Small Wharncliffe utility folder for newbie

shecky said:
I dunno. After specifying no slipjoints in the first post, to be subsequently recommended slipjoints by several contributors and reminded by muso over and over, you'd think folks would stop bringing up slipjoints.
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+1. Most knife recommendation threads turn out this way.

muso, get the mini Tuff Lite. If it's anything like the bigger version you'll be happy. It's more expensive than the SRM, but the ergo's of the Tuff Lite are amazing and IMO make up for the cost increase.

Regarding sharpening, I suppose if you use a stone a wharnie would be easier to a newbie. I use the Spyderco Sharpmaker and can sharpen even a Dodo just as easily as a wharnie or drop point.

Because the less expensive knives are AUS-8, 8cr13mov, and similar you will be sharpening frequently.
 
I agree with Willydigger.

But I'm going to jam my oar in anyway.

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Columbia River Knife & Tool "Dogfish".

Hey. It's not an AO, or a gravity knife. You loop the bead chain around a belt loop, then allow the knife to hang inside your pocket. It sounds funny, but it works.
 
aadhtbb said:
Well the knife you show is really good and I bought 2.But as what is said near the thumb stud it is a SRM702,or SanRenMu 702 ,or 三刃木702 ,whatever..... You see, the 3 letters ,三刃木, is parts of the letter of the brand owner's family name ,梁 . Maybe the seller on ebay call it Enlan 702 and misleads you I guess.

This model is not popular in China, but the design is fantasy and useful .The only problem may be the thickness and sabergrind considering its very narrow blade.
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shecky said:
It's a Sanrenmu 702. I prefer the 721, because it's thinner in the pocket and easier to open one handed. I thought the thumb stud on the 702 a bit clumsy. So I removed it and ground some jimping in the spine above the pivot, which allows for a different manner of one hand opening, where the thumb presses on the end of the blade tang and flips the blade open, in a motion that resembles the way one might ignite a Bic lighter.
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Oh yeah, my bad. Had a brainfart there.

That's a good idea, shecky. I am able to flick it open using the thumbstud, but the motion could be better.
 
Muso, for your stated purpose, either of the knives you're currently looking at would be just fine. If it's actually gonna ride in your pocket with your keys, the MTL would probably hold up a bit better with its all plastic handle. The Wharcom's stainless side will get scratched to heck very quickly. Won't effect function, but it'll look pretty rough. The MTL is also noticeably lighter (though neither is exactly heavy, lol). As far as sharpening, I'd say it doesn't get much easier than these tiny wharncliffes (and sheepsfoots). With their very short straight edges, sharpening is very quick and easy. Both knives are AUS-8, which is easy to get razor sharp as well. In any case, both the Boker and the Cold Steel are fine little knives. Your best bet (if at all possible) would be to handle them both and see which one feels better to you. That would be the deciding factor, as both are about equal in terms of quality, fit and finish, and functionality.

edited to add: The Wharcom will have an advantage in terms of one-handed closing with its framelock design, if that's a concern for you. The MTL can certainly be closed with one hand, but it takes some practice and it gets easier as the knife breaks in. I happened to slice my finger pretty deeply while practicing this :o, so just be careful until you get the hang of it (should you choose the MTL).
 
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apintandafight said:
For someone that is looking for help, you sure are testy.
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As someone who was careful to say from the outset that I wasn't interested in slipjoints I responded pretty calmly when 4 different people suggest slipjoints.

Next time you need help picking out a suit and 4 different people suggest a kilt, let me know how you handled it. ;)
 
Muso and friends,

Thank you for a great thread and many great responses. BF are a cantankerous bunch and I thank you all for this. Muso did not want some of these because he was very specific.

I think 4 or 5 answered his question quite explicitly.

The rest of you answered my unasked questions and provided some spark without much acrimony.

My thanks to all. Lots of fun and some serious expertise, wanted or not. Just regular BF cantankerous.

I bought both Cold Steel Plain Edge Tuff Lites. I will add the Boker and many of the slipjoints I had not known about.

Muso answered while I was typing. Muso is a super good sport!!! My comment below:
1. I think muso was very gracious in allowing his thread to be hi-jacked with pages of slipjoints; many more than 4 or 5.
2. I do not think he was ever testy; he just tried valiantly to keep his thread on point (Fat Chance) to his simply and unequivocally stated question: Boker or Cold Steel??
3 or 4 for Boker;
5 or 6 or 7, including me for Cold Steel.
Personally, I love the Alan Davis and some other slippies, but that was not muso's question.
3. Another Muso question was legality in NYC:
I am the only (LEO) person who admits he was actually jailed for having a knife invisible in his pocket (no pocket clip - knife was only found after I was told to empty my pockets in a Police Squad Room).
I strongly advise against carrying with a visible pocket clip in many jurisdictions. I do not know if NYC is one of them.

Mike H.
WTB
BF 2009 Forum Barlow (small blade is wharncliffe)
 
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mrdavidross321 said:
Gerber E.A.B. they come in a couple different styles and around 10-15 bucks
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I actually tried it. It felt clunky and uncomfortable to hold. I actually preferred a 99¢ box cutter

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For a couple of days I carried one around in a little homemade Tyvek sheath.
 
G. Scott H. said:
Muso, for your stated purpose, either of the knives you're currently looking at would be just fine.
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Thanks. I'm leaning a little toward the MTL ($25 at amazon) because the grip seems a little better and as you noted it will probably take scratches better.

Now I have to read up on inexpensive sharpening products for newbies!
 
muso,

I have had fine cutters from both Cold Steel and Boker.

The Tuff-lite and mini-Tuff-Lite were my choice, and they were delivered this morning.

They have wonderful ergonomics and are truly great cutters right out of the box.

I want to be clear that what follows is subjective. I readily admit that many on BF have better dexterity, experience and hand strength than I have, and they would not have any trouble opening or closing the Tuff-Lites. With some effort I may have learned some of theses skills, but it takes concentration that I would rather focus on the cut.

1. I am not able to easily use the Tuff-Lite rectangular notch for one hand opening. I need two hands to open the Tuff-Lites or the Buck Mayo. The same two hands open the Vic Alox Solo Electrician or Pruner with less effort.

2. The mid-back lock is very stiff and I (but maybe not everyone) need a bar or pen to depress the lock which makes closing this knife far more dangerous to me than any slipjoint. Depressing the lock is actually a skill, as you would have told me. I can now do it, but with effort and concentration better used in cutting.

3. The Tuff-Lite ergonomics, blade notching and cutting angles are absolutely perfect for me.

4. I have been playing with the larger knife, and I am more comfortable with it now. I assume that if I put in the same effort on the mini Tuff, I will have good results.
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The Boker looks funny and uncomfortable, but the plastic stud will facilitate easier opening and the liner lock poses no issues for closing.

Thank you for introducing me to some new cutters. My thumb will heal.

Mike H.

WTB
BF 2009 Forum Barlow.
 
For the inexpensive sharpener for newbies it's Spyderco sharpmaker and done. There is nothing better at the price point or below. Honestly you have to go much much more expensive to go better IMHO.
 
What about the Lansky Fold a Vee? It's very similar to the Spyderco and it's pack friendly and cheap ($13 Amazon).

I totally agree with the Sharpmaker. I can sharpen my Dodo blade with no problem. It's fantastic.
 
Thanks for the link. Comprehensive review, nice pics. I ended up getting this for myself and I like it a lot. Still haven't bought anything to sharpen it with so it's starting to lose its edge. Gotta' get a sharpening system, which means I gotta' read up on sharpening systems. :o
 
Good idea about getting something to sharpen your knife with. Try to get it sooner rather than later. Practice on some cheap knives so that you have some confidence and experience when you sharpen you new knife.

Go over to the Maintenance, Tinkering and Embellishment section. There's plenty of reading material on sharpening.

Enjoy our new knife.

Ric
 
muso said:
Thanks for the link. Comprehensive review, nice pics. I ended up getting this for myself and I like it a lot. Still haven't bought anything to sharpen it with so it's starting to lose its edge. Gotta' get a sharpening system, which means I gotta' read up on sharpening systems. :o
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If it's just starting to lose sharpness, odds are that you will only need to run it on a honing steel; no abrasive sharpening needed.
 
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