The not so pointy Houndstooth, anymore!

rockgolfer

rockgolfer

Joined
Mar 1, 2008
Messages
4,559
My Houndstooth's tip recently snaped cutting some caulking from some formica. I was not twisting or cutting inappropriately in any way. This is the second time(different knives) this has happened while cutting caulking on formica. I may also add to the conversation that the tip is so thin on these wharnies that if you use them for construction work the tip will break. Now that it broke and I have fixed it, I honestly think it is stronger than ever. The tip is now from a hair thicker stock and.....I wont be cutting caulking on formica with my knives anymore ;)

The wharncliffe tip under heavy use I have felt get warm. The metal is so thin at that tip. I will say that I have been using this knife almost exclusively and it has seen some hard use. I do not carry a utility blade with me. I will go back to using the back side hook on a 5 in 1 tool to rip the caulking out.



Un-broken



The broken tip



Fixed
 
Thanks bro, I think the slightly smaller tip certainly looks shall I say, more utilitarian. I think it lost 1/16th of an inch if that with the break. Amazing how such little change does give it a different look.
 
It looks better now, Jeff. Use that one till its a toothpick. Haven't seen an EDC I liked as much as your repaired one.
 
Yep, great job on the repair. Glad you've got it back in the race. It will def be stronger now too.

Carry on fellow Houndstoother!!! :)
 
Looks good, Jeff! Busted the tip on a #25 wharnnie myself a few years ago … cleaning out the corner of a wood bird feeder, of all things. I didn't think it was abuse at the time, and still don't - but who knows!

BTW, where ya been hiding? :D
 
Nicely done :thumbup:


exactly same thing happened on my saddle trapper Wharncliffe , it was really delicate tip,

IMG_0268.JPG


while it may look nicer pointier,it iscertainly stronger after ;)

IMGP6947.JPG
 
coyote711 said:
Looks good, Jeff! Busted the tip on a #25 wharnnie myself a few years ago … cleaning out the corner of a wood bird feeder, of all things. I didn't think it was abuse at the time, and still don't - but who knows!
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Wow, I understand wanting a good hard blade but sounds like these some of these fine tips may have ended up way too brittle?
 
Fragile critters, eh? I'll remember to be gentle with my GECs and stick to my Case and Buck knives for the hard work. :D
 
The wharnie tip is like a needle. I guess I'm not too shocked it would snap off under pressure. I think Jeff's fix will result in a much stronger tip now.
 
Thanks everyone, its been hard to put this one down. It just looks better the more I use it.

If Case made an equal sized knife with a wharncliffe I would give it an honest try to see how well it fairs strenght wise. Truth be told I dislike Case's steel. Not into stainless and the cv never impressed me. I have had plenty of exotic steel modern knives and GEC's 1095 is just a pleasure to have with me. Holds a working edge for a very long time and is very easy to sharpin.

Sorry didnt meam to get off on a tangent, been awhile since ive talked knives lol

Jeff
 
VESPASIAN said:
Wow, I understand wanting a good hard blade but sounds like these some of these fine tips may have ended up way too brittle?
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I really doubt that being too brittle was the cause.
I have broken countless tips, fortunately on snap-off blade utility knives, doing the same work. I was a contractor for over 15 years.
I don't think the most careful person can avoid putting slight side pressure on the tip doing that kind of work!
A fine wharncliffe is not suited for rough stuff, IMO.
 
I have a GEC 72 Wharnie in Cocobolo, and that tip is needle sharp. The wife uses it to dig out small splinters. I'll try not to use it for construction (that's what Opinels are for!!).
 
arizonaranchman said:
The wharnie tip is like a needle. I guess I'm not too shocked it would snap off under pressure. I think Jeff's fix will result in a much stronger tip now.
Click to expand...

Thanks much.

I have been a week without this guy in my pocket, I have missed the wharnie and time will tell how much the blunted tip will effect my thoughts on this but, maybe the wharnie would suit my needs better as a secondary blade? Maybe I wont miss the needle tip but im guessing I will. Ill report back in a week in regards to the blunted performance.
 
Your Wharnie #55 is one of my favorites on the site and I know it sees lots of carry/use.

I continually reach for my spear 55, it's just a great knife is all I can say. It just gets better and better.
 
waynorth said:
I really doubt that being too brittle was the cause.
I have broken countless tips, fortunately on snap-off blade utility knives, doing the same work. I was a contractor for over 15 years.
I don't think the most careful person can avoid putting slight side pressure on the tip doing that kind of work!
A fine wharncliffe is not suited for rough stuff, IMO.
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I certainly agree. Part of me was waitng for the break to happen but I tell you what, the needle tip lasted around 4 months of life on the jobsite. Not bad in my oppinion. Is a coping blade better suited? You betcha, never snapped a tip on one. Just experimenting and reporting back for others to
Maybe learn from.
 
rockgolfer said:
I certainly agree. Part of me was waitng for the break to happen but I tell you what, the needle tip lasted around 4 months of life on the jobsite. Not bad in my oppinion. Is a coping blade better suited? You betcha, never snapped a tip on one. Just experimenting and reporting back for others to
Maybe learn from.
Click to expand...

You will have a coping blade soon enough.

Also, for what its worth, I noticed on my whittler knives with small thin blades the hardness sure feels higher. Not only when honing, but when whittling wood. You can hear and feel a difference in both acts. I got pretty adept at the hones and being able to notice the subtle variances.

Not sure if this would apply to the larger blade of this one…
 
richstag said:
You will have a coping blade soon enough.
Click to expand...

True that Kev :D


You are onto something with the hardness. Maybe it has to do with the same heat treat process even though the blade is ground thinner? Makes sense to me anyway. I can certainly tell it takes a few more swipes to get my thinner GECs sharp versus the normal ones. Never really thought about it before but I do spend just a little more time on this one.

Another thing I touched on was how I have felt the tip being warm after use. I have felt this on other blades but maybe this made that very thin tip a little more brittle with use? In any case Charlie is right, these pointy wharncliffes are really not suited for jobsite life. Well unless you dont care about keeping the needle tip ;)
 
arizonaranchman said:
Your Wharnie #55 is one of my favorites on the site and I know it sees lots of carry/use.

I continually reach for my spear 55, it's just a great knife is all I can say. It just gets better and better.
Click to expand...

I really appreciate that comment, thank you! I cant lie, your spear point photos have tempted me to the darkside of the houndstooth line. I have come very close to picking up a matching set...... always something else on top of the list lol.
 
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