The best stainless whittling/carving pocket knives

SoansoMcMasters

SoansoMcMasters

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I love my various whittlers and carvers and such, but I rust my carbon steel models with ridiculous ease, particularly the back springs.

So I ask you, experts in all things sharp and old timey, to what stainless pocket knives shall I turn? I favor patterns with blade geometry and blade selection attuned to carving. I require centered blades, no rub, and minimal blade play. If they ever develop play, the centered blades fair the best.

Who makes (made) these knives? Thanks!!! Pics both welcomed and encouraged!!!
 
SoansoMcMasters said:
I love my various whittlers and carvers and such, but I rust my carbon steel models with ridiculous ease, particularly the back springs.

So I ask you, experts in all things sharp and old timey, to what stainless pocket knives shall I turn? I favor patterns with blade geometry and blade selection attuned to carving. I require centered blades, no rub, and minimal blade play. If they ever develop play, the centered blades fair the best.

Who makes (made) these knives? Thanks!!! Pics both welcomed and encouraged!!!
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IMHO the best Porch member to answer your questions would be Jiki Jiki . His whittling skills are amazing! I’m pretty sure he’ll add his knowledge to this thread.
 
You might consider looking at some Victorinox SAK models. They are not whittling knives per se, but you can easily modify the pen blade to suit your needs, and the awl and saw might come in handy. I imagine you could modify and sharpen some of the other tools as well.

Felix Immler videos might be a place to start for ideas.
 
The only other pocket type whittling knives I've used are the Case Seahorse whittlers. They work well.... and as you likely know, it's probably less the type of stainless that you use, than it is the bevel you put on the blades. A really low "almost flat" bevel, stropped, has always given me the best results with minimal effort. Fighting the knife is frustrating.
Even my GEC pocket carvers had to be re-profiled for best cutting.
 
Sorry, you lost me at "I require centered blades, no rub and minimal play." I suggest contacting custom makers. I've done a bit of whittling myself, and I've never found rub marks or krinked blades to be a problem.
 
SoansoMcMasters said:
I love my various whittlers and carvers and such, but I rust my carbon steel models with ridiculous ease, particularly the back springs.

So I ask you, experts in all things sharp and old timey, to what stainless pocket knives shall I turn? I favor patterns with blade geometry and blade selection attuned to carving. I require centered blades, no rub, and minimal blade play. If they ever develop play, the centered blades fair the best.

Who makes (made) these knives? Thanks!!! Pics both welcomed and encouraged!!!
Click to expand...
I have modified several Opinel stainless knives (# 8) into great carving/whittling knives. They have nice thin blades, are easy to modify with a file, and are inexpensive. What's not to like!
 
yablanowitz said:
Sorry, you lost me at "I require centered blades, no rub and minimal play." I suggest contacting custom makers. I've done a bit of whittling myself, and I've never found rub marks or krinked blades to be a problem.
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I can get those requirements in a GEC easily enough. Surely some other makers during their heyday matched that?

I’ve twice now had Case knives with off centered blades and rub that then got worse and started chipping the coping blade’s edge when closing because it was hitting the spay. You need not follow my criteria, but I will continue to because I’ve been unlucky in this regard!
 
Schrade USA knives made from 1973-2004 have an excellent reputation for their heat treatment, and the Uncle Henry line of knives have 440 stainless blades. The 885UH King Ranch Stockman is a near four inch closed stockman pattern with a large clip main, a straight-edged sheepfoot and a spey blade. Should make an excellent whittler, and can be found on the secondary markets for under $50.

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black mamba said:
Schrade USA knives made from 1973-2004 have an excellent reputation for their heat treatment, and the Uncle Henry line of knives have 440 stainless blades. The 885UH King Ranch Stockman is a near four inch closed stockman pattern with a large clip main, a straight-edged sheepfoot and a spey blade. Should make an excellent whittler, and can be found on the secondary markets for under $50.

View attachment 2302719
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Anything smaller from them that I could hunt for? And are there any concerns of fakes? I know absolutely nothing about their history at all! Thanks for any help you can give me!
 
The 897UH is a 3⅝" closed stockman with more slender blades.

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