Splitback Serpentine Whittler

S

Schwert

Joined
Oct 2, 2002
Messages
47
OK fellows, the new SodBuster slipjoint I just got from Gene Ingram has reinspired me for another slip pattern that I have always wanted.

Several years ago I had booked a splitback whittler from Tony Huffman after long and careful study of his work. Unfortunately, he stopped making knives just as my order was at the top of his list. At that point I drifted back to fixed blades....until yesterday.

I have booked a jigged bone, ATS34 version from him with a classic wharncliffe main and the two smaller coping and pen blades. I want something similar but scales are wide open....from Mammoth to bone, and I am leaning towards carbon steel rather than stainless.

I would like to renew my study of makers and their offering for this pattern. I would like some recommendations as to who deserves a good look. I would like to stay around the $600 mark but can be flexible up a bit higher.

Timeframe is totally irrelevent too.....as I just spent my last nickel on the SodBuster:)
 
Around $600 plus I would recommend:

Don Morrow
Bill Ruple
JB Moore? - (Not sure if he does that pattern but his prices are very reasonable)
David Taylor
Rick Nowland (Not sure if he makes this pattern)
Al Warren? (Again, not sure if he makes this pattern)
PJ Tomes
Joel Chamblin and Ryuichi Kawamura (will be more than $600 but well worth the extra$. I chose them on the higher end because they probably wouldn't be charging $1000+++ for one.) I love my Ryuichi splitback whittler.

This is my list. I know there other great higher-dollar makers out there that make them but this is the list I came up with that closely meets the $600+ criterion. There are good makers out there that make single/double bladed slip joints for </=$400, but I know they have not made this pattern for one reason or another. I have asked most of them in the past. Maybe you could convince them to try: Montell, Alsdorf, K. Erickson, T. Davison

I'd be curious to know,

-Eric
 
Rick Browne (never held anything by him but he does make a splitback)
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Rick makes an excellent knife but they're usually a good bit over 1,000.00. If you're going to get up there in money, you might want to add Grey Taylor to the list.
Perry
 
I was trying to keep it below $1000. I only added Browne to the list based on what I have seen his knives go for on the dealers sites. I did not know his were above $1000 so i'll take him off the list. Thanks for the info.
 
Thanks Sierra.....I have started looking.

This Ruple has me speechless...

stagwhittler.jpg
 
I kinda like that pattern myself.

I vote Chamblin myself, Schwert, in the $800 range. IMHO his work is good enough to justify the move up, but I'm sure there are makers who can get it done in your range.

I wonder if J.B. Moore makes one? I know he does whittlers but don't know which particular patterns.
 
Joel Chamblin does have an excellent example on his site. The needle point checkered bone is spectacular. His image is gigantic so I will not bring it over.

This is definatly the realm of masters. Slips from some of these fellows are simply amazing.

I will continue to look and work on my saving plan....that is the hard part:D
 
Schwert said:
I will continue to look and work on my saving plan....that is the hard part:D
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Isn't it always;) I have three young Daughters to look after so my knife savings is modest:o

I don't have much to add other than..... you have good taste in knives.... and welcome back to slippies:thumbup:
 
That Ruple has beautiful filework on the spine.

A stockman does not do it for me though. A single blade Trapper...especially a wharncliffe has caught my eye though.
 
Blues said:
I vote Chamblin myself, Schwert, in the $800 range. IMHO his work is good enough to justify the move up, but I'm sure there are makers who can get it done in your range.
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I agree. And word is his wait is reasonable right now. My next in line would be Ruple.

Schwert, anyone mentioned in this thread will get you a quality knife, assuming they offer a splitback.

Blues said:
wonder if J.B. Moore makes one? I know he does whittlers but don't know which particular patterns.
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I'm afraid that if he did i'd order one. Best I don't know right now :p
 
Add Richard Rogers to the list :D.

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Here is one I managed to get from Bill a few years ago.
Pictures of this knife have been all over the place.
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Johnny Stout is going to make a few. I was so impressed by the Dr. knife he had for me, I did not hesitate to ask for one last week at Blade.
 
Schwert - did you ever find that whittler? I've got a Hanson you may be interested in.

Mike
 
Schwert,Can we see the Ingram ?? Please?
This is the nicest whittler I've EVER seen
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-Vince
 
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