Next step in my traditional journey

WhittlinAway

WhittlinAway

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Feb 11, 2016
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I've caught the traditional folder bug and am ready to take the next step on my journey in search of _my_ EDC traditional. Its primary task will be whittling, but it will also be pressed into occasional service for general tasks such as opening letters and packages and slicing food when a proper kitchen knife isn't available. I've got something in mind, but would like to draw on the collective experience of the men and women on The Porch to see if there might be alternatives I haven't yet discovered or considered.

I have a Case Seahorse Whittler SS and a USA-made Schrade 34OT. I like the narrow pen and coping blades of the Case, but would prefer carbon steel and I'm finding that the big Wharncliffe blade is not to my liking as a primary: I'd prefer something with some belly. I'm quite smitten with the Schrade. I love the steel and the sheepsfoot and clip blades. It's light weight disappears in my pocket. But, I find the spey blade to be too wide for the type of whittling I enjoy and the overall size of the knife is perhaps a tad too small. If the two could mate, their offspring might be ideal.

The Case Medium Stockman in CV with a pen blade appears to be the logical next step. Thoughts? Other suggestions?

Also, a question to those who are skilled at modifications: would it be possible/worthwhile to reshape the Schrade 34OT spey blade (or that of an 8OT?) into a more narrow pen blade? If so, is that a complete novice project, or should I seek help?

Many thanks,
Greg
 
Go buy a new, good, file. Go to a garage sale or 2 and find a cheap blade to practice on. Learn to reprofile on a cheapo before you take on the one you want to keep. It's really not that hard but you better be ready to sit down and grind a lot of steel off behind the edge if you take a bunch from the sharp end.
 
I really like the case 6383,and you can modify the pen into sheepsfoot but now is only offered in ss
7C0B6128-0941-4B53-B53B-C36EFE254D75_zpsy2z66ecc.jpg

a little bigger are the 6380 pattern(a little pricey on mint condition) and GEC #38 , they fill the hand better but for me are a tad big for pocket everyday carry.
GEC 62 is a great pattern, actually it was my whittling knife until it slipped out of my pocket.
you can totally reprofile the spey on the schrades, a dremel tool is a great option because you can cut with a disc (going SLOW!!!!) the excess and then shape with the sanding drums. Although it can be done with files also and because the point is always covered by one of the other two blades It doesn't matter if It remains out of the frame. correct me if i'm wrong on this.
besides schrade steel is known to be great on those old knives.
mateo
 
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you can get the case 18 model with a pen instead of the coping if you look its in the model number like 6318PE or something IDK. And, you can get a 70's era unused/like new for maybe 10 more bukeroos than current production. Just keep an eye out on the big auction site. I love the case 18 medium stockman, just disappears in your pocket!!
 
lutejones said:
I really like the case 6383,and you can modify the pen into sheepsfoot but now is only offered in ss

a little bigger are the 6380 pattern(a little pricey on mint condition) and GEC #38 , they fill the hand better but for me are a tad big for pocket everyday carry.
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All three of those look interesting. I particularly like the blade selection on the #38. Looks like all three may be hard to track down at a price I'd be comfortable with.

lutejones said:
GEC 62 is a great pattern, actually it was my whittling knife until it slipped out of my pocket.
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Oh, bummer. I can imagine it wasn't fun discovering it was gone. :(

lutejones said:
you can totally reprofile the spey on the schrades, a dremel tool is a great option because you can cut with a disc (going SLOW!!!!) the excess and then shape with the sanding drums. Although it can be done with files also and because the point is always covered by one of the other two blades It doesn't matter if It remains out of the frame. correct me if i'm wrong on this.
besides schrade steel is known to be great on those old knives.
mateo
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I'm tempted, but I think I'll take rockgolfer's advice and practice on a knife or two I don't care about first.
 
Kitten Party said:
you can get the case 18 model with a pen instead of the coping if you look its in the model number like 6318PE or something IDK. And, you can get a 70's era unused/like new for maybe 10 more bukeroos than current production. Just keep an eye out on the big auction site. I love the case 18 medium stockman, just disappears in your pocket!!
Click to expand...

I've had my eye on the 63032, which I believe is the same as the 18, but with a pen blade?

At this point, I think it'll likely be the 63032 CV or the GEC #62. Or the #38 if I can find one...

Thanks everyone for the recommendations!

Greg
 
Check out the GEC 57 also, you can still get these from dealers if you look. Written 48 I'd great to if your interested in split back whittlers ones of stockman
 
A Schrade 863 at 3-5/8" closed with 1095 carbon steel blades is pretty close to the perfect carry knife and it's made for whittling. It's a Camillus 72 clone so there are plenty of them around in several tang stamps.

If you're looking for a good solid EDC that will last you for years and get the job done, this is the knife for you. If you're looking for pocket jewelry that doubles as a good work-a-day knife then go for a Great Eastern.

image.php
 
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jerryd6818 said:
A Schrade 863 at 3-5/8" closed with 1095 carbon steel blades is pretty close to the perfect carry knife and it's made for whittling. It's a Camillus 72 clone so there are plenty of them around in several tang stamps.

If you're looking for a good solid EDC that will last you for years and get the job done, this is the knife for you. If you're looking for pocket jewelry that doubles as a good work-a-day knife then go for a Great Eastern.

image.php
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I'm very fond of my 34OT, so this may be exactly what I'm looking for. I'll do some hunting. Thanks for the recommendation.
 
WhittlinAway said:
I've had my eye on the 63032, which I believe is the same as the 18, but with a pen blade?

At this point, I think it'll likely be the 63032 CV or the GEC #62. Or the #38 if I can find one...

Thanks everyone for the recommendations!

Greg
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They are both roughly the same size but the current production 63032 will have bone covers, squared bolsters and a pen blade while the 33018 will have yellow Delrin covers, rounded bolsters and a spey blade (the 6318 will have bone covers and a spey blade). If you want an 018 with a pen blade you'll have to go vintage - the model number being 3318HE for yellow Delrin or 6318HE with bone.



Hope this helps.
 
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I'd recommend your next stop would be to consider Böker, Germany carbon bladed Traditionals. Not costly, nicely made and weirdly overlooked.

Here's their Serp Whittler, these have quite thick scales which makes for a comfortable hold and have a good sized Clip as master and Coping and Pen minors.

The CASE Searhorse has an oddly thick Wharncliffe master which I feel limits its use, it is an interesting and elegant pattern but mine never sees action and is an ornament. GEC's 38 Whittler is a vast improvement on the Seahorse in terms of design and utility so you might look into one of them too.

IMG_2609.jpg
 
What model number is that Boker? I've been looking but can't find one with that shield which is what I'm after.
 
The tangs don't have any No.s on them, Just H.Böker & Co. Solingen, Germany. Box went long ago.

However, the Federal shield ones all came in Appaloosa Bone. Whittler, Canoe, Large Stockman and Congress so that might help your search.

Thanks, Will
 
WhittlinAway said:
Also, a question to those who are skilled at modifications: would it be possible/worthwhile to reshape the Schrade 34OT spey blade (or that of an 8OT?) into a more narrow pen blade? If so, is that a complete novice project, or should I seek help?

Many thanks,
Greg
Click to expand...

I've modified multiple Old Timer Stockman spey blades to pens. I just used a Dremel cutoff wheel, careful to keep the blade wet so as not to lose temper, and simply smoothed it out on a square belt sander, then by hand going up to 600 grit wet/dry. You would be hard pressed to know it didn't roll out of the factory that way.
 
tallowwaters said:
I've modified multiple Old Timer Stockman spey blades to pens. I just used a Dremel cutoff wheel, careful to keep the blade wet so as not to lose temper, and simply smoothed it out on a square belt sander, then by hand going up to 600 grit wet/dry. You would be hard pressed to know it didn't roll out of the factory that way.
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I'm glad to hear you've had success with it. Thanks for explaining how you did it. You and Mateo are making me want to try.

By the way, if you have any pictures of your modified Old Timers, I'd love to see them.
 
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Thanks everyone for your advice. I figured there'd be some good pointers from the group and I've not been disappointed. I'll take a close look at each of the suggestions.

It'll be a couple weeks before I pull the trigger, so further suggestions and discussion are very welcome.
 
Will Power said:
The tangs don't have any No.s on them, Just H.Böker & Co. Solingen, Germany. Box went long ago.

However, the Federal shield ones all came in Appaloosa Bone. Whittler, Canoe, Large Stockman and Congress so that might help your search.

Thanks, Will
Click to expand...

Found part number: BO280AB...can't find one listed anywhere haha. Every single knife I want I can't find haha.
 
I'll second that 6383 suggestion, picked this up at the Lewisburg PA knife show at the end of this Feb, great whittling folder and all around pocket knife too
and I did mod the pen blade into a coping blade on this one, works great.

Whittler_Case.jpg~original


G2
 
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