WHK Sprite vs Kestral

C

cross creek

Joined
Sep 14, 2004
Messages
6
Greetings,
I know these knives have been reviewed in the past, but not recently. I have been using a CF Lancet for about 3 years, and it has served well, but isn't "the one." The point is a bit too high for my tastes (I reprofiled with diamond stones, but that didn't solve the problem completely), and the handle's a little too long. I know most of you carry bigger knives, but I'm looking for something smaller for my EDC pocket. I have a Black and Tan Kestral in the box that I've never used (too pretty to scratch). What I'm considering is either a plain Kestral or a manual Sprite. I may have the opportunity to see a Sprite next week when I travel for Christmas, but I'd value your "using" opinions before I get there and have to make a $ decision.
Thanks, AJM
 
I carried a Lancet for awhile myself. Very nice knife but just a bit too long for my pocket. I did get a Kestral but it's a limited edition with a Damascus blade and I was afraid I'd scratch it up. A few months ago I purchased a Spire from WH. It's one of their Japanese knives. Moki I believe. It's just the right size, has a very useful VG10 Warncliff blade and I'm really pleased with it. If being Japanese made is not a problem with you it's a real nice knife and the price is reasonable.
 
Thanks for the reply. William Henry doesn't get too much action around here. I looked at the Spire. Nice knife and good size, a little heavier than I would like at about 2.5 oz, but I might still pick one up for the right price someday. The knife I was asking about, or one of the two, actually, was the Sprite (Spryte?)--(Titanium, wharncliff blade, 1/2 oz, button lock). It's smaller than the Kestral opened up, but the handle length is similar and the edge length is about the same, too. The difference is in the designed-in choil of the Kestral, which adds almost 1/4 in to the opened length. That may or may not be significant, given the light-duty use of these knives (opening envelopes, cleaning fingernails, cutting string, apples, etc.). Also, the Kestral is a drop-point with a belly edge (which could be easily be re-profiled) and is significantly wider (deeper) than the Sprite), as well as being about $60 cheaper and having a nice pocket/money clip. I would really like to hear testimonials from anyone who has carried and used either of these daily for a while and did/did not like them.
-AJM
 
I alternate for an EDC between the sprite (auto), B&T lancet, and a WH evolution wharncliff. I find the lancet to be just about the right size and weight, the evolution is a little too heavy, while I have almost lost the sprite to the washing machine. If the lancet is too big for you, try the sprite. I think the non-auto might be better, mine gets gunked up from cutting fruit so I'm always cleaning it. It is a great non-threanening size and you hardly know it's in your pocket. Also very easy to sharpen the wharncliff style blade. Good Luck! :)
 
I too am looking at the Spire. I really have a thing for wharnie blades and gent knives so it seems to marry the two quite nicely. However I am, like you cross creek, a little concerned about the weight so I'm going to hold off buying a Spire until I see one in person.
 
Great input! I do want small and light, but not so small as to lose it in the wash! I wasn't really considering the auto Sprite, because of maintenance issues. Does the blade rest high enough to grab with two fingers to open one-handed manually(was that clear)? Also, any Kestral owners out there with comments on their knives' usefulness? How about Monarch owners, or is that one too close to the Lancet in size?
-AJM
 
The spryte has a nail-nick for manual opening. Since mine is an auto, I cannot say how difficult it is to open that way but I don't see any problem getting at the blade when it's closed. I tied a lanyard to mine and now have no problems with it getting "lost" in my pocket. The titanium body does make for a really liteweight folder. I am not a fan of pocket-clips on my dress pants (hard to put your hand in your pocket without getting snagged) so I removed it from the leather clip-case so now it rides in the bottom of my pocket. Did the same on my Lancet too.
 
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