What, No (Love For) William Henrys at BF? (With Pics)

The Burgh

The Burgh

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Jan 22, 2015
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Relatively new here, but now have quite a few quality production folders and handmade fixed blades. In the folder category, Benchmade, ZT, CRKT (Onions & Lerches), Brous, Lone Wolf, Kizer and a bunch of Sanrenmu/Enlan. Most are "gentlemen's EDC" or "gentlemen's tactical" categories (if I understand those).

Accidentally stumbled upon a picture of a William Henry E Series (E6-2 - Box Elder Burl), so started my compulsive research. Not much out there, but, from what I could find, highly rated for aesthetics, blade steel/coating, aluminum (T6061), flipping, weight, materials, workmanship, manufacturer, etc..

The vast majority of the WH offerings are intricate and expensive art knives, what I might classify as "jewelry knives." No value/preference judgments there, just not my thing.

However, in their E Series, there are two models (which can be purchased with a variety of scales inlayed) which appear to be prime EDC candidates. Shown here are E10-2 and the E6-2, both in Box Elder Burl. [Since I haven't received these yet, these are borrowed photos.]

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Here on BF? Not much. Type "Henry Williams" into the search box and marvel at the few listings, then the lack of detail in those listings.

What gives? Price? Availability? Better alternatives? Relatively new manufacturer? Perceived to be light duty/"gentlemanly?"

Would love to hear from you Folks!


P.S. E6-2 and E10-2 are on their way to me.
 
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You're right there isn't much to read when searched for. I became interested when I found 4 at a pawn shop from an estate collection. I can't pin down the models. They could be up to ten years old. I would love to get one at half price.
 
I love William Henry's offerings, they're knives are just a little bit too pricey for me (Full time student). Despite not owning one of their knives, I just received one of their stingray slip cases for my T.A. Davison custom slip joint and It is fantastic for the price. I love pocket jewelry and no one does it better than William Henry and their stingray slip case is no exception. I think you'll find that quite a few people here have a William Henry in their collection. Paying thousands of dollars for a production knife may not be the style of most blade forum's users though, including my self.
 
I'll agree there isn't a lot of talk about them around here.

However, they do seem to be well regarded though, from what I've seen. Not sure why they aren't talked about more, perhaps it is the "gentlemanly" nature of most of their knives (although, the CRK mnandi is similar, and seems to be talked about more). It could be the price, but there are also equally as expensive that get talked about more. In short... No idea why.

I'd love a WH though, as most of my edc needs could easily be met with one, and I think it would fit in well at work, at church, etc.
 
ocnLogan said:
I'd love a WH though, as most of my edc needs could easily be met with one, and I think it would fit in well at work, at church, etc.
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They also look pretty snazzy :thumbup:
I think William Henry's are the type of knives that would garner appreciation from even non knife folks.
 
I've wanted one of their autos for as long as I can remember. Don't like the thumb studs on the regular knives.
 
The William Henry E10 is one of the greatest knives I've ever owned. It's pretty much perfect, and it's hard to think of a knife that can out-cut it. And it's only $325.

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Jasonsdman said:
They are neither tacticool nor overbuilt ;)
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It amuses me that no ZT will ever come close to a William Henry E10 in terms of simple slicing ability, which is sort of the point of a knife. Mind you, I still love ZT, but a lot of people here have weird priorities.
 
Having a look at their website, the E series also seems to be discontinued. They seem to be shifting focus more toward their jewelry line.
 
That silver twill inlay completes a very slick, clean package.

ATwistedStaple said:
Having a look at their website, the E series also seems to be discontinued. They seem to be shifting focus more toward their jewelry line.
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Their more basic versions of their "jewelry line" start at around 400 which isn't too outrageous. I'm referring to the lancet 'vanguard'.
 
brancron said:
It amuses me that no ZT will ever come close to a William Henry E10 in terms of simple slicing ability, which is sort of the point of a knife. Mind you, I still love ZT, but a lot of people here have weird priorities.
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I've never understood the "tank" knives. I don't need to carve open a Volkswagen with my pocket knife... I might however want to slice up a peach or open a package. Slim blades seem to be better at those tasks.
 
Blues Bender said:
I'd imagine that it's the same reason why more people carry Sebenza's rather than Mnandi's around here.
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I would imagine that on a construction site, a sebenza or zt would be more fitting than a blinged out William Henry. Quite a few people want a nice hefty folder for the heavy duty cutting tasks in their daily lives.
 
Blues Bender said:
I'd imagine that it's the same reason why more people carry Sebenza's rather than Mnandi's around here.
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I'm not sure that's a fair comparison. We were talking about slicing and the Sebenza with that beautiful grind is one hell of a slicer. It's the bulkier stuff that I don't understand.
 
155440 said:
That silver twill inlay completes a very slick, clean package.


Their more basic versions of their "jewelry line" start at around 400 which isn't too outrageous. I'm referring to the lancet 'vanguard'.
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And I'm referring to actual jewelry. Not a jewelry line of knives, but things like necklaces, bracelets, etc. They seem to have scaled back their knife production in favor of their jewelry. Damn that Zac Brown Band.
 
ATwistedStaple said:
And I'm referring to actual jewelry. Not a jewelry line of knives, but things like necklaces, bracelets, etc. They seem to have scaled back their knife production in favor of their jewelry. Damn that Zac Brown Band.
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31 bracelets and 15 necklaces is kind of a lot.
 
To this day, one of my favorite EDC folders is my WH B12 Atlas. 3" super-sharp blade of ZDP-189 laminate and weighs just over 2 ounces. Titanium handles and button lock. Very high-quality knives.

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William Henry sterling silver, frosted black onyx, and held together with Kevlar cord. The center bead is red/brown dinosaur bone, the only remaining legacy of an Apatosaurus that walked the earth over 100 million years ago.

I lost my WH knife and it's the only knife I've ever lost.
 
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