My first A. Wright knife (mixed feelings)

[Franciscomv]

I ordered two A. Wright knives a few weeks ago, the first one just got here today. This is my first taste of modern Sheffield craftsmanship, and I'm a bit underwhelmed.

Overall, the knife's OK for a user. It's a good size for most tasks, I'd prefer a slightly longer blade but I understand they need to stay under 3" because of UK law. It feels nice in hand and is attractive. The springs are strong, love that.

However, it has some fit and finish issues. Gaps between the liners and the backsprings, as well as between on of the liners and one of the scales.

The lambsfoot blade is nicely ground, except for an uneven edge bevel. It tapers a bit towards the tip. It's properly centered.

On the other hand, the spearpoint blade seems to be thicker behind the edge and wasn't centered.

Both blades came dull.

Am I being too nit picky? Victorinox manages to consistently put out a well finished, sharp knife like the Spartan at around 35 dollars, you can use those out of the box.

Don't get me wrong, I really like the knife and will use it. However, I think we're just used to some traditional slipjoint makes being a tad sloppy.

You can see one of the gaps here, between the backspring and liner.

And another gap here, between a scale and the brass liner.

One of the backsprings is longer than the other. I guess the tangs on the blades are different?

 

[beeinak]

I don’t think you are being nit picky…I would be pretty unhappy.

 

[bladesmith3]

seems rough to me too. can you share what the knife cost?

 

[Bigburly912]

You aren’t being nit picky. I have several and they are all pretty rough. I use them and bought them as users so doesn’t bother me too much. My stag lamb was absolutely terrible. Pins protruding and sharp. The knife was literally butter knife dull. Literally blunt with the startings of an edge. (Pictures on here somewhere)

 

[Old Engineer]

They have not changed for the better since I got some 8 years or so ago . You paid for the right to give your opinion of them . They have never got the E-Mail that people really do care about Quality .

Harry

 

[afishhunter]

I may be in the minority. Minor gaps, and uncentered blades (so long as they do not affect the opening/closing of the blades) I consider to be a "cosmetic defect".
If the blade rub requires opening another blade first, or like my Marbles sow belly that was so bad that it raised the pull from a "5" to an "8" or "9" is unacceptable. (a bit of judicous filing with my diamond files to make lengthen the swedge on the clip point blade made a huge differance - from needing to open the clip before I could use the sheepsfoot, or prying the sheepsfoot up about 1/4 of the way - to a "5" or "6" pull.)

Dull blades out of the box (or hang pack, tube, or whatever) is another story. to me that is unfortgivable. NO excuse for that.

I would be unhappy spending what that knife cost (I am guessing over $39.⁰⁰) and receiving one with that many issues.

NOTE: I have probably been spoiled by the then $9.⁹⁹ plus tax and free shipping Rough Rider's I bought in the 20-teens ... and the $6.⁹⁹ Marbles MR278 "Demo Knives" and Chinese copies of the Cold War era East German GAK, (originally) made by Mayser and others. The $6.⁹⁹ knives also came sharp, and have excellent fit & finish.

I recently bought a made in China SZCO/Rite Edge Barlow off the " Big South American Jungle & River" site, for under $14.⁰⁰ including free not "Prime" shipping, taxes, and any Trump tariffs. (the first one of these I bought back in 2016 or so, was closer to $9.⁰⁰ including tax and free shipping. I gifted it to a friend in pre-Covids 2019.)
No noticable without a light gaps. Clip blade is pretty much centered. Pen blade tip looks to be maybe 1/64" from center. The blades have even grinds, and were sharp out of the box. OH! and no wiggly-wobbly blades.







(pictures so you no i am not fibbing.)

 

[runninmike]

I ordered two A. Wright knives a few weeks ago, the first one just got here today. This is my first taste of modern Sheffield craftsmanship, and I'm a bit underwhelmed.

Overall, the knife's OK for a user. It's a good size for most tasks, I'd prefer a slightly longer blade but I understand they need to stay under 3" because of UK law. It feels nice in hand and is attractive. The springs are strong, love that.

However, it has some fit and finish issues. Gaps between the liners and the backsprings, as well as between on of the liners and one of the scales.

The lambsfoot blade is nicely ground, except for an uneven edge bevel. It tapers a bit towards the tip. It's properly centered.

On the other hand, the spearpoint blade seems to be thicker behind the edge and wasn't centered.

Both blades came dull.

Am I being too nit picky? Victorinox manages to consistently put out a well finished, sharp knife like the Spartan at around 35 dollars, you can use those out of the box.

Don't get me wrong, I really like the knife and will use it. However, I think we're just used to some traditional slipjoint makes being a tad sloppy.

You can see one of the gaps here, between the backspring and liner.

And another gap here, between a scale and the brass liner.

One of the backsprings is longer than the other. I guess the tangs on the blades are different?

I purchased this exact knife and the quality is great, the two blades have great snap and the handles are of very good oak I think…
Now my complaint was that I ordered this knife but not with a spear and sheep’s foot, but with a sheep’s foot and “pen” blade which was what I chose on the site….I received this knife (yes mine was dullish as well) and sent an email stating that I had ordered the pen blade version and someone sent me a mealy mouthed response that just kind of translated to be happy with what you got…and now I will not order again-don’t care to trust the overseas dealers as it just isn’t worth my while again. Now the knife I have is very sturdy and I was able to get a whisky sharp edge on it but I wouldn’t have ordered this model. My knife was about $60 shipped. Cheers…

 

[chevyrulez1]

I own several A. Wright, and your assessment is spot on. They are rough, and like a box of chocolates you don't know what you are going to get. Unfortunately for those of us in the US, we can't inspect them before purchase. I feel like they are made to be hard working folders, hence the strong springs and thicker blades. I guess the company doesn't worry as much about fit and finish, or the cosmetics because they are meant to be thrashed and used and are not thought of as collectors. Some are rougher than others, but I have had to work on and tweak almost all the ones I have received. I kind of like the fact that they are rough users, makes me not feel bad about carrying them or tinkering with them.

 

[Shmo723]

I had 4 lambfoots in a row have their backsprings break during a very normal break-in process. Won’t be buying again. Sad, as I’d been excited about owning an English knife.

 

[Franciscomv]

I purchased this exact knife and the quality is great, the two blades have great snap and the handles are of very good oak I think…
Now my complaint was that I ordered this knife but not with a spear and sheep’s foot, but with a sheep’s foot and “pen” blade which was what I chose on the site….I received this knife (yes mine was dullish as well) and sent an email stating that I had ordered the pen blade version and someone sent me a mealy mouthed response that just kind of translated to be happy with what you got…and now I will not order again-don’t care to trust the overseas dealers as it just isn’t worth my while again. Now the knife I have is very sturdy and I was able to get a whisky sharp edge on it but I wouldn’t have ordered this model. My knife was about $60 shipped. Cheers…

Mine was supossed to have a pen blade as well. I was surprised by the longer spearpoint.

The materials do seem to be very good. Nice wood, and the blades took a keen edge after I worked on them a bit.

 

[Franciscomv]

I own several A. Wright, and your assessment is spot on. They are rough, and like a box of chocolates you don't know what you are going to get. Unfortunately for those of us in the US, we can't inspect them before purchase. I feel like they are made to be hard working folders, hence the strong springs and thicker blades. I guess the company doesn't worry as much about fit and finish, or the cosmetics because they are meant to be thrashed and used and are not thought of as collectors. Some are rougher than others, but I have had to work on and tweak almost all the ones I have received. I kind of like the fact that they are rough users, makes me not feel bad about carrying them or tinkering with them.

I'm used to buying sight unseen. There's only one shop in the country that stocks brands like Spydero, ZT, and so on. And even they only offer traditional slipjoints if you place a special order. Classic American and European slipjoints (other than SAKs) are a small niche over here.

You're right. They'll make good users. I just wish they'd taken a couple extra minutes on each blade to at least send it out sharp.

I had 4 lambfoots in a row have their backsprings break during a very normal break-in process. Won’t be buying again. Sad, as I’d been excited about owning an English knife.

That's appalling! All I've seen on my tiny sample of one are aesthetic flaws, I haven't put it to use yet.

I've got a single blade model on its way, too. A mate is bringing it (there was a delay from the factory). I hope that's a good one.

 

[Franciscomv]

seems rough to me too. can you share what the knife cost?

I paid £38 for the single blade model and £50 for the double blade one. Plus shipping. That's around $50 and $67 in US dollars, if I'm not mistaken.

Not a ton of money, but there are some well made pocketknives in that price bracket. I bought a Fox Vulpis that has a N690 blade and some tools as a gift and paid around $65.