All About Pocket Knives

FWIW I don’t believe the term “half whittler” originated from Case. I believe as with many other pattern names (“whittler” included), it originated with collectors. What is called half whittler today was called a “pen” knife in Case catalogs up until a few years ago. But I recall hearing the term “half whittler” at shows in the 1970s. Contrary to popular opinion I don’t think Case marketing can be credited (or blamed) for the name.

Yes I know BRL said it originated from Case Marketing, but if so why did Case catalogs continue to call it a pen long after he said that? And why didn’t they copyright it as they have done with many other patterns? Instead Case finally gave in and began using it in catalogs years after it became a commonplace description for the pattern. Show me evidence of Case using the term “half whittler” anywhere prior to a few years ago.

BTW, isn’t “three blade whittler” redundant? I didn’t know there was any other kind.

Ken

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 11:22 pm FWIW I don’t believe the term “half whittler” originated from Case. I believe as with many other pattern names (“whittler” included), it originated with collectors. What is called half whittler today was called a “pen” knife in Case catalogs up until a few years ago. But I recall hearing the term “half whittler” at shows in the 1970s. Contrary to popular opinion I don’t think Case marketing can be credited (or blamed) for the name.

Yes I know BRL said it originated from Case Marketing, but if so why did Case catalogs continue to call it a pen long after he said that? And why didn’t they copyright it as they have done with many other patterns? Instead Case finally gave in and began using it in catalogs years after it became a commonplace description for the pattern. Show me evidence of Case using the term “half whittler” anywhere prior to a few years ago.

BTW, isn’t “three blade whittler” redundant? I didn’t know there was any other kind.

Ken

You got me there, Ken!

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 11:22 pm
BTW, isn’t “three blade whittler” redundant? I didn’t know there was any other kind.

Ken

Without starting an,"excrement downpour" I believe there has always been some discussion(mostly among purists)as to what actually constitutes a ,"true whittler".Aside from whether the master blade is a Wharncliffe or spear or clip pattern,supposedly a true whittler will contain a coping and pen blade as secondaries.If one contains a manicure/file blade it is not considered a "true" whittler.
The"congress" thing is a whole other bunch of worms trying to get out of the can.

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 11:22 pm FWIW I don’t believe the term “half whittler” originated from Case. I believe as with many other pattern names (“whittler” included), it originated with collectors. What is called half whittler today was called a “pen” knife in Case catalogs up until a few years ago. But I recall hearing the term “half whittler” at shows in the 1970s. Contrary to popular opinion I don’t think Case marketing can be credited (or blamed) for the name.

Yes I know BRL said it originated from Case Marketing, but if so why did Case catalogs continue to call it a pen long after he said that? And why didn’t they copyright it as they have done with many other patterns? Instead Case finally gave in and began using it in catalogs years after it became a commonplace description for the pattern. Show me evidence of Case using the term “half whittler” anywhere prior to a few years ago.

BTW, isn’t “three blade whittler” redundant? I didn’t know there was any other kind.

Ken

Very interesting. Murky waters, as usual. Nice to hear from someone who has been in the hobby long enough to shed some light on the subject. Thank you, Sir!

Here is a buncha whittlers from my accumulation. Some may have a broken blade or two(are those 2/3rds whittlers?)but I still like them.
#1 A.Field & Sons Progress with a manicure secondary blade.
#2 Capital Cutlery Germany with sterling silver handles.
#3 Harrison Bros. & Howson.
#4 Humason & Beckley with sterling silver handles.
#5 Geo. Wostenholm Celebrated Cutlery with well sharpened blades,ivory handles and a shield dated 1870.The small blade I believe is used to trim cigars and is full size.
#6 Master blade stamped J.A.Henckels and the two secondaries I*XL with one stamped,"C.Langbein NY"on the pile side.Langbein was a knife repairman as well as a distributor so this was likely one of his jobs.
#7 Another I*XL with a manicure secondary blade.
#8 An I*XL with popcorn stag handles.
#9 New York Knife Co. with ivory handles.
#10 Peters Bros with two broken blades(a 1/3rd whittler maybe?)and an eagle motif on the handles. The other side is a field of stars.Likely made right after WWI.

A few more........
#1 Remington with a tipped manicure blade.
#2 Robeson frame with I*XL blades.I transposed them because the Robeson blades were all broken and the I*XL handles were junk.
#3 Schrade-Walden with purse in like new condition.
#4 Simmonds Hardware with ivory handles.
#5 Ulster with ivory handles and purse.
#6 Ulster with pearl handles.
#7 Ulster with pearl handles and tip bolsters.
#8 Union Cutlery Tidioute PA
#9 Unmarked whittler with gold covers on bolsters;engraving washed in gold and screws for blade pivots.
#10 Utica whittler with bail.

Here are a few of my favorite 3 blade whittler.

Last few:
#1 Vom Cleff with stag handles and broken blade.
#2 Wahkonsa Cutlery.
#3 Wilson Bros. Sheffield

knife7knut wrote: ↑Sat Jul 31, 2021 1:49 am A few more........
#1 Remington with a tipped manicure blade.
#2 Robeson frame with I*XL blades.I transposed them because the Robeson blades were all broken and the I*XL handles were junk.
#3 Schrade-Walden with purse in like new condition.
#4 Simmonds Hardware with ivory handles.
#5 Ulster with ivory handles and purse.
#6 Ulster with pearl handles.
#7 Ulster with pearl handles and tip bolsters.
#8 Union Cutlery Tidioute PA
#9 Unmarked whittler with gold covers on bolsters;engraving washed in gold and screws for blade pivots.
#10 Utica whittler with bail.

Awesome as usual, K7K!!

Sharpnshinyknives wrote: ↑Sat Jul 31, 2021 1:53 am Here are a few of my favorite 3 blade whittler.

Some real beauties there, Mark!

Here is a 3 1/2" Henckels made whittler with saber ground master blade.
kj

Only one I ever had, but I put it to good use every now and then,
stays in my travel bag with a few others...

Stag

I grew up with a 3 blade whittler in my pocket, but for actual whittling once I tried a Loom Fixer I never looked back. You asked us to “change your mind”.

The LM has fewer hot spots, the wider handle doesn’t want to roll over in your hand while cutting like the slender whittler pattern. So you don’t have to grip as hard causing less fatigue. The large sheepsfoot master great for big cuts to remove material fast, and the tip is great for making stop and back cuts if you are outlining letters on a sign or just carving your initials.

The secondary pen blade is actually a pretty substantial blade in its own right is great for detail work.

kootenay joe wrote: ↑Sat Jul 31, 2021 4:59 am Here is a 3 1/2" Henckels made whittler with saber ground master blade.
kj

Boy kj, there's a whittler to be proud of! That's fantastic!

stagman wrote: ↑Sat Jul 31, 2021 5:26 am 5355-front.jpgOnly one I ever had, but I put it to good use every now and then,
stays in my travel bag with a few others...

Stag

If you're only gonna' have one Stagman, that one is the way to go!

eveled wrote: ↑Sat Jul 31, 2021 7:36 am I grew up with a 3 blade whittler in my pocket, but for actual whittling once I tried a Loom Fixer I never looked back. You asked us to “change your mind”.

The LM has fewer hot spots, the wider handle doesn’t want to roll over in your hand while cutting like the slender whittler pattern. So you don’t have to grip as hard causing less fatigue. The large sheepsfoot master great for big cuts to remove material fast, and the tip is great for making stop and back cuts if you are outlining letters on a sign or just carving your initials.

The secondary pen blade is actually a pretty substantial blade in its own right is great for detail work.
6894A462-12ED-4398-A502-A3C4D93C489D.jpeg14C2F277-F750-4BB8-B32C-98EBA8DCC390.jpeg

Those are beauties, eveled! You make good points. I can see how they could have me starting another pattern to collect!

Thanks. Try one you’ll never look back. Lol.

Colonel26 led me down the primrose path to LoomFixer addiction. This is an interesting thread with a lot of great pictures.

https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... =LoomFixer

toomanyknives wrote: ↑Sat Jul 31, 2021 2:53 pm

kootenay joe wrote: ↑Sat Jul 31, 2021 4:59 am Here is a 3 1/2" Henckels made whittler with saber ground master blade.
kj

Boy kj, there's a whittler to be proud of! That's fantastic!

Totally Agree.