Need help with William Henry value proposition

DaveH

DaveH

Joined
Dec 2, 1999
Messages
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I'm a true sebenza fan I also owned a Mnandi for a few years and liked it quite a bit too.

This time around instead of purchasing another sebenza, I'm considering getting a small ZDP-189 William Henry. Here's my problem it better be as good if not better then the sebenza or mnandi in execution and precision or I'll be disapointed. There's no price saving in a WH.

Has any had both?

And do they really compare?

Have you forsaken CRK and gone with WH? If so why?

Thanks
 
Understand the WH Knives are not as stoutly constructed as the CRK's Sebenzas - think Gentleman's pocketknife. Other than that I love my WH, though it is one of the early runs with a liner lock and California Redwood. WH knives are quality knives and the fit & finish are very good. My WH is my fancy pocketknife for formal occasions.
 
I have 2 William Henrys, both are G10 and ATS-34, both are excellent, solidly built knives. They are the push button locks, for their size and target useage this is the perfect set up. But, they are small pocket knives, gent's knives for sure. I have not handled any of their bigger knives, but if they share the same build quality as mine, they should be awesome.
 
I've handled both, and owned both. Now the newer WH's with the button locks, I haven't seen too many. That being said, I don't think you could go wrong with the William Henry. They don't LOOK as stout, but that doesn't mean they are weak. For the dimensions, there is nothing out there that will be put together better. For the materials, they do the best that can be achieved using them. If Chris Reeve were to make a knife with the same materials and dimensions, it wouldn't be an improvement. I think it is all a matter of taste. The execution and precision you seek will not be compromised by getting a William Henry, and until CRK starts using ZDP-189, you won't find a better blade out there. What is lost in 'toughness' through smaller dimensions (e.g. thinner blades) is more than made up for with that little bit of extra style.

If you've already got the Sebenza bug satisfied for the moment, go ahead and discover the world of William Henry. Now you'll have two itches that will never be scratched enough.

All in my humble opinion, (feel free to flame me)
Daniel
 
Thanks everyone for the help, I've been generally trending more gentlemanly lately. :p
 
Halfneck said:
Understand the WH Knives are not as stoutly constructed as the CRK's Sebenzas - think Gentleman's pocketknife.
Click to expand...

I agree. My WH knives are top rate, but don't match the incredible, bull-dog construction of the CRK. Consider the CRK bronze washers as well as bronze bushings. You don't see that very often. That said WH makes a gorgeous gentleman's knife, often with very expensive and exotic materials and workmanship. Consider your priorities.:)
 
I’ve heard that the new William Henrys with ZDP-189 blades are made in Japan by MCusta. Can anyone confirm that?
 
DaveH-

Think "dainty".

I've had a few WHs, and while nice enough, I'd never spend that kind of coin on them again. (I've only had the older versions in CF, wood, and pearl before, never any of the newer button lock and beyond models.)

Fit and finish is high, but they're by no means rugged.

My overall impression was nice and classy, but almost too little knife for the money, if that makes any sense.

I too, have been keeping an eye out for a nice gents folder, but haven't considered WH at all, just because my previus experience was- for me anyway- underwhelming to an extent.
 
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