Whittlers

D

duderubble

Joined
Jun 11, 2015
Messages
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I know I'm new at this but I'm lusting after whittlers and looking for advice from those who practice the craft. When I was a boy I never got past clunky canoes but I'd like to give it another go as an old guy.

I'd like some advice on getting started in general and knives (preferably folders). I love the look of the case whittler with the wharncliffe blade. But I know they make other ones. I am especially eying the one with Damascus blades. Beatiful at about double the cost of the ss blades, but is it worth it from a practical standpoint?

Case is my preference. I have the stockman with punch which doesn't seem suited the the task and a ss peanut on the way.

What words of wisdom do you have?
 
Welcome to the traditional knife forum. The case whittler is a nice knife, I would try cv as it is easy sharpen and cheaper to try out.
 
I'm not an avid whittler, but I whittle some. For me the most important blade is a medium size Sheepfoot (as you find on a Schrade 34OT or Buck 303 Cadet). Everyone has their own preference and that blade is mine; if I was to go with a Whittler pattern knife it would need a stout coping blade - like on a Case 6380. OH
 
dave308ek said:
Welcome to the traditional knife forum. The case whittler is a nice knife, I would try cv as it is easy sharpen and cheaper to try out.
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Yes, that was my thought but I can't see that they are making them in cv. It's stainless or the Damascus.
 
Old Hunter said:
I'm not an avid whittler, but I whittle some. For me the most important blade is a medium size Sheepfoot (as you find on a Schrade 34OT or Buck 303 Cadet). Everyone has their own preference and that blade is mine; if I was to go with a Whittler pattern knife it would need a stout coping blade - like on a Case 6380. OH
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I do have that sheep's foot on my case stockman in cv. The case you mention seems to be out of production and therefore pretty expensive to come by. The seahorse whittler seems to have a stout coping blade though.
 
Don't obsess about the perfect knife. It does not exist.

Take almost any decent quality knife and sharpen it up, get some wood and make something. Make a toy, a whistle or a walking stick. Keep at it and you will get better and enjoy it more.

There are hundreds of books, websites, you tube videos that will help.

You already have a knife that will work.
 
Even though the perfect knife does not exist, my recently acquired Grinling Whittler comes awfully close!

This after 60 years of searching.
 
I have lots of whittlers but I would suggest you try a couple of Rough riders. The medium congress has two sheepsfoot
blades a coping and a pen. The one in the pic is a small canoe with a lockback spear a pen and a GREAT coping blade It's three springs across so fora short knife it feels solid and substantial in the hand. They come razor sharp,hold a good edge and sharpen easily. You could buy both for under $30.00. Both great whittlers.

Best regards

Robin

The canoe is 3 1/8th long


I changed the covers and rat tailed the bolsters on this one. Just in case you loved it and ran off lookin :D
 
Ulster 63/Craftsman 9494 and Camillus 72

Ulster%252063-Craftsman%25209494%2520%2526%2520Camillus%252072%2520Closed.JPG

Ulster%252063-Craftsman%25209494%2520%2526%2520Camillus%252072%2520Open.JPG
 
The Queen/Schatt Morgan #54 is basically the same pattern as the GEC 38. Not as finely finished as the GEC, but also, not near the price if you look hard. They also come in stainless with a wharncliffe blade. I sold two on the exchange last week. You can still look at the thread pics even though it is closed. If you'd like to chat more about these particular models, pm or email me.
 
duderubble said:
I do have that sheep's foot on my case stockman in cv. The case you mention seems to be out of production and therefore pretty expensive to come by. The seahorse whittler seems to have a stout coping blade though.
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Looks can be deceiving. The secondary blades on the Seahorse are very thin and fairly flexible. I like them, but not everyone can tolerate that much flex in a whittling knife. There are a couple of pretty good threads in The Workshop on beginning whittling knives, but as Mr.Chips said, anything sharp will work. You just have to try different knives until you find what you like best. The GEC #38 Grinling whittler is indeed a very nice knife, but I personally prefer the secondary clip point of the Schrade 804 to the pen of the GEC.

Here is a view of the secondary blades on my Case Seahorse

 
As a newbie myself I suggest wearing some type of guard or glove until you get the feel for it, and use a softer wood.

These two have been highly suggested in other threads on whittling but they are hard to find, the 62 (pearl) more so than the 57 (green jig)






Another, though not a whittler, that is used is the stockman. The 66 is a great size.




Have fun. You may want to search for the whittling threads. There are a more than a few in different areas.
 
Thank you all so much for your suggestions. I'm excited to grab a few knives and give it a whirl. In addition to the ones mentioned here I'm looking at a boker congress.
 
The Boker is another one that is great and used a lot. Drop us a pic or two when you have done a few things. Do you know what you are to try first?
 
I started trying some more advanced projects last year (more advanced meaning more complicated than sharpening a stick). What I've learned is that a thin sharp blade is all anyone really needs. My preference (as others have mentioned) is for a moderate sized sheep's foot blade. Do post pictures of your projects! [emoji106]


Michael
 
KBA said:
The Boker is another one that is great and used a lot. Drop us a pic or two when you have done a few things. Do you know what you are to try first?
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Strange as it sounds I'd like to do a nativity, but I could use some guidance to some instructions for beginners projects. I thought of a chain.
 
duderubble said:
Strange as it sounds I'd like to do a nativity, but I could use some guidance to some instructions for beginners projects. I thought of a chain.
Click to expand...

Awesome goal to work up to! I have always wanted to do a complete chess set. No where near ready yet. :)
 
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