Oar Carver Pocket Knife

#11 03-01-2003, 11:21 PM

Hey Rick check out this site and tell us what you think.

Ric

http://littlechipper.com/s-cart/cate...3012312381cc0f

WhittlinWit · #12 03-01-2003, 11:49 PM

Disclaimer: This is my personal opinion and not associated with any business or institution.

Ric,
If you are a traveling chipcarver with more money that sense, it would be a must-have. Â*The quality will be the same as the Oar Carver since they are fabricated by the same manufacturer. Â*The prices start out the same around $60., but the 'Chipper' depending on the scale material, sells up to $199.00.

Personally, I don't see the advantage of a folding chipcarving knife.
Chipcarvers tend to require good light, top quality wood, pencils, rules, compass, protractor, a seat, magnifiers, and sharpening equipment, not to mention preparing the wood prior to layout.

With those factors considered, I doubt many chipcarvers will be doing enough spur-of-the-moment chipcarving to recover the cost of a $200.00, Ivory-handled, folding, single-bladed, chipcarving knife.

But........ I could be wrong.

#13 03-02-2003, 01:42 PM

Ok, now after carrying and happily using an old three bladed Imperial for years I find out about the Oar knife, the Little Chipper, and today the Case Seahorse whittler. The price of the Case is about the same as the Oar but it has three blades. A 2 3/16' wharncliff, a 1 1/2' pen, and a 1 1/2' coping blade.

Looks like this could get confusing ??? LOL

Good whittlin, Cliff
Charles City, Iowa
http://cliffordparker.tripod.com

AlArchie · #14 03-02-2003, 02:24 PM

Cliff, I use a three bladed folding whittler from the boy Scouts. It's US made by Camilus and sells for just under 25 bucks. Best buy for the money that I've see! It has two whittling blades and a 'coping' blade, much like the case but for around half the price.

Al

millhoused · #15 03-02-2003, 09:28 PM

Looks like there is no shortage of things to spend your money on. Â*

Happiness can be buying a new tool. Â*

Whittlin',
Don

#16 03-03-2003, 11:44 AM

Al,

I checked out the Camilus but think that for my use a modified wharncliff like on the OAR and Case models is more useful than the spear as a main blade. I find that use the pen and sheepsfoot on my Imperial far more than the spear. I suppose I could reshape the spear and save $$ but you know how that goes.

Good whittlin, Cliff
Charles City, Iowa
http://cliffordparker.tripod.com

WhittlinWit · #17 03-03-2003, 07:21 PM

I talked to the rep. from Case yesterday about the 'seahorse whittler' concerning the metal used in the blades.
Turns out to be a stainless, although I have seen it described as different materials on other sites.

AlArchie · #18 03-03-2003, 07:42 PM

Rick, maybe you can help me out here......just what's the beef with stainless blades? I've used and made knives with carbon steel, high speed steel and stainless. Other than stainless being a little more difficult to sharpen, I see very little difference in the performance. In fact I seem to prefer the stainless. It hones really nice, polishes to a non drag fininsh and holds an edge like a diamond. Once it has a good edge it is no more difficult to touch up and hone (strop) than any other steel, in my opinion. In spite of all this, I hear comments deriding it as a 'second rate' steel for blades.

Is there really a downside to the material that I'm not picking up on?

Thanks,

Al

WhittlinWit · #19 03-03-2003, 07:53 PM

Al,
I really don't know the alloy you are using, but my experience with stainless is the bench knives from Europe.
When ever I get one to sharpen, they are always in terrible condition. They take longer to sharpen, and I don't believe they hold an edge as well as high-carbon steel.

I understand there are some new stainless alloys being used.
D2 was supposed to be a real improvement over the older alloys. Some companys are using 400 stainless which they say is great.

I wouldn't attempt to disuade you from using a stainless knife, but the only one I own is a Warther whittling knife from Ohio. (only because Ernest M. Warther and sons made it)

AlArchie · #20 03-03-2003, 08:09 PM

Speaking of Warthers; have you seen the railroad engines he has carved? they are absolutely the most remarkable carvings I have ever seen!

Got a chance a few years back to visit the factory and museum, and spent a most incredible day there. I'll get back again just to see the carvings.

And thanks for the input on the blades. I'm not in favor or out of favor with either type, just wondering if there was an actual difference.

Al