Looking Straight Ahead - wharncliffe/ sheepsfoot

[MartianGoat]

I'm a huge GEC fan and am loooking for the perfect wharncliffe or sheepsfoot knife. I love my 72 wharn, but I feel like the 66 moose with a sheepsfoot and a spear would be my perfect knife.

Any recommendations? What's your favorite straight edged knife?

 

[MartianGoat]

To the congress crowd, do you how does the 53 Castro stack against the 61/62?

 

[knarfeng]

For various reasons, GEC seldom rings my chimes.
But I do like a good sheepsfoot blade. The knife below is one of my favorites...

A couple of years ago, Boker came out with four or five patterns with 440C blade steel and clad in olive wood. One of those patterns was a four inch "serpentine jack with clip and sheepsfoot". I unofficially call it a "stockman jack".

 

[irona]

For various reasons, GEC seldom rings my chimes.
But I do like a good sheepsfoot blade. The knife below is one of my favorites...

A couple of years ago, Boker came out with four or five patterns with 440C blade steel and clad in olive wood. One of those patterns was a four inch "serpentine jack with clip and sheepsfoot". I unofficially call it a "stockman jack".

Just out of curiosity, what don't you like about GEC?


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[Pomsbz]

Two not so popular knives are my favourites in this realm. The GEC #15 Navy knife has a great thin grind which slices incredibly well, not opinel well but close and that is indeed praise. I tried it out recently on 4X thick cardboard against my Leatherman Charge and came away with a grin from ear to ear at how much easier the Navy knife had slid through the material. In addition being stainless makes this my daily carry. Loads of them left everywhere too. Another I can heartily recommend while there are still some left, albeit not many, is the Willamette Whittler by Northwoods. Beautiful, comfortable and a great cutting combination of a wharncliffe and pen in a serpentine frame.

 

[knarfeng]

Just out of curiosity, what don't you like about GEC?
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Saying that I don't like them is not quite correct. They put out a very nice product that speaks loudly to a particular niche market. It's just not my niche.

They charge what for me is a lot of money for a knife with plain carbon steel blades. The few patterns they make with 440C are even more expensive. (That 2-blade Boker I posted above was only ~$60. The GEC Navy knife in 440C costs ~30% more and has only one blade.)

I carry a traditional knife because I find it useful to have multiple blades each shaped for a different cutting chore, rather than carry a single large blade as is so often found in modern designs. I like to try different patterns, but at the end of the day, I'm just a user, not a collector. So the cosmetic features most folks focus on with GEC's don't speak loudly enough to me to make me part with that much money.

So, GEC? Very nice knives, but usually not my cup of tea. You asked.

 

[irona]

Saying that I don't like them is not quite correct. They put out a very nice product that speaks loudly to a particular niche market. It's just not my niche.

They charge what for me is a lot of money for a knife with plain carbon steel blades. The few patterns they make with 440C are even more expensive. (That 2-blade Boker I posted above was only ~$60. The GEC Navy knife in 440C costs ~30% more and has only one blade.)

I carry a traditional knife because I find it useful to have multiple blades each shaped for a different cutting chore, rather than carry a single large blade as is so often found in modern designs. I like to try different patterns, but at the end of the day, I'm just a user, not a collector. So the cosmetic features most folks focus on with GEC's don't speak loudly enough to me to make me part with that much money.

So, GEC? Very nice knives, but usually not my cup of tea. You asked.

That makes sense. I have always thought they run a bit high price wise, but I guess you're also paying for a smaller company's product, and a knife that has limited production, I dunno. Thanks though!


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[btb01]

I'll second what Pomsbz said about the Navy/rope knife. Surprisingly functional straight edge, nice size (gotta love GEC's #15 pattern), and they sure are good looking (at least in my opinion).

The #18 Coyote is nice if you like a smaller knife (a little too small for me, but still nice).

The Beer Scout is great, nice sheepsfoot blade with a cap lifter. Should be a new run of them coming up soon, along with a run of Boy's Knives in the same configuration (but without the bail and shield, if I recall correctly).

Probably the best GEC straight edge I've used is the #47 Viper. Super pointy, cuts like a laser. Really great knife.

 

[mike Berkovitch]

I think that #92 is one of the best of this category
View attachment 656313

Mike

 

[Pomsbz]

I forgot the coyote, got one of them too

 

[Stropping Young Lad]

The brown jigged bone on the 'Yote is one of my favorite jigging patterns GEC had put out.

I had a wharncliff 92, very nice knife. Good useful size, too.

Sounds like you're looking for two blades though.

 

[Stropping Young Lad]

Saying that I don't like them is not quite correct. They put out a very nice product that speaks loudly to a particular niche market. It's just not my niche.

They charge what for me is a lot of money for a knife with plain carbon steel blades. The few patterns they make with 440C are even more expensive. (That 2-blade Boker I posted above was only ~$60. The GEC Navy knife in 440C costs ~30% more and has only one blade.)

I carry a traditional knife because I find it useful to have multiple blades each shaped for a different cutting chore, rather than carry a single large blade as is so often found in modern designs. I like to try different patterns, but at the end of the day, I'm just a user, not a collector. So the cosmetic features most folks focus on with GEC's don't speak loudly enough to me to make me part with that much money.

So, GEC? Very nice knives, but usually not my cup of tea. You asked.

I think that's fair, but I'm on the opposite side of things. I actually find it mind boggling that GEC can keep the doors open producing the numbers they produce, for the work that goes into these knives.

 

[neal70]

Just wanted to point out that on a large moose pattern you should have plenty of blade to modify the Spey to a sheepfoot. Someone I can't recall also makes a hawbaker muskrat with a (I think) clip and sheepfoot blade pattern. Sometimes they're called improved muskrats, and after a little looking case, Queen, schatt & morgan, canal street and GEC have all made them at one time or another.
Neal

 

[Will Power]

Actually, GEC offers a comprehensive range of Wharncliffes 18, 47, 56, 57, 89, 92. All spring to mind, then there's the interesting 53 Furtaker available either as a Jack (2 blades from one end) or Moose type with a blade at each end. I don't have one as I think it might be too heavy for my taste. What I do like, and it's large but very sleek, is this 82 Dixie Stock Knife which has Californian Clip, a large Wharncliffe and a Drop-Point.

Their 15 pattern has a single Sheepfoot which is also a handy knife, like the Beerscout but without the opener. If you can find a Forum Knife from 2013 it has a very long Sheepfoot and Pen on a Congress frame.

Queen Cutlery is offering a large Wharncliffe in a serpentine frame at the moment and its Workhorse Barlow with Sheepfoot is worth a close look, tough, well made and inexpensive.

As for CASE, look no further than their Swayback Gent (single blade) or Jack two blades, an excellent small Wharncliffe.:thumbup:

 

[MartianGoat]

I really like that fur taker, but I dont really get clip points. I'm trying to grow into them. BUT I may end up giving one a try. I'll see if I can pick up a new one.

The 2013 is my dream knife, but they don't last very long, the few times they surface.

I think the 77 or 15 are going to have to be my defaults.

I really dig the half 61/62 though, I wish the congress pattern was a little more proportioned like a moose.

For those who carry the 18 warncliffes, is the blade length enough for you, as a solitary knife?

 

[knarfeng]

That makes sense. I have always thought they run a bit high price wise, but I guess you're also paying for a smaller company's product, and a knife that has limited production, I dunno. Thanks though!

I think that's fair, but I'm on the opposite side of things. I actually find it mind boggling that GEC can keep the doors open producing the numbers they produce, for the work that goes into these knives.

You both misunderstood my response. I don't think that the knives are overpriced for what you get. It's just that the features you get with GEC are not what drives me when choosing most of my knives.

GEC gives you incredible fit and finish and fantastic, exotic covers. Jigged bone that is drop dead gorgeous. Exotic woods and fantastic burly stag. They also give well designed blades and smooth operation. And I think they charge a fair price for that.

But most of those features are are not what I am looking for when I buy a knife. And while the prices are fair for that level of perfection, they are more than I like to spend on a knife.

1095 carbon steel doesn't do it for me. And fancy covers are nice, but expensive. I'd rather have stainless steel with carbides than fancy covers, perfectly centered blades, and rivets that are set just so.

This puts me in the minority in this forum. It also puts me outside the target demographic for GEC. No worries. They don't have to make what I am looking for. I just mostly look elsewhere for my knives.

 

[Pomsbz]

You both misunderstood my response. I don't think that the knives are overpriced for what you get. It's just that the features you get with GEC are not what drives me when choosing most of my knives.

GEC gives you incredible fit and finish and fantastic, exotic covers. Jigged bone that is drop dead gorgeous. Exotic woods and fantastic burly stag. They also give well designed blades and smooth operation. And I think they charge a fair price for that.

But most of those features are are not what I am looking for when I buy a knife. And while the prices are fair for that level of perfection, they are more than I like to spend on a knife.

1095 carbon steel doesn't do it for me. And fancy covers are nice, but expensive. I'd rather have stainless steel with carbides than fancy covers, perfectly centered blades, and rivets that are set just so.

This puts me in the minority in this forum. It also puts me outside the target demographic for GEC. No worries. They don't have to make what I am looking for. I just mostly look elsewhere for my knives.

How about those of us who want both?

 

[traumkommode]

I've been interested in the 66 moose pattern, too, although I'm a little stale on the spearpoints. I love wharncliffes and sheepsfeet, the 92 Talon wharncliffe I had was great. I've got a 61 half congress on the way with a wharncliffe main and coping secondary. I'll share it and my impressions when it arrives.

 

[MartianGoat]

I've been interested in the 66 moose pattern, too, although I'm a little stale on the spearpoints. I love wharncliffes and sheepsfeet, the 92 Talon wharncliffe I had was great. I've got a 61 half congress on the way with a wharncliffe main and coping secondary. I'll share it and my impressions when it arrives.

Is it the looks or the function of the spearpoint that doesn't do it for you? I LOVE my 66 moose... Though I usually don't do much with the clip. The point in to high for me. I feel like I have to point the knife down at a 45 degree angle to get the full use in draw cuts and in piercing.


Please, do share your impressions about the half congress, there's not a lot of verbiage about them, but they seem to be liked by someone.

 

[TLARbb]

Don't forget the 48 improved trapper from GEC. One of my favorite EDC knives. But then, I like the Case wharncliffe mini trappers as well.

I'd love to pick up a wharncliffe 92 pattern Talon... Haven't found one though.

The no. 18 coyote seems a little bit too small, but I thought the same thing about the peanut which I have come to appreciate since I've been here.

Ed J