Replacement for William Henry T12CF?

S

sleepy122

Joined
Feb 8, 2011
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21
I've been lurking for awhile and was hoping to get some recommendations for a new purchase. About 8 years ago, I saved for months and finally bought a William Henry T12CF -- it was an amazing knife -- light, smooth action, refined, great for edc. I say was because at some point in the past 4 years, the knife was lost/stolen/misplaced. After that, I ventured into automatics for a bit, then settled on a Benchmade Osborne 940.

Anyway, every now and then I think about how great the WH was and keep looking for a replacement. Can you guys help me out with some recommendations? I'm looking for something (1) relatively light, (2) with a clip, (3) somewhat plain or very minimalistically decorated handles (titanium, carbon fiber, etc look good -- most of the recent WH's are too crazy for me), (4) approximately 3 inch blade length, (5) something that leans towards a "gentleman's knife" and (6) budget is around $300, but maybe a little more if that *perfect* knife comes along.

All that being said, I dont like the WH EDC carbon fiber handle design on the current series, so that's off the list (plus, I'm still carrying a small sliver of hope that I'll find my old WH in some random box). One knife that did catch my eye is the Burger EXK and LEXK. Would folks consider more of a "gentleman's" knife? (If so, any idea where in southern california I can test one out or where I can test out the boker plus version? Not crazy about dropping $300 on a knife I havent held.)

Any suggestion on replacements would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
 
I just got a t12 cfd as part of a knife collection I just got. The total collection is 150 knives. I have done a bit of research and from what I am told they made less than 200 between 2002 -2004 at a price of 425. I agree it is a great knife. I may sell some at a later date as I have about 15 WH knives in the collection, but at this point I am not selling any. I carry a Spyderco Chinese folder by lum. My dad got it for me yrs ago and it still is as smooth as when I got it. Please note I am a newbie, so I am note sure this is a gentlemans knife
 
I think it was actually closer to $225 as I know I could not afford a $425 knife in college (even $225 was months of eating ramen). Congrats on your acquisition.
 
Man that T12CF is gorgeous. I think a good replacement would be the Shoki 480-1 that I just ordered. It looks similar, although it's somewhat smaller (2.8 inch blade). It has CF scales, titanium liners, a William Henry style button lock, a William Henry style carry pouch and a supersteel M390 blade.

BM4801.jpg


Bought mine for $180ish at Moore's Cutlery. I'll have a review by the end of the week.
 
I have one of the old CF T12's but I prefer a small Sebenza. I do like lightweight knives though, but haven't really found what I am looking for as the current market doesn't seem to make many Ultra light knifes. It's mostly tacticool 5+oz, 3" knives these days. It will be interesting to see the other responses. One knife I am looking forward to is the Spyderco Chaparral.

Do you like the 940? It is one of my favorites. Maybe you would like the BM 960. Its very thin and light. The BM 480-1 reminds me of the T12CF but alas it has no clip. The 2011 BM470 might end up being a nice lightweight but the handle looks similar to the BM770 which was downright uncomfortable where your index finger rests.

Maybe you could describe what you like about the T12CF to give us a direction to head in. Do you have to have CF scales or will G10, Ti or Al do?
 
sleepy122 said:
I think it was actually closer to $225 as I know I could not afford a $425 knife in college (even $225 was months of eating ramen). Congrats on your acquisition.
Click to expand...

I think the difference may be that the blade type is a raindrop damascus on the knife that I have. I think that is the difference between CF and the CFD is the blade type.
 
cave dave said:
I have one of the old CF T12's but I prefer a small Sebenza. I do like lightweight knives though, but haven't really found what I am looking for as the current market doesn't seem to make many Ultra light knifes. It's mostly tacticool 5+oz, 3" knives these days. It will be interesting to see the other responses. One knife I am looking forward to is the Spyderco Chaparral.

Do you like the 940? It is one of my favorites. Maybe you would like the BM 960. Its very thin and light. The BM 480-1 reminds me of the T12CF but alas it has no clip. The 2011 BM470 might end up being a nice lightweight but the handle looks similar to the BM770 which was downright uncomfortable where your index finger rests.

Maybe you could describe what you like about the T12CF to give us a direction to head in. Do you have to have CF scales or will G10, Ti or Al do?
Click to expand...

I actually like the 940 quite a bit, but it seems out of place to carry at certain events and it's a bit heavier than the WH. You always definitely knew the BM was there. I think I really liked the smooth action and lightness of the WH. I don't have to have the CF scales by any means, as long as the knife is lighter than the BM 940 overall.
 
Spyderco Gayle Bradley? It's tough, but the finishing is top-notch, and the CF and polished liners give it the gentleman's knife appearance.

As for testing out knives, look at Plaza Cutlery if you live anywhere near Costa Mesa. They didn't have any Gayle Bradleys, though, when I dropped by this last weekend.
 
I thought this thread could use a picture of the T12CF with an over budget friend. These are the only William Henry's I have.

BG
 
Have you considered the small sebenza of Mnandi? They are great little blades (a bit over budget)
 
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone (especially you, Cave Dave)! I ended up ordering a small sebenza 21. While I know it's closer to the BM940 than the T12CF, to me it looks more refined than the BM. Plus, I've always wanted one :D

I work in an office environment, and I figured that even if I had the WH, I would not be clipping it to my pocket anyway (not the type of workplace where you want to risk spooking people). Since I would be keeping the WH in my bag at work, it'd be just as easy to carry the Sebenza. After trying out the small sebenza, I realized that it's not that much bigger than the T12CF. My thinking was that, outside of work, the Sebenza would be approximately the same as the T12CF for EDC (but sturdier). I should get my sebenza next week and am keeping my fingers crossed that I'll like owning one. :rolleyes:
 
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