Picked up this Camillus BSA Boy Scout Whittler off of ebay. It has some wear but actually knife is in pretty good shape. Great snap and tightness on the blades. Wondering if anyone might now how old this knife would be?IMG_1036.JPG

I've been a whittler and pocket knife enthusiast for a long time, and I'll generally whittle with whatever knife I have in my pocket at the time. It probably depends more on the stick I pick up than the knife in my pocket, truth be told. But I became a collector of Whittler frame knives when I inherited my grandfather's pocket knife and learned that it was a Whittler pattern knife, a Case XX 6380, dated 1949-1964. It's the one on the top left of the display case in the photo. Since then I have acquired many of this special pattern, but that one is probably still the most valuable, and definitely the most prized.

Love the display, Pat.  See you have room for a Seahorse in there too.

Pat, I agree with J.J. -- That is a great display! I'm curious about those cards that are apparently used to catalog your knives. First of all, I love that idea! Second, where did you get those cards and would it be possible to get a close up shot so I could see what is actually on one of them? Nice collection of Whittlers, btw!

Very nice whittler display, Pat.

Some of my Whittlers

Thanks I was getting behind in posting pics!!

Nice collection of Whittlers, Brian! I also love your photographic layout. Nicely done all the way around! Kudos and cheers, my friend!

Thanks Ron

I don't own any Whittlers, but seeing yours, Brian, makes me want one or two.

They fit in the hand nice Howard and don't feel heavy in the pocket make nice EDC.  Thanks Pat I am trying to make better pics, working on better lighting is my next goal.

Hahahaha.  Steve, that is something (walking stick carving) I can't do with my big Busse knife - totem pole maybe, but not fine work.  Great talent, and I saw on "Antiques Roadshow" that a couple old ones, from nobody famous, brought some big bucks.

Well, that does it, Steve.  I have to get a whittler.  What make/kind do I need?  I bought a "Carvin Jack" just so I had something, but reading this blog it seems that REAL carvers don't much like the "Carvin Jack".  So, Seahorse Whittlers look good, but do they feel better in the hand than a straight Whittler?  As you know, I am not much for 1095, even though that is what the "Carvin Jack" is.  D2 sounds like a good option, but are there any "super steel" (154 CPM, Aus-10, S30V,etc.) carvers out there?

Thanks, J.J.,  Good point about "pocket worn", that is, might want smooth bone or wood for the scales/handles for comfort.

I took a look around the Internet this afternoon and a sowbelly might feel pretty good, but they have 4 and sometimes 5 blades which makes for a little fatter knife, and I don't have big hands.

Ivars,

I looked at Oar carvers today, too.  They look pretty good, and as you say, Queen makes them.  And a Canoe is my favorite knife pattern in folders.  Also, I think you are correct about 1095 or high carbon steel being easy to work with and sharpen.  My problem with it is that most of my life I lived without central heating/cooling, and rust loves hot and humid weather.  I live in a controlled environment now, but it's hard to forget all the pitting I experienced with carbon bladed knives.  Whatever carver I get will sit around a long time between uses.

Howard,

In the end, it all depends on what you want to carve.  Dedicated carving knives are nice, but a slip joint whittler let's you carry it anywhere you like.  Ivar's makes excellent observations and recommendations tho I like the downturn on the Seahorses main blade.  He makes his own carving knives, while I like to modify knives to suit my tastes,  

http://www.iknifecollector.com/photo/albums/knife-modifications.

Either way, experiment with what's available.

Thanks, guys.  It looks like I need to get at least a couple different carvers.  The Oar carver looks good, and so does the 2-blade GEC.  The Seahorse is also worth a try.  I don't intend on being a dedicated carver, so I should probably pick one of the three and go with it.  However, I do like to test knives and I need more than one to make comparisons.  Probably any well made Whittler would do for someone like me who intends to just play around.  You guys don't think I need a Bill Ruple Whittler do you?  Hahahahaha.

I'm fond of Barlows too.  Saw a nice stag handeled sway back in a hardware store in North Carolina once.  Didn't pick it up at that time, but came back the next day and it was gone.  You snooze, you loose.

I'd love to have one with a coping blade secondary.  I'd be ALL over that.

Sweet knives Ivars!!

Stadtlander carvings has the oar carver (version II, regular blade and detail blade).

http://www.goestores.com/storename/stadtlandercarvings/dept/272203/...

Bit pricey but a nice knife.

Been looking seriously at a Rough Rider double lock back to modify...

http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/products/Rough+Rider/Rough+Rid...

Here's a Schrade/Warren #1 on the 'bay with a buy it now price of $79.99 (see link below)

Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/171101476589?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_...

This would be my preference of the 2 Warren Whittlers because it's a Wharnie!

Gotta love a wharnie...

Some new ones in this week!!

Very nice looking whittlers, Brian.  I have a couple on my Christmas list:

1. Canal Street, Cannitler, Amber carved stag or smooth Camel bone.

2. German Eye, smooth synthetic Whittler.

3. Case, smooth antique bone Whittler.

Chip carving knives by Pfeil and Wayne Barton

hey thanx for having me group.. DATA NICE SET!!!..  i just had a set of 2 GEC #33's come in last week. great little whittlers ..

@HOWARD ..did you know the Cannitler,or{canoe-whittler } was first created by Frankbuster of FIGHTN ROOSTER knives?  check out ebay and other places and you will find yourself a nice older solid one..noty saying CSC isnt awesome as i collect a  lot of CANAL ST.. i just already own a few of the Cannitler's by F-ROOSTER and they are great. since im new here ..i have to say that my all time favorite whittler would have to be the lockback whittlers.raglrdless of pattern.i like a nice locked blade when carving.. but for the most part i dont use whittler knives..i mostly use single blade sheepsfoot knives for most of what i do.. only thing i know how to carrve up are those little heads for winstoppers! THANX FOR HAVING ME...

i also use a reverse congress with a wharnie as well.

Thanks for the info. Peter.  I'll check out the Roosters.  Merry Christmas!

Has anyone seen this carver, Zheng Chunhui from China? I couldn't believe it when I saw this. This was done from a single tree.

Anybody like the big Anglo Saxon Whittlers?

Paul,

I am not a professional whittler.  I'm not even what you might call a novice whittler.  I took one class at the Case event.  At 5+ inches closed, the main blade of the Bulldog Anglo Saxon seems a bit big to whittle.  Also, while scouting around the Internet for whittlers (whittler folders) I noticed that most (all?) dedicated whittlers - wood handled whittler sets, had short blades, shorter than "whittler" knives from W.R. Case, GEC, Queen, etc.

I collect the large 5 1/4" whittlers but rarely use them. I was just checking interest level.

Santa was good to me this year.  A good looking Seahorse and a collector's edition Buck Creek Whittler.  These won't be going out to the shop for sure.

You must have been real good, Roy.  Santa only brought me 1 whittler.

Beutiful knives JJ and Roy!!!

Very nice looking Whittlers there, fellas.

J.J. We really do have similar tastes when it comes to knives. My edc is a red RR 4 1/2" whittler. For special jobs I use a Case Seahorse. And I really enjoy looking at my ever expanding collection of Bulldog 5 1/4" Anglo Saxon whittlers (about 16). Maybe Case jumbo cigar

whittlers will be next in my viewing collection.

Lots of nice ones, Im studying this .... Whittle whittle, 

I just picked up this Case XX 6380 a week or so ago, but I've never seen this particular variation and I don't see it in any of my literature. It's apparently a limited edition, judging by the number "14" on the bolster, of 1975/76 vintage. Is anybody familiar with this "Golden Whittler"?

Hi Everybody!

As Jan invited me to publish here, folows the knife I've done for whittling and a butter spreader that I made out a branch founded at work! Also a dwarf I've done with a Rough Rider Whittler knife. 

Welcome aboard, Cesar.  Great job...

Thanks J.J.!!!

Very nice work, cesar!