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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 April 4, 2015 at 22:45

I'm going with the Seahorse, Tobias. It has the blades that i prefer, the size is nice for prolonged use and its comfortable in hand.

I like the slight downward tilt of the Wharncliffe blade, makes it feel more natural in use.

If you can find one in pocket worn, theyre super nice yo hold and use. Got a couple of mine that I've sanded and polished the edges of the scales, for comfort.
Tobias Gibson said:

J.J there is no doubt, you are the Whittler's Whittler! What whittler do you feel is the best all around whittler?

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 7, 2015 at 11:00

I normally like to post multiple images of one knife but in the case of my Three Rough Rider Canoe Whittlers, I think I'll post them as a set. I love these little knives; even though they are somewhat impractical in size! Despite their dainty size that many of the hallmarks of much large knives. What really impressed me was the split back-springs! This is a feature that is almost unique to whittlers but I really did not expect it on whittlers this small. The blade options are also quite nice!

RR311: Red Jigged Bone

RR383: Orange Smooth Bone

RR836: Pink Lemonade.

Small enough for your watch fob pocket on your jeans and razor sharp for your small cutting needs. Excellent fit and finish with terrific blades that stay where you put them. (Right click the images to see at higher resolution in a new window!)

Pattern: Canittler (Canoe Whittler)
Pattern Numbers: RR311, RR383, RR836
Length Closed : 2.25 inches
Blade Steel: 440 A Razor Sharp Stainless Steel
Blade Main: 1.5 inch clip
Secondary: 1 inch sheepfoot, 1 inch pen
Handle: bone
Bolsters: Nickel Silver
Lining: Brass.
Pins: Brass

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on April 7, 2015 at 14:43

How bout this one,

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 7, 2015 at 14:45

That's beauty J.J. that's real walnut, isn't it?

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on April 7, 2015 at 15:15

Peach seed, Tobias. I call it a Ca-Pit-ler.

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on April 7, 2015 at 15:22

Here's one on a reverse congress frame.

American Blade - Parker Cutlery.

Appaloosa bone.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 7, 2015 at 19:32

That would make more sense than a walnut! Duh!

J.J. Smith III said:

Peach seed, Tobias. I call it a Ca-Pit-ler.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 7, 2015 at 19:34

That reverse congress is a real looker, JJ. One of the best I've seen. You're going to make me break that commandment about coveting my neighbors property if you're not careful!

Permalink Reply by Brian Martin on April 7, 2015 at 20:14

Bokers and one Seahorse!

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 16, 2015 at 12:57

Another Rough Rider, this is an older one in the Arrowhead Series. The design was developed by Brian Yellowhorse. It features an imitation Bisbee Turquoise handles. Bisbee Turquoise is a type of turquoise that is native to a specific region on Arizona and is a favored turquoise of the Yellowhorse Family (or so David Yellowhorse once told me in an email) This material on these knives is NOT reconstituted turquoise. The box was designed by Brian Wilhoite. I believe the the shield on the knife is also a Yellowhorse design.

My biggest complaint about this whittler and many other Rough Rider Whittlers is the lack of a coping blade! Sigh!

Pattern: Humpback whittler

Steel: 440A stainless blades

Bolsters: nickel silver. (based on original work by Yellowhorse)

Shield: Arrowhead, nickel silver

Scales: Imitation Bisbee Turquoise (composition)

Liners: Brass

Spring: Stainless

Closed length: 3.5 inches