Suggestions for wharncliffe folders?

StuntDouble

StuntDouble

Gold Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2004
Messages
2,459
Over time, the wharncliffe (or is it wharcliff, or warncliff?) blade shape has become my favorite. Lately I've been trying to find folders with the wharncliffe shape, but I haven't had much luck. Most of the ones I find are in the gentleman's knife size range (blade <2"). I'm looking for something roughly the same size as a Spyderco Delica, or a little larger. I'm familiar with the Kershaw Leek, but it is just too thin to be comfortable for my hands. Does anyone have any suggestions as to any other production knives with wharncliffe blades?
 
AG Russell's general purpose blade is very similar to a wharncliffe. The pic is from his featherlite one-hand knife.

phpBN3xoP.jpg


Benchmade 921, Switchback is another semi-wharncliffe option.

Phil
 
Spyderco is working on this one. I handled the proto at the A'Dam show - Sal agreed to have me post the picture but only if I would mention that production is scheduled for somewhere in 2006!!! - so no use contacting your dealer or Spyderco about a release date.

cento.jpg


The blade looks a tad recurved in the picture, but that's only because of lens distortion because I took the pic in close up. It's a genuine wharncliffe.

Ted
 
CRKT Bladelock 2 - these are actually pretty cool, the one I played with felt very good in my hand.
http://www.1sks.com/images/crkt/cr-bladelock2.jpg

If you can find a Random Leek in S30v blade, sort of a wharncliff/reverse tanto, that's a great knife. I added grip tape to mine, or you could affix some scales to it too if you wanted.
 
I use a Benchmade 425 for opening letters and parcels. It is a very smooth knife for the money. Comes with 154cm steel and a fantastic shaped G-10 handle (my favourite bit about it!)


The modified locking liner may not be the strongest lock in the world when compared to frame and axis examples, but I haven't been beaten with a letter, yet :D

For my uses it is excellent. In the hand, you couldn't get a sweeter and more accurate grip

Here's a few quick snaps...

425-a.jpg

425aa.jpg

425-c.jpg

425d.jpg
 
I have 2 wharncliffes I like very much. A Spyderco Centofante C25 (2 7/8" blade) and a BM 425 (3 1/2" blade). The C25 isn't as big as the Delica, but it's a lot of cutting edge in a small package. The BM 425 is bigger, a tactical folder rather than a gent's as you can see in the pics posted by the gentleman above. It cuts well and penetrates like a son of a gun with that tip.

Edit: Stupid me, forgot about my Yojimbo which is also a wharncliffe style blade. I recommend it as a good knife, though the style seems to be either love it or hate it when I read or hear it discussed.
 
Bill Vining made me a knife a while back with a nice Wharncliff/modified sheeps foot style blade on it. It was designed by my very good friend Dirk Potgieter, AKA Oupa over on the other forum.
This is a flawless custom made folder for around $350.

You can see some others like it here http://www.medawebs.com/knives/images/oupajr.htm

and still more of his work here.
http://www.medawebs.com/knives/gallery.htm
Bill makes a great knife. I'd recommend buying one before he gets much more popular though. Once he hits the big time you won't be able to get one of his knives for a mere $300 to $500 anymore. His file work kicks ass.

ouparatorSR1.jpg


ouparatorSR.jpg
 
Yeah. I thought so also. Stabalized Box Elder Burl. Citrine insert in the thumb stud and gold anodized 6AL-4V titanium liner and lock and ti bolsters and pocket clip as well. It's a sweet heart I'm telling ya. I'm betting he'd make one for ya.
 
Don't get me started on box Elder :cool: It is most attractive wood, along this Buckeye Burl (I think) you can fit onto a knife :)

I have three. A Mnandi and a Large and Small LE Sebenza. Plus I'm on the hunt for more, It is an obsession, friends
shakehead.gif


Anyway, that is one to cherish you have there. I wish you all the best with her :D

Mark
 
Along with the good ideas above, consider these from Benchmade:
http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=921
http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=440
These are "modified wharncliff" which means that they have a little bit of upsweep to the tip, but it is not very pronounced. I have held a well used 921 and I think it feels pretty good. Also you have a second real wharncliff slipjoint on the back. I have not seen the 440 in person, but I might get to soon, if I do I will shoot you a PM.

The axis lock is a lot of fun. If you have not used an axis before I would suggest one.

I also would recomend Spyderco knives, most of the wharncliffs have already been posted but you might want to check out the Veile II. I will get to handle a Yojimbo on monday, and can send a PM about it then.
 
Roefisher,

Wow. I really like the looks of the Gravitator. It actually looks a lot better in the pics you posted, than the pics on Benchmade's website. How's the lock up on that one though? It looks like the liners a bit to the left.

Ted,

Thanks for posting that pic. Looks like another winner from Spyderco. Now if I can just wait until 2006.
 
Hello Chris. Thanks for the compliments.

Yes, the lock travel still looks slightly short. But, before I used it, I checked it out with a few good tests. It's sound, believe me.

The action mechanics are VERY strong, so she engages with a good thunk every time.

I cannot emphasise enough about the ergonomics and flexability of the 425. For intricate work it is really easily held and used, but as jujigatame says, it can be a real HD worker, too.

Surely worth a look :)

Mark
 
Thanks for the follow up Mark. Oh, one more question, how's the edge on that one? It seems Benchmade is famous for thick edges, I'm just curious if that's changing.


STR,

Truly a gorgeous knife. I'm a fan of Oupa's work, and now it seems I'm a fan of Bill Vining's as well.
 
Hello, Chris

Don't worry about that, here. The blade is top notch.

Incidentally, I have the edge back-bevelled on mine using the sharpmaker, to 30 degrees. This makes for a super sharp edge. The flip side is that it loses the edge quicker this way, but the razor cut is worth it, in my opinion.

I've done another snap to show the liner, better. Hope it is helpful :rolleyes:

000_0120.jpg
 
Roefisher said:
I use a Benchmade 425 for opening letters and parcels. It is a very smooth knife for the money. Comes with 154cm steel and a fantastic shaped G-10 handle (my favourite bit about it!)


The modified locking liner may not be the strongest lock in the world when compared to frame and axis examples, but I haven't been beaten with a letter, yet :D

For my uses it is excellent. In the hand, you couldn't get a sweeter and more accurate grip
Click to expand...
Roefisher--what kind of finish is on the gravitator blade? Is it beadblasted or satin?
 
Hello Zenghost

Not 100% sure, as I have a beadblasted custom, which you'd swear was satin, as it's so faint.

But, I'll say the 425 is satin (unless blasted with seriously fine grain)

I think that the natural steel satin blade finish matches the colours of the G-10 handle very well.

BTW, you can get it with a black (BK1) Blade coating, too.

Mark
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top