• The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
    Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
    Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.

  • Today marks the 24th anniversary of 9/11. I pray that this nation does not forget the loss of lives from this horrible event. Yesterday conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was murdered, and I worry about what is to come. Please love one another and your family in these trying times - Spark

The ultimate working blade design

G

Gossman Knives

Edged Toolmaker
Joined
Apr 9, 2004
Messages
9,411
I think I've finally found the ultimate blade shape that is a pure worker, the wharncliffe. I'm in my early stages of using it but so far it blows away other knife shapes when it comes to utility. There is no stopping a wharnecliffe in CPM154 steel. It eats wood and cardboard like crazy.
Your thoughts on this blade shape?
Scott
 
The only one I have is serrated. I'd love to have one that isn't. The straight blade makes so many cutting jobs easy. Sharpening is amazingly easy as well.
 
GOT THIS OFF THE NET

SHOOT US A PHOTO OF YOUR'S SCOTT

This style of blade point has had several different names throughout history, but they all mean the same general thing: the cutting edge is fairly straight, and the spine and point are rounded convexly downward to meet the point. This is a very strong point for bearing down and applying pressure from the spine of the knife for cutting tough textiles, carving wood, or any chore where a lot of pressure will be applied. Having a straight edge can also aid in sharpening, as flat stones may be easier to position and hold to the correct, uniform angle with this shape.

Another historical curiosity about the name of this point. In current times, it is common to call this type of point a "Wharncliffe," a name originating from a claim that the Earl of Wharncliffe actually developed this point. This is incorrect, as this point has been used since Roman times. "Wharncliffe" seems to be more linguistically appealing than "Sheepfoot" or "Beak" which are technically more descriptive... such is the romance of knife making.
 
WILLIAM.M said:
"Wharncliffe" seems to be more linguistically appealing than "Sheepfoot" or "Beak" which are technically more descriptive... such is the romance of knife making.
Click to expand...

Your point is well taken, but...
When I think "Warncliffe" I think of something very very stabby. "Sheepsfoot" brings to mind something intentionally un-stabby like an electircian's knife...

The term may actually have shifted at this point...
 
I've been messing with seax and wharncliffe diesgns off and on and I pretty much agree with you- even the butcher in the house agrees.
 
I'd rather have a point for my needs but I guess they do have their uses, I mainly see them as a safety knife.
 
I dont like the blunt point that alot of them have, and the blade style has the least efficient cutting edge/ blade length ration. However, they are definatly rather handy for utility knife types of tasks and some kinds of wood carving.
 
Well, it depends on what you do for a living. Cutting relatively softer materials. The Wharncliffe/Sheepfoot/Lambsfoot blade gives better point control on knives. I guess utility blades use this concept. Perhaps not so good for skinning.

God Bless
 
If a Wharncliffe is made properly, it has a good point. At least that is my reading of it. Most of what we call Wharncliffes are really Sheepsfoot blades.
 
I would tend to agree Mr. Gossman. I use my wharny made by Bryan Breeden more than any other knife. It's handy, cuts like crazy, and it's just a handy size for most anything. The point on this design is sort of a compromise between a sheepsfoot and a really pointy wharny, but I intended it as a stronger utility so it works well. I've dressed and skinned several animals with it, and it works fine.

IMG_0167.jpg


I would love to see (and handle) one of Scott's wharnies. I'm sure it would be a great knife.
 
Last edited:
I love the design, I have a small one from JK and I use it a lot. I think a longer one is i my future.:D
 
As much as I understand the appeal and utility of a straight cutting edge,


…for me, a blade without belly is like a day without sunshine. :rolleyes: :cool: :rolleyes:





Big Mike

”Scaring the tree huggers.”

Forest & Stream
 
I'm a big fan of the design as well, particularly for a working blade. Boxes, cord, carving etc.

Here are my BHK wharnies. I still want a bigger working blade with a wharnie or sheepsfoot blade too. Probably more 4" range like the drawings in Scott's design contest.

1251744345-BHKW5.jpg


1251744404-BHKW11.jpg


1251744384-BHKW9.jpg


1234132250-Bushcrafter000_3.jpg


I have those and a Spyderco Slipit with a wharnie blade that I like a lot.
 
As I make no art of hunting big game I really have no use for knives with loads of belly, but I do like a bit of curvature in a utility knife because of the way I use them for food prep [rocking motion]. If it wasn't for that a big Wharnie in a good stainless, probably with some of that rubber stable mat many of the competition cutters use for handles, would be my preferred utility pattern. No doubt about it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top