Recommendation? Wharncliffe Trapper or Zulu Spear

R

Rambler

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Jul 3, 2017
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Hi gus, I am wondering which one is more suitable for everyday carry.

I like the blade shape of zulu spear, and the curve of zulu is just beautiful when both opened and closed. The only concern is about its closed size, would the 4' closed length be a bit too big in the pocket?
 
I have a Wharncliffe tiny trapper and a Wharncliffe mini trapper and wanted to add a full-size Wharncliffe trapper to complete the "set." I took a serious look at one but the trapper is just too bulky for my tastes. I do have a tribal lock (which has the "Zulu" blade shape) and I really like it. Being single blade it is fairly slim. However, I do carry it in an open-topped belt pouch because of the size. I have carried it in my pocket occasionally, usually in a leather slip, and that does work OK.
 
Spear blade is quite different to a Wharnie..........may help to try both out if you can and see which shape cutting edge suits your purposes best.

In the end, it may be the old motto, BB................buy both ;)
 
Rambler said:
Hi gus, I am wondering which one is more suitable for everyday carry.
I like the blade shape of zulu spear, and the curve of zulu is just beautiful when both opened and closed. The only concern is about its closed size, would the 4' closed length be a bit too big in the pocket?
Click to expand...

I'm not Gus, but I'll take a swing at it. :)

It depends on what you cut daily. For around town, cutting boxes, packaging, twine, sharpening pencils, etc, a Wharnecliffe is great and I love having a splinter-picking tip. The Zulu would work too. You give up some ability to really bear down on the tip but the blade shape is a little more versatile. I'd say to choose whichever you like the looks of. Too big is subjective. For me, no. I prefer 4-4.25" folders. Many people think I'm insane. Your mileage will vary. A 4" two-blade Trapper starts to be a bit of a pocketful for many. Do you wear sturdy work pants or slacks? If you're going for one blade, I find that 4" will disappear into my pockets. But those are my pockets, not yours.
 
Rambler said:
Hi gus, I am wondering which one is more suitable for everyday carry.

I like the blade shape of zulu spear, and the curve of zulu is just beautiful when both opened and closed. The only concern is about its closed size, would the 4' closed length be a bit too big in the pocket?
Click to expand...

I think you'd likely get more utility out of the Zulu, but I do find that the 4" length of my Tribal Lock keeps me from dropping it in my pocket. I do carry it in a belt pouch occasionally and that works well.

I've decided that I like a Wharncliffe blade more as a secondary, shorter blade. It really excels at close work and when paired with a spear or clip blade is really a great combination. I've found that I rarely use the full size Wharncliffe blade. It just doesn't allow enough control for me.

Just a few pictures to illustrate.
Tribal Lock and Wharncliffe Trapper.
xPCcgpf.jpg

Example of a Wharncliffe secondary. The Pinched Peanut is great little knife!
NkE7J2F.jpg

I've been eyeing the Case-Bose Eureka Jack with a spear and a short Wharncliffe, it looks like a winner to me. On the pricey side though.
 
Rambler said:
Hi gus, I am wondering which one is more suitable for everyday carry.

I like the blade shape of zulu spear, and the curve of zulu is just beautiful when both opened and closed. The only concern is about its closed size, would the 4' closed length be a bit too big in the pocket?
Click to expand...
My preference would be the Zulu spear, just because I think it is more versatile AND looks better. Not too big for my pocket (got a 4.75" Laguiole in mine), but many like smaller knives.
 
Rambler said:
... would the 4' closed length be a bit too big in the pocket?
Click to expand...

A stockman, trapper, and/or moose 4 to 4.25 inches closed isn't "too big" in the pocket to me. That is the size I normally carry every day.

That said, I have no idea if such is with-in your comfort range.

Is a Trapper/Moose belt sheath (cross draw or otherwise) for it, and forget sticking it in your pocket a viable option?

You don't state if you'll be carrying it at the office, and as you undoubtably are aware, some offices these days (unfortunately) are not exactly sheath and cutlery friendly.
 
gaj999 said:
I'm not Gus, but I'll take a swing at it. :)

It depends on what you cut daily. For around town, cutting boxes, packaging, twine, sharpening pencils, etc, a Wharnecliffe is great and I love having a splinter-picking tip. The Zulu would work too. You give up some ability to really bear down on the tip but the blade shape is a little more versatile. I'd say to choose whichever you like the looks of. Too big is subjective. For me, no. I prefer 4-4.25" folders. Many people think I'm insane. Your mileage will vary. A 4" two-blade Trapper starts to be a bit of a pocketful for many. Do you wear sturdy work pants or slacks? If you're going for one blade, I find that 4" will disappear into my pockets. But those are my pockets, not yours.
Click to expand...

I usually wear slacks but I actually prefer to put the knife in my jacket pocket. I agree that a 4'' single blade would not be that thick and heavy.
 
afishhunter said:
A stockman, trapper, and/or moose 4 to 4.25 inches closed isn't "too big" in the pocket to me. That is the size I normally carry every day.

That said, I have no idea if such is with-in your comfort range.

Is a Trapper/Moose belt sheath (cross draw or otherwise) for it, and forget sticking it in your pocket a viable option?

You don't state if you'll be carrying it at the office, and as you undoubtably are aware, some offices these days (unfortunately) are not exactly sheath and cutlery friendly.
Click to expand...

I'll mostly carry it at the office, and I think zulu is not that scary when taking it out of the pocket, I hope so:)
 
Peregrin said:
I think you'd likely get more utility out of the Zulu, but I do find that the 4" length of my Tribal Lock keeps me from dropping it in my pocket. I do carry it in a belt pouch occasionally and that works well.

I've decided that I like a Wharncliffe blade more as a secondary, shorter blade. It really excels at close work and when paired with a spear or clip blade is really a great combination. I've found that I rarely use the full size Wharncliffe blade. It just doesn't allow enough control for me.

Just a few pictures to illustrate.
Tribal Lock and Wharncliffe Trapper.
xPCcgpf.jpg

Example of a Wharncliffe secondary. The Pinched Peanut is great little knife!
NkE7J2F.jpg

I've been eyeing the Case-Bose Eureka Jack with a spear and a short Wharncliffe, it looks like a winner to me. On the pricey side though.
Click to expand...

We have quite similar tastes I guess. When choosing a two-blade slipjoint, I personally prefer to stay with a spearmaster blade and a sheepfoot or coping as secondary. That's the best combination in my mind for daily use, and also because the shape of spear and sheepfoot blades would be relatively safer when carrying them at office or in the city.
 
marsturm said:
My grail slip-joint would be a 3 3/4-4" single spring with a primary clip, drop, Zulu, or spear point and a secondary wharncliffe or sheepsfoot blade. The GEC #35 comes close.
Click to expand...

Yes, the single spring for a 4'' or above sized knife would be great, you just remind me of the Northwoods Presidential knife several years ago.
 
Thank you for all of your kind replys! I'm inclined to choose zulu spear at the moment, because of its versatile blade and better looking when both opened and closed. Also because I never tried to carry a single blade slipjoint before...
 
Rambler said:
Thank you for all of your kind replys! I'm inclined to choose zulu spear at the moment, because of its versatile blade and better looking when both opened and closed. Also because I never tried to carry a single blade slipjoint before...
Click to expand...
Good choice. Let us know how it works for you!
 
Rambler said:
Hi gus, I am wondering which one is more suitable for everyday carry.

I like the blade shape of zulu spear, and the curve of zulu is just beautiful when both opened and closed. The only concern is about its closed size, would the 4' closed length be a bit too big in the pocket?
Click to expand...

Don't think I could fit a zulu spear in my subaru :-) , so my only experience is with wharnies. I wear dress pants everyday and a Case muskrat at 3-3/4" closed is almost always with me ... not too bulky to print and with that wharnie mod is a joy to use:

WkNoiNT.jpg
 
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