Explain Wharncliffes to me

S

stillshot2

Joined
Jun 6, 2014
Messages
547
It seems like a lot of people have them up for sale in trading forums. Are they bought then resold because they are trendy right now so there's a lot of them out there but then get put up for sale because users are finding out they don't like them? I currently don't own any Wharncliffe blades nor planned on getting any but I ran across the knives plus Wharncliffe regrind of the endura the other day and that is a good looking blade imo. Thinking of trying it out even though it might be considered overpriced, because I like the endura I have right now and that Wharncliffe blade look to me like it'd be great for pull cuts and slicing but still more useful than a hawkbill?
 
stillshot2 said:
It seems like a lot of people have them up for sale in trading forums. Are they bought then resold because they are trendy right now so there's a lot of them out there but then get put up for sale because users are finding out they don't like them? I currently don't own any Wharncliffe blades nor planned on getting any but I ran across the knives plus Wharncliffe regrind of the endura the other day and that is a good looking blade imo. Thinking of trying it out even though it might be considered overpriced, because I like the endura I have right now and that Wharncliffe blade look to me like it'd be great for pull cuts and slicing but still more useful than a hawkbill?
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They apply pressure across the full length of cut instead of dropping off when the belly curves - they are easy to sharpen, too. Wharncliffes are great and not new or a trend, not since Lord Wharncliffe, or heck, the Vikings, used it.
Whether it is more useful than a hawkbill depends on what you're cutting - I love my Dodo or Cricket for cutting open bags, or fiberous material, but a Wharnie is more EDCable and general. Still has a point to pierce, cuts awesome.

I like my Ronin 2, Yojim/jumbo, Yurco-regrind Endura (different than the normal Wharnie Endura), Dragonfly and PM2.
 
Literally went to pull the trigger on the knives plus regrind endura Wharncliffe and it sold out right before lol guess I get more time to think about it
 
Got a PM2 Wharnie on the way to try out. I've always kinda liked the Sheepsfoot shape better vs the Wharncliffe, but they don't make the PM2 with that shape yet. That Vero Axon has caught my eye though.
 
stillshot2 said:
If I find I'm using my carry knife for food prep often will the blade shape be less useful than a curved profile?
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Depends on what you're cutting. They do well for sausages and cheese. They also do well for some fruit and veg. You get a wider point for PB and Nutella, too. My big French Donjon pattern does very well with large veg as it was originally a farmer's knife for removing the large stems of cabbage and so forth. Mine cuts twine and feed bags and leather and all sorts of non-food stuff very well. I tried it on a cutting board prepping onions and squash and such and without any belly it just wasn't a good fit. But if I were removing onions from their roots and tops or taking zucchini off their vines, it would be perfect.

If you want an inexpensive trial with a Wharncliffe or sheepsfoot pattern, pick up an inexpensive stockman's knife (preferably Buck, as you might as well have a really good knife while you're at it, though there are cheaper versions). A three blade stockman should have a clip point, a Spey, and a Wharncliffe/sheepsfoot. Then you can make up you own mind. And if it doesn't work, someone here will no doubt buy it from you!

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Zieg
 
stillshot2 said:
If I find I'm using my carry knife for food prep often will the blade shape be less useful than a curved profile?
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Since there isn’t a curved belly to the blade, slicing food will prove more difficult. That’s the trade off. Wharncliffes put maximum leverage on the tip, allowing you to drag it through things more easily than curved blades. If you want the best of both worlds, try a spear point or leaf- shaped blade.
 
Just think about utility blades. They’re essentially cheap wharncliffe blades. Completely straight cutting edge with an acute tip. They’re useful for so many applications… but not as good at food prep (except vegetables). The belly helps with slicing food, especially meats - why an upswept or trailing point or even Persian blade is good. Wharncliffe blades, on the other hand, are much better, IMHO, at daily utility tasks… cutting boxes, paper, strings/ropes, etc. Scrapes and shaves better than something with a belly.
As others have pointed out too, a straight edge is easiest to sharpen on a nice flat sharpening stone.
 
It's here! I find if I keep what I am cutting near the edge of the countertop when chopping or slicing food it works well enough, otherwise since there is no belly there is no where for my hand to go with the countertop in the way. But I kinda suspected this. A couple passes on a ceramic rod and it was able to slice a maple bar donut in half this morning just by holding in the air by one end. My wife said, that's scary lol. Love the way it looks and glad to have a wharnie in my collection.

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stillshot2 said:
It's here! I find if I keep what I am cutting near the edge of the countertop when chopping or slicing food it works well enough, otherwise since there is no belly there is no where for my hand to go with the countertop in the way. But I kinda suspected this. A couple passes on a ceramic rod and it was able to slice a maple bar donut in half this morning just by holding in the air by one end. My wife said, that's scary lol. Love the way it looks and glad to have a wharnie in my collection.

picture143964.jpg
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Reground Endura? Looks great. I like Wharncliffes but kinda didn't like the rounded off profile towards the tip that Spyderco has used on pretty much all of them.

Trying to wonder what my PM2 wharnie would look like with that regrind 🤔

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bmo419 said:
Reground Endura?
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Yeah, the knivesplus one came back in stock. Was going to try and regrind a regular toucan beak looking one myself but figured I'd overpay and let the pros do it haha. Too bad I ordered it literally the day all the black Friday sales were going on and probably could have saved some cash. I like the angular look, think your pm2 would look better this way too if I may say so but maybe it would compromise the strength of the tip a little more? I'm going to have to be careful with this one, it's really a fine point tip.
 
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