Best utility blade shape...your opinion?

bladezealot

bladezealot

Joined
Dec 23, 2000
Messages
525
I have been using my TNT hawkbill/wharny for a month or so now, and have been really pleased with how utilitarian the blade shape is.

I was never really a fan of this blade shape before recently. Honestly, I still find other blade shapes more pleasing aesthetically, but for a user this one is hard to beat.

I did a search on "utility" and went through 20 pages without finding this question.My hand was going numb, so I called it quits. If this question has been posed recently and I missed it, my apologies.Otherwise...please feel free to respond:D
 
About a year ago I was designing my first custom folder, and I thought long and hard about this question, because this was going to be My Every Day Carry knife. With the type of things I need a knife for on a daily basis a wharncliff was the perfect choice. Art Washburn did a beautiful job of executing the knife with stainless Devin Thomas Raindrop Pattern Damacus and stag scales. It's still on me every day and I haven't regretted getting a wharny for a second.
 
I like the "trailing" point style:). It offers enough belly, while not carrying the point to high.
 
How timely. I was just thinking of this. What's the difference between a wharncliff blade and a sheepsfoot?

-- PG
 
Originally posted by ParaGlock
How timely. I was just thinking of this. What's the difference between a wharncliff blade and a sheepsfoot?

-- PG
Click to expand...

Wharncliff is more gradual longish point with the blade edge being kept straight,
The sheepsfoot has a more abrupt point, like someone broke the tip off and just smoothed it out, still with the straight blade.

The Sheepsfoot is more in line with rope and sailors and such as it has a stronger point to take more strain.

The Wharncliff has a more delicate point, splinter picker! And it's more my favourite blade shape!

I aquaint Wharncliff with the words .... Worn Cliff, as in the cliff isn't a sharp drop off any longer, but has been worn down and made into a gradual slope down to the point...
 
That Smith is a beautiful knife G2.

I was thinking about this topic recently as well. I too like the nice straight edge of a Wharncliff, with the addition of a finer point, unlike that of a Sheepsfoot. My Tighe Pinnacle Wharncliff is nearly perfect, plus his additional grind lines make it look futuristic, IMHO!!

I like a SAK spearpoint for the same reasons. The majority of the blade is nearly straight, with just a hint of upsweep to form a centerline point.

There's my answer in a nutshell. The Wharncliff and Spearpoint are my ideal blade shapes. I also find them the easiest to sharpen.
 
Glad to see others were thinking about this topic as well. I thought I might post a pic of my TNT to illustrate why I called it a "hawkbill/wharny". I ordered a wharny, but was quite pleased with what I got.

fe20bb78.jpg
 
A Wharncliff bladed knife is definitely on my most wanted list. I don't own one yet, but definitely see it's utitility potential. For now, though, I love the shape of my Sebenzas. Enough belly for working with food, a good point for getting into tight places, and enough thickness for strength. I guess you could call it a cross between a drop and clip point shape.
Frankly, I'm surprised to see so many people pick the wharncliff as a utility shape. Don't you find the lack of belly to be a limiting factor in its utility?
Just wondering.
Lenny
 
1. Drop point
2. Very slight clip ala CRK
3. Spear point
Have a small crkt warncliff that I like a lot. Will be getting a larger one soon.
 
I think that spearpoint blades, especially those with flat grinds are the most versatile utility shapes. If you look at European knives like SAK or EKA etc. the spearpoint is almost always the master blade on a pocket knife.
 
Originally posted by fudo
Wharncliffe in smaller knives. Past 4" drop and clip points.
Click to expand...

Just how I feel with the exception of length, I like the wharncliff to be up to 3", longer than that the point gets in the way, it's mainly used when you are working on cutting patterns, working where you apply pressure down on the point, if the blade is too long, then your hand is far away from the work and makes it more difficult to use. This changes when you go to a LONGER Wharncliff, like 8 or 9" blade then you have a Great fighter! that point really reaches out to touch someone.

So I carry a small wharncliff and another blade up to 4" in either spearpoint or clip for regular chores...
G2
 
Yet to find one that I though worked better than this for all around utility.

cam-tal1_sm.jpg


It is fine enough for picking and poking, strong enough for hard work, wide enough for scooping peanut butter out of the jar effectively.
 
Steve, am I to understand that you scoop PEANUT BUTTER with a Camillus/Simonich Talon!? That's almost barbaric! :)
 
The drop point is the most versatile blade shape IMHO. A good drop point knife will do just about anything. Even scoop peanut butter! :eek:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top