Reccomendations/Suggestions for my first traditional Wharncliffe

gooeytek

gooeytek

Joined
Jul 12, 2011
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I've been looking at wharncliffes lately, and specifically the Sway Back Jack pattern. Can you guys suggest some that I can take a closer look at? I would like a single blade around 3" with good steel, preferably something along the lines of ATS-34/154CM, but I'm not opposed to carbon steels either. Anything goes as far as handle materials. Just want to dip my toe in the pool, but customs aren't out of the question, but I'd like to see what noteworthy productions are out there that fall into what I'm looking for.
 
You're not going to find a production single blade wharncliffe traditional in any supersteel. By 3", do you mean blade length, or length closed? Traditional knives are typically measured by their closed length, not by blade length.

GEC makes a few wharncliffes. There's the #55 Hound's Tooth and the #72 (but it's a lockback). You're pretty much stuck with 1095. Something to consider might be the 62 half congress. It has 2 blades, but both ride on a single spring, so it's still slim. You can find them in 440C as well.

You should take a look at John Lloyd's knives. Pretty inexpensive for being a custom. A 3¾ closed SBJ should give you about a 3" blade.

Also, take a look at the GEC #47 Hayn' Helper. It's basically a swayback done sodbuster style. It's a sheepsfoot rather than a wharncliffe, but GEC's sheepsfoots have very sharp and pointy tips, so it's not that far from a wharncliffe in use, if less so in appearance. Great knife, great steel (O-1), and for $50, you can't go wrong.
 
I 2nd the #55 GEC. Its a frequent goto when dropping a knife in my pocket. Think a few nonlocking autumn golds are still around.
 
I know you said 3" and a single blade but if you don't mind something a little bigger with a secondary pen blade you can't go wrong with a Case Swayback Jack. The price isn't bad either.
 
The only Wharncliffe I know of with ATS-34 steel is the S&M File & Wire series 5 Swayback Clasp knife pictured below.

SBCK_zpsa1d52e11.png~original


These are about 4-1/4" closed, so would have a blade around 3-1/4 inches long.
 
Thanks guys, I went through all the above suggestions and most of the looong thread on John Lloyd's knives. I think I'm in love with his Swayback Jack and one of his swedged drop-point blades.

And yes, 3"+ blade, so I guess that would mean at least a 3 1/2"+ size closed? I have fat hands =/
 
Recently purchased the knife below from Ken Coats (posts here as KC Custom) and love it. It's 3 5/8" and the blade is ATS-34. I second the previous recommendations on the GEC #55, which I carry frequently. Another nice option might be a Scagel Fruitport, although both are 1095 I believe. Best of luck.

image_zpsd9c82983.jpg
 
That one's also sweet. I also went over that thread on Ken Erickson, and I've been looking at a number of TA Davison wharncliffes that have been made. I think this is going to get very expensive really quick...
 
Case Swayback jack in cv/chestnut bone was my first traditional. I love it. Since then, I got the 55. I love both but prefer carrying the sbj although the 55 fits much nicer in hand. Just enjoy how the sbj rides in pocket
 
Ok, narrowed it down to the GEC #72, GEC #55, Case Sway Back Jack (or Gent), and Case Wharncliffe Trapper (although the size is good, I wish a single-blade version was available). Any thoughts?

Of those choices, I really like the SBG the most, I just wish it was bigger. It looks like my only option for something like that is going to be a custom.
 
I have all you mentioned as considering, including the Schatt & Morgan Swayback Clasp knife mentioned by black mamba. In your size range and steel preference, it would be my pick as well. Mine measures 4 1/8", with a 3 1/4" ATS-34 blade. It also has a half stop and a strong snap, with about a 6+ pull (perfect).

IMG_1200copy_zpse545b4a1.jpg
 
gooeytek said:
Case Wharncliffe Trapper (although the size is good, I wish a single-blade version was available).
Click to expand...

These exist. There's a couple in stainless; the Carhartt in faux stag (delrin), and one in red bone (older production). Maybe others. There's also the stag rancher in CV steel. I own one thanks to a generous giveaway, and it's a great knife. Case's stainless isn't the best in the world; easy to sharpen and gets very sharp, but edge holding is so-so. The Sway Back Gent isn't available in CV; the only Sway Back Case offers in CV is the chestnut bone SBJ. Of the ones you listed, the GEC #55 Hounds Tooth is probably the best, or the #72 if you don't mind a locking blade. I'd forgotten about the S&M Clasp Knife, and that's definitely something to consider as well.
 
Well, I searched a bunch of sites and ended up ordering the GEC#55. Thanks for all the input guys! Can't wait to get it.
 
gooeytek said:
Well, I searched a bunch of sites and ended up ordering the GEC#55. Thanks for all the input guys! Can't wait to get it.
Click to expand...

Excellent choice! :thumbup: I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I have one in Mexican Bocote and it's one of my favourite traditional folders...

-Brett
 
gooeytek said:
Well, I searched a bunch of sites and ended up ordering the GEC#55. Thanks for all the input guys! Can't wait to get it.
Click to expand...

You'll be happy with any model from GEC :D

On the case front ....
Look for a Case mini trapper (3.5"). They show up occasionally with a single wharni.
The Case Copperhead (3.8") is fairly popular w/ a wharni/pen combo.
 
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