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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 27, 2016 at 17:02

Awesome find, Syd.

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on December 27, 2016 at 17:12

Thanks JJ. I cleaned it up since I took the photos, and the master blade isn't as scratched as it appeared to be. The former owner obviously opened a lot of boxes, the blade was covered with hardened tape residue and when that was removed a shiny blade emerged. I put it to the stone and stropped it, oiled the joints and now have a fine little pocket knife.

I'm going to take some comparison photos of the different spring arrangements companies' use on their version(s) of the Whittler frame. I have a Case Seahorse Whittler, a Colt Gunstock Whittler and now this little Buck; they all use different spring configurations. I'll post those pics soon, the differences are quite interesting actually.

J.J. Smith III said:

Awesome find, Syd.

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on December 27, 2016 at 17:41

I managed to find one at the PCC show this year. Basically new in the wooden box, but without any other packaging.

As for backsprings, I like a nice wedge back, in brass...

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on December 27, 2016 at 17:46

SMKW carried them for a long time, finding one with the little wooden slide-top box is cool. Great find JJ.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on December 27, 2016 at 20:58

A great one for the pocket!

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on December 27, 2016 at 21:11

Absolutely! I got it mainly because it was a model I didn't have, and the fact that it is the ONLY whittler Buck ever made, but now that I actually have it I really like it for what it is, a convenient-sized pocket knife in very good usable condition. For awhile I was beginning to wonder if USPS had lost it, but it finally made it through today. I'm actually more tickled with this one than I am with my new Case Seahorse Whittler, and I like that one a lot.

Jan Carter said:

A great one for the pocket!

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on December 27, 2016 at 21:53

"I'm actually more tickled with this one than I am with my new Case Seahorse Whittler..."

Oh, I could cry. Lol

Love my big ol warnie, though I do have to confess that I was super excited when I found mine.

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on December 27, 2016 at 22:16

Gotta stay close to my roots JJ. I've had a Buck in my pocket every day since the early 70's, and am currently a member of the Buck Collectors Club, Inc, so I can't get too excited about a Case, (at least publicly, or they might kick me outta the club!!). Seriously, I love the wharmie too, that was a major reason I bought the Seahorse, but I am just happy this little Buck was actually nicer than I expected. Most of my other Bucks are rare & collectible, or part of a set so I usually don't carry them. Now I have a Buck that I can carry each day without worrying about breaking up a set.

J.J. Smith III said:

"I'm actually more tickled with this one than I am with my new Case Seahorse Whittler..."

Oh, I could cry. Lol

Love my big ol warnie, though I do have to confess that I was super excited when I found mine.

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on December 28, 2016 at 6:42

Fair enough, Syd.

All is forgiven. ;-)

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on January 3, 2017 at 18:02

One of the reasons I like slipjoint knives is their construction, I like learning how manufacturers solve certain problems. For example, here is a study of the differences in spring arrangements as used by three manufacturers, in this case Buck, Case, and an imported Colt; all whittlers. The Case Seahorse Whittler uses two springs, one for each small blade that combines as a single spring to serve the master blade. The Colt also uses two springs, (which combine as one for the master blade like the Case), but as seen in the photo their method is kind of different, with a brass spacer in between the springs which leaves an awkward and noticeable gap between the springs. On their Whittler, Buck chose to use three separate small springs, one for each blade.

Which is best? I have no idea, but they all seem to function well. The Case Seahorse Whittler is my favorite among the three I have mentioned, and is the thinnest of the three knives. I'm sure there are other methods used on Whittlers by other manufacturers, but these are all I have to compare. Take out your whittlers and take a look, better yet compare them side by side with other brands, you might find the differences to be interesting.

So that's it, just a small comparison of how different makers solve a problem.

Top to bottom: Colt, Case, Buck.