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Something tells me whoever gave it that name was probably thinking "whittling" more in the sense of sitting outside and making something out of a stick you picked up to pass the time than a more dedicated wood carving tool like the seahorse patterns. As like I said, to me it just seems like the perfect all-around pattern. I could be wrong, but it's just my speculation.
 
"Half-whittler" is a name dreamed up by knife collectors! Maybe in the 1960s to 1990s! They are essentially Pen knives or in slightly larger form, Double-end Jacks, in traditional nomenclature.
It's easy to assume they were named for Whittler-style knives with only one secondary instead of two!! The term "Whittler" is reputed to be a collector-driven term also, referencing the split spring construction.
The English language evolves to suit our needs it seems!
 
I think the "whittler" pattern is basically a knife with a main blade on one end, and two small secondary blades on the other end. The main closes between the two secondary blades. A "half whittler" only has one secondary... at least that's been my observations. I'm sure someone on here knows the true description of a whitter/half whittler...

edit:.... I got sidetracked before finishing my comment, and Charlie already answered it.... told ya so!
 
I like the half whit pattern... it's large enough to not feel dainty in hand, but small enough for watch pocket carry. The GEC 33 is slightly larger than the Case, IIRC, but it's a wonderful knife, as well.
Case also makes a larger knife that is known as the humpback half whittler, as shown in my pic... it's the 62046 1/2... it makes a really nice EDC kind of knife.

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