Thoughts on production Wharncliffe blade folders, what's your favorite?

[Murindo]

Wharncliffe blades are very popular. I own several folders and a couple of fixed blades.

I’m 67 years old and do know that the Wharnciffe production folder is much younger than me. The Sheepsfoot has been around forever and I’m sure there are no blade shapes that haven’t been previously chipped out of flint or cast in bronze. However, the folding Wharncliffe is new.

Searching my Blade .pdf archive (1975 to 1998), the Wharncliffe folder doesn’t show up until mid-1977 with the Spyderco Centofante and the Junglee Babylon. Neither is called “Wharncliffe” although we would certainly call them that today. Junglee describes their Babylon blade as a “uniquely shaped drop point”.

Bob Kasper made the Wharnciffe fighting knife popular with the Crawford Dragon fixed blade and the Crawford Perseco folder but those are of course customs. Michael Janich and Spyderco have kept the fighting knife aspect alive with Ronin’s and Yojimbo’s.

Today there more Wharncliffe’s than I can count. What are your favorite Wharncliffe production folders?

 

[Colorodo]

Zt0808

 

[NeilB]

I think my favorite is the Leek. I'm carrying one right now! It was my gateway knife into this hobby (followed by a ZT).

Recently, I bought a Spyderco Yojimbo, which is a kind of huge Wharncliffe. I'm not really used to it yet, so I'm not really ready to pass judgement on it. Those into some sort of martial arts like it, I'm told.

Last night I touched up the edge on both my Spyderco Kiwi3 and my Gayle Bradley Air, both Wharncliffes, both awesome.

The ZT 0808 is amazing! Probably the prettiest Wharncliffe I have.

Brous likes to think the Bionic is a Wharncliffe, but it's actually a modified Wharncliffe with a touch of belly in it. Makes it a better EDC, I think, but it's not a true Wharncliffe, IMO.

CRKT makes the Swindle, a Ken Onion design. Great little flipper! Also a Wharncliffe!

I've been meaning to try the Cold Steel Tuff Lite, but I just haven't gotten around to it, yet. I got my girlfriend a purple Dragonfly instead.

 

[eschwebach]

Although the ZT 0808 is a great knife, I don't think it can be considered a wharncliffe because it has a little belly to it.

Spyderco GB Air

 

[mamcar]

I love wharncliffe blades

My favourite:

Klotzli Christian Wimpff CHW-M
CRKT Swindle K241XXP

 

[Leftytwogunz]

Thanks for the good information Murindo.

I generally don't prefer Wharncliffes but after seeing this today I think I have an exception. ZT0392 WC

 

[Sunyata]

Another vote for the Gayle Bradley Air

 

[Four-and-twentypence]

Does the Swick 3 count as a wharncliffe?

 

[gazz98]

Does the Swick 3 count as a wharncliffe?

I would think so.

I only own two myself. Spyderco Centofante 4 and Boker Wharcom. A very underrated blade shape imo.

 

[Four-and-twentypence]

I would think so.

I only own two myself. Spyderco Centofante 4 and Boker Wharcom. A very underrated blade shape imo.

I really like the Swick 3 for that wharnie blade.

 

[B.F.U]

The Spyderco Chokwe is probably considered a wharncliffe, and I like it a lot. The Leek is classic and ultra useful. I like a slight belly to my wharncliffes, except for traditionals.

 

[DoctaD]

I've enjoyed various Wharncliff knives including: small Boker Wharcom, Kershaw Needs Work, and Spyderco Yojimbo II (carrying the Spydie today). Good for trimming items, following straight edges, opening mail, etc. tips a bit fragile for hard work. I also have really enjoyed Kershaw Leeks, but probably should be called a modified wharncliffe or something similar, as it has shallow belly.
Would LOVE to have a Gayle Bradley Air.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Cold Steel Tuff Lite is my current favorite. Affordable, utilitarian, lightweight and easy to pocket.

 

[Czechmate]

Wharnie's are awesome IMHO; one of the best blade shapes. :thumbup:

Not sure if this counts; more to add later:

Centofante 4:

Definitely an underated blade; the Blackhawk BeWharned; mine has been used a lot as a general utility knife which it has excelled at.

I still need one of the Spyderco Yojimbo's - what a sweet knife. :thumbup:

 

[Czechmate]

Another of mine; a well used and reground Benchmade Nimravus in M2:

 

[Wolverine666]

The Spyderco Yojimbo2 is one of my favorite knives of all time.

I'm especially fond of the S90V/CF KW Exclusive. Exquisite knife.

 

[grins000]

I think my first was a Leek and I have grown to like them a lot, this is a favorite..

[/IMG]

 

[Other Doc]

What you call a Wharncliffe blade has IMO been around for centuries. When I first saw one I just assumed it was a version of the Seax or sax blade. Used by the Norse for years.

 

[shootz]

case is my favorite factory - cranberry and yellow:

beretta (even though they are LL they are ok)

CRKT

 

[asdf12345]

425-600, no question.