All About Pocket Knives

Here are a couple of pictures of my first attempt to whittle a ball-in-cage. I bought a Queen Half-whittler specifically for this project, but I just couldn't get used to its small size. I ended up using the sheepsfoot blade of an Eye Brand large stockman instead. I estimate that I spent 15-20 hours total working on this.

very nice slicin' on that project...you obviously have a nice SHARP knife...is that queen a Dan Burke whittler? they are only 'bout 3 1/4" closed, i can see where that would fatigue your hand mighty quick...i like that eye brand, nice choice. Again, Great Job

Thanks Don, that's high praise coming from you.

You're right, the Queen is one of the Dan Burke collaborations with winterbottom bone scales and 12c27 blades. It's a very nice knife, and the flat-ground wharncliffe blade takes an exquisite edge. I just wish I knew why Queen made it so small. I think this knife would be pretty much perfect if it was a bit bigger, say 3 1/2" closed length. I have medium hands and I find it difficult to use this knife for any length of time.

I chose the Eye Brand in a rather haphazard manner. I tried out the EB, the Queen above, and a large Cold Steel stockman. The Queen didn't work for me as I explained earlier. I settled on the EB for the simple fact that it cut the best. I had previously reprofiled the blades on this knife. I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but I got rid of the bevels and the blades are sharpened in a shallow convex all the way to the edge. They just glide through wood.

I took a really long time whittling this ball in cage. I did it over several sessions, and stopped whenever I got tired or frustrated. I didn't want to risk messing up, or maybe even injuring myself. But I'm happy with the result. I think it's pretty good for a first effort.

that looks good is that a good starter project

That looks super; well done. What type of wood is that?

TRIPP wrote:that looks good is that a good starter project

I think the ball in cage is a good starter project -- not too complex, and it doesn't require that much skill. What it does require is a sharp knife and patience. A sharp and highly polished blade that pushcuts wood effortlessly will go through your hand like it's not even there.

biglmbass wrote:That looks super; well done. What type of wood is that?

It's basswood. Carves very well and is higly recommended for beginners.