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Whittlers - it's not your run-of-the-mill penknife!

left to right:

Rough Rider Sleeveboard Whittler in Black Pearl
Case Seahorse Whittler in Sawcut Bone
Rough Rider Swell Canter Whittler in Yellow Comp

A famous knife expert (who shall remain anonymous) claimed in his book that the Whittler is not a true traditional pattern but simply a pen knife that knife companies have opted to call whittlers for marketing purposes. After all you can whittle wood with just about any knife! This may in fact be technically true but if you ask people who collect whittlers what a whittler is, they will give you a very succinct description of specific knife!

While it is true Whittlers are type of pen knife and that they come in all shapes and sizes, it is also true that with very few exceptions they all share some very specific traits.

First, the whittler features three blades with the primary blade being a large blade located at one end of the knife and two smaller secondary blades located at the other end.

Second, the large main blade, when closed, will drop dead center between to the two smaller blades at the other end.

Third, the knife will normally have two back springs, with each of the smaller blades being held in place with its own spring and the main blade getting tension form both back springs. This allows the blades to by straight in the handle when closed and opened with minimal, if any blade rub.

The reason the blades are arranged in such a fashion is so that there will be less stress when on the blades when whittling and it also gives more tension on the big blade. In short it reduces the risk of blade play.

As for the exceptions – well there are canitlers, half-whittlers, and then that stockman style Boy Scout Whittler that come to mind. And in every case, these knives were designed for the purpose of whittling.

Typical blades found on whittlers, are the ever popular Coping , Pen, Wharncliffe, and Clip for secondary blades. For the primary blade the Clip, Spear and Wharncliffe lead the field however you will see the occasional sheepfoot. All of these blades are found on whittlers because of their wood working potential.

The wharncliffe is an excellent choice because it can scribe, ream and shave with the best of them. The clip and spear excellent for shaving and reaming as is the pen . Coping and sheepfoot blades are good for shaving wood and scribing but not as good when it comes to reaming.

Yes there are other knife patterns that are often associated with whittling but these particular knives were designed with whittling in mind! Thus is a stockman was designed to be used for Cattle work and Trappers were designed for use in the trapping industry, then it is somewhat pretentious of a knife expert to say a whittler is just a pen knife that has been given a name for marketing purposes.

So let’s show of our Traditional Pattern WHITTLERS and tell the expert what we think of his opinion!

6 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on December 16, 2016 at 18:13

If you're like me, Syd, the new don't wear off...

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on December 16, 2016 at 18:29

I am like you I think. The last new knife I got, back in April if I remember, is still in daily rotation. I imagine that one and this new Whittler will be on my belt daily for quite awhile, (got two hips, why not carry both?).

J.J. Smith III said:

If you're like me, Syd, the new don't wear off...

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on December 16, 2016 at 19:45

Yep, the Seahorse I got in Dalton, couple of years ago, rides in a case horrizontal belt sheath. When not attached, it stays beside the sofa on the end table.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on December 17, 2016 at 17:58

Syd,

I have to agree the scales on that one are stunningly rich and warm looking!

Tim,

WOW not only is it a good looking Melon, it is a PPP. Good work!

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on December 17, 2016 at 19:04

I took my new Seahorse Whittler out for a ride today, nothing special, just a grocery run with a couple of friend & family stops along the way. Met my daughter at a coffee shop and after some prodding on her part I showed it to her, she liked the color too Jan. Told her about the frame and the jig, she said, "write that all down one of these days". In my world that means keep it out of sight when she is around or she will snag it. She knows me so well, told her I had just bought myself a gift, she immediately said, "so, you went out and spent stoopid money on a new knife huh?". Egads, busted, had no choice but to show it to her then. I'm sure the little sneak is plotting how she can get and keep her hands on MY pretty new Case Whittler. Oh well, create a monster and that's what you get. Been telling her for years that her only inheritance will be a knife collection and antique hand tools, and she took that to heart and decided she likes those things too. Asked her about my kuhkris that she "borrowed" a couple of years ago and all she said was, "they're safe"; sigh.

Permalink Reply by Michael Squier on December 18, 2016 at 9:44

Syd, I suggest the next time you buy a knife, buy 2. One to keep and one to share. lol

Permalink Reply by Tim on December 18, 2016 at 10:32

Great story Syd.

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on December 18, 2016 at 13:16

Well Michael, I would if I could afford to, but she is going to get them all eventually anyway, so what's the use? What's happening now is that slow transition where the parent becomes the child and vice versa. She scolds me when I don't eat right, (which I don't most of the time), scolds me when I skip doctor's appointments, scolds me about dirty dishes, scolds me for letting laundry pile up, scolds me about spending money unwisely, (a particular talent of mine); I mean she really IS starting to sound like my mother!! And now she wants to confiscate my stuff when I misbehave, the parallels are scary; I'm doomed!!!

Of course, as a dad who loves his daughter more than life itself I will do as I have always done and will cave when she bats those pretty blue eyes at me, and I'll shudder when I think I've displeased her. Of course she can have anything I own anytime she wants it and she knows that, so really in my heart of hearts I'm delighted when she shows any kind of interest in me at all; I'm really quite a lucky fellow. In the meantime I will enjoy HER new Whittler as long as I can, at least until I'm a bad boy, at which time I'll hide it under my bed with my Playboys.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on December 18, 2016 at 20:44

ROFL Syd!

I refuse to get to that point, matter of fact it scares me LOL. I dont want my son to have the right to get even ! Hence why I am keeping the knife collection...I might need to ribe the grandkids

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on December 18, 2016 at 21:04

Well, I'm not going there easily, (I hope). My god daughter is almost as bad, and she's always on FB; can't get away with much of anything without one of 'em catching on. Tonight I got FB messages from both asking what size pants, underwear and socks I use......see, I swear they are channeling my mom!!

Don't think they have found me here, (yet), so at least I can confess my fiscal shenanigans here, (which are usually associated with knives). Having said that I have a 90's Buck 310 Whittler on the way, (relatively rare), and also recently found Buck unobtanium again, a #322 Congress in Yellow Sawcut Delrin, '95-only SMKW SFO, (someone was dumb enough to issue me a credit card, I'll teach 'em to be more careful next time). So, I'll have another Whittler to talk about here soon, and an uber-rare Buck Congress to talk about over on the Buck threads by tomorrow or the next day. Whatever you do, DON"T TELL MY KIDS!!

Jan Carter said:

ROFL Syd!

I refuse to get to that point, matter of fact it scares me LOL. I dont want my son to have the right to get even ! Hence why I am keeping the knife collection...I might need to ribe the grandkids

Permalink Reply by Michael Squier on December 19, 2016 at 8:37

Syd, thats great, its nice that you both share an interest too.

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on December 27, 2016 at 14:57

Here is a Whittler you don't see that often, Buck #310 Whittler, 3" closed, this one date stamped 1994. Similar in length to the #309 Companion, (two blade equal ended pen knife), but a bit thicker due to the extra blade. According to the database of 300 Series historical info that I have, this model was first made in 1994, so that makes this is a first year knife. Also according to the database, they first appeared in the Buck catalog in 1998, with the last appearance in their catalog in the year 2000. This model was only made in the Buck factory, unlike most of the rest of the 300 Series, which up until 1986 were all made by Camillus, so this was one of the few of the 300 Series that was completely designed & created by Buck in-house, (#312 Mini Trapper & #314 Trapper share that distinction). Why they were discontinued I have no idea. This model disappeared around the same time that Buck started importing certain other 300 Series models.

This particular knife is in "good used" condition, not pristine by any means, but in decent shape. The master blade came sharp but with a lot of obvious sharpening activity with the scratches to prove it. I judge that blade to be probably about 95-98% of it's original profile. The smaller pen & sheepsfoot blades look relatively unused, the handle is in good shape, with sawcut ridges being prominent to the touch. All blades are tight, and all snap closed as they should, pull is around a 6.

Here it is, it will be a good user and a good example of it's frame.