New Whittling Knife

Buzzbait

Buzzbait

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Feb 25, 2001
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So I'm looking to get a new whittling knife for my vacation in a few weeks. I'm thinking stockman, but maybe even a congress. I've been using a Queen/Robeson half-whittler for years, but it's starting to get a bit small for extended use in my aging hands. I need a bit more size.

Do you think a Case Amber Bone large stockman is too big for whittling? I've never held one. I have my Case medium punch stockman, but would like something just a bit bigger. Or maybe a large Boker Beer Barrel stockman or congress? I'm kind of doing this on the cheap, so I'm trying to stay around $50.00, give or take.

I'm definitely thinking a basic carbon steel, unless anybody has a suggestion for another steel that will strop easily and still hold an edge well. Maybe Buck's 420HC?

I also prefer larger tangs on the blades. I like to nestle my index finger in between the tang and the bolster while I'm cutting, to keep the blade from folding up on me.

I'd try a Queen in D2, but the quality control I've seen lately is just too uncertain for me to chance with so little time before vacation. I'm looking for more of a sure thing. But I think that GEC is out of my price range on this project.

If I can't find something new, I do have a few options. I have a Buck 301, a Vic Electrician Plus, and my Case punch stockman.

I also have an older Case medium stockman in CV, a Hen and Rooster medium stockman in carbon steel, and a Boker medium stockman in carbon steel, but the walk and talk of the sheepsfoot blades on those knives don't exactly inspire confidence. I like a good snap on my whittling blades.

I also have a bunch of Old Timers, but I'm trying to stay away from Swinden Key construction on this one.

What do you think?
 
You might like Boker's Carver's Congress.

 
I have to say, I prefer a congress pattern to a stockman for whittling. The main blade on the stockman is too long for a lot of things, in my opinion. The stockman I have has a spey, and I don't find that particularly useful for whittling, either. I prefer a coping to a spey.
 
The alox electrician is one of my favorite take along whittling knives.

If you can find an Oar Carver, they sometimes go pretty cheap.

If it's a dedicated whittler, nothing beats a small fixed blade, like a flexcut. Cheap, great carbon steel & very comfortable!
 
I recently got a RR congress that is very comfortable, but the blades are a little larger than I'd prefer. Also just got a #38 Grinling based on Mr Chips recommendation, but I haven't had time to use it yet. I've also be eyeballing the Boker Carver congress. I've tried some Schrade stockmans, but I don't like how the sheepsfoot is krinked. Just doesn't feel right. The Buck 303 worked very well though. However, the sharp corners of the tangs on the folded blades can be an irritant while working.
 
Wharncliffe blade I assume? I don't know how you did it. The Queen half-whittler is an awesome little knife, and I picked one up after reading of your adventures with the Robeson. I think I made it through half a ball-in-cage before I set it aside for my daughter's future use. It was just too small to be comfortable, and I have young-ish, medium sized hands.
 
I do like a wharncliffe for whittling, but could probably do with a sheepsfoot or coping blade. Preferably two of three blade styles in one knife. A small spey or pen blade would also be nice to have on hand.
 
You know, I have an old Winchester congress pen that I keep around for whittling. But when it comes time to put steel to wood, more often than not I'll reach for my sloyd knife. Have you considered them? Doesn't quite have a slipjoint's convenience, but they're light enough to not be a burden. And you can't beat them for comfort over long carving sessions. Perhaps best of all, you don't have to play the slipjoint lottery and spend time tuning up the edges on a new knife to get it to cut. They actually come sharp. A Mora 120 and 122 run ~ $20 each, so you'll stay within your budget easy.
 
I thought about a fixed blade, but I don't think I can live without the convenience of a folder.

I'm starting to wonder if I should make my own whittling knife out of something larger. Like take an old TL-29 and grind down the blades to my preferred shapes. Nice big handle, but short blades for whittling. I kind of wanted something with natural covers, but function comes first this time.
 
Get your folder, but get the Mora as well. Keep it in your pack. You can keep the slipjoint in your pocket for impromptu whittling sessions, but if you're lounging on the porch or sitting around the campfire, grab the Mora. For $20 how can you go wrong?
 
Buzzbait said:
I thought about a fixed blade, but I don't think I can live without the convenience of a folder.

I'm starting to wonder if I should make my own whittling knife out of something larger. Like take an old TL-29 and grind down the blades to my preferred shapes. Nice big handle, but short blades for whittling. I kind of wanted something with natural covers, but function comes first this time.
Click to expand...

Here's a set I made from a couple of Opinels:

 
Buzzbait, I have a lot of Rough Riders and the new Schrades (which - heresy warning here - I consider to be superior to the old Schrades - of which I have several - mostly because they DO NOT HAVE SWINDEN KEY CONSTUCTION!!!), and they make good whittlers with a little modification which is easily accomplished with a good file.

Recently, however, I got a GEC 38 Grinling whittler in ebony. Fantastic! Best knife I have ever owned. It does not however keep the edge any better than the above knives, but the grinds of the blades are just perfect as is fit and finish.

If I were you, I would consider coughing up the extra cash for it. I don't think you will regret it.
 
I am a fan of the beer barrel line by Boker, I have two and the fit and finish and performance are in par with knives costing twice as much! The c75 steel takes a nice edge and is easy to keep sharp, and the scales have been durable in my use.
 
An Opinel or two with a modified blade (s) is a great choice too.

I cannot tell the difference between stainless and carbon on any level of performance with Opinels.

I use this one a lot:

001_zps3b295c69.jpg~original
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To make these:

001_zps277ceb98.jpg~original
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