which Seahorse Whittler?

S

SpyderJon

Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
2,038
Howdy all! Awhile back I was asking about whether or not y'all would choose the Case Seahorse or the Bulldog Viking. I ended up with a nice Jade green bone Seahorse. Here's the rub. I have a friend who I'm trying to get something nice for. He doesn't really like the jade green bone, but loves the seahorse. what would be your recommendation of the other versions that are out there? Is case brothers or the silver script edition better than some of the others? What version would YOU want as a gift? Thanks, again!

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
I personally like the Case bro's version but then again I like them all. The Seahorse is such a great pattern. I had the opportunity to pick up one this past weekend but I decided to get a more traditional looking whittler.
Matt
 
Anthony,
I have several Case Seahorse whittlers and I like the silver script handles the best. It is some of the prettiest bone I have seen in a long while. I do no have the Case Brothers yet but it will be my next seahorse. Either one would be a great gift. I saw the 6.5 stag bone at a show and it looks real good. The only problem with it if you can not hand pick it some of it looks too cheap/fake. If it is done right it almost looks like stag. Your friend has a good friend...


Dean
 
Bill Ruple makes the best one I've used. I've got several from Bill. Some are kind of stiff to open. with two springs working on the main blade, but you can use them with total peace of mind. Bill is right when he says you don't want the little blades soft just to make the main one easier to open.

I only use them on basswood, and they stay brand new looking. Whittled a ball in cage with the stag one a while back. Here it is. Still need to refine it. Saving that for the next camping trip.
 

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Here's a better scan. That first one bugged me.
 

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groovy work fasteddie! I like that. Believe me, if I could afford Mr. Ruple's work for a gift I'd be a very happy man indeed! Even if I bought one of those fine knives for my friend he would never know the difference. I really like those knives though! Just like I love my trapper from Don Morrow! Oh well, I'm still lookin' for ideas, but I'm thinking about the silver script. I think he'd really like that! Please keep the ideas coming though! SAY, does ANYONE know where I can get a good price on the seahorse with the ATS-34 blades? just saw that and was wondering!

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
Is this a type of Seahorse whittler? I just call it a wharncliff whittler but wondered if it has a different name, either way, I love it! It's high carbon blade and prone to rust if not careful though, it's one of 400 or so made with stag scales, not sure if you could locate another like it, but I'd suggest posting in the Knives Wanted section when you narrow down which one you'd like, you may get someone that has one to decide to sell from their collection, I picked this up from a fellow from the forums so they are out there...;)

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G2

edited to add, WOW Fasteddie, just opened your pics, very nice folders there! Mr. Ruple is to the top of my Want list for sure, I like the stag models for the rounding of his bolsters, the pearl handled ones have a flatter bolster and don't look as comfy as these!
Thanks for sharing!! and good start on that carving too...:)
 
Gary,
That one is a Case Classic Wharncliff Whittler 53055 pattern (it could be an 0055) depending upon the size. The quality of that knife is heads above the Seahorse Whittler. (I consider the seahorse one of the finer knives to come out of the Case factory in a while). The Case Classics were made under license by Queen and at that they are typically nicer than the regular Queen line in fit and finish and equal or maybe a tad better than the Schatt and Morgan line. I love the Classics due to the carbon steel and the high level of fit and finish.
 
To me, the "Seahorse" whittler is one of the pinnacles of knifemaking. Its one of the few patterns I collect. To me Ruple might be the best, although Reese Bose and Rick Browne are great too. I haven't gotten to handle a Tony Bose yet, but I'm working on it.

The other names I've heard for that same pattern are:
* Serpentine whittler
* Split back whittler
* Wharncliffe whittler
* Rogers whittler

Tony Bose gave me a real ration of sh*t about it, and told me that Rogers whittler is the correct name, and I'm going with that to avoid another lecture.

If I was going with for a Case, I'd look for an older one, XX or XX USA. Also, for whittling, I like the blade combination of a wharncliffe main, and a coping and a pen for the small blades...in that order.

edit: If you like whittlers, keep your eye out for a new design by Bill Ruple. A 3-blade, split backspring "Canoe Whittler." He had and sold the prototype at the recent show here in Austin. I got to see it, but was way too late for purchasing it. Its a real winner, although it has no wharncliffe blade.
 
Originally posted by Bastid
Gary,
That one is a Case Classic Wharncliff Whittler 53055 pattern (it could be an 0055) depending upon the size. The quality of that knife is heads above the Seahorse Whittler. (I consider the seahorse one of the finer knives to come out of the Case factory in a while). The Case Classics were made under license by Queen and at that they are typically nicer than the regular Queen line in fit and finish and equal or maybe a tad better than the Schatt and Morgan line. I love the Classics due to the carbon steel and the high level of fit and finish.
Click to expand...

Thanks Gus,
Mine is the 53055 one, made in 1994, if you can believe the tang stamp, takes a very nice edge and the blades ave a nice tight fit to them, very happy with this one! :)
G2
 
if they don't like the jade bone take a look at the case brothers paua seahorse looks outstanding and there are only 250 available .
 
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