All About Pocket Knives

I just got this Wheeler Basin Knife Club whittler. I have been keeping an eye out for a Fight'n Rooster in this pattern. Most of them seem to have MOP covers, and while I have nothing against MOP, it just does not especially appeal to me. So I was happy to spot this one, and the fact that the Wheeler Basin is in my state was an added bonus. The date is a bit hard to see, but it says 1983 on the blade. I included a couple of photos of the Rooster with my Case Seahorse just for comparison. Both have the very thick master blade. By the way, anyone know if there is a specific term for this Rooster's main blade? Seems to be exactly half way between a hawkbill and a wharncliffe.

Frank called it a Cotton Sampler blade, 1 of 150. Sweet knife!

1967redrider wrote:Frank called it a Cotton Sampler blade, 1 of 150. Sweet knife!

I guess it does look like some of the cotton sampler blades that I have seen. I did not think of that: thanks.

I have seen a few in this pattern and like them a lot! Very nice knife.

He liked that blade,as do I!

Thanks for the kind words, fellows. I am kind of new to this collecting thing, but when I saw a photo of that pattern I just liked the way it looked, and now that I have one I like it even better. This is my first Fight'n Rooster: probably first of several. One thing that impresses me is the walk and talk. I know this is an old knife so the newer ones may be different, but the amount of force required to open the blades, and the snap is just about perfect.

It has been a little while since my last post here, but instead of starting a new thread I decided to add to this one. After getting my first of these Fight'n Roosters with the Cotton Sampler blade I did not actively seek out this pattern. But I have added a couple to my collection over time.

Here is my latest addition. By the way, I have learned to really hate Celluloid. This knife has stag covers, but it must have been stored next to a Celluloid knife. The vendor had numerous Fight'n Roosters that may have been from the same collection: I noticed that a couple were gassing. But on the positive side, this one was half the price of the ones that were perfect. Here are a couple of photos before I cleaned it up a bit.
Here are a couple of photos of all three of my knives of this pattern. I am still very much a fan of this Wharncliffe frame and Cotton Sampler blade!

Wow, what a sweet trio!


Watch this one. Another knife's celluloid is after it.

My wife's family are Wheelers. If anyone has a Wheeler's Basin knife, I'm interested in buying.

Love the knives Mel.

wlf wrote: ↑Fri Feb 06, 2026 3:31 pm My wife's family are Wheelers. If anyone has a Wheeler's Basin knife, I'm interested in buying.
Love the knives Mel.

Thanks, Lyle, There is another of those Wheeler Basin knives on Ebay right now, from the same vendor I bought from. But you have to really want it! https://www.ebay.com/itm/389552311244?_ ... w&LH_BIN=1

1967redrider wrote: ↑Fri Feb 06, 2026 3:18 pm Wow, what a sweet trio!


Watch this one. Another knife's celluloid is after it.

Thanks, Redrider. I did clean it up with 1000 grit sandpaper.

This is the second knife I have bought in the past few months that had natural handle material but was showing corrosion that I attribute to celluloid gassing. Here is mine after sanding.