08 and 83 Millworker Whittler

[SHC]

Not meaning to overwork an issue here but....awhile back I mentioned that several years ago I had heard the 08 pattern referred to as the “Millworker Whittler.” Today while looking through a 1977 Case Catalog and price guide it caught my eye. The ‘08 and the ‘83 patterns both were listed in the catalog as the “Millworker’s Whittler’s.” Glad to know that in my old age I’m not imagining and making things up as I go ,but that I can recall a few things ,even if they aren’t worth remembering. SHC

[Modern Slip Joints]

In collecting it is traditional to use the vocabulary that the manufacturer used at the time the item was made. That makes Millworker Whittler the proper name for 1977 **08s and **83s but If you had written about Millworker Whittlers without writing their pattern numbers I would not have know which knives you were writing about and I am less ignorant about Case knives than the average user. It will take a while to retrain us. Also, if Case sold **08s and **83s by another name in later or earlier decades than those other names are proper for other vintages.

[SHC]

No, I wasn’t writing about the “Millworker’s Whittler.” I had inquired earlier if anyone on the panel had ever heard the Whittler called the “Millworker’s Whittler”, but no one volunteered that they had heard it. Guess longevity has some benefits. But, thanks for your input and I agree with your observations. And, what a fine knife to build a collection on. Both of those patterns are classics in my book, whatever you call them.