High quality whittler (please read)

[matus]

Disclaimer: I read 10+ threads about whittling knives here on BF before starting this thread (and learned a lot in the process). But I have a particular situation here so I would like to ask for more advice.

I am looking for a whittling traditional folding knife for a friend (who just became a father of a son). He is a 'knife guy', though at the moment 100% concentrated on kitchen knives. I would like to get him a knife that would work well as a whittling knife - and so motivate him for that activity a little and to widen his horizons

The knife should have the following properties:
- length around 4" (large enough handle seems to be relevant for whittling)
- 3 or 4 blades
- carbon steel or high-ish end stainless steel
- very good F&F, nice handle
- I would like to fit within $200, but may be willing to go higher - I have alway hard time to say 'no' to a great knife

Candidates I found so far:

1) Boker Carver's Congress Whittler
- apparetly dedicated whittler that is highly respected aroud here
- very reasonable price
- probably not too practical as general use knife (all blades are rather small)

2) Boker 3 Blade Stockman
- carbon steel blades (C-75)
- interesting design and reasonable price

3) Cold Steel Ranch Boss Stockman S35VN Steel
- S35VN steel,
- relatively expensive at $200 (or 350€ in DE)
- little feedback on quality so far

4) Great Eastern Cutlery: #38 - Northfield Un-X-LD - Grinling Whittler
- total price to me at around $250 after shipping and taxes

5) Case Damascus Burnt Natural Bone Stockman
- looks great
- price acceptable, but is the knife worth it?
- not quite sure about steel performance

6) Case / Tony Bose Callte knife (the new one)
- cool knife, practical (I guess) blades
- 'expensive (+ not available in EU at the moment, what makes it even more expensive)

7) Case / Tony Bose Norfold whittler from 2005
- expensive and hard to find

I am missing some obvious choices? I keep checking the Exchange forum, but knives like these do not pop up all that often.

Your help and advice will be greatly appreciated, thank you.

 

[mrknife]

hmmm id like to recommend the queen whittler #48, but 3.5in closed might be too small to your liking, D2 tho

 

[bleh]

Also expensive, but have you seen the case/bose lockback whittler?

 

[matus]

I have read aorund that D2 might not be the best choice as it has large grain size, but I will check it out. 3.5" would be indeed a bit on the small side. On top of that it seems that Queen knives require cherry-picking at times and that is an option I do not have when ordering from US (no good source for Queen knives in EU, even less Germany)

Sean, do you mean the new case/bose whittler? Yes - it looks sweet, but I have read that large wharncliffe blade is less practical for whittling than large spear or clip point and smaller wharncliffe/sheepsfoot blade is better-That is why I have mentioned the other case/bose knives.

 

[2Dead]

GEC also made the #62 Courthouse Whittler although they've been sold out for a while. You could try the 2 blade version as an alternative... which may also be hard to find. The #62 Maverick is still available. It's got 2 main blades, 1 being from the wharncliffe from the 2 blade whittler and the other a clip (I haven't checked but it looks similar to a #33's clip blade, which is also available as a whittler.)

 

[coolio]

I think if I had your price range, and I was going to buy something for whittling only (not necessarily to carry in pocket every day), I'd go with the Schrade Warren Whittler Deluxe Set. A couple nice knives with short blades. Personally, I think shorter blades make for much easier whittling. Schrade also made some very good 3 blade whittlers, a nice vintage splitback in jigged bone would be a great gift for your friend.

 

[Peregrin]

It looks like you have done your homework. I think two of the most important considerations are handle length and blade length, which have already been mentioned. The longer handle makes for comfort, better control and grip while the short blades allow better control. I'm no wood carver but I've whittled through a few good sized trees in my 50 plus years.

I like a 3 7/8" to 4" closed size, although I have a few that are 3 1/2" which are pretty comfortable to use for extended periods. Short thinly ground blades work the best in my estimation. If you need to hog off wood use a fixed blade and save the whittler for the details. If you don't want to be touching up the edge every few minutes get something that's hardened to 60 RC or better. A wharncliffe and a pen or short clip blade are what I find I like to use.

I really enjoy sitting down with a piece of wood and my Case-Bose Norfolk. It's only two blades but it just feels better then most any other knife I've used, and I've got a bunch to choose from.

 

[Sam Dean]

My first choice would have been the GEC #38, which you mentioned already.

If you can find one, an Oar Carver is a great dedicated whittling knife. I believe most (all?) were made by Queen; mine are D2 blades. The grinds are very thin, making a great dedicated whittling knife.

I have a set of the Schrade Warren Whittlers. They look like a great idea (handles are awesome!), but the blades are too thick. They really need to be re-ground and thinned to make a decent whittler.

Also, don't discount the Case Seahorse Whittler. I have a couple and whittle regularly. The Case stainless steel takes a surprisingly keen edge.

For an all around, every day knife that's also a great whittler, check out the GEC #82 Dixie Stock Knife. Thin grinds and an excellent (although not typical) combination of blades make this an all around great user & whittler. For general "stuff", this is my go-to knife.

 

[matus]

Both GEC #38 and #62 look nice indeed. I have actually a Northfields Willamette Whittler in shipping that I bought for myslef - maybe that would work too (I bought because it is super cool, I did not have whittling in mind at that time).

Case-Bose Norfolk is really a nice knife, but the ones I have seen were as expensive as the new Cattle and I would naively guess that the Cattle would be a better choice.

In general, if I would go with a Case/Bose knife I would much prefer to buy it in Germany as it would be much easier to return in a case of issue, but there are very few of them available here and for very high prices.

The Case Seahorse Whittler is indeed a very nice (looking) knife, but I though that large wharncliffe blade was not the best choice for whittling, at least that is what I read around here. But apparently it is also a matter of taste.

Once we arrived to Case knives - how is the damascus in their recent models? I have read that there was supposed to be a change in the steel around 2009. How does it stack-up agains their own SS and CV steels. Any idea on HRC or carbon content? I am asking because the Case damascus knives look really nice (in particular the Seahorse and the Stockman.

 

[Sam Dean]

IIRC, most of the newer Case damascus is supplied by Devin Thomas. That being the case, I would say it is at least as good, if not better than, their standard SS and CV offering. I have modern knives with DT damascus blades, and they perform VERY well, right up there with S30V at least.

I do NOT have any experience with a damascus Case knife though, and most of the performance (of any steel) will come down to the quality of the heat treat. Maybe others can weigh in on that aspect.

In reference to the seahorse whittler, that wide wharncliffe blade is very nice for heavy roughing cuts, giving a good purchase for your thumb when pushing hard. You're right though, personal preference will vary!

 

[Will Power]

CASE/Bose Norfolk might be a bit small and more gents type of knife as it is single-spring Wharncliffe main, scarce and expensive for you in Germany. I know, as I have one in the EU.

My recommendation is squarely on the GEC 38. I'm sure it will not cost you 250 USD unless you go for one of the SFO options. Get a Tidioute and it will be far less even with import tax. Very decent main blade and feels good in the hand when using it.

Another candidate is Böker (Germany!) carbon Whittler, bargain of a knife. I realize these are not available in Germany itself, bizarre, but send me an e-mail and I can give you a possible source for them.

Regards, Will

 

[Kitten Party]

GEC 38. If your not dead set on the 4" the queen 48 is a fine whittler for much less $$$$

BTW I regularly see these 38 go for 100-150 on the auction sites. I saw the same green one go for $75!!!!!! NEW on an auction site a month ago...I should have bought a double

This thread needs more pictures

 

[wlfryjr]

GEC 38. If your not dead set on the 4" the queen 48 is a fine whittler for much less $$$$

BTW I regularly see these 38 go for 100-150 on the auction sites. I saw the same green one go for $75!!!!!! NEW on an auction site a month ago...I should have bought a double

This thread needs more pictures

^
I don't understand the $250 price for the GEC #38??

As Kitten says,they go for a much lower price. They are an excellent choice for a premium knife at a reasonable price.

 

[matus]

I see I got you a little confused - those $250 was price from KSF ($150 for stag #38) + INT shipping ($60) + import duties. So it was net-price-to-me.

I thought the whole thing through and I am indeed more and more inclined towards the GEC #38 - ideally with nice stag, jigged bone or some really nice wood handles. Not only it should make a good whittler, it is also relatively slim, elegant and technically interesting knife - I think all those aspects would appeal to my friend. There were apparently some made in black camel bone, but that was special run for KSF and those are long gone.

I have found (In DE) little more reasonable price for the Cold Steel Ranch Boss, but read a few not too flattering opinions, unfortunately. Seems like the F&F is hit or miss what for that price should definitely not be the case.

The Case/Bose knives are really cool and I would not mind at all to get one for myself. I realised that I like the 3 bladed Cattle or lockback whittler pattern a lot and I will probably never be able to get such a complicated pattern custom made as it would certainly cost $1000+ and I am ot going there. But at the moment odering one from outside EU feels like a lottery and it would probably be an overkill for the occasion. and for me it is too soon no invest that much in traditional knife (I actually have none at the moment and one one on order and one in shipping, so first things first).

But I am still opened to new suggestions. If you know a place in EU that is not easily found on internet that carries some of the knives mentioned I would appreciate an email or PM

EDIT: Just adding a question concerning the Case Damascus knives - what performance/properties should one expect compared to Case CV or GEC 1095? I know the steel is basically O1 with Nikel from DT, but have no idea about HT.

 

[Peregrin]

I see I got you a little confused - those $250 was price from KSF ($150 for stag #38) + INT shipping ($60) + import duties. So it was net-price-to-me.

I thought the whole thing through and I am indeed more and more inclined towards the GEC #38 - ideally with nice stag, jigged bone or some really nice wood handles. Not only it should make a good whittler, it is also relatively slim, elegant and technically interesting knife - I think all those aspects would appeal to my friend. There were apparently some made in black camel bone, but that was special run for KSF and those are long gone.

I have found (In DE) little more reasonable price for the Cold Steel Ranch Boss, but read a few not too flattering opinions, unfortunately. Seems like the F&F is hit or miss what for that price should definitely not be the case.

The Case/Bose knives are really cool and I would not mind at all to get one for myself. I realised that I like the 3 bladed Cattle or lockback whittler pattern a lot and I will probably never be able to get such a complicated pattern custom made as it would certainly cost $1000+ and I am ot going there. But at the moment odering one from outside EU feels like a lottery and it would probably be an overkill for the occasion. and for me it is too soon no invest that much in traditional knife (I actually have none at the moment and one one on order and one in shipping, so first things first).

But I am still opened to new suggestions. If you know a place in EU that is not easily found on internet that carries some of the knives mentioned I would appreciate an email or PM

EDIT: Just adding a question concerning the Case Damascus knives - what performance/properties should one expect compared to Case CV or GEC 1095? I know the steel is basically O1 with Nikel from DT, but have no idea about HT.

Here's a link to an older thread about Case Damascus. I don't know if their steel is still the same mix or not, http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ase-raindrop-damascus?p=12624419#post12624419.

I just found another older post from 12/29/2014 that I'll quote here:

IIRC, Devin Thomas forges the damascus for Case(for some time now) out of 1075 and nickel.

edit - I just confirmed this with Devin Thomas damascus.

I've got a few Case knives in the Thomas Raindrop Damascus and they sharpen up nicely and hold an edge similar to the Case CV in my experience.

 

[matus]

Thank you for all the information - but something happen that change the order of things. I got a PM from one very kind member here who just offered to me (well, to my friend) a Boker beer barrel whittler (like THIS one) at no charge. What a wonderful and kind gesture - I am very grateful and it will be my honour to forward the knife to my friend.

But this also means that I now have one more knife to find. Since the 'working' knife (so I hope) is going to be the Boker whittler, I can now swing toward more gentleman-style EDC knives and I a very seriously looking at work of Paul Mason, John Howser, Jim Dunlap, Phil Tham and others (while trying to fit within some reasonable price range - under $400). While finding one available is tricky, it is actually more pleasant feel than if I were buying knife for myself

If it is not against forum rules, I would appreciate your PM/email if you know some of these knives are available somewhere (ideally in EU - I have browsed a lot, but found rather little). I do not intent to turn this so far very helpful thread to WTB one, as that would surely be against the rules.

 

[matus]

And to conclude on this topic - the second knife will be this lovely amber stag Swayback from John Lloyd. I would want to see the face of my friend once he will unpack it. Now the question remains what to give to Mrs. ...

 

[pistonsandgears]

I think most of these have already been mentioned, can't go wrong with any of them in my opinion. GEC 33, 38, 57, 62 whittlers, Queen 48, and the Case/Bose Lockback whittlers (clip main version and wharncliffe main version)

 

[pertinux]

Matus,

I'm glad you've found knives to hit the spot, and grateful to those who helped make it possible. :thumbup:

Please do follow up with your friend's reaction!

I think most of these have already been mentioned, can't go wrong with any of them in my opinion. GEC 33, 38, 57, 62 whittlers, Queen 48, and the Case/Bose Lockback whittlers (clip main version and wharncliffe main version)

Good night, what a fine array of knives.

Very nicely chosen.

~ P.

 

[matus]

Matus,

I'm glad you've found knives to hit the spot, and grateful to those who helped make it possible. :thumbup:

Please do follow up with your friend's reaction!

~ P.

I will most certainly will let you know - many help and I really appreciate it. Last not least Vince really helped me to clarify all the questions I had about the particular knife and its design. This forum is a great place - I am grateful to be part if.