Tuna Valley Humpback Whittler

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Glenridgerich

Joined
Aug 7, 2015
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36
I like small knives. I work in an office environment and rarely need to cut anything more than a piece of string. That said, I've always enjoyed having a small, well-built knife on me at all times. So of course, I rotate GEC 25's, 26's, Al-Mar's, pen knives, etc. I always wished Tuna Valley would make a small knife...Well, they finally did...The Humpback Whittler! I scored one recently and have been very impressed. Three useful blades, light...but not too light...meaning the knife although small has good heft for its size. Even though, as I mentioned, I don't use it a ton, it gives me that confidence of knowing that the thing is made for moderate/hard use (unlike say a Case Peanut or Tiny Trapper that you feel like it was made by a robot and wouldn't stand up to real cutting tasks beyond opening a letter). I chose the Buffalo (black) and its been in my pocket since I received it a week or so ago. Definitely a keep, user, lifer. If you've not seen it, look it up. If you have considered it, buy it! Also, if anyone is aware of other small well-made knives please recommend them to me. Thanks in advance!
 
Queen used the same pattern years ago for Colonel Coon and Robeson. Queen also used the pattern for a Schatt & Morgan lockback whittler... I think that one may have been a bit larger...don't recall for sure. I had one of the lockbacks and will try to dig up a photo.

It's an old design. 100 years ago Remington used a similar pattern.

How are the grinds and the mechanics on the Tuna Valley knife? The grinds weren't the best on the Schatt & Morgan and Colonel Coon versions. A bit thick on the main blade. Haven't seen the Robeson or the recent Tuna Valley versions.

That's an expensive string cutter--haha! ;) Fun to collect though.

Schatt & Morgan Lockback
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1920s Remington
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Glenridgerich said:
Even though, as I mentioned, I don't use it a ton, it gives me that confidence of knowing that the thing is made for moderate/hard use (unlike say a Case Peanut or Tiny Trapper that you feel like it was made by a robot and wouldn't stand up to real cutting tasks beyond opening a letter).
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Those peanuts can handle a lot more work than you might think! Haven't seen the Tiny Trapper. The Mini Trapper is quite nice.

Glenridgerich said:
Also, if anyone is aware of other small well-made knives please recommend them to me. Thanks in advance!
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I like the Norfolk a lot. It may be a bit bigger than you prefer but it's a great pattern and well designed.

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Also old gunstock lobster whittlers would be an excellent string cutter with some history and elegant design. In their day they were one of the more expensive knives. They were gentleman's knives and may seem thin compared to overbuilt present day knives.

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Grind are good...To be fair, I'm really not a great judge of that sort of thing...I'd say they are more than sufficient. The whole package has nicely made quality feel...But not so perfect that you'd be reluctant to use it. I like to use my knives but sometimes (stupidly) feel that they are too perfect! This baby screams to be used. Also, I had to laugh, I knew saying something about those Case's might bring some wrath. I gotta say, I've owned many Case's and haven't loved any of them. I do love this TV Humpback!
 
Take a look at the Rough Rider Mini-Cannittler(lock back canoe whilttler). Really nice, well made, functional small knife.

Rich
 
I'll second the Norfolk although it's expensive, somewhat hard to find at a good price, and I wouldn't consider it a small knife. I'll take this opportunity to show off my two. :D

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This one is kind of unique as I've never seen anybody except myself post about one but it's a well made pen knife at a decent price. A.G. Russell Gentleman's Pen Knife in Smooth White Bone. I bought it primarily because I like the shape of the main blade but also because I knew an A.G. Russell branded knife would be of excellent quality. I believe it's right at 3 inches closed. Here it is next to a Norfolk.

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No blade rub on this little bugger.

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These little Buck 505's make great office carry knives.

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Glenridgerich said:
Grind are good...To be fair, I'm really not a great judge of that sort of thing...I'd say they are more than sufficient. The whole package has nicely made quality feel...But not so perfect that you'd be reluctant to use it. I like to use my knives but sometimes (stupidly) feel that they are too perfect! This baby screams to be used. Also, I had to laugh, I knew saying something about those Case's might bring some wrath. I gotta say, I've owned many Case's and haven't loved any of them. I do love this TV Humpback!
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Some love for Queen Cutlery is good.
 
I'll 2nd the small lobster reccomendation. I bought this one at the flea market for a dollar "becuase of the chip". This was when I was first starting to get into traditional knives and recognized Hen and Rooster as a good brand but didn't know until I got home that it's a hundred years old! It has a 1900-1945 tang stamp but I assume it came over during the earlier half of that year range since I doubt Germany was selling pocket knives to the US during the World Wars.

I have to say that I was quite tempted to fix it up and carry it because it's so much more solidly built than any of my other small knives. The blades and tools feel like they were machined from a billet rather than stamped out of a sheet. The nail file is sharper and more effective than any modern knife and has fairly soft pulls yet a strong snap both open and closed.

If you've ever worked on a diesel Mercedes then you know that inexplicable solidness that I'm talking about.

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I have been eyeing these since they came out...you might have just pushed me over the top!
 
Thanks for the heads up on these! The minute I saw one I was hooked. I got a black buffalo horn headed my way. Can't wait to check it out.
 
Very nice looking compact knife. I like smaller knives but as you point out, they can be difficult. Too skimpy they can be toy-like and unsatisfactory.

Here's two I like: the GEC Conductor pattern and Queen's Sleeveboard in D2. The latter has very short blades but they're snappy and work well with a compact frame. The Conductor gives you a lot of blade for the frame.

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