Small carving knife...GEC #26?

quattromori

quattromori

Joined
May 7, 2011
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Hi everybody,
Christmas is approaching, winter is coming, and new impulses get into my mind.
So lately I decided I want to spend some time trying to see if I can be any good at small carvings. It's something I always liked, and I always thought I might give it a try. I have to admit that Kevin's pictures of his carved keyring for his grandma's 90th birthday were like a spark for me, so I will go for it. I always liked small manual activities, not that I am particularly good at them, but I find them relaxing, and they're a nice way to spend some time and keep my mind off when I can.
So I noticed this GEC that I had never actually seen: the #26 Little carver. A name, a plan ;) and I decided I might get one of these instead of a "regular" whittler. I was curious to know if any of you has experience with using this kind of knife for the purpose, or if you have any other suggestion. I know it's all about patience and trials, and I have plenty of that...maybe it's just an excuse to get another knife though (at the moment, I have two vacant slots in my "count of five").
One more question for the GEC experts. This model:

image-6166_4EEC93B1.gif


says "antique walnut". Does that mean "antique walnut bone", or it's wood and they put the wrong picture?
By the way...if any of you feels the need of using this thread to post pictures of your carvings, and carving knives...well, feel free to do it :rolleyes:
Thanks alot

Fausto
:cool:
 
I've not done any whittling yet, but will say I like the size of the 26 and have a couple examples of it. For pocket carry & the daily things I need a knife for I get along fine with it and it's cousin the GEC 25. However stout they are they're both stubby little things and I wonder if you wouldn't be better served by the slightly longer 57 Geppetto whittler. It's 3 1/2" and I imagine it might be more comfortable for prolonged use.
 
I was sort of struck by Kevin's carving as well and will probably be trying one myself.
I recently completed my first Ball in Cage using a GEC the same size as the Little Carver:

5781749019_b5b381a860_b.jpg


I used both blades allot, and really appreciated the belly (small as it may be) of the pen blade at times. The knife handle is pretty small and that ultimately was a bit of a minus, and can appreciate how a 3.5" to 4" Stockman would have been a welcomed change of pace at times, but I was determined to use just one knife. The springs and spines of the blades were black from handling/sweat during the process and I chose to clen them up and polish them when I was done, but if you want a patina putting a carbon steel knife to use will do it.

Bottom line is they are great little knives that are more than up to the task of whittling/carving. I say go for it!
 
Thanks everyone.
Mike, thanks for the reply on handle material. For a moment, I was caught by the sweet illusion that they might offer a walnut wood handled knife... :)
Stu, I was actually attracted by the #25 as well (and congrats for your "Ball in cage" by the way :thumbup:); as for the patina, I guess I will just let it come naturally and not worry about it at all.
As for size, I really wanted a small knife, but I understand that small handles can cause some troubles in the long run, and that a curved blade (such as the clip on the Geppetto, for example) might be useful. Still, I'm intrigued by these small knives... :rolleyes:

Fausto
:cool:
 
Alright, thank you Stu for that pic. Could you post a size-comparison-pic. Maybe with a Zippo-lighter or anything like this. I can hardly imagine how to set up the size in Inches. ;)

Kind regards
Andi
 
For a designated whittling knife I think it would be hard to beat the #89 Executive whittler, however the #26 is also a fine knife.
 
The little #26 Carver is one of my favorite EDCs, and my most-used GEC knife to date. It fits into a Levi change pocket like it was made for it. It might feel a bit undersized at first, but now that I'm used to it, it has become my go-to knife for light whittling. It's small, but very solidly built and the edge geometry is perfect.

GEC26SleeveboardPatina01.jpg


GEC26SleeveboardPatina02.jpg


GEC26Sleeveboard09.jpg


Here's a comparison pic with a few different Wharncliffes:
Wharncliffes007a.jpg


You might also take a look at the slightly larger #57 whittler:
GECGeppetto06.jpg
 
Humppa said:
Alright, thank you Stu for that pic. Could you post a size-comparison-pic. Maybe with a Zippo-lighter or anything like this. I can hardly imagine how to set up the size in Inches. ;)

Kind regards
Andi
Click to expand...

Do you mean the set up for the ball in cage?
Check this out.
 
I like to whittle and lately this one has grabbed my attention:

610211-smooth-buffalo-horn.jpg


The main blade has the perfect depth for whittling IMO. It's very similar to Case's SBJ which I like and I get along fine with just those two blades. I was leaning towards GECs courthouse whittler but this little 1/2 congress at 3 1/2" closed touches all the bases for me. The force is strong with this one.

This little #26 (sleeveboard?) should make a fine carver/ whittler but but for me I just can't get past the depth of the main blade. For the same reason I can't seem to warm up to the Geppetto but honestly that is only a personal preference. Some knives are better than others for whittling but at the end of the day I don't think you could go far wrong with that Little Carver.

Shameless pics:

007-1.jpg


carving010.jpg


carving009.jpg


cottonwoodhouse005.jpg
 
Great thread idea Fausto!

Perfect Stu!! With all the talk and pictures, I was wanting to try this out. Now to find some white pine or basswood

Wow Keith..I knew they were going to look great!! Thanks for posting the pics
 
Gevonovich said:
Wow Keith..I knew they were going to look great!! Thanks for posting the pics
Click to expand...

Thanks G. I really enjoy whittling. It's a great way to enjoy a good knife.

Other woods I have tried and liked are Butternut, Cottonwood, and Birch.
 
That's some fine whittling Keith! Thanks for giving us a peek.
 
Those are great carvings Keith! Do you, or anyone else, worry about the thin tips on the main blade of the 61 & 62?

I find myself looking for a blade with belly sometimes when whittling, but I think that may be because I am a whittling newbie. As I understand it, straight-edge blades like wharncliffe & coping should do 90% of the work. I will probably try to improve my skills over the winter.
 
There are times when you will find a little belly very helpful, which is the only place where that Easy Pocket half Congress falls short. Aside from that, it is a great little whittling knife. The Courthouse Whittler takes the same two blades and adds a pen blade for that little bit of belly you need for odd angles when the grain of the wood is fighting you.

I've not tried the #26, but the short handle and broad main blade are not features I look for in a whittling knife. I did pick up a #57 Geppetto Whittler in ebony, and while it works well, I don't find myself using the main blade for whittling like I do with the Courthouse Whittler and Easy Pocket Congress.

Nick, thin tips are a requirement rather than a concern for me. The tip does most of the work, and being thin lets it pass through the wood more easily.
 
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Thanks for the feedback, it's really interesting to read your different points of view...and see the pics of course!
I suspected that there were many people here who enjoy using their loved knives to carve.. :rolleyes:

Fausto
:cool:
 
Great stuff Jack. My whittling consists of making wood shavings out of sticks. I've been wanting to try a ball in cage and chain.
 
Thank you Gary and Nick for your kind words.

Jack's thoughts on whittling are always insightful and I am constantly amazed by his work. Simply outstanding!
 
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