Wharncliff as EDC

S

Scott Free

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Sep 15, 1999
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My longtime favorite folder has been a Benchmade 940. I like lots of things about this particular knife, but for the sake of this thread, I am very much a fan of the long straight edge with just a little bit of belly toward the tip. I don't use the knife for skinning, and almost all of my cutting is done with the straight portion of the blade.

I also have a Spyderco Ronin that gets lots of use as a utility knife. Nothing but a thin straight edge that cuts like a razor. It's also extremely easy to sharpen. It's just a little bit too pointy, though.

All this said, it seems that for me, a 3.5 inch or so wharncliff is about perfect for almost all of the cutting I am ever likely to do. Who else feels the same about wharncliffs?

Scott
 
Wharnys have always been my favorite blade shape.

Just a pretty good all purpose general utility shape. I like them with more point over less though because they are splinter pickers that way also.
 
I'm with ya. For years I proclaimed that drop- and clip-points, with a bunch of belly, were my fave for folder EDC. I was in denial about the fact that I kept putting away my drop-points and going back to wharncliffes and modified-wharncliffes. Eventually it sunk through my skull how much more I liked cutting with a straight or mostly-straight edge. Doesn't look as cool or as tactical, but better to cut with for a whole lot of tasks.

Joe
 
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I carried one for a while, but gave it up. Preserving the tip got too complicated. Yeah I know how to do it, but would rather not.
My Delica is straighter than most bellied blades, but still has enough sweep for the slice cutting.
:confused: :)
 
This is the knife that sits on the table in my front room and does most of the letter opening and miscellaneous cutting in my apartment:

WF_rascal_horn.jpg


The Webb & Fisher Rascal from Bladeart. I believe it was the first custom I bought. Inexpensive, ATS-34, and it has outlived many, many knives that I subsequently bought.
 
Well, It seems I am destined to be the first voice of dissent on this thread. I prefer a liberal amount of belly in my women and my blades.

The Wharncliffe shape is fine for holding the object to be cut in one hand and cutting with the other. I agree, as an EDC, in a controlled, civilized environment, it can work fine, But, IMHO, the Wharncliffe is not versatile. If one cuts on a flat surface, as a cutting board, log, or leaf-littered forest floor, there is no room for one's fingers and only the point is left to do the work which is often a loosing compromise. I also find a Wharncliffe blade awkward to use when dressing out small game.

On the other hand, extreme belly results in either an overly prominent, upturned point (as in an exaggerated Bowie shape) or a very wide blade. So, for me, a liberal but not radical amount of belly in the blade is the best of all worlds.
 
I like Wharndliffes as utility users. I find that the straight edge works great for most tasks. However, as Edgy points out, they're not 100% versitle (but what is?). Thus, my favorite blade shape is a near-wharncliffe. The blade on the Microtech LCC is more of a clip point, but it drops down heavilly, close to a modified wharncliffe. Just about perfect IMO.
 
I think the reason the Wharncliff is so well liked by those that use them is pretty much the same reason the straight edge Stanley blade is the most popular utility blade sold in America. It just works for a variety of jobs. I would guess that since the Wharncliff predates the Stanley that the maker of the Stanley utility blade/knife got the idea from an old sailors knife of the same great utilitarian shape.

You are right though Eddie it may not be ideal for all jobs but it can do them in a pinch. I do know guys that use their Wharncliff blades for field dressing small game in the early mornings and the same knife for cutting out old caulk or cutting open caulk tubes and various other odds and ends tasks in the afternoon at their jobs. Not that a better shape wouldn't work for the game animals but that is what they have on them so I guess they use what is at hand.

I know when I quit carrying a Wharny I miss it pretty quickly. It is just hard to get by without one for me personally over all other shapes I've used but I do like a good Spear point also about as much. I have an old Marbles Tear Drop slip joint with a great spear point blade and it too is a great utilitarian shape IMO.
 
Wharncliff is a good blade design for civilized tasks like opening boxes, cutting out clippings, or whittling--the things most of us do most of the time. I can do most of those things just as well with a spear point or drop point blade if it is sharp enough. The blades with belly are better for hunting and self defense. I don't carry a wharncliff as my sole blade.
 
The wharncliffe is my favorite shape for a general use blade.

I've actually been thinking about ordering a custom fixed blade wharncliffe for general EDC duties...anyone have any suggestions?
 
Check out the BM Gravitator, it's one of my favs beating out customs for pocket time. They are built like tanks and easy to sharpen. I like a super pointy tip for getting into spots that other blades won't. If I could afford it anytime soon I'd pick up a Snody Hybrid folder which is what the Gravitator is modeled after. Shweet. :cool:

oil
 
I like 'em. They are great for dicing up onions to put in the beer when cooking up a bunch of Bratz! They look like a good chef knife in blade style.

You find them on many lock backs like my Browning 3-blade stockman. They are not the main blade but are still very useful.

I don't think I would have one as the only blade unless I were working a job that required that particular blade style like on boats where you are cutting lines, etc.
 
I just realized I only have one wharnie. a blue handled T L hearn in ats34.I'd better look for a back up.just in case.
 
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