Recommend a whittling folder

[deltablade]

I have a grandson 10 years old who loves whittling. What folder do you recommend for his first whittling knife? I will give it to him on his 11th BD

 

[Retired UPS Driver]

I have a grandson 10 years old who loves whittling. What folder do you recommend for his first whittling knife? I will give it to him on his 11th BD

deltablade ,

These are a bunch of whittling members over in the Traditional forum, and they show off their handiwork there too.

Maybe take a shot and try asking there also.

When it’s birthday time, make sure to post about it, and I’ll give your Grandson a special Bday Cake post just for him.

Have a nice Thanksgiving

Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades

Discussion of classic Hunters, Trappers, Lockbacks, Slipjoints, Skinners and other classic designs

www.bladeforums.com

 

[hank_rearden]

Slipjoint with either a CV or 1095 blade. Any two-bladed design with a clipped blade and a small pen blade will do for starters. Teach him safety when using a slippie, and always bring spare band aids in his bag or wallet.

 

[Drop bear]

Rough rider do a decent whittler.

 

[J.G]

An opinel

 

[eveled]

A Camillus 72 is how I started. View attachment 2400382

 

[bayouace]

Case Half-Whittler may be worth looking at.

 

[vinprom]

Either he or you , but preferably both should be good in both free hand sharpening and stropping. A SAK Recruit would be good enough for begining if you are after a slipjoint. Also, check the company Flexcut.

 

[vinprom]

Case Half-Whittler may be worth looking at.

Its blades are with hollow grind, do the work but not as good as flat grind ones. Case Seahorse has flat grind blades, but one is too thick, the other two are too thin and flexible to many's opinion, still enjoyable knife though. However, probably Case and Buck are not the best slipjoints for whittling.

 

[tomjav]

Look at a SAK tinker. They are easily modified into an excellent whittler and have enough other tools to entertain a crafty kid. Loads of TSA reclaimed tinkers on auction sites for less than $12.

 

[Old Biker]

If you would like a quality knife at a low price go to eBay and look for one of these colonial made stockman knives. They were sold under the colonial, and ranger brands. Maybe others also. They get real sharp and hold it reasonably well.

Or my favorite whittling slip joint. The Boker carvers congress. It was designed as a whittling knife. Has four different style blades. so you are more likely to have the blade you need. I'm not sure if boker is still making it, but there is a large knife store in Kentucky, that still shows the red one in stock.

O.B.

 

[Hashishiin]

I like a Wharncliffe and Sheepfoot style for carving into wood. I have an old discontinued Mora, 120 or 122 I think, that is my favorite but is not a folder. I like the bit of point to it.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Schrade Old Timer 80T, preferably an older model with high carbon steel blades. The current models use Chinese 7Cr17MoV, a modified version of 440A.

 

[eveled]

Schrade Old Timer 80T, preferably an older model with high carbon steel blades. The current models use Chinese 7Cr17MoV, a modified version of 440A.

I agree the older carbon steel pocket knives are great options. Don’t be afraid to thin or modify the blades. Even a snapped off master can be a great whittling blade.

 

[dundak]

Boker or Rough Ryder Congress. Even the cheaper ones are decent for whittling and take a great edge.

 

[deltablade]

My grandson loves to whittle, and I plan to give him a folding whittling knife for his 11th BD. What do u recommend?

 

[deltablade]

deltablade ,

These are a bunch of whittling members over in the Traditional forum, and they show off their handiwork there too.

Maybe take a shot and try asking there also.

When it’s birthday time, make sure to post about it, and I’ll give your Grandson a special Bday Cake post just for him.

Have a nice Thanksgiving

Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades

Discussion of classic Hunters, Trappers, Lockbacks, Slipjoints, Skinners and other classic designs

www.bladeforums.com

I posted on Traditional. And will post on his D. Thanks for suggestions

 

[Retired UPS Driver]

SoansoMcMasters & Jiki should be able to give you a good starting point.

When is his birthday, incase we have a short window of time?

 

[lutejones]

I’ll give you some pointers of what I have found I like over the years.
1- it is better a two layers knife than a single spring for improved grip
2- 3 5/8” to 4” is the sweet spot between easy to carry and good grip while carving
3- rounded bolsters better because square ones dig in your palm on some cuts
4- modify the secondary into a pointy wharncliff or a clip/scimitar type blade
5- grind to almost zero grind and round the shoulder of the bevel for the best cutting performance
Here are some examples:
The Barlow is too short and square bolsters so I only use it for finishing cuts

Hope it helps

 

[gentleman_edc]

Do you have the time with him to teach him at all? That's the best gift.

An old stockman or congress and a two sided diamond sharpener with course and fine. I like the DMT DuoSharp folding one, but for this purpose, a Smith's course/fine would be great.

The other knife option is a Swiss army knife, something like a tinker. The sak is not as nice for whittling, but may be more useful overall.

But figure in the sharpener into the package.