Warncliffe Blade

[Lenny]

Could someone please tell me the history and/or traditional uses for this blade shape?
To my eyes, it's one of the most beautiful blade shapes I've seen. But for the life of me, I can't see what that blade shape would excel at.
Thanks,
Lenny

 

[PhilL]

I'm pretty sure it was invented by Lynn Griffith. It's a great general purpose blade shape.

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"Will work 4 Knives!"
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[Crayola]

Although I am unfamiliar with the history of the design, I do believe that it excells at carving. Thats not to say that it doesn't do well at other tasks, but because of the accute point but thick spine you can put tremeandous pressure on the point. I imagine a slash from a wharncliffe fighter would be quite damaging due to this pressure.

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"Come What May..."

 

[Walt Welch]

You guys are serious about not knowing the derivation of this blade's name??

It seems that Tim Hermann was sitting around one day, deciding how he could fool the public with his ridiculously overpriced knives (I tease him about this all the time, so don't think I am insulting him. This is all in fun). He got the idea of sharpening the spine of the blade, and leaving the belly dull. Then, he decided to put the blade in upside down, so that the straight sharpened spine was the cutting surface.

He wasn't really sure anyone would really buy such a contraption, but just in case, he decided he had better let the guru of knife knowledge in on the gag. Thus, he decided to warn Cliff Stamp. When Cliff had stopped laughing, he asked Tim what he was going to call it. In a moment of a flash of insight, 'warn Cliff' became 'Wharncliffe.' He changed the spelling slightly so no one would catch on. Thus was the legendary Wharncliffe blade named.

Some linoleum layers have actually said that it works well for them. Don't believe me? 'Warn Cliff about knife' is actually an anagram of 'Hermann Knives Rule.'

Yours in jest, Walt

[This message has been edited by Walt Welch (edited 02-10-2001).]

 

[Running Dog]

Yo Lenny...

If you get through the above

, you may also find the Wharncliff has been used for many years for the grafting and budding of plants...

Named after Lord Wharncliffe, the design was popularized by the Sheffield cutlers in England and presented to and named after said lord (I think) after the fashion of Samual Colt, to seek political favor with the ruling government of the time...

Being a supplier to royalty was like getting a Better Business seal

The design allows for controlled cutting at the tip, makes a great slasher as noted and works well as a dagger...

Plus it looks cool!

Running Dog

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Running Dog Knife Company
http://www.runningdogknife.bigstep.com
runningdog@dog.com
mmurphy@premier1.net

 

[PhilL]

LMAO@Running Dog, good one Dude...that was too funny!

 

[Tactical]

Hello there! I think the wharncliffe blade makes a great utility knife. The straight edge makes clean, controlled cuts and is easy to sharpen. The sharp point is good for penetration and/ or detail work. It's what it appears to be, a sheepsfoot blade with a sharp point. Be careful out there.

 

[fudo]

Previously referred to as a Sax blade. Carried by various saxons and scandanavian groups for about a thousand years. Swords made this way also.

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Although it does not mindfully keep guard in the small mountain fields, the scarecrow does not stand in vain
Bukkoku

 

[Running Dog]

Wow, a Wharncliffe sword...

Sound like a new project!

Running Dog

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Running Dog Knife Company
http://www.runningdogknife.bigstep.com
runningdog@dog.com
mmurphy@premier1.net

 

[george tichbourne]

The french version is called the "bec d'oiseau" or "bird's beak" in English. Been used in France as a paring knife for Julienne cutting of vegetables.

I have one in my kitchen set on my web site.

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george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com

 

[Lenny]

Thanks guys. I knew I'd get a wealth of info and opinions on this topic.
I think that Walt's explanation is the best.
Just wondering if Cliff Stamp gets any kind of royalty for every Wharncliff blade sold.
Lenny

 

[matthew rapaport]

I find the wharncliff great for pull cuts, and sawing cuts as in slicing rope, and hose, taking down cardboard boxes, pieces of carpet, and just about anything that doesn't require a long stroke like a skinning cut. Its good for disecting apples, and bread slicing. I disagree with others concerning its slashing potential. When you slash, only the very point engages the target.