I haven't been around much, but I have to say my piece here.
Let me preface this reply by admitting I have many more pocket knives than I could wear out in a hundred lifetimes.

Naturally, that does not preclude the need for another one.

I have owned Camilus, Boker, Buck, Case, Sharade, and more.
My last two knives were a Boker 'Whittler' (a true whittler has two back springs; one each for the small blades, while both apply to the large blade on the other end) and the Oar Carver; both were okay knives.

My latest knife is most likely the best 'carving' pocket knife I have ever owned. Â*It is small enough to carry while being large enough to carve with. Â*The two blades are stainless (yes Al, I said stainless) which I never thought I would prefer for carving. Â* What changed my mind is the alloy, it is a new stainless and really holds a quality edge.

The blades are thin and only one needed slight modification. Â*Actually there were three small things that I had to change to perfect the knife. Â*Now I couldn't be happier; in fact at times I would rather carve with my pocket knife than my fixed blade carving knife.

One of the drawbacks of most pocket knives has been eliminated; both blades are lockbacks, but the knife is very light due to an amazing single spring lockback mechanism.

The handle is beautiful with polished nickle bolsters and ox blood colored wooden scales. Â*It may be my last pocket knife.
Or not. Â*:

Are you teasing or did I miss it somewhere?...what is the name/brand of this latest pocket knife? Just curious.

I guess I forgot Â*:-/
http://www.knivesplus.com/KE-4380-Kershaw.HTML

No I don't own stock in the company; just like the knife.

Hi Ho - I like the Seahorse Okay; it's just not one of my favorites. I actually have two. If you like the Oar, you will like the Seahorse. It's definitely not a bad knife; just not one of my personal favorites.

I ususally carve relatively small pieces with my pocketknives and like the smaller knives with thinner blades. That's why I forgot about the old Sears knife at first....It is a little larger than the others that I listed, but I really like the carbon steel in those blades so I felt like I had to include it too.

I suppose knives can be like a woman (or man for the ladies), what appeals to one may not appeal to another. I prefer brunettes - someone else may like blondes, etc.

That Kershaw (posted by Rick above) is an attractive knife! Â*If I read correctly, you said it had locking blades? Â*That's a definite plus. Â*It looks very close to the same size as the Bear that I like so much. Â*The positive for that knife is the weight. Â*It also holds a nice edge.

My analogy comparing knives to women may have been a mistake......my wife would not like it very much, as I have many, many knives.

Not to mention that we use them and toss them aside when we find a prettier one. Â* :-[ (Knives that is)

Don't get yourself in trouble Rick!!!!!

[AlArchie]

Rick, I knew you'd come around if you found the right blade! Stainless, like any other steel, can be quality or not. If your experience has been with 'bad' stainless, your whole outlook on it is tained. Back when I was first married I worked in a harware/sporting goods store, and stainless hunting knives were just starting to be produced. I wouldn't give you a nickle for one of those back then. Since then, improvements in alloys, and processing have made some of these same brands into high quality stainless hunting knives. I would imagine that the same evolution of design has happened with the carving and whittling knives available today.

Oh, stainless is STILL a bear to sharpen the first time! And that looks like an exceptional whittling knife. I like the idea of the double locking blades.

Al

[quote author=Rick-in-Seattle link=board=Beginner;num=1092319229;start=0#12 date=08/12/04 at 21:00:16]I guess I forgot Â*:-/
http://www.knivesplus.com/KE-4380-Kershaw.HTML

No I don't own stock in the company; just like the knife.[/quote]

It sure is a beauty. Not to be too picky, but would you call the large blade a clip point? It looks more like a drop point to me.

I do most of my whittling with a Warren whittling set but I have been known to walk around with a Queen Whittler in my pocket. It has essentially the same blade set as that Boy Scout Camillus Whittler (large clip, small pen, small cope). It's in D2 'high carbon stainless' (go figure). I've never put enough work into getting the large blade the way I want it, but I usually use the small pen blade to remove wood and the thin very sharp coping blade to do deep stop cuts and work tight corners.

Mike

[quote author=mikeg link=board=Beginner;num=1092319229;start=0#7 date=08/12/04 at 11:14:03]Thanks for the input!

Do the terms like 'Stockman', 'Congress' and 'Whittler' refer to the combination of blades? Â*For instance, I notice that the knives I'm seeing that are refered to as 'Stockman' all seem to have clip, spey, and sheepsfoot blades. Â*If so, are the terms fairly consistant accross brands?[/quote]

The names are actually used to describe both the handle shape and blade arrangement of pocketknives and most manufacturers use the same names. As you have probably seen by now some whittlers have wharncliff main blades instead of clip.

I did find a SWEET Bear 5 blade stockman at Smokey Mountain Knife Works that looks like it could be my next favorite whittlin/carving knife.

http://www.eknifeworks.com

http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/eC...mp;SKU=BR80547

and since I couldn't stop myself I think I had better keep an eye out for the postman and try to get it before the wife does.