Pocket Knife Question

[GWhite]

Hi all,

I am hoping you may help me along a little. I recently read that when looking for a whittling pocket knife that you are supposed to make certain that the blades are carbon steel and not stainless steel.

First, is this true?

I ask because I just purchased a Union City Whittler and it has stainless steel blades. So, my second question is does anyone know anything about Union City whittling knives? I am trying to figure out if it's going to be a good knife for me.

Third, if the stainless steel blades are a bad thing is there anything I can do to overcome this?

Thank you all very much.

GWhite

[BobD]

GWhite,

My main problem with stainless steel is it takes longer to sharpen... initially anyway. It will hold an edge for a long time once sharp...it's just harder to get there!

Bob

[big_Wayne_P]

I have never heard of Union City Whittler
Where did you purchase it? If from the internet can you post the site add that you bought it from?

IMHO there is nothing wrong with stainless steel. Can be hard to get sharp the first time you sharpen it. I have had lots of knives over the years.
I used to use them on my job a lot so I would loose them break the blades from miss using them or just wear them out again mostly from mis use.

If you are good at sharpening then you should have no problem with the stainless steel. High carbon steel is easier to sharpen.
I think the high carbon steel is more likely to rust. Moisture will get on the blade
simply because it is your pocket.

My personal preference for a pocket knife to carve with would be (Scharade, Uncle Henry, Old Timer, all were made by Schrade Cuttlery) Schrade went out of business in 2004 in their 100th year of being in business.

Case makes a good pocket knife for carving 3 blade full sixe Stockman
Kershaw has a good pocket kiife believe it is the Kershaw Whittler

There are other companies that make good knives also

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

I used to subscribe to the carbon steel theory, but have changed my mind. I regularly carry three pocket knives (two in my pocket and one on my belt). A Kershaw double cross, a model 303 buck, and a fairly large swiss army knife on my belt. All stainless. I've got a drawer and desktop full of others; schrade, camillus, boker, case, etc. But, these are the three I usually end up carrying and they work just fine. As to the union city brand, haven't heard of it. Could be great or could be bad, only one way to find out.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Did a little research and the union city whittler is manufactured by Frost cuttlery. Amazingly I don't have any Frost folding knives. However, I have several of their fixed blade knives, only one of which is stainless, and they are good knives. Inexpensive, but good.

[mikeg]

I've got a Frost Cutlery. It was inexpensive but seems to be ok. I haven't used it much though, I prefer my Case small congress and my Kershaw double cross.

mikeg

[Mike-in-WV]

Bought a case Sea horse whittler a few weeks ago and it's a great knife. Just need to strop it once in a while. They are far from cheap but they are a good knife . I just wish the big blade was a little smaller. Mike

[GWhite]

Thank you all for your replies. I purchased(won) the knife on Ebay. The edge on it is better today than it was yesterday after I spent some time sharpening it last night. It is good to hear though that the first time I get it really sharp may take some time. I was starting to think that I was doing something wrong.

I'll try to remember to let everyone know how it works for me.

Thanks

GWhite

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

just don't rush the sharpening job. First time should probably take about an hour per blade (if your doing it by hand). After that it's all down hill. When I get a new knife it takes me almost forever to sharpen it 'cause I do a little and set it aside until I get the urge again. I really need to get a Burke (or quit buying knives and tools, Nah!).

[wade at wadeswood]

The blades in Buck Pocket Knives are stainless. They say the hardness is 58 on the Rockwell "C" scale. An extremely good carbon steel will weigh-in at 63. Diamonds are 100.
As far as the steel in the Union City Whittler, I have no idea. I guess if you were to cut into a very hard knot and the edge cuts it and does not chip or curl, you have good steel in the knife.
Carving different materials requires different sharpening. With soft wood, you can have a very sharp taper (cutting edge). With hard wood, you need a substantial bevel(width and angle).
If your Union City whittler does not work, you will just have to try something with better steel.
Wade F