Wharncliffe and others

H

H2600

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May 4, 2003
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Does anyone know what the original purpose of the wharncliffe blade design was? Although I don't own any knives that have a true wharncliffe point I'm thinking about getting one in the future.

I'm also interested in the original purpose behind the different blade shapes in general (i.e. drop point, spear point, tanto, etc.) Anyone that knows anything about this type of history is welcome to post a response. Thanks.
 
If you DO get one, be sure you realize that they are a BITCH to sharpen without taking off that sharp point. The natural action of sliding it on crock sticks or sharpeners will slide off the point and remove it.

You MUST use flat stones only and NOT swipe the point off the stone. I have one and the point is no longer pointy. It's ...okay...but I wouldn't have another.
 
I would add that the same could be said for most blade shapes.
Any round rod style of sharpener can potentially destroy any tip.
Crock sticks are the worst as the natural movement is to draw the blade down and off the tip, with rounding following quickly.
 
The wharncliffe has long been used by woodcarvers though I don't know if that's the derivation.
 
Lavan is correct, however it's extremely easy to repair the tip on a Wharncliffe if it's only been slightly blunted. You can't to this too many times or your knife will get a lot shorter, but once or twice won't do much damage. Start out with the knife held against the stone as shown in the attached pic.
 

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Next, draw the blade along the stone while pulling up slightly on the handle. You're trying to match the existing curve of the spine while taking just a little off the tip (See attached pic for the end position). Keep going until the tip is pointy again, it won't take long if it's only slightly blunted. Easier than sharpening really.
 

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I think the wharncliff and sheepsfoot are especially good for cutting leather. Which may explain why Gary Graley is a certified wharncliff fiend.
 
Wharnecliff is also great for whittling and carving. They sharpen nicely on a flat stone or carefully on a stick.
 
You can always sharpen point first so your finishing stroke is at the base of the knife. And with a little practice, you can sharpen them just fine on a crock stick set up in the normal fashion too.

To the original question, my little reading on the subject is that the Wharncliffe waw originally an arborist tool. Both pruning and grafting.

Phil
 
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