Weidmannsheil knves?

Amos Iron Wolf · Jul 4, 2006

I'd been meaning to ask earlier about Weidmannsheil knives since I noticed some in Knife World ad a few issues ago. The Parker catalog I mentioned in the Bulldog post also had some Weidmannsheils in it, hence reminding me to ask about them.

I'd be interested in hearing about them from folks on here about them - quality, history, stories, etc.

Thanks,
Amos

JD Mandrell · Jul 4, 2006

I haven't bought one yet, but I have handled a few at shows and they seem well made. Not sure what steel they are and the one complaint I have is that the ones I have seen firsthand were dull as dirt.

Rivit · Jul 4, 2006

I have had a small lockback by Weidmannsheil for a couple of years. As mentioned the factory edge was pathetic and it was very hard to get a good edge on. After that it has been a very good knife and in my EDC rotation. They are well fitted and use top notch handle materials.

Amos Iron Wolf · Jul 4, 2006

Thanks for the info so far. Good to hear.

jackknife · Jul 4, 2006

If you get one of the old ones, you'll have a good knife. But from what I understand, the new ones being sold now are nowhere as good as they used to be. A friend of mine bought one about a year ago, and it gets dull pretty easy. He's went back to carrying his Gerber LST. Says it cuts better. Go figure.

cpirtle · Jul 5, 2006

I have a trick lock in stag. It's a nice knife but comparable to other German made pieces (Boker/Henkels/Eye). The stampings are left rough on the tang, little more gapping on the backspacer than I like. But the lock is tight & action is good. Very Boker-esq, not that that's a bad thing, Boker makes a great knife - just less money than Weidmannsheil.

Don't buy the line common on eBay that Weidmannsheil was a company that went out of business because they would not sacrifice quality. While that may be true, from what I've been able to figure out the knives being sold currently on eBay and by Parker are current production pieces with the name, in many cases you can buy the exact same knives from Parkers with different brands.

I was talking to Parkers about some knives through a chain of about 7 emails back and forth, as soon as I asked about the current production of Weidmannsheil and whether or not these were originals vs newly made, I never got a reply.

My opinion: If I wanted one of the unique multiblade hunting configurations offered I would not hesitate to buy one. If I were looking at a more traditional pattern I would go for a different brand for less money. YMMV.

longbeachguy · Jul 5, 2006

They are made in the Olbertz factory in Solingen, same as Bulldog. The story about them being old stock from a defunct factory/brand that closed due to their uncompromising standards of quality is pure hype as far as I can tell. Very similar to the situation with the Shapliegh's brand knives that are supposedly made from 50 year old parts. Those are made in the Olbertz factory as well, and imported by Parker, just like Weidmannsheil.

That being said, I have several Weidmannsheil knives with great buffalo and stag handles, and also some Shapleigh's. I have to say I'm very happy with all of them, and I generally have paid about $50 apiece. That seems like a decent value to me.

It's too bad about the false hype, because these knives don't need it. They're very nice, satisfying users.

Edited for spelling.

Amos Iron Wolf · Jul 5, 2006

longbeachguy said:
It's too bad about the false hype, because these knives don't need it. They're very nice, satisfying users.

I see hype too often and it is sad when it isn't needed. Then there are the outright rediculous statements. It seems to be systemic to our society with things like the need to have the word "designer" or "improved" in the descriptions. Of course we have to have "classic" and "vintage." We won't even mention words like tactical, spec ops, delta blah, blah. I'm still trying to figure out how my Burma Shave shaving brush has a "Designer Handle." I guess since someone designed it, it is "Designer." Cripes! It's the same handle shape that's been on the things for ages. This one just happens to be plastic.

If a knife is well made, has nice stock material, good steel, and especially if all that at a good price, then just represent it as such. That in itself is a great value and desirable without all the misleading hype and outright lies.

Thanks again for the feedback from everyone. It is hard to figure out if something really is good equipement, what with all the - hype.

sunburst · Jul 9, 2006

I'm with longbeachguy, the attempt to sell their current product as the next best thing since sliced bread is all hype. But since they are made in the Olbertz Factory who makes Bulldog,Fightin Rooster,Weidmannsheil,Indian Head,Eye Brand & Shapleigh's they are being made by folks (in my opinion) who at least know "how" to make a quaility product when needed.

Now if they are making the quality product to please collectors and user's such as us is the million dollar question and one that sounds like it is still being tested...All that being said I am hoping to bid on one in the next few days and if I am lucky enough to win I will share my thoughts on the newer ones.

Here is an older one from the 70's the only Weidmannsheil I currently own, this is a yellow smooth bone lever lock, a pretty neat contraption if I don't say so myself...I wish I could afford another one or two but they are pricey..

Sunburst

rev_jch · Jul 10, 2006

I use to have some boker switch blades I bought while I was stationed at Rheinmain AB back in the late 80's, early 90's. I had one with red bone, stag and brown delrin. They were side locks, just like yours. They were great knives. Very high quality. I believe I paid between 30-90 dollars for each one.

Why I sold them......?

waynorth · Jul 10, 2006

Great looking knife sunburst! What's the length?

sunburst · Jul 10, 2006

Thanks for the compliments...!! The knife is 4.5" closed and 8" when opened. I was tempted to bid on one the other day but as usual my paypal account was hovering around that "made in china" price range...:grumpy:

Sunburst

sunburst · Jul 15, 2006

Here is that Weidmannsheil I was hoping to win the other day...As you can see I was able to win the stag hunter. Overall the quality seems nice with smooth actions and the normal walking & talking one would expect from a new knife. This particular knife is pretty big and heavy but I was going after the knife because of the 3 blades which make it that way (I am always looking for 3 bladed Trapper, Jack knife configurations

). This knife is a 4 1/4" x 1" stainless.

All that being said the knife seems like a good purchase for $47.00. I personally would use something else to skin out my animals because of the bulkiness of this knife but I did not buy it for that reason..

If interested here is a link to an auction selling a stag Weidmannsheil lever-lock similar to the one above...And I promise it is not mine or anybody else I know...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wilhm-Weltersba...goryZ475QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Sunburst

Amos Iron Wolf · Jul 15, 2006

Good looking 3-blader! That type of unzipping blade makes more sense to me than guthooks. Even though it may be a little heavy it would probably carry well in a belt pouch or tossed in a small day pack and looks like it would make a darn good game knife. Nothing wrong with just having it because you like it though!:thumbup: I might have a, ahem, few knives around that I have just for that reason.

Good catch! I also like the deep imprinting on the blade. It has a quality look to it. It also tells you that if you've sharpened it this far, get a new knife!

Will Power · May 8, 2007

sunburst said:
I'm with longbeachguy, the attempt to sell their current product as the next best thing since sliced bread is all hype. But since they are made in the Olbertz Factory who makes Bulldog,Fightin Rooster,Weidmannsheil,Indian Head,Eye Brand & Shapleigh's they are being made by folks (in my opinion) who at least know "how" to make a quaility product when needed.

Now if they are making the quality product to please collectors and user's such as us is the million dollar question and one that sounds like it is still being tested...All that being said I am hoping to bid on one in the next few days and if I am lucky enough to win I will share my thoughts on the newer ones.

Here is an older one from the 70's the only Weidmannsheil I currently own, this is a yellow smooth bone lever lock, a pretty neat contraption if I don't say so myself...I wish I could afford another one or two but they are pricey..

Sunburst

Mouthwatering knife! Can you put a price on it please and where to get one?? Thanks!

Arathol · May 8, 2007

I've had these older ones for at least 10 years now. The sportsman 2 blade at the bottom is stainless, the others are carbon steel. All are good quality knives, well made with decent factory edges. I also have a couple of the Parker Olbertz knives with Damascus blades from the late 1990s. Decent quality, about the same as Bulldogs of the same time.

sunburst · May 8, 2007

willgoy said:
Mouthwatering knife! Can you put a price on it please and where to get one?? Thanks!

Thanks Willgoy, out of all the knives I own its one of my favorites. I paid more than what this knife is selling for

http://www.adamsknifeworks.com/stor...id=16&osCsid=a8814141054c1d9c85b4518e6707d86b

but supposedly not many of the yellow bone handles were made and to their credit I have never seen another one.

I purchased my knife on Ebay. Good luck and thanks for asking..

Arathol you have some beautiful knives, thanks for sharing them with us.:thumbup:

Sunburst

Will Power · May 9, 2007

Sunburst, thank you! The stag scales look good BUT you got the best of all, that yellow bone looks top! looks like a long search ahead of me

Let's have some more Weidmannsheil pix, the last ones were excellent.

Will Power · May 9, 2007

Picked up a cheap/new (repro I suppose) Weidmannsheil from the you know where bay last week.

Extremely pleased with it, about 5" closed, so a big one.
Green delrin scales in a kind of sodbuster/mountainman form but lockback.Nice sabre style blade in carbon .

Good enough finish certainly, and at 27dollar plus handling this looks like a cheap but good work-knife. Bit too big for pocket carry though, but workshop or shed use:thumbup:

outlaw918692000 · May 9, 2007

Arathol said:
I've had these older ones for at least 10 years now. The sportsman 2 blade at the bottom is stainless, the others are carbon steel. All are good quality knives, well made with decent factory edges. I also have a couple of the Parker Olbertz knives with Damascus blades from the late 1990s. Decent quality, about the same as Bulldogs of the same time.

I had a Trick Lock just like the top one. I envy you. I lost it and will forever be looking for another like it. The new ones are not the same design or scales. Some day I will find another one. If you can find one of the originals the scales are awesome.

Weidmannsheil knves?

Leathercrafter