All About Pocket Knives

I read an article in the Woodcarving Illustrated that showed how to make a locking whittling knife out of an old TL-29 electrician's knife. I found a lot of 4 old and corroded Camillus TL-29s on eBay for less than $20, so I decided to try this myself.

The person who wrote the article modified both blades, but I left the main (spear blade) as it was for utility purposes, and only modified the locking wire stripper/screwdriver blade. I have to say that it took me a very long time to get the blade thin enough to whittle with (and it still could be thinner), but I ended up with a VERY strong whittling knife that cleaned up very well. It is particularly well suited to carving very hard woods, like the olive wood pictured here, which has a tendency to tear up thinner blades.

Interesting idea, and nice work on the knife. I can see what you mean about the blade thickness, but it sure enough should be stout. You must be a real experienced whittler. Most folks I know just stick with the softer woods.

Ken

Mumbleypeg wrote:Interesting idea, and nice work on the knife. I can see what you mean about the blade thickness, but it sure enough should be stout. You must be a real experienced whittler. Most folks I know just stick with the softer woods.

Ken

I have olive trees so I end up with lots of olive wood when I prune, which I like to keep for whittling and for making things like replacement tool handles. When I whittle basswood it feels like I am wittling butter.

SIMILAR MOD

PIC 1= BEFORE

PIC 2 & 3 = AFTER "GLENNBAD" MODDED HER UP
(PLANS FOR ANOTHER BY HIM, BUT CANNOT MAKE UP MY MIND OF WHAT I WANT HIM TA DO THIS TIME )

OOOOH, Josh. Daddy like. Another fine job by the Glenn man and check out the teardrop bottom on that baby.

............wow!!!!................. ......................

After seeing some of the modded knives here, I can only say there's a high degree of skill that I'm trying to emulate, and the bar has been set...waaaay up there. Thanks for the inspiration.

If you are interested in selecting a knife to whittle with or whittling in general you might want to check out www.whittlewise.com. There is lots of information about whittling and how to get started.

Nice job on the knife, I sure would like to get my hands on some dry olive wood!