A: Blade. So, I just bought myself a WharnStalker for myself for my 41st birthday (I look 30 
), and it's a fantastic little knife! Yeah, it's 440A. I'm know how to sharpen my knives, so that doesn't bother me at all. To be honest, I prefer it in this type of blade BECAUSE of it's ease of sharpening to a nice edge. And, let's face it, a wharncliff blade is not a 'hunting/skinning' blade; it is way more suited towards self defense and utility (emphasis on the 'utility' part, which brings me to my next impression. Why the hollow grind? I honestly thought that was a mistake after seeing the ONE YouTube video I could find. Totally looked like a flat grind. The reason I bring this up is because the tip is ULTRA-thin. This worries me. I've had knives with more tip thickness break on me doing simple utilitarian tasks. Once again, this is where the use of 440A comes into play. There can be no denial that 440A is MUCH more forgiving than most stainless alloys while still providing a decent edge holding ability, especially when done by a reputable company like KA-BAR.
B: Handle. GREAT GRIP! Only two MINOR complaints here:
1. Needs a lanyard hole. Some may disagree, but I use them and like them.
2. Please offer different colored scales for these knives. I can see the Johnson (whatever)Stalker being huge, but they will need more variety. Kind of a 'mix and match' handle/sheath color thing. Trust me. I know I'd dig it!
C: Sheath. The sheath is great. Straight black would have been better, just because black goes with almost everything.
Overall, I love this knife. I own several KA-BARS, and have never been disappointed. The tip worries me a bit, but it's not THAT big of a deal. FLAT GRINDS RULE!!! Flat grind, lanyard hole, this would become an EDC for me. I'm 6'2" and 300 lbs., so it would be easily carried discreetly.
), and it's a fantastic little knife! Yeah, it's 440A. I'm know how to sharpen my knives, so that doesn't bother me at all. To be honest, I prefer it in this type of blade BECAUSE of it's ease of sharpening to a nice edge. And, let's face it, a wharncliff blade is not a 'hunting/skinning' blade; it is way more suited towards self defense and utility (emphasis on the 'utility' part, which brings me to my next impression. Why the hollow grind? I honestly thought that was a mistake after seeing the ONE YouTube video I could find. Totally looked like a flat grind. The reason I bring this up is because the tip is ULTRA-thin. This worries me. I've had knives with more tip thickness break on me doing simple utilitarian tasks. Once again, this is where the use of 440A comes into play. There can be no denial that 440A is MUCH more forgiving than most stainless alloys while still providing a decent edge holding ability, especially when done by a reputable company like KA-BAR. B: Handle. GREAT GRIP! Only two MINOR complaints here:
1. Needs a lanyard hole. Some may disagree, but I use them and like them.
2. Please offer different colored scales for these knives. I can see the Johnson (whatever)Stalker being huge, but they will need more variety. Kind of a 'mix and match' handle/sheath color thing. Trust me. I know I'd dig it!
C: Sheath. The sheath is great. Straight black would have been better, just because black goes with almost everything.
Overall, I love this knife. I own several KA-BARS, and have never been disappointed. The tip worries me a bit, but it's not THAT big of a deal. FLAT GRINDS RULE!!! Flat grind, lanyard hole, this would become an EDC for me. I'm 6'2" and 300 lbs., so it would be easily carried discreetly.