Recommendation? An EDC for whittling?

K

Kneller

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May 13, 2018
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I'm looking into getting an EDC pocket folder. I'm finding that I frequently need a blade to cut open plastics, boxes, and whatnot and I tend not to carry my Leatherman Wave as it's awfully blocky and takes a lot of pocket space. Additionally, I'm an avid boardgamer, so I was planning to take up some light whittling in my free time and make custom pieces for my favorite games.

I've been browsing around and reading up. While I like the Case Seahorse Whittler and Stockman, they are somewhat out of my price range at around $50+. Based on my reasearch, I've read a lot of good things about Opinel knives for beginner whittlers. I was thinking I could get a No9-10 for an EDC and for bigger cuts and then a No5 for more detailed cuts (both carbon blades). It's kind of a drag to carry around two knives, but I can do the both for under $30.

I'm open to some suggestions, though. I plan to stick with something made in the U.S. or Europe (and definitely not made in China). Thanks!
 
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Whittlers, stockman, Congress. All popular patterns for Whittling. The one I Make use of the most though is probably a case sodbuster Junior.
 
I really like the Case split backspring 83 model whittlers for a small EDC. There was a nice one for sale in the "Traditionals" earlier. Rough Rider has some whittlers in ypur price range also--KV
 
You probably know this, but just in case, be aware that the No. 6 is the smallest Opinel with a lock ring. The 5 and smaller are pure friction folders. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

By the bye, Rough Rider has a pretty nice split back whittler for about twelve bucks.
 
As I mentioned, Case is out of my price range and Rough Riders are apparently all made in China.
 
Find a USA Made Schrade 34ot, you should be able to find a new old stock model close to your price range. This one was a beater but i got it for about $10. Thin out (and reshape if desired) the the two small blades for whittling, then leave the main blade for edc chores. The sheep's foot and spey blade on this one have been turned into paper thin wharncliffe and pen blades. It's an amazing whittler, much better than an Opinel

20170313_180443.jpg
 
Some type of Swiss Army knife perhaps? A nice Case sodbuster would be under 30 bucks. What exactly is your price range?
 
Kiteman72 said:
Some type of Swiss Army knife perhaps? A nice Case sodbuster would be under 30 bucks. What exactly is your price range?
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Great suggestion! The pen blade on a recruit is awesome for whittling, and you can get them used and in good shape for $10 all day long
 
HeathH said:
Great suggestion! The pen blade on a recruit is awesome for whittling, and you can get them used and in good shape for $10 all day long
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Thanks! SAKs seem to be almost universally accepted by society as well, so you can use and carry it almost anywhere.

Of course, I would carry that Schrade you pictured all day long and everywhere as well. :thumbsup:
 
Kiteman72 said:
Some type of Swiss Army knife perhaps? A nice Case sodbuster would be under 30 bucks. What exactly is your price range?
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I would like to keep it under $30 for an EDC and starter whittler. If I really get into it, I'd consider spending more money down the line.
 
Henry Beige said:
You probably know this, but just in case, be aware that the No. 6 is the smallest Opinel with a lock ring. The 5 and smaller are pure friction folders. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
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I did notice that. I also read that Picasso used a No5 for fine carving. I was tempted by it, but I'd prefer the lock for safety's sake.

I also saw this video:


but wonder if that's overkill. I mean, I probably couldn't use it for an edc.

I'm still researching and seeing more support for the Opinel. This guy:

http://www.carvings-with-stories.co.uk/

apparently uses a 4" Opinel for fine carving. Everything else I've read seems to indicate that such a large blade would be unwieldy, but he's apparently pulling it off.
 
There's a whittling thread around here somewhere, with an abundance of useful information.
 
Rough Rider Stockman, Whittler, Congress, or Schrade has a wood whittler/carver available.
All are well under $30.
 
I think in your price range that you're mostly looking at SAK, used or perhaps a combination of those.
For Swiss Army Knives, something without the corkscrew is considered more comfortable and the smaller knife regarded as a great little whittler. I've heard the Tinker mentioned a lot as a good EDC whittler.

I understand not wanting a Chinese knife but the Rough Rider knives are made by an American company under contract overseas much like Spyderco, Buck and others.
I thought I'd clarify that just in case it was the idea of where the money was going rather than overall where it was made. I've found the blades on Rough Rider knives excellent for whittling.
 
Kneller said:
I'm looking into getting an EDC pocket folder. I'm finding that I frequently need a blade to cut open plastics, boxes, and whatnot and I tend not to carry my Leatherman Wave as it's awfully blocky and takes a lot of pocket space. Additionally, I'm an avid boardgamer, so I was planning to take up some light whittling in my free time and make custom pieces for my favorite games.

I've been browsing around and reading up. While I like the Case Seahorse Whittler and Stockman, they are somewhat out of my price range at around $50+. Based on my reasearch, I've read a lot of good things about Opinel knives for beginner whittlers. I was thinking I could get a No9-10 for an EDC and for bigger cuts and then a No5 for more detailed cuts (both carbon blades). It's kind of a drag to carry around two knives, but I can do the both for under $30.

I'm open to some suggestions, though. I plan to stick with something made in the U.S. or Europe (and definitely not made in China). Thanks!
Click to expand...
Get a Victorinox recruit for $17.
 
As others have said, don't throw out the Rough Rider idea unless you've already had experience with them. They are pretty decent, not to mention the bargain price point. Don't think you'll find a great US made knife for $30.

Another you may consider, is Sarge Knives. I have a couple that were fairly inexpensive, even with a pretty nice set of burl slabs. I've paired these two a few times. The Barlow is a popular all-around EDC possibility. But paired with this little Whittler, and you've got a decent whit-lin' package. Well under $50 for both when I bought them. But haven't searched recently.

2yjvkar.jpg


Sorry about the pic pose. Just realized they look like they really like each other. .
 
Hi K Kneller , it’s always good to hear that someone’s interested in taking up whittling. :)

If you’re willing and able to convert its spey to a pen blade, an old Schrade USA 34OT makes an excellent whittling and EDC knife. That was my go-to knife for quite a while.

These days I mostly use a Camillus 72 for whittling. They are also great as an EDC. You can probably find one within your budget and in good shape on the big auction sight.

The nice thing about these knives, or other stockman and whittling patterns, compared to two Opinels is that you have both straight and curved secondaries. Depending on your style and preferences, you’ll probably eventually gravitate to one as your primary whittling blade, but it’s nice to have the other handy when you want it.

No matter what you get, expect to put in some time resetting the bevel angle on the whittling blades. Somewhere around 10 to 12 DPS works well and is a huge improvement over the factory bevels when it comes to whittling.
 
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