Traditional knives for whittling and carving?

SoansoMcMasters

SoansoMcMasters

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For fans of traditional knives, what are some knives well suited for whittling and carving? Thanks!
 
You may want to try the traditional folders and fixed blades forum. They have a sub forum all about whittling.
 
SoansoMcMasters said:
For fans of traditional knives, what are some knives well suited for whittling and carving? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Rufus1949 said:
You may want to try the traditional folders and fixed blades forum.
Click to expand...
You might get some ideas here:

What have you been whittling with your traditionals?

I have posted pics here and there that include some of my current whittling projects (I always have several going), and I thought it’d be fun for to make a thread where everyone could share what they are whittling. Not to be confused with wood carving, this is traditional knife whittling...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com

Or start a new thread in the ”Traditional” sub-forum:

Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades

Discussion of classic Hunters, Trappers, Lockbacks, Slipjoints, Skinners and other classic designs
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
A vintage stockman or congress pattern in carbon steel. They are cheap and you just keep sharpening them until they aren't there any more.

And when one is gone, you grab another. Imperial and Colonial on the cheap end and Camillus, Boker or Schrade for a bit more. There are other knives, but for a nice traditional pocket knife, I have started there. I can't carve worth a $%@# but that's not the knife's fault.
 
SoansoMcMasters said:
I ordered a Case Stockman in curly maple. Thanks all!
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Sounds like a solid choice :thumbsup::).

The only thing I don’t like about multi-blade knives for carving wood is that the backs of the blades protruding from the blade well can be painful to grip after a while. If you are going to carve stuff out of natural pieces you find outdoors, you might want to pair your stockman with something like an Opinel #8 in carbon steel. The thin blade and comfortable handle make it great for stripping bark and gross material removal. Then when your shape is roughed in, you can use the stockman for the detailed stuff.

An Opinel #8 should set you back less than $20. A Mora would be another option, but I am assuming we are talking about pocket knives here.
 
I chose a pen blade over a spay blade on my stockman. Is there any advantage for whittling/carving with a spay blade?
 
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stockman, 3 or 4 blade whittler pattern, Congress (supposedly got its name from all the congressmen who had the pattern and whittled on the wooden arms of their chairs while one of their long winded cohorts yacked for 5 or 6 hours to say nothing or "It's raining." during a filibuster or normal debate on a bill.), Barlow, canoe ... pretty much any multi-blade.
Single blades with a wharncliffe, sheepfoot, spear point, or clip point.
 
SoansoMcMasters said:
I chose a pen blade over a spay blade on my stockman. Is there any advantage for whittling/carving with a spay blade?
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This guy says the spey. I make spoons though. I use a schrade USA 33ot jack knife some and the pen blade is mighty handy.

I find carbon steel to be better at taking a keen edge, touch ups, and at cutting. That said, I use a stainless 75 pattern jumbo stockman a fair piece, as it’s my favorite knife and what I have.

That 33ot I mentioned is very reasonably priced on the second hand market, as is their 34OT stockman.
 
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