Case Seahorse Whittler Question

BitingSarcasm · Apr 12, 2021

I mostly use a Flexcut Carvin Jack for random whittling, but I have been thinking about swapping it out for a different knife unless I really want to use the scorps. After a bit of looking around, the only whittler I can find that's in stock that I want to try is the Case Seahorse Whittler. I am a bit leery of the 420 Stainless, and I am mostly coming up with reviews around five years old. It's not that expensive, but not that cheap that I want to make a mistake either. Is it worth it?

huntnfishin · Apr 12, 2021

I don’t have one, so I can’t speak to that. But I can say with the new case knives it’s better to pick them out in person if possible to check for fit and finish. I’m sure the tru sharp is fine for whittling, though I might be tempted to look for a vintage case 6383 on the big auction site. Good luck sir.

WhittlinAway · Apr 13, 2021

I had one several years ago. My sharpening skill wasn't very well developed then and I struggled to get it sharp enough for whittling. I wouldn't let that dissuade you though, since I know a lot of people like them. I've contemplated picking up another one.

As for the blades, the main was too thick for my liking. I liked the secondaries, though. They were on the thin side and had a bit of flex, which I like for the style of carving I do. If you're looking for stiff blades, it might not be for you.

Are you looking specifically for a whittler pattern? If not, you might look at a Case medium stockman in CV. Or, it's more expensive than the Seahorse, but I've heard good things about the Böker Carver's Congress.

If you're willing to go the lightly used or NOS route, the Camillus 72 is a fantastic knife for whittling.

hornetguy · Apr 13, 2021

In my admittedly limited experience in whittling, I find the Seahorse to be a bit on the large side for most of what I do... but I normally do small stuff, 1" X 1" sticks. The wharncliffe blade is a good design, and will take a good edge, if you work at creating a really shallow sharpening angle, but it's just a little big for what I do.

The best whittling knife I've found, for the smaller stuff, other than a dedicated fixed blade whittler, is the GEC Pocket Carver. It has three wharncliffe blades, and they are thin and will take an amazing edge. The fixed blades are easier on the hand, but tough to stick in your pocket.... hence, the "pocket carver"...

This is the one I use most...

Jiki · Apr 13, 2021

The 38 English Whittler dropping now from GEC is an excellent option if you can get one.

The afore mentioned 62 pocket carver is a favorite as well.

And recently I found the Queen 48 whittler in D2 that was as sharp as they come right out of the box.

All carvings pictured were done with the accompanying knife in the photo.

hornetguy · Apr 13, 2021

Jiki is an artist.... I'm more like the guy on "Mash"....

BitingSarcasm · Apr 13, 2021

Thanks for the replies, that points me in the right direction. I don't think I am going to find a GEC, but the Boker Congress Carver looks like it will work nicely. I am intrigued by the possibilities of the flex in the secondary blades of the Seahorse though. The only real thing to do is start with one and get the other later.

eisman · Apr 13, 2021

I carried a Case Seahorse Whittler (actually a Kane) for about a year in the middle east and Europe about 10 years ago. My major issues were the flex of the two secondary blades (which also rubbed) and the thickness of the Wharncliff. To me, the primary blade needs thinning, and the secondary's need stiffening. If I was doing it all as a custom I'd also make the profile of the main blade lower and the two secondary blades longer (which could easily be done if the primary wasn't so wide).

I think the GEC carver on the Congress pattern (13) was a much better knife.

traumkommode · Apr 13, 2021

BitingSarcasm said:
I mostly use a Flexcut Carvin Jack for random whittling, but I have been thinking about swapping it out for a different knife unless I really want to use the scorps. After a bit of looking around, the only whittler I can find that's in stock that I want to try is the Case Seahorse Whittler. I am a bit leery of the 420 Stainless, and I am mostly coming up with reviews around five years old. It's not that expensive, but not that cheap that I want to make a mistake either. Is it worth it?

BitingSarcasm said:
Thanks for the replies, that points me in the right direction. I don't think I am going to find a GEC, but the Boker Congress Carver looks like it will work nicely. I am intrigued by the possibilities of the flex in the secondary blades of the Seahorse though. The only real thing to do is start with one and get the other later.

Sending you a PM...