What's your take on the Zulu blade shape?

Big Dave

Big Dave

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 18, 1998
Messages
545
Hi All,

Well, I'm back into knives. The bug comes and goes for me...but it will never go away.

The Zulu blade shape looks pretty cool. I've been a wharncliffe guy for the last decade but I'm starting to rethink that a tad. The Zulu seems to be a little more versatile than the straight wharncliffe.

It looks like the design had a lot of interest on the forum when the Case / Bose knife came out...and seems to have lost a little steam now that the newness has worn off.

For you wharncliffe guys that have purchased and used the Zulu in a single blade trapper...what's your take? You like? Did you go back to the wharncliffe?

I'd love to see some nice Zulus.

Thanks a lot,
Dave
 
I like it, seen some here and love the mixed "drop-wharnie" design a lot, seems very useful and is really beautiful
Maxx
 
Dave,
I have many pics of this style from various makers.
This blade,while I love so many others,may just be the best all around utility & certainly capable as a hunter/sportsman knife too,all in all may be the most versatile,and it's simple.

But here to start off,the un disputed heavy weight champ of the World
The Tony Bose
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EXCELLENT! Done deal. I want one.

I'm stoked to hear that. Thanks guys.

Take care,
Dave
 
If you prefer a lockback

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John does a slipjoint version,as well

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Dave & all,this is a smaller version ,pictured here ,by Menefee next to Tony's.
Both Howser & Dowell,make a small version,as well
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Vince, you speak with authority. What's the closed length on the small version? Which size to you prefer to carry?
Thanks,
Dave
 
Love it. In comparison to the straight wharncliffe, skinning game is much easier with the upswept blade

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And Zcherney's take on it...I think of it more as a spear point...but he said it was a zulu...so I'm sticking with that story
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Beautiful Campbell. I admire Zcherney's work too and would like to have one some day.
 
Dave,and all,for me personally it has changed a little. I used to gravitate towards smaller knives,because I felt ,at the time,they were plenty big enough for most daily pocketknife tasks,but a bit easier on the carry/pocket size situation.It's true,but lately I am really enjoying knives from 3.5 to 4.25" or so closed size
The Menefee mini is 3.25",Bret makes his 3.5 & a larger one I do believe
Howser has small med & large
Tony's knife comes in around 4-1/8" and its built so silky,you do not know its there in your pocket
Menefee's full size version is 3-3/4,varying sometimes3-7/8"

Of course,if you care for a clip blade & can't make up your mind,there is aways this one from Dowell,3-5/8" and its a slant on a warncliffe trapper,its got a Zulu variant blade
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The one you have from Brett is one of my favorites...and love the maroon micarta
 
I love my Case/Bose Tribal Spear. I have bought a back-up version simply because the number produced is limited and I use this one so much. The blade shape is perfect for just about any use.

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Yea...I bought a backup ebony Tribal Spear. I use the bone, but couldn't resist grabbing one in wood. It is my 3rd favorite collab...behind the lockback and dogleg, and use all three regularly
 
Ah, the Zulu. A hybrid of a drop point skinner and a wharncliffe. Will do the job of either. I like it. Just need to get me one. This one that Vince posted should handle any EDC and many bigger jobs.

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Ed J

P.S., I had a couple of Al Mar Hawks with that blade shape and liked them a great deal. However, they both went to special friends.
 
I don't much care for wharncliffe blades, but I love the zulu spear. One of these days I want a jack with a main clip and secondary small zulu spear. It wouldn't get much better than that.

Here's the only one that I own, made by Kerry Hampton.

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James
 
Beautiful knives.

Vince, how do you like a lock back vs. a slip joint? The lock backs have been calling me too.

Thanks,
Dave
 
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