The SAK Whittling Club

[TazzieRob]

I realize this is the SAK whittling thread, but have you tried any of the trad whittlers?

No, they aren't as common here in Aus as they would be in the US. I keep my eye out at markets for old knives but they're usually crappy Chinese SAK or Leatherman knock offs. I think a seahorse or congress pattern would be good ones to try.

Check out this dude's 60yo Case congress! (r/whittling on reddit u/HolidayUsed6866)

[PitCarver]

There are some people that would accuse him of ruining a perfectly good knife.   Every time I see a knife like that I seem to always assume that the modifications were intentional.  Very rare to see a whittler (the person) that uses a stock knife.

[nate j]

I think a seahorse or congress pattern would be good ones to try.

I’m not really an avid (or skilled) whittler, but I think you would be pleased with a Seahorse if you can get one…

[TazzieRob]

I’m not really an avid (or skilled) whittler, but I think you would be pleased with a Seahorse if you can get one…

That is a nice looking knife 

[nate j]

That is a nice looking knife 

I initially found the design somewhat off putting visually.  (And I still don’t think it is ideal for general utility use.)

But when I held one in my hand, I realized it actually makes a lot of sense for what it was designed to do.

[MTSAK]

I have a Seahorse and I am not a fan of it at all. The main blade is way too thick. So it just sits in my collection at this point.

[nate j]

I have a Seahorse and I am not a fan of it at all. The main blade is way too thick.

I understand where you’re coming from.

The main blade is quite thick, especially at the tang and the spine near the tang.  But it tapers significantly from the tang to the tip, and is flat ground, resulting in an acute point that is strong with minimal flex.

[TazzieRob]

OOPH!

Small Congress (3 1/8") $135-$150 AUD  plus shipping
Seahorse $160-$210 AUD, plus shipping.

Can usually get a Vic Hiker for less than $50

Rough Rider versions roughly 1/3 price of Case

[nate j]

OOPH!

Small Congress (3 1/8") $135-$150 AUD  plus shipping
Seahorse $160-$210 AUD, plus shipping.

Can usually get a Vic Hiker for less than $50

Rough Rider versions roughly 1/3 price of Case

Case was never going to be the low-priced option, though they are a bit cheaper over here (even factoring in the exchange rate; all prices in USD).  Small Congress $70 - $90; Seahorse $80 - $120 (not counting things like Yellowhorse Customs, which go for a massive premium).

Vic Hiker around $36, so that’s pretty comparable given the exchange rate.

Most RRs here around $20, give or take.  The higher-end Rough Ryder Reserve line is more like $50 - $60.  Not sure if you have any RRs, but my opinion is that while they tend to be somewhat chunkier/heavier and less refined than Case’s designs, F&F is generally excellent, they are functional knives, and good value for the money.

[TazzieRob]

Case was never going to be the low-priced option, though they are a bit cheaper over here (even factoring in the exchange rate; all prices in USD).  Small Congress $70 - $90; Seahorse $80 - $120 (not counting things like Yellowhorse Customs, which go for a massive premium).

Vic Hiker around $36, so that’s pretty comparable given the exchange rate.

Most RRs here around $20, give or take.  The higher-end Rough Ryder Reserve line is more like $50 - $60.  Not sure if you have any RRs, but my opinion is that while they tend to be somewhat chunkier/heavier and less refined than Case’s designs, F&F is generally excellent, they are functional knives, and good value for the money.

Yeah, with import duties and all that we pay about double for American stuff, like Leatherman etc, not just a direct exchange rate comparison.

Given our English Colonial heritage, i'd say Sheffield cutlery brands would possibly be more prevalent here.

I have asked my Dad what old pocket knives he might have lying around. I remember on the farm he always had a Barlow style, bone scale 2 blade pocket knife. I also remember one stormy night he was in the shed trying to free up an old stuck knife and somehow it slipped, and we had to drive the 18km into town in lightening and thunder for him to get it stitched up.

My fist pocket knife was a SAK, maybe an Angler or Fisherman, I can't really remember, but it had a fish scaler and didn't have pliers. My Great Grandparents bought it for me for my 6th birthday, 1989. Unfortunately I lost it out of the sheath on my belt whilst chasing cattle up some rough bushy back paddock on the quad, so i bought a Vic Huntsman to replace it, which I still have ~30+ years later. I've had SAKs therefore, a majority of my life.

[TazzieRob]

This is one of my Dad's old pocket knives, a Joseph Rogers Barlow with clip point and pen blades.
The clip point needs some of the blade stop grinding down to get the tip back into the frame, and an edge straighten. Then it all needs a good clean and sharpen. The scales are some sort of plastic and appear to have shrink, could potentially replace with some nice Tassie hardwood.

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