Question on Case Damascus Humpback Half Whittler

[Peregrin]

I'm looking at buying the new Case Damascus Humpback Half Whittler. I'm trying to find out if the blades share a single backspring or not. Does anyone have experience with this pattern? Any help is appreciated.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I'm pretty sure it's one spring. That's a primary selling point for most or all 'half' whittler/congress patterns, as it makes the knife much slimmer in the pocket. In the pic above (borrowed from a vendor site), it does look like a single spring.

 

[yablanowitz]

I suppose it is possible that it is a single spring, but the Humpback Whittler is a three spring, so I would guess the half whittler is a two spring. I haven't seen one, though.

 

[Peregrin]

I saw that pic David and it looks like a single spring to me too. I was hoping to get that confirmed as that is what makes the knife attractive to me. Jack the three spring Humpback is what made me wonder too.

 

[supratentorial]

two spring

This is not my photo --borrowed it from an auction

 

[rprocter]

A 3 spring knife is not a Whittler regardless of what the marketing team wants to call it. The above "Half Whitler" should properly be called a Swell Center Congress with a Clip blade, but that's rather cumbersome.
roland

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

2 springs it is. That's an eye-opener for me.

Looks like Case has opted for greater strength/durability (wonder how strong/stiff the springs are?), over the slim/light appeal that I'd otherwise assumed was a big draw to this pattern. Shouldn't have to worry about crinked blades (or blade rub) anymore, either. Interesting.

 

[zerogee]

2 springs it is. That's an eye-opener for me.

Looks like Case has opted for greater strength/durability (wonder how strong/stiff the springs are?), over the slim/light appeal that I'd otherwise assumed was a big draw to this pattern. Shouldn't have to worry about crinked blades (or blade rub) anymore, either. Interesting.

The tradeoff is that when they go to the spring-per-blade design, the springs and blades are all somewhat thinner than a single spring design would be -- so, no, they don't get any greater strength or durability - it's purely an expedient, simple to assemble design requiring much less skilled labor to do properly. This is also true for their older 3 blade/2 spring designs with crinked blades that are converted to three springs - the originals had thicker blades and springs.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

The tradeoff is that when they go to the spring-per-blade design, the springs and blades are all somewhat thinner than a single spring design would be -- so, no, they don't get any greater strength or durability - it's purely an expedient, simple to assemble design requiring much less skilled labor to do properly. This is also true for their older 3 blade/2 spring designs with crinked blades that are converted to three springs - the originals had thicker blades and springs.

Thanks Dwight.

I have a 10347 Case stockman with the 3-spring config. I did notice those blades are thinner than what's found a comparably-sized 2-spring stockman.

 

[Peregrin]

Thanks for the info and discussion guys. I guess this one gets scratched off the my wish list. I would have jumped on it if it were a single spring.

 

[jazub]

This pattern iteration looks great to me, though I would prefer it was a clip/sheepsfoot combo.

I have only two Case knives, but as a reference, one is the (two spring) SS "Rough Black" Humpback Stockman and it has jumped ahead of all my other, more expensive carbon blades as a daily carry pocket knife. The pattern shape is most pleasurable to hold. Pull is 6.5 and it has a clean, solid snap. However many people made it, it is a pleasure to carry and use.

I like the Case Humpback pattern so much that it starts to bum me out that they do not pin their shields. I'd prefer no shield to glued. Still, I plan on purchasing a second example of this pattern with a different handle material just for kicks. OP, you should give it a shot if the chance won't put you out too much. :thumbup: