Best pocket knife for all around carving?

[Mike-in-WV]

My local feed/hardware store has some of the best pocket knives around. They sell for anywhere from $25.00 up to $75.00. Different brands and all sizes. Can you tell me what to look for in a good pocket carving knife? Best size, and blades and so on? This will be used for whitteling or carving on wood spirit walking staffs. Thanks for any info you may want to share and Merry Christmas to all! Mike

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

That is one tough question! I've got dozens of pocket knives, but the two that I almost always end up carrying are a model 303 Buck that I have modified the clip blade on a little and a Kershaw double-cross that I got from littleshavers with Ricks modifications. The first for smaller, detail work and the second for larger carvings. Actually I carry a third, but for general use, a Swiss army knife. Amazingly all three have stainless blades, which is something I thought I'd never be able to say.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

One other thing, Camillus makes a nice whittler, but my experience with them has been that they are of inconsistent quality when it comes to blades. You get some good ones and you get some bad ones.

[Mike-in-WV]

Thanks Ed, I've been looking at this "Case Seahorse whitler" it sure has great looking carving blades. What do you think? Mike
http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?...OD&ProdID=3146

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I have the seahorse whittler....really nice knife...Rick at little shavers will get you started right with it in the sharpening area and I can guarantee it is sharp, I cut myself two days in a row with the same blade! LOL.......I like the knife, I also bought several schrade old timers because they are out of business, and for a cheaper knife they look very good and a lot of people swear by them.Woodcraft still has some at fair prices...not sure if I will use them or just hang on to them...guess I am a knife and tool addict!

[AlArchie]

For my money, I'll stick with the Boy Scout whittler, available through the scouting supply stores or most Council offices for around 25 bucks. They are US made by Camilus. I've had two now and have bee really pleased with them. You can find the same knife by Camilus in hardware and sporting good stores for about five bucks more.

http://www.scoutstuff.org

Click on "enter here" then "camping" then knives and cutting tools.

Al

[big_Wayne_P]

I like that case knife

I have had case knives before and they are good knives

was not famillar with the model
It looks simillar to the Scharade and Old Timer that I use

[Mike-in-WV]

Thanks guy's, I have a couple of Old timers and two schraders in my drawer but I really like the main blade configuration on the Seahorse the best. They sure aren't cheap but nothing really good is

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Mike, that shape on the large blade on the seahorse is also my favorite blade shape.....I may eventually reshape the small blade with the flat end the same as the large blade.....

[Mike-in-WV]

Goos idea Hi-Ho Silver! I'm bidding on one now on Ebay. The cheapest I have found one retail is about $57.00 dollars plus shipping ( I think that was the price) I know Case /Schrader makes some great knives and some that have lasted me for years but I have two with broken blades in my junk dreawer. Can't blame the knife , I used them for everything, Lol. Mike