Warlock II from Gareth Bull

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uzumlubay

Joined
Sep 28, 2011
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Gareth is working on his next version of the Warlock and has just sent me some pıctures and info.

The new version will be a bit bigger with a blade length of 3.4'' as against the current one which is 3''.

He is planning to modify the lock cut-out so that it will be easier to disengage the lock.

He will be putting on lock protectors (which can be seen as the coloured rings on the titanium scales - right hand pictures).

WarlockIIvariations.jpg


The top picture is of the upmarket version which will have inlays of high end natural exotics like mammoth tooth ivory and mother of pearl with damasteel (stainless) blades.

The second one down is an ultralight version in which both sides will be carbon fibre (with no metal liners) and gold plated pins. The lock will be inlaid to minimise weight. The inlay will be a simple titanium leaf to act as the lock. The trick is how you inlay it. Basically a small dog-leg is milled into the CF and is undercut at the rear of the inlay. This creates a shoulder that matches the titanium part and holds it down while the dog-leg keeps it stable and transfers the stress of locking the blade. No screws necessary. To me that seems to be a serious amount of engineering which will require great precision.

The bottom 3 are variants of his standard MkII with different scale material. (C/F, Orange G10 & Ti)

His 3 steels of choice will be RWL34, M390 and Damasteel (stainless) - blades to be 3mm, same as the current one.

Gareth is also looking at getting some pouches made in Stıngray skin. These will fit all MkII variants but will be partıcularly important for the ultralight as there is no metal on this to take a clip.

Not sure when he will start making these as he has got a backlog of MkI's and other work to clear first.

I've already expressed my interest but he is not taking orders yet.

For those who have not seen MkI here is mine.

DSC01091.jpg
 
Any thoughts on which is the better steel of choice for Gareth's knives, between the RWL34 and M390? I'm also thinking I may need to upgrade my order to include a couple of scale choices. The bigger version sounds nice, but less versatile than the current.

How are you enjoying yours? Any thoughts about use?

Cheers,
Daniel
 
I think that Gareth's preference is RWL34 but ask him for the pros & cons. He is very informative and helpful.

As regards the scales the wood ones did not work out. The temperatures here have been 45C in the shade and they have warped a bit. Gareth did send them to me free to try out as this was his first attempt at using thin stabilised wood scales and he thought that adding a G10 liner would aleviate any problem but this turned out not to be the case. I like both the G10 & Carbon Fibre but best are the Titanium as these add some extra heft.

Mine is permanently in my pocket or clipped to my bag if I am carrying it. Have used it for food prep, at a BBQ around the garden pruning roses etc. as well as the normal string and cardboard. It is a real slicer and handled all these jobs with no effort.
 
one in RWL and CF/Ti would be nice
3" would still be my choice

don't know the price but one should get on the wish list for sure
 
Daniel, here are Gareth's thought on RWL34 & M390.

The M390 supposedly holds it's edge better but the way I harden it, even MadRookie, who has diamond stones and the best sharpening rig I have ever seen said it took a long time to sharpen.
However the RWL34 is far tougher while still maintaining it's edge a long long time. Marthinus told me he re-touches it weekly where his factory made stuff needs daily attention (but he's cutting highly abrasive stuff at the mines). You'd be more likely to snap the tip on M390 as it's more brittle.

Basically when people ask, I say if they only intend to cut, then M390 is an option, for a blade you can REALLY trust to survive more brutal use, RWL-34 is the best bet. Personally I like knowing that the knife in my pocket will survive useage, so my own knives will, for the forseeable future, be made of RWL-34.

Hope that answers your question
 
These are a few more of the mods planned which are engineering related and show the depth of Gareth's planning.

Ceramic Ball detents which will reduce friction and make the action a little more refined.

Phosphour bronze washers for added ridgidity

Standoffs will be titanium ( he has already imported bar to do this), this will shave a little weight off and will allow colouring.

Titanium clips which he has designed and will make himself.

Another small touch will be to mill a groove along the lock cuts. basically just to kill the 90 degree corner that is bared when the blade locks open. It also adds to the overall feel that everything has been thought out and worked on. Also considering switching the cut that softens the lock to inside the frame.

I am sure that Gareth will probably tinker some more when he is putting the first ones together but this gives a good insight to all the planning and attention to detail he puts in.
 
Mad_Maxx said:
one in RWL and CF/Ti would be nice
3" would still be my choice

don't know the price but one should get on the wish list for sure
Click to expand...

Prices are not bad, but he is backlogged like said above. I'm still waiting on my warlock but am very very tempted to ask and maby get on a wait list to get on a waitlist for a warlock 2.
 
Improving on perfection is no easy task, but this slightly larger version should be superlative. I look at his original Warlock, SA Hunter, and even his Ragtooth fixed blade and I can't find any way to make them look better. They look so sleek and elegant, and yet Gareth builds them for serious work. I've never held one of his knives, but everyone who has been lucky enough to own or use them doesn't seem to have a single complaint. One day...
 
uzumlubay said:
These are a few more of the mods planned which are engineering related and show the depth of Gareth's planning.

Ceramic Ball detents which will reduce friction and make the action a little more refined.

Phosphour bronze washers for added ridgidity

Standoffs will be titanium ( he has already imported bar to do this), this will shave a little weight off and will allow colouring.

Titanium clips which he has designed and will make himself.

Another small touch will be to mill a groove along the lock cuts. basically just to kill the 90 degree corner that is bared when the blade locks open. It also adds to the overall feel that everything has been thought out and worked on. Also considering switching the cut that softens the lock to inside the frame.

I am sure that Gareth will probably tinker some more when he is putting the first ones together but this gives a good insight to all the planning and attention to detail he puts in.
Click to expand...

Gareth let me have this option on my warlock so I ordered an electric blue anodized standoff. :thumbup:

I think he is striving for the "be all end all knife maker", and he surely is starting out with a big bang!
 
Be sure to check out the Warlock V2. I'd post the pics, but can't from here. Looks like perfection perfected to me. Great guy!
 
Elite_KG said:
Be sure to check out the Warlock V2. I'd post the pics, but can't from here. Looks like perfection perfected to me. Great guy!
Click to expand...

I tried posting the pictures Gazza shared with me but they are read only format so I cant upload them.

Maybe Gazza will chime in and upload some v2 pics.
 
Here you go :) Latest rendering of a few of the proposed styles:

WarLockV2.png


Top is Damasteel and mammoth molar (I actually have that piece of mammoth)
Next is the ultralight version. Damasteel blade, both scales will be CF with an inlaid liner lock. Gold plated pins and gold anodized lock.
Pearl inlay
Orange g10 - textured
CF scale

Obviously there will be a full framelock too, just tossing around ideas to give it a texture or keep it super simple.

Blades will be in RWL-34, M390 or Damasteel, first and foremost they need to perform.
 
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