Split Backspring Whittlers

Blues

Blues

hovering overhead
Staff member
Super Mod
Joined
Oct 2, 1998
Messages
46,994
I was asked by one of our denizens to post up images of split backspring whittlers, so I am going to use this thread to post up the two that I own currently and invite other members to feel free to post up their own examples as well.

The first one is a bit unusual in that it is a sowbelly whittler with the blades one would ordinarily find on a stockman or cattle knife. Bill Ruple did a great job on this knife and I'm sorry that the images don't convey just how vibrant it is when seen in person.

orig.jpg


orig.jpg


orig.jpg


medium800.jpg
medium800.jpg


medium800.jpg
medium800.jpg


medium800.jpg



The next example is a whittler by Ken Erickson based upon a Case "80" pattern "Big Whittler" that I had sent to Ken for use in getting the proportions.


orig.jpg
orig.jpg


orig.jpg


orig.jpg
orig.jpg


orig.jpg


orig.jpg


orig.jpg


orig.jpg
 
Nice stuff Elliott!

Keep on posting these kind of beauties, I never grow tired of looking at them!

Kind regards,

Jos
 
VERY nice indeed. Those must be a real pleasure to handle. The bolster treatment and filework look great on the Ruple and the Erickson has an elegant look to it.

Thanks for showing them,
Peter
 
Thanks, gents. It's fun sharing 'em.
 
those Erickson whittlers are awesome! It's like every thread you've been posting I've seen my favourite pocketknife- that Erickson jigged whittler the most, (up til this point, that is!)
 
Alas, the jigged one is not mine but was made at my request for a friend. Appreciate the good feedback and encouragement. :cool:
 
to me, that knife is perfect in every way I can see.
Having said that, I'd prefer it in stag, with a spear point main blade with a long nick and short swedge, and a pen blade instead of the clipped one. Oh, and equal end with fluted bolsters.
:)
 
Elliott, to be academically correct, do you think these should be called "Split Backspring" ?
As you know, true split backsprings were made (forged) a long time ago. The more modern construction is 2 springs, either tapered or with a long wedge shaped divider.
The Erickson ivory Dogleg is my favorite of all your knives that i have seen posted.
roland
 
Last edited:
Yes, Roland, I am aware...but since in the common parlance the other term has come to be accepted (even by many purists) I hesitate to reinvent the wheel or try to force anyone to adopt any particular terminology. Feel free to use whichever terms you feel most appropriate.
 
Elliott i mentioned it because in one of your recent posts you mentioned that you preferred correct nomenclature when discussing knives.
I think "Whittler" is all that is required because by definition it is a 3 blade, 2 spring knife with the master blade bearing on both springs. Any more is redundant unless it is a vintage Sheffield knife with a true split backspring.
roland
 
I've always considered this type of construction a 'split back spring'...

Even though I know the difference. ;)
 
Thank you once again, Roland, for pointing that out to me. Ordinarily you might be correct. However, this particular thread was started in response to a request by another member asking me to post additional split backspring whittlers (after his reading and responding in the "humpback" whittler thread).

Since I didn't want to ignore him nor act the prig I decided to take the middle course and chance getting my comeuppance from the wings.

Perhaps you can start a new thread on nomenclature. I'm sure it will be very helpful and well received.
 
Last edited:
I, for one, did not know the difference (and still don't, but a picture would help), but I do know what I like.

And that Ruple is just completely spectacular and one of the best and most useful blade combos I've ever seen. Better even than my beloved stockmen, because the split backspring obviates the krinking of blades. With the awesome stag and the sunken joints it looks like pocket heaven!
 
Thanks for the good words, Jeff. I'm sure Bill Ruple would appreciate your comments.

Simply put, the single split back spring would be forged to look somewhat like the letter Y. (Naturally, not to scale nor so extreme in the branching off.)

The top end (in this example) with the two branches would go (one each) to the accessory blades, where the other end of the spring would mate with the tang of the master blade.
In this case, two separate back springs would not be required due to the dividing / branching of the single spring to handle all three blades.
 
Elliott, you mean i've been hanging out in the BRL forum too much ?

"The earliest type of 'whittler' from before c1830, has just one backspring, which is split for half its length, and has two small blades and a catch bit at the split end. All the few examples I have seen were made in Sheffield.

Willfully ignorant sellers on ebay, and gullible newbies who imitate them, mistakenly call ALL whittlers 'split backspring.' Don't be them

BRL "

Here's a picture of a slit backspring, albeit a fancy one:

jackson-146.jpg


"The brass catch bit is secured only by the blade pivot rivet for the two small blades.
Pulling the end of the catch bit makes it pivot, raising the master blade until it can be grasped and opened."

roland
 
Elliott,

Those are absolutely wonderful, but I am drawn to the Ivory Erickson. Immediately after I post this response, my next email goes to Ken
to get a Whittler for myself. I think I am truly mentally disturbed, I can't seem to stop myself, does anyone know a medication I can take
to cure me of this habit or will I be forced to add to my collection until my funds run out?

Jeff
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top