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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 Jan Carter on August 7, 2015 at 17:11

I like the idea Boker had with the Carvers Congress. Configure it well and you could do that with most any pattern. Doug has a good thought there though that tradition will win out, that may have something to do with pattern collectors.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on August 7, 2015 at 20:31

Jan, there is no doubt that pattern collectors will drive the makers toward traditional patterns but when it comes to the congress, the pattern has been all over the place for a long time. Bumerous makers have been producing Congress knves with a large sheepfoot and large spear blade for decades, even going back to the early 1900s, perhaps even as early as the American Civil War! And multi-blade congress knives (as in 6, 8 and 10 blade version) were also around from the nearly the beginning.

See my Congress discussion a href="http://iknifecollector.com/group/knifepatterns/forum/topics/the-congress-knife-y-all-come-together" target="_self">http://iknifecollector.com/group/knifepatterns/forum/topics/the-con... >

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on August 24, 2016 at 20:48

Just got my very first Whittler, a Colt with Black Stag Bone handles. Got it for pittance at SMKW recently. Still trying to get used to it, but I really like the handles, the lined bolsters & the match strike nail nicks. Quite well made actually, it still amazes me how much knife you can get for well under $20 these days.

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on August 24, 2016 at 21:48

That Colt is definitely a real looker, Syd.

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on August 24, 2016 at 21:56

Thanks JJ, I didn't mention it earlier, but I really like the saber grind of the master blade on this one too. I should clarify though, even though the handles are striking in appearance, they aren't genuine stag, but "stag bone" which is bone jigged to resemble genuine stag. Genuine stag or not they definitely look good. I also have a Barlow in Black Stag Bone that I got at the same time, (because they were on sale at SMKW).

J.J. Smith III said:

That Colt is definitely a real looker, Syd.

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on August 25, 2016 at 11:09

I've got one of the old brown Stag bone Colts. Not at striking as the black.

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on August 25, 2016 at 11:30

I like it, but it is a little different. It has beautiful color on the bone, slanted bolsters & a different grind on the master blade and a different shield. I always think Ferrari when I see that horse on some of their shields. Really attractive knife there.

J.J. Smith III said:

I've got one of the old brown Stag bone Colts. Not at striking as the black.

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on December 16, 2016 at 13:36

New Whittler in the house, Case Seahorse in Walnut Rogers Bone. Just love that Wharmcliffe master blade, it's a full 3/16" thick at it's base. My first knife with Rogers Bone too, (which along with the Wharmcliffe is what attracted me to this particular knife). The second photo shows the massive thickness of the Wharmie.

Merry Christmas all, mine has started out pretty good!

Below: 3/16" thick master blade.

Permalink Reply by Tim on December 16, 2016 at 14:29

Syd Carr said:

New Whittler in the house, Case Seahorse in Walnut Rogers Bone. Just love that Wharmcliffe master blade, it's a full 3/16" thick at it's base. My first knife with Rogers Bone too, (which along with the Wharmcliffe is what attracted me to this particular knife). The second photo shows the massive thickness of the Wharmie.

Merry Christmas all, mine has started out pretty good!

Below: 3/16" thick master blade.

That Walnut Rogers Bone looks fantastic Sid.

Permalink Reply by Tim on December 16, 2016 at 14:37

I have become a fan of the Split-back Whittler's. Not because I whittle, but just appreciate the usefulness of the pattern & the craftsmanship that goes into producing a split-back.

Here is a recent great find - GEC #89 Melon Whittler in 2nd Cut Burnt Stag. Length is 4".

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on December 16, 2016 at 15:19

Great looking Tidioute, Tim.

Syd, the scales on you seahorse is fantastic. Great choice.

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on December 16, 2016 at 16:24

Thanks J.J., I like it too, though I was after the Rogers jig more than the color. However, after having it in hand I find that I really like the color now as well. I was raised around walnut orchards, so I don't think I would have named the shade after a walnut, (walnuts are really not that color), it is a reddish-brown more akin to dark Redwood than anything else I can think of. I suppose they had to come up with something different than "Brown Bone", as it does have that red tint to it.

Whatever the color is I think I like it, been carrying it around all day, the "new" hasn't worn off of it yet.

J.J. Smith III said: