In Praise of the Case Seahorse Whittler

waynorth said:
Surprise surprise!!!:eek:
Bob, that beautiful Wharncliffe knife, "Seahorse" if you will, was made by Bill Howard, when he was at Queen! It was a subcontract knife!!!
Shows in the quality, I think!!!
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I agree Charlie. Contracted by Blue Grass Cutlery.

pmew said:
Wow again. Thanks for putting up more pictures Bob, that's a very nice piece indeed. :)
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Thanks Paul.

liamstrain said:
Could someone have re-profiled the coping into a pen? At any rate - lovely!
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Anything is possible, but I really don't think so in this case. Both pen blades are identical and have nice equal swedges on the inside. It came new in the box (I know that's not always proof, but this one really appears all original).
 
waynorth said:
Surprise surprise!!!:eek:
Bob, that beautiful Wharncliffe knife, "Seahorse" if you will, was made by Bill Howard, when he was at Queen! It was a subcontract knife!!!
Shows in the quality, I think!!!
Click to expand...

Thats interesting. I have a Winchester marked 39097 made by Queen for Bluegrass in the same pattern.
 
It was made with two pens. Jim Parker contracted with BlueGrass Cutlery, who in turn contracted with Queen to make the "Case Classics", which that knife is!
The bone was jigged on a machine, which BlueGrass still owns as far as I know, at BlueGrass. Bill thinks it is the same machine that made that famous Remington Bone of yore!
 
BigBiscuit said:
I'd love to see pics of it Bill. Does it have the double pen blades as well?
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Sorry Bob but no pictures. The covers on mine seem to be identicle to yours...just beautiful. Shield in mine is a pointy oval stamped Winchester. The two secondary blades are indeed both pens. One of my favorites.
 
Someone posted photos of their red silver script a few months ago (wish I could remember what thread) and it made me a fan of the model when I was rather ambivalent before.

I think I like the GEC #57 just a little more, but the seahorse should be more affordable - and will be in my collection someday.

The photos here represent the pattern very well, and I may be forced to get one even if it isn't my first choice of scale/shield. Thank you for sharing everyone!

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Here's one that was a gift from Waynorth (Charlie). 2002 Silver Script in like new condition. It's going to be on Christmas present duty this year. Thanks again, Charlie!
ledbfvR.jpg
 
That was a while back - - - You are welcome Gary. Nice Seasonal coloration!!
 
The case classic Wharncliffe whittler came in three sizes, smallest being pattern #30055 it was 3-3/8" w/two pen secondaries, the next size was pattern #3055 3-5/8" with dual pen secondaries, the largest was #355 3-7/8" with dual curved coping blades, seems the had nicer bolsters from what I've seen but not for sure. The sea horse whittler is pattern number #55 4" long one pen one coping super fat short Wharncliffe.

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JSCHENK said:
The case classic Wharncliffe whittler came in three sizes, smallest being pattern #30055 it was 3-3/8" w/two pen secondaries, the next size was pattern #3055 3-5/8" with dual pen secondaries, the largest was #355 3-7/8" with dual curved coping blades, seems the had nicer bolsters from what I've seen but not for sure. The sea horse whittler is pattern number #55 4" long one pen one coping super fat short Wharncliffe.

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Thanks for clearing that up, J!!

How long is yours, Bob??
 
Charlie, mine is the 3 5/8" mid sized. The tang pattern number coincides with what JSCHENK posted. it is 63055. It's the perfect size for me. :cool: :thumbup:

l6pBjA4.jpg
 
Looks nice JSCHENK. I like the deep jigging. I just wish Case would carry their jigging the full length of the bone (or buffalo) slabs instead of just the middle section.
 
They are a very cool knife indeed, I wish that they would bring out some in 154cm or even the ATS34 would be nice, here's a fancy one that I use to own a while ago;

Seahorse_2010.jpg~original


Seahorse_2010_1.jpg~original


Plus one other that I had, had really nice jigged bone on it

jiggedbone_Seahorse-close.jpg~original


jiggedbone_Seahorse-back.jpg~original


G2

edited to add "Sea" more about Seahorses in this thread also :)
 
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Thanks for the dimensions Bob. Such a great knife - in a useful size!
 
I noticed the difference in pattern numbers as well, and wondered if that explained the difference in BB's model, with the longer wharncliffe main. Slightly different pattern. I've looked at these knives for years in catalogues, in person , and on the
'net, but never quite pulled the trigger. It always seemed they left something(too much space or not enough blade, take your pick) in the well. Bob's model is much more visually satisfying to me. I will say that we're I to get one for actual whittling first, and everything else second, the fuller size blade on the large model would win hands down. A good thick blade for heavier stock removal, harder woods, and things like knots is of great benefit. To me that is; I'm sure some folks here could put an edge on that might render that moot.
I'm a little torn as to the finish. I love the as ground look, but if I had infinite money and an understanding honey(sorry for the rhyme:D) I'd definitely want either an ATS-34 model if one could be found, or even more ideally the raindrop damascus with Sambar stag. Those examples are phenomenal.
Thanks, Neal
 
Neal, mine was not listed as a Seahorse Whittler. It was just called a Wharncliffe Whittler. The main blade is still rather thick at the tang, but certainly not the same as the Seahorse.
 
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