Wharncliffe Trappers & Related Patterns

[Blues]

Here's a traditional pattern that has become very popular over the past several years. Tony Bose gets credit for popularizing this pattern and giving us enthusiasts something eminently useful as well as attractive to add to our collections. (Unfortunately I don't have one by the master to share but I'm sure some of our members will have an example or three they can add.)

The standard wharncliffe trapper pattern runs about 3.5" closed. The one larger version which I own by Mike Zscherny (below) is a 4" pattern.


Ken Erickson:

Ryuichi Kawamura:

Bill Ruple: ("Copperhead" with WT style blades)

Mike Alsdorf:

Brent Cramer:

J.B. Moore:

Mike Zscherny:

Jared Oeser:

Please feel free to add your own examples of custom wharncliffe trappers to the thread.

 

[ep3757]

I like them all but that Jared Oeser knife really jumps out at me.

EP

 

[peterinct]

WOW!!! VERY nice selection once again Elliott.

Up until recently, I was never too interested in wharncliffe blades, but seeing some VERY nice ones has changed my viewpoint. I have manufactured knives with them, but I can see a nice custom one (or a few) in my future

Thanks,
Peter

 

[Blues]

It's a wonderful knife, Enrique and I couldn't be happier with it. As a matter of fact, it's the knife I have in pocket today. :thumbup:

Unfortunately, I don't have equivalently excellent images of all the examples. Jared not only built a great knife (only his second WT) but took exceptional images as well.

I wish that Jared had shot all the others...but I'm not about to let 'em out of my sight anytime soon.

WOW!!! VERY nice selection once again Elliott.

Up until recently, I was never too interested in wharncliffe blades, but seeing some VERY nice ones has changed my viewpoint. I have manufactured knives with them, but I can see a nice custom one (or a few) in my future

Thanks,
Peter

Interestingly, Peter, I don't care for knives where the wharncliffe blade is the master or only blade. I do like knives that incorporate the wharncliffe blade in as a secondary, however.

 

[Don Hanson III]

Great stuff, Elliot!

I have the smaller pattern from Tony (not a knife, just the pattern) and plan to make a few at some point.

 

[Blues]

Great stuff, Elliot!

I have the smaller pattern from Tony (not a knife, just the pattern) and plan to make a few at some point.

Not to conduct business here, Don, but since I'm on your list anyway...just annotate my entry at your leisure.

 

[Don Hanson III]

Will do Elliot.

Here's Tony's 3.5" pattern. And a pile of parts cut and ready, no wharncliffe blades yet. Blades are W2.

 

[The Amazing Virginian]

Here's a traditional pattern that has become very popular over the past several years. Tony Bose gets credit for popularizing this pattern and giving us enthusiasts something eminently useful as well as attractive to add to our collections.

Since you mentioned this, and since I always like to learn, other than opening boxes or letters, are there any other applications you find where Wharncliffe blades excel?

TIA!

 

[Blues]

I know quite a few folks who like to carve and whittle with the wharncliffe blade, though it's never been my first choice for my meager projects.

I use it primarily for the tasks you mention...cartons, and that infernal plastic clam shell packaging that will cut you to ribbons if you don't have a blade handy. I usually just tear my mail open.
(Old habits are hard to break.) Obviously anything that requires a straight cut across in leather, wood etc As I mentioned above, for me personally I prefer it as a secondary blade.

 

[JAlexander]

Elliot, I think you're at least partially responsible for the popularity of wharncliff trappers. If nothing else, you have the definitive collection.

 

[Blues]

Elliot, I think you're at least partially responsible for the popularity of wharncliff trappers. If nothing else, you have the definitive collection.

James, I would have to respectfully disagree though I sure appreciate your kind words (as always). While I'm quite content with the pieces I own, I was certainly influenced by many of those who had been touched by the Bose magic before me and I can remember spending time wading through a variety of images both from Wilfred Works and elsewhere. I wouldn't think of taking any credit whatsoever for the popularity of this pattern.

BTW, my first was the J.B. Moore out of Ft. Stockton, TX. I originally got it because I liked D2, knew that a Bose was nowhere on the immediate horizon and Tony had nothing but good to say about Jim as a maker. It's become a pattern that I enjoy quite a bit. Just about up there with my beloved stock and cattle patterns.

 

[JAlexander]

James, I would have to respectfully disagree though I sure appreciate your kind words (as always). While I'm quite content with the pieces I own, I was certainly influenced by many of those who had been touched by the Bose magic before me and I can remember spending time wading through a variety of images both from Wilfred Works and elsewhere. I wouldn't think of taking any credit whatsoever for the popularity of this pattern.

BTW, my first was the J.B. Moore out of Ft. Stockton, TX. I originally got it because I liked D2, knew that a Bose was nowhere on the immediate horizon and Tony had nothing but good to say about Jim as a maker. It's become a pattern that I enjoy quite a bit. Just about up there with my beloved stock and cattle patterns.

*grin* I was mostly giving you a hard time, Elliot, although I do believe that you are a great ambassador for the wharncliff trapper (and the stock/cattle knife).

 

[Blues]

Remind me to spill a beer in your lap when we meet, James....

 

[TLARbb]

My goodness, Elliott, what a great bunch of wharncliffe trappers!!! All beautiful in their own way. Thanks for sharing them all at one time or at least all in the same thread.

I think the wharncliffe blade is very useful for trimming sheet materials and cutting patterns from soft board or cardboard. Also very handy in modelling for trimming and shaping wood blocks. I find that I can get by quite handily most days with just a single wharncliffe blade knife, but like the versatility of the clip blade along side it in a trapper frame. I like the mini trapper size better 95% of the time.

Ed J

 

[Mike Robuck]

Tony has been making the WT pattern since the '80s. It started out with him re-shaping the spey blade on a trapper pattern into a more useful wharncliffe. (I have an old Henckels trapper that he re-profiled the spey blade on.)

Here are some one-blade trappers by Reese that I had at one point:

Some pictures by Kerry Hampton. Not my knives.

A little bit of serpentine in this orange fibermascus WT:

Some ivory with caps:

 

[Blues]

My goodness, Elliott, what a great bunch of wharncliffe trappers!!! All beautiful in their own way. Thanks for sharing them all at one time or at least all in the same thread.

I think the wharncliffe blade is very useful for trimming sheet materials and cutting patterns from soft board or cardboard. Also very handy in modelling for trimming and shaping wood blocks. I find that I can get by quite handily most days with just a single wharncliffe blade knife, but like the versatility of the clip blade along side it in a trapper frame. I like the mini trapper size better 95% of the time.

Ed J

Glad you like 'em, Ed. It's my pleasure.

 

[jeffsaul]

I'll add a little variety into the mix with a couple of Wharncliff Trappers of my own.
One is from Craig Brewer the other from Keith Johnson, they both are CPM154 and are integral
construction with bushings. Excellent fit and finish on both knives.
Enjoy boys,
Jeff

 

[Win Heger]

The Wharncliffe Trapper is one of my favorite designs, some great examples here. Here's one from Reese, Maroon Micarta (thanks SRJ) and 440V. This is a knife I use, mainly to carry when not hiking and around the office.

I have always found a Wharncliffe or similar blade to be very useful. I carried a Terzoula, Carson and now the Bose for years.

 

[Blues]

Thanks for adding those examples from your own collections, gents. :thumbup:

 

[Don Hanson III]

Bunch of fine knives posted here, Gents!!!

Elliott, these custom slip joints threads have been a welcome addition here!