How come no one goes crazy for william henry knives.

My workday EDC's rotate between a WH Kestrel and Monarch. Both were exceptional in terms of quality workmanship and materials. They are the perfect lightweight knife for business attire, IMO.

picture.JPG


picture.JPG


picture.JPG


You can see additional photos at the link to my knife gallery below if you are interested. BTW, I tried the business card trick and didn't find any shavings, just lots of pocket lint :~)
 
Dr sharp said:
I see a ton of threads about sebenzas, but never see any about william henry....
Click to expand...

That's because all of us sophisticates carrying William Henry knives are too understated to post William Henry!!, like certain Sebenza fanatics. BTW, there used to be a lot more posting about WH knives on this forum back in 1999 and 2000, but the character of the forum seems to have changed a bit since then.

Anyway, from my point of view, they make a high quality product with some nice traditionally-influenced designs and then some unique, more modern designs.

The buttonlocks work great - and even though WH makes excellent liner lock models, I really like the buttonlock system. (Can't say the same about the Mattlock).

If you find them at a good price, and there are opportunities to do so, the finish and consistency makes them a better value IMO than many comparable "custom" made knives. I haven't had any "ton of metal shaving" problems like you experience. They also have excellent customer support.
 
I think your metal shavings issue is a rare exception. I've been very impressed with everything about the WH's that I've had. I think they are great looking knives and priced reasonably for fine gents knives.
They don't get a lot of mention here but neither do most of the other gents folders compared to the tactical folders. Also, the company doesn't have a forum here or much of an online presence elsewhere that I know of, but maybe I'm wrong on that? I like tactical knives too, but I'd like to see some more threads here on WH's and for that matter things like the Al Mar hawks, etc.
 
i've had a few and they were impressive. i still have one that has sentimental value. i think they're a great value and WH has excellent customer service. i'm really impressed by the looks of their new kitchen knives too but they are priced out of my range for that type of knife.
 
i LOVE my CF Kestrel. replaced my Umfaan as daily carry, since it ahs a clip, and the Umfaan does not. i love the Kestrel. sharp, light, great lock, and small enough to be ALWAYS on me, even in Chicago (which is REALLY hard to spell with KKK).
 
William Henry is on my hit list. I'll probably go with a Lancet in ironwood first. I'm also liking the Kestral in CF and the Monarch and Spryte in Ti.
So many knives, so little money.....

Paul
 
Architect said:
That's because all of us sophisticates carrying William Henry knives are too understated to post William Henry!!...
Click to expand...

Architect may have something here. The kind of person who would buy one and like it once it arrived probably isn't the same kind of person who would run to the forums with a, "Woohoo!", kind of post. William Henrys are nice but they're not exciting. And since they are simply nice gentleman's knives they don't really lend themselves to being talked about much.

I bought a CF model like the one pictured. I thought it was nice, but it wasn't exciting enough for me so I sold it. I may not be alone in that respect.
 
I think of it this way. In custom cars, Chip Foose says his ultimate goal is to have someone walk up to one of his cars and never know that the car isn't strictly a factory piece. I think the first time I saw a WH (a Kestral model that I still think about and wish I'd picked up), I was impressed but didn't notice the differences that make it a fine tool instead of something to stand out for more gimicky (sp?) reasons. Just functional, elegant knives. Perfect, no?

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
Architect said:
... BTW, there used to be a lot more posting about WH knives on this forum back in 1999 and 2000, but the character of the forum seems to have changed a bit since then...

The buttonlocks work great - and even though WH makes excellent liner lock models, I really like the buttonlock system. (Can't say the same about the Mattlock)....
...They also have excellent customer support.
Click to expand...

All very good points Architect. Look at all the attention garnered by tactical flavored knives. Gent's folders are just 2nd class citizens around these parts and in the knife community in general these days. Just generalizing of course.

I happen to like Gent's folders because I'm a gentleman :p Just kidding of course, in all seriousness, I wear a suit to work so I can't carry a large knife for logistical reasons i.e., too big for dress pants or suit jacket and I really don't need more than a 2.5" blade for the type of cutting I do during the workday. Also, my clients and colleagues would be dialing 911 if I pulled out my Obenauf or (now) my Lochsa at work to cut open a letter or package. When I see a knife (most knives) the first thing that pops into my head is 'tool'. Sadly, the non-knife folks think, 'weapon'.

Additionally, WH has great customer service. When I bought my Kestrel, I drove myself nuts thinking that the action was too tight and that one of the nylon washers was moving. Obviously I was being a bit over zealous but I sent it back to CA and they cleaned, lubed and adjusted it and had it back to me one day after they received it.

And lastly, I too love the button lock! It's a joy to play with and is just as confidence inspiring as any liner lock I've handled. Such a clean design as well.

-patrick
 
Dr sharp said:
I see a ton of threads about sebenzas, but never see many about william henrys.
Click to expand...

Well--in that case I'll HOOT a bit about William Henry's. I have a T-12 Black and Tan that is a gem. It's small and light enough to carry anywhere and just just enough size to be useful as a "real" knife. The workmanship is outstanding.

WH has also won a gazillion Blade Show awards in the last few years.

:) :) :)
 
92 degrees, any links to the WH kitchen knives. I googled but couldn't pull up any links, not even on the WH website.

Phil
 
A timley thread. According to the USPS tracking number that BestKnives sent me, my T12-A Amber Bone Spearpoint should be delivered today. I expecting to start "hooting" any time now.
 
several people talking of shavings, I see no original complaint of shavings. edited out?

We sell more WH knives than anyone and to my knowledge we have never had this complaint.

all the best,

A. G.
 
I've owned many many WH knives and as you can see, I favour the Lancet model the most :) But all of those have long since gone :( funds needed made me sell them off, miss all especially the cocobolo one, very nice!

The one I'd like to get now would be a Westcliff, carbon fiber model but have to save up for that, will be a while I imagine!

The WH line are very nice, with good solid lockups on all that I've had or ever handled. And Matt Conable is a very nice fellow, very personable to talk with, he knows sharp as well, and he makes these knives to have a thinner edge that you don't see on a lot of other knives, so these cut deeply without much resistance. He spent a few years with David Boye, doing the work on the handles for David and then struck up his Flourishing WH business.

attachment.php



This shows most of the ones I've own, a few had come after this scan was done, gone now as well, I must be one of the tradingest/sellingest guys on the forums! searching for the perfect knife takes much time :)
G2
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top