First Hinderer & maybe a wharncliffe question or two

O

oscar zeta

Joined
Apr 27, 2001
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205
So I just got my first Hinderer about a week ago. I purchased the 3" XM-18 wharncliffe with translucent green scales. I'm not particularly happy with the wharncliffe and I tried to trade it for something else, but over the last few days I've grown more accustomed to it.

As far as the overall quality, I have to say I'm very impressed. I've always used the Sebenza as my bar for quality. I don't want to have to worry about lock-up, grinds being off, etc., and the Sebenza has always come through for me when I've either purchased or traded for one. My new Hinderer is easily up to that same standard. Lock-up is perfect, fit and finish perfect as far as I can tell and a very sharp blade. And it just feels comfortable in my pocket, if that makes sense. It feels better than my Sebenza, actually - it feels like a big knife in a small knife body. It just feels sturdy and built to take some serious work. I couldn't be happier and I'm glad I didn't trade it away.

My question is regarding the wharncliffe. I'm having some buyer's remorse, wishing I had bought a slicer or spanto. What does everyone think about the wharncliffe? It doesn't seem to work well for food prep, because the entire edge obviously can't touch the surface. Can I use it for food prep? Fishing and camping? And I guess the point is thinner than the spanto or the slicer? Should I be concerned about any of the limitations or should I just enjoy this blade? Should I keep trying to trade for a different shape?

I realize only I really know the answer to whether it will limit me or not, but it would be nice to hear what others do with their wharncliffes.

Thanks for any input!
 
3" XMs suck........:eek:

Just kidding......they're actually my favorite knives.......I carry one every day.
As far as the Wharny goes.......it is definitely not my favorite blade style........I'm not sure if I have ever carried it.........but I do actually believe it might be the most practical blade shape for general cutting and slicing tasks........but I have never used it for food prep.......

I usually carry a spanto, slicer or spearpoint because I love the look of those particular blades and they have never had any difficulty doing anything for which I have wanted to use them.........

The XM is an incredible knife.......all the blades cut well but some might be better suited to specific tasks.......I have used a few different blade styles (other than the Wharny) in the kitchen for various things and I have been very happy with the performance of all of them.......I guess my suggestion would be that you have choices......if you are not happy with the Wharny........pick up a different XM.........the slicer might be better for you........but give the Wharny a few more days before you decide.......I know a few guys that swear by them.......

And congratulations on picking up your first XM !!! :D
 
Thanks for your input. I will keep it a while longer before I sell or trade it. Honestly, the wharncliffe has been ideal for all of my daily cutting tasks, except for food prep. I love having that sharp point available for opening packages. But it also seems like for that kind of money, I should get exactly what I want. I can't justify having more than one, just for the blade shape. Well, I could justify it to myself easily, but not so much with the wife. But it doesn't seem like these lose too much value so it shouldn't be a problem to sell if I need to. This is a wonderful knife and I can see carrying it for a long time, especially if I can settle on a blade style.
 
oscar zeta said:
So I just got my first Hinderer about a week ago. I purchased the 3" XM-18 wharncliffe with translucent green scales. I'm not particularly happy with the wharncliffe and I tried to trade it for something else, but over the last few days I've grown more accustomed to it.

As far as the overall quality, I have to say I'm very impressed. I've always used the Sebenza as my bar for quality. I don't want to have to worry about lock-up, grinds being off, etc., and the Sebenza has always come through for me when I've either purchased or traded for one. My new Hinderer is easily up to that same standard. Lock-up is perfect, fit and finish perfect as far as I can tell and a very sharp blade. And it just feels comfortable in my pocket, if that makes sense. It feels better than my Sebenza, actually - it feels like a big knife in a small knife body. It just feels sturdy and built to take some serious work. I couldn't be happier and I'm glad I didn't trade it away.

My question is regarding the wharncliffe. I'm having some buyer's remorse, wishing I had bought a slicer or spanto. What does everyone think about the wharncliffe? It doesn't seem to work well for food prep, because the entire edge obviously can't touch the surface. Can I use it for food prep? Fishing and camping? And I guess the point is thinner than the spanto or the slicer? Should I be concerned about any of the limitations or should I just enjoy this blade? Should I keep trying to trade for a different shape?

I realize only I really know the answer to whether it will limit me or not, but it would be nice to hear what others do with their wharncliffes.

Thanks for any input!
Click to expand...

Yes..
 
Current EDC...

As for Food Prep, Move your cutting board closer to the edge of the Island or table and you will be fine. I do not use my EDC all that much for food prep but my Wharnie is a favorite EDC. No worries about the tip (look at it from the spine) is it a Spanto? No but, that is the nice thing about having all the blade geometries.....
I Never rotated my EDC's until I carried RHK's - Now I rotate randomly and it is fun.



 
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Thanks Rubicon, I appreciate the input. The more I carry it the more I get attached to it. I can see why people get multiple versions, although I promised myself I wouldn't get into that. The tip does look plenty strong when viewed from above, now that you mention it. Maybe I'll order a lanyard bead or something. Thanks.
 
oscar zeta said:
Thanks Rubicon, I appreciate the input. The more I carry it the more I get attached to it. I can see why people get multiple versions, although I promised myself I wouldn't get into that. The tip does look plenty strong when viewed from above, now that you mention it. Maybe I'll order a lanyard bead or something. Thanks.
Click to expand...

You will like it more and more (my prediction) that said, as time goes on you may add other grinds and be happy you did.
Spanto, Slicer and Skinner maybe a Bowie. Stop whenever it causes stress. As long as responsibilities are being met.
Look at it this way - one a year..... 4-5 years down the road. Not bad.

Golfers waste more monet than that and what do they have to show for it? Exactly.
 
I carry a 3" wharnie on a daily basis. To give you some idea, I also have a 3" spanto, 3" slicer, and a 3" spearpoint so I could carry whichever blade profile I want.

I don't need an ultra robust blade style, I work in an office environment but also do a lot of work in and around the house too and the wharnie handles all of my tasks. It is also a far superior self defense profile compared to the XM alternatives. I don't do a lot of food prep with it but it isn't the best shape for that purpose with no belly but if cutting on a cutting board, you have to move it to the edge of the counter to make it work.

Here is my EDC when I was doing some engine work on my tractor.

Wharnie1.jpg
 
My current favorite is my 3 inch wharnie. I had it in 3.5 and I didn't like it near as much. The 3 inch is perfect. I also have a 3 inch slicer. The wharnie wins pocket time for just being so useful at everything. We just bought a new house and my wife liberated my wharnie during the move because it is so useful.
 
Love the wharnie design, but practically I hate it. The XM is a hard use knife, and the tip on a wharnie is incredibly thin. I already broke a small part of the tip off. I really wish I had kept my original spanto, or at least one of my slicers.
 
Since were talking about RH XM grinds, what are the pros/cons on a Bowie grind? This is my current choice for my first XM and I also am tring to avoid buyers remorse.
 
It's definitely a useful blade. I can't believe how much I end up using the tip in my daily cutting tasks.
Knife2agunfight, how did you break the tip? That's my fear and it's why I think about one of the other grinds instead.
 
My Wharnies are more poke, poke, stab, slash, lightly pry open a package here-there kinda thing who's tip comes in handy when removing grime/dirt/debris from small places on other items. When I carry them it's along w/ another XM in the primary position.
 
You can chip the tip of any knife. Certainly the wharnie is more likely for obvious reasons but its usefulness directly attributable to the design is equally as obvious.
I don't "pry" much with any of my knives - I use a pry bar for that.
For daily use the Wharnie is a great knife.
I try not to drop most of the things in my pocket (especially since I stopped EDCing a Yo-Yo)
Phone, Flashlight, Knife, Wads of Cash - ALL Bad to drop :)
 
oscar zeta said:
It's definitely a useful blade. I can't believe how much I end up using the tip in my daily cutting tasks.
Knife2agunfight, how did you break the tip? That's my fear and it's why I think about one of the other grinds instead.
Click to expand...

Cutting the grips off of my Ninja. Pushed too hard and a very small portion of the tip snapped off.
 
RubiconSS said:
You can chip the tip of any knife. Certainly the wharnie is more likely for obvious reasons but its usefulness directly attributable to the design is equally as obvious.
I don't "pry" much with any of my knives - I use a pry bar for that.
For daily use the Wharnie is a great knife.
I try not to drop most of the things in my pocket (especially since I stopped EDCing a Yo-Yo)
Phone, Flashlight, Knife, Wads of Cash - ALL Bad to drop :)
Click to expand...
Exactly. Mr. Rubicon is right. Right tool for the right job. If you don't have time to get the right tool, it must be an emergency, and a life or someone's safety is more important than a knife tip!
 
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