That was some great work Michael.  I like the filler idea also!

thanks, the inspiration came from JJ . I plan on a sanding and staining the handle just to give it a differnt look, that may take a few days though, stay tuned. 

like the modifications you've made to your opinel #6 michael

 these things are adictive, I cant stop googling whittler and admiring the huge variety of whittler knives. 

Rough Rider RR302 Big Whittler, does any one have one? looks like a decent large knife. 

Too big for whittling, but a nice knife if you like trapper sized knives.

Thought you'd like this one, Michael.

My modified Big Whittler...

Now thats not for peach pits?

nice JJ, had simular thoughts. Are the Rough Riders quality as good as people say? They seem like bargains if so.

Michael,  I took the "Rough Rider Challenge", some time back, and became a big fan.

I carry a RR whittler, as my every day walking around knife.  Never had a Provo with their quality.  Fit, finish and function have always been good.  The blade steel is listed as 440A and I'd say is almost comparable to the CASE "True Sharp" steel.

On another forum, I'd tell folks that Rough Riders were perfect for someone that was wanting to try out different patterns.  It's a lot easier justifying a $10-15.00 purchase than a $50-60.00 purchase, just to see if you like something.

If you haven't tried one, don't hesitate.  SMKW guarantees it, so if it doesnt hold up, you can send it back.

JJ, Seahorse question for you. Whats the difference between as ground blade and polished blade, just the finish or is the as ground flat honed ? I like the as ground but it only comes in the caramel jigged bone and I like choices, lol.

Finish.

They have a nice satin finish that I wish CASE would use more often.

thanks, thats what I thought. I like the sawcut bone but that shiny polished blade is just going to get all scratched up, I guess ill settle for a caramel jigged bone with the as ground blade. Both nice knives, not really settling. 

More time I time I spend with my G-10, more I wish the bolsters had been done with a satin finish, also.

My latest buy and new EDC...

that's a sweet edc whittler JJ

Queen Whittler I picked up a while back, a bit of use but that is okay still a looker!!

THAT is a lovely looker!

Finaly got myself a Case Seahorse Whittler, Its a mint unused 2002 bone scaled beauty, I didnt want to buy it because I want to use it and it was pricey but the seller made me an offer I couldnt walk away from. 

pics, Michael, pics...

Here you go JJ, notice it now has a few scratches from the small blade, now I can use it without worrying about scratching it. 

Got half dozen Seahorses, that i bought without boxes, that i use.  Of the lot, my favorite is my 2002 vintage bone, from the Dalton show. 

Here is my sea horse that I use all the time

Nice one John.  They make dandy users don't they?

I have tried all kinds of patterns for whittling but yes it is great for using and I like to collect them when I'm able. Had to sell a few of mine a while back but going to save to try and replace them.

Nice John!  Trying to get Donnie to do some whittlin, at least for now

Good work, John.

Jan, want me to send Donnie some pits?

Lookie what came in the mail for me today, ooh wee happy camper.

Wow! Michael, CONGRATULATIONS!

A highly prized set, indeed!

Enjoy it in good health, my friend!

That truly is an unusual set,  Congrats!

thats a grest find, Michael.

Thanks, I never thought I would find a set of these for a resonable price, had to jump on it when I saw them. They cleaned up nice, never used and just a bot of staining on the carbon blade from being in the box, but that wont hurt there usefullness. I rubbed mineral oil into the rosewood and have neen fondling them all morning. 

Now a question for real carvers about sharpening. The edge feels sharp but carves like its dull and almost burnishes the wood. My swiss army knife cuts better. what kind of edge do you suggest I put on it? Just hone the factory edge or give it a sharper amgle or maybe a flat grind? any suggestions? 

Depends on what type of wood you carve, Michael.  I like mine with a closer to original edge to a slightly convex grind.  If you use softer woods, a flat grind, especially on the detail knife, should do the trick.

This is strictly my opinion, but...

Since there were only *1500 of these sets made for Warren Tool Co. in 1982, I personally would not sharpen them. These sets are becoming harder and harder to find, and their value just keeps going up and up! With all the other available options for whittling, I would just tuck these away some place and forget about them for a decade or two.

But, hey! That just one old guy's opinion. They're yours to do with as you see fit. And, if you do decide to sharpen and use them, then, I would agree with what J.J. has suggested, I would go for a flat grind. I believe that would probably be your best bet.

*I have also read that there were 2000 of these sets made. Regardless, they are fast becoming extinct.

Rons got a point there.  I've only fantasized about finding a set like these.  Only ever seen singles whenever I do see them.

I hear you guys but I already have so many collector knives and I bought these with the intention of using them, im sure the Warren tool co people meant them to be used, maybe. No plans on selling so many years from now the use will add to the sentimental value I hope.  

Working on a couple of pit projects,  John.   Been looking for the "Right" ones to carve.

Asked Santa for the SMKW/CASE whittling knife, for Christmas, keeping my fingers crossed...

Hello, y'all...

I'm signed up for a Scandinavian flat plane figure carving class in February.  I'm pretty new to carving & still quite inexperienced.  I'm rather unfamiliar with this style of carving (not that I'm terribly familiar with any style of carving), & I plan to pick up a book or video or both in advance of the class.

However, it seems prudent also to inquire with the whittlers & carvers here about knives & other tools or equipment I might need for the course.  I have a few carving knives already, along with some basic stropping stuff (really basic -- think Flexcut intro sets).  And if there's a brand of stropping compound (& colors) you'd recommend, I'd love to hear about them.

The instructor will have knives for sale at the class, but my hope is that I'll be able to use what I already have.

Thanks in advance!  -- DLKG

I make my own strops Dead , the last and best so far I did in the last week or so . 

I use leather rescued from old leather furniture that gets dumped in skips .

Soaked the leather in PVA to make it a little harder before I glued it to a piece of oak that was sitting in the shed . The strop was then coated in some 0.5 micron diamond strop paste .

John,

Great way to recycle and save more money for knives!!

DLKG,

Kevlar-type cut resistant glove would be the most important type of equipment for me LOL.  You might find this part of the group helpful

Make your own carving knife (fixed blade) less than one hour! Cheap...

Sounds like a good class, DL.  Realistically, you'll only need minimal tools;

Jan mentioned the kevlar gloves, GOOD choice.

John mentioned a strope, for my knives I use old belt blanks.  I'm into saving cash also.

You'll only need one or two knives, for this, a basic carving (roughout) and a detail blade.  Starting out, I'd go with a good fixed blade carving knife, though if you prefer a folding knife, Flexcut makes the Whittling Jack, which has both blades.

Read more about them, here..http://iknifecollector.com/group/whittlingcarvingknives/forum/topic...

I got this Mora Frost carving knife last november and here are a few scandanavian style Dala horses im carving with it. I really like this knife amd its fairly imexpensive, about $25 .

Love the horses Michael!

Does that knife hold a fairly decent edge, Michael?

Nice job on the horses, too! Now you need a corral to put them in.