How come no one talks about William Henry knives here?

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Dec 2, 2005
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I've almost pulled the trigger on a William Henry knife a few times. I've always waited, hoping I'll find out more about them here. It seems like they are perhaps the least discussed knife company out there on these forums. Am I wrong and just haven't noticed all the heated debates? Can anyone educate me on these knives?
 
I have handled several in the past year. They are very well made knives. Almost jewel like quality. However in my opinion, they are for collecting; and not a knife most folks want to "use" on a regular basis. They also are very expensive. One I was looking at was a 2 and a half inch blade for over $800. Again, they are really nice knives, but alot of us don't have the means to purchase one, and stimulate conversations on forums. Just my 2 cents. Others chime in.
 
From my experience, only a very small niche of knife buying people have any interest in them. No interest=no discussion.
 
I've seen/handled a few also..truly edged jewelry. The idea of using one of these as an edc is unthinkable.
 
I think jeffzerot hit the nail on the head: they're really more like jewelry or other high-end accessories/collectibles in terms of the market they're targeted at. And that demographic -- people who collect jewelry, executives for whom an ornate knife is most of an accessory than a tool, etc. -- doesn't overlap a whole lot with the one here on BladeForums.
 
The replies I've gotten seem to make sence to me. From what I gather so far they seem like something a rich executive might carry in his overpriced suit. Still I really like the look of them. I wish I could see one live, but currently have no idea of a brick and mortar store in Mass that sells them.
 
I carry and use William Henry's frequently. Most of them are not made for hard use but make a fine EDC for lighter duty.

The ZDP-189 at 67RC holds an edge forever and they are light and very well made.

I don't have one of their newer D2 EDC models, but I imagine that they are made with the same eye for excellence.


Here's what I have.
This one is the Tom Brown Quest. I carry it pretty much everyday. It's a very robust knife (more so then my others).
DSC02017.jpg~original

DSC02019.jpg~original


Here's a mixed bag of older liner locks and a newer button lock.
WH.jpg~original


Sorry for the lousy pic.
 
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People talk about them, just not often. Mainly because everybody knows what they are. Extremely well made, high end, and expensive. Basically jewelry, as others have said, but also functional. The reason they're not discussed much, even though they're highly respected, discussion here usually orients around using knives and the various materials in such user knives, rather than which knife goes best with your Patek watch and Armani suit. Certainly there are people here that'll spend as much as a WH on a single knife, but for that cost, they usually get a custom, or like in your avatar Colog, high end versions of familiar knives like the Sebenza.

Basically, all you need to know is that if you want one, and can afford it, you won't be disappointed in the quality.
 
I've seen them for sale in jewelry stores around here but not in knife stores. Actually I heard that TAD Gear sells them.
 
Peregrin those are good looking knives.

Planterz, you make good points. I agree we are more likely to talk a out using knives here. Which is good. It's why I come here. I do use the sebenzas in my avatar and would want to use a WH if I bought one.
 
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I've handled several, they are beautiful and they are usable as well, I have very little use for a gentlemans knife.
 
FWIW there's a collection of William Henrys up on eBay right now at almost reasonable levels

Syn
 
I've got a couple of there older T12 models. One pearl with Norris raindrop damascus, and the other is a Superconductor.

They are made as well as any custom knife I've ever seen. They're tough enough for EDC, but they are so nice I don't think I could bring myself to ever carry one of the models i have.

If you want one, I wouldn't hesitate just because they're not brought up here often. I may pick up a CF T12, or Tom Brown quest myself. I wouldn't hesitate to use either of those, but I would have a hard time using the one's over $500.
 
I have handled a wide range of them (my father has one of the Ti handle/ZDP models, one of the newer D2 models, and a CF friction folder, and a local store carries the higher end selection). As has been pointed out, the high end knives are jewelry, and I don't care for some of them, they are too flashy for my taste. The lower end WH selection is no more expensive than something like a Sebenza, and they are just as good. Not as robust, but for city carry they work fine. If I had more money I would probably have one or two of them. They are especially well suited for carry in a suit pocket, where the slim profile and light weight would be beneficial.
 
I own a nice midrange WH knife. Definitely not the blade I'd take camping or to a job site but it does go well when dressed for a more formal occasion. Seems folks don't get quite as worked up when you pull out a piece of "edged jewelry" in the middle of a wedding reception to cut the ribbon to the right length (or whatever else you might need to do at a formal occasion). I try not to go anywhere without a knife of some sort. William Henry knives fit the bill for the "dressier" aspects of Life.
 
The local jewelry store has them in their front window, and priced retail PLUS... They look like... knives for... women? rich women. Very refined and too blingy. And being sold at a jewelry store.. kind of tells the story imo.. And beyond that, I just don't like the style. Not just the style, even the silhouette. Besides, I haven't seen any choppers from them :D
 
I own one Will Henry. I pretty much got it out of curiosity. I have the E10-3 CF. It is nice! Very sharp, very light! Almost too light! They say the handle is made out of 6061 aluminum I guess? Honestly it feels like plastic! If I could I d prob return it. Just not for me. I know its a low end WH but still for that price I could have two or three nice Spydies! Anyone want an E10-3 CF? Lol :D
 
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