Why is the Wegner...

Shmackey

Shmackey

Joined
May 5, 2000
Messages
1,478
...tip-up when almost all other Spydie linerlocks are tip-down?

FWIW, I used to think that tip-up was really the way to go, but now that I'm mostly interested in Spyderco knives, I've changed my mind. Tip-down and a hole are a great combination--gives you something to grab.

Oh yeah, is the Ocelot (the name I picked, so I'm sure I get a free one...) going to be down or up? Or both???
 
Schmackey,

I don't know about the Wegner tip-up concept...but I do wish it were the other way. I've fallen head over heels for this knife design, and almost have one for my own but I do so enjoy tip-down design.

It confounds me the way some are designed tip-up, others tip-down and some "either" way; such as certain s/s models with sets of holes drilled and tapped in either end of the knifes handle.

Jeff/1911.
 
If I were king, all Spyderco knives would be tip up like the Wegner. The hand just seems to find the hole without breaking the wrist.
 
I think that on custom collaborations, the designer usually gets to decide if it's tip up or tip down. Whether or not that happened with this particular knife though, I don't know. The confusing thing is that some of the custom Wegners are made for both tip up and tip down carry! Here are some examples at Blade Art.
 
Cerulean,

I see what you mean. Isn't that crazy?

Thank you very much for that link to bladeart...I'm been hungry for any further information about the Wegner since I became interested in them a couple of weeks ago. It was great to see that description by Tim Wegner.

Anyway, maybe I'll like the tip-up orientation of the wegner too once I use it a little. It's just that I'm used to tip-down now from my Militaries and Police models.

Jeff/1911.
 
Many years ago I bought one of the first production liner locks.(NOT Spyderco)It was tip up. It came open in my pocket when I put on my pants one morning and it took seven stiches to close the gash in my thigh. Needless to say I stay away from tip up liner locks! Much as I like the looks and feel of the Wegner I will probably not have one.(sigh)
 
I hear you, GlockDriver. Tip-down may be best for right-hand carry for most folks; but for left-side carry, like I do, tip-up allows the knife to slide out and be opened with the least amount of hand/wirst movement.

Of course, the fellows who like to remove their knife by the hole and "snap" it open by flicking the wrist aren't served well by tip-up, either...

As a long-time cop, I was carrying a medium folder before it became "cool" to do so. When the so-called "tactical" folders with pocket clips began emerging, I was ecstatic; no more fumbling with that stupid Buck pouch!

I've tried many, many different types. Personally, I find Spydercos easiset to get open under duress; the hole rules. The Military appeared to be the ultimate EDC, but I was forced to conclude that it is just too big, and the blade seems a bit fragile to me. I went back to my trusty old-style Endura.

Than I handled a Wegner, and I think I've found it; the ultimate GENERAL PURPOSE EDC folding knife. It's curved handle is very pocket-friendly, and it rides in there more comfortably than anything I've tried except the old Endura.

The blade is quite heavy-duty, and adequate for anything from slashing some miscreant trying a weapon-snatch to peeling/sectioning an apple. And it's tip-up; hallelujah.

I hear this fine knife will soon be discontinued; true, Sal? If so, gotta get a back-up. Where did I put Dennis Wright's phone number.....

Steve
 
>"I hear this fine knife will soon be discontinued; true, Sal?"

=======================

WHAT? :confused: I won't be able to afford one until the wife gets out of school at least. And that won't be for more than a year. Now you're telling me the best knife in the Spydie line might be no more!?
 
Originally posted by Steve C


I hear this fine knife will soon be discontinued; true, Sal? If so, gotta get a back-up.

Steve
Click to expand...

Lets keep our fingers crossed that the rumor isn't true. The Wegner is the ultimate EDC.

Needless to say, If it is discontinued I will have to buy half a dozen or so.
 
Fellow Wegner "enthusiasts"...

If I were to decide to buy a second Wegner, what is your collective opinion about the plain edge design (my choice if I only will own one) vs. the partially serrated version.

Is the design of this knife, and it's apparent versatility reason to consider the partially serrated version for an all-encompassing "do everything" EDC?

How is the partially serrated Wegner?

Jeff/1911.
 
Im not much on partially serrated knives. I do like the Wegner configuration though. It is about 60% serrated and 40% plain.

Still, for general utility I prefer the plain edge.
 
Dennis,

Thanks for your opinion, it is of value to me. I also prefer a plain edge for general utility as a rule. I wondered if there was a particular reason that the part serrated edge might be good on the Wegner.

One thing I dislike about combination edges is that I find them difficult to sharpen well. A fully plain or fully serrated edge is easier for me it seems.

Jeff/1911.
 
Mine has the combo edge. The 204 makes short work of re-sharpening it. While my hat is off to the guy who can get good results with a stone, or even a Lansky, the 204 is the sharpener for us plebian folk.

I use it on a few select kitchen knives as well. I plan to surprise the wife with a full set of Spyderco kitchen cutlery. I'm wearing myself and the 204 out trying to keep these el cheapo kitchen knives sharp. Still, it aggravates her to see me using my Wegner or Endura when slicing up veggies, etc. "Why can't you keep MY knives that sharp???"

Patience, dear; salvation is on the way...<G>

Get a 204, Jeff, regardless of what knife you end up with. The thing is so simple to use, on plain or serrated edges (except that miserable Cold Steel "edge"- NOTHING will sharpen that properly, IMO) and gives such good results, that you will wonder how you ever got along without it.

Steve
 
I like plain edges more, but I find that the partial serrations often come in handy. I've used them to cut green branches and electrical cabling that would have taken forever with just a straight edge.
 
Steve,

I do have the 204 Sharpmaker, it's what I mostly use. The problem I've run into with combination edges is this:

I seemingly cause dulling of the leading plain edge while sharpening the serrations. If there is not much of a plain edge on the blade, I find it difficult to stroke the sharpmaker stones well with that short, plain edged section of the blade without messing up the serrated part again.

What technique do you use for partially serrated blades? Do you use the corners of the white stone in a three, then one pattern?

Jeff/1911.
 
<<...three, then one pattern.>>

Not sure what you mean by that.

I do it exactly like Sal demonstrates on the video; corners first for the entire length of the edge, both sides. About 20 strokes each side on the white stones if I'm just touching up, or the gray stones first if the edge is hosed. Then the plain edge portion only on the flats. Same deal. You do have to pay a bit of attention to get the plain edge portion only here, but just a little practice will give you the "feel" of it.

FWIW, I can get a much better edge on this Wegner that I could on my Military. As someone just dabbling in the knowledge of different steels, I have found that the ATS-34 on the Wegner and the AUS-8A on my old Endura seem to "come back" much quicker, and sharper, than the 440V on the Military ever did. Steels is a wonderfully complex subject; this forum is a great place to learn more about it.

Sounds to me like the angles on your plain edge are not matched up with the serrated portion. A good work-out with the gray stones should fix that.

Steve
 
Steve,

I've found the same thing with CPM-440V Vs other steels such as AUS-8. I find AUS-8 easy to get "shaving sharp", yet have a LOT of trouble producing this w/ 440V. Others here have said the same thing.

What I mean by the "three, then one" technique is to make three strokes along the left (edge bevelled) side, then one along the right, non-bevelled side to "remove the burr" - as Sal explains it in his Sharpmaker video. I seem to recall that he explains use of this technique will produce a sharper edge, although one likely not as durable as that produced using the standard, alternate-strokes technique that you describe.

Following posting of my earlier response to you last evening, I got out the Sharpmaker and laboured for awhile on the edge of my toothy Millie (CPM-440V) using this 3/1 technique. It is now super sharp, better than ever before. I think I may not have used the grey stones enough first in previous sessions to get a decent edge established along the plain edge portion before moving to the white stones. To date, I still have not used the grey stones on the serrations as I understood this to possibly cause excessive wear to the teeth. Perhaps this is not the case.

I am most interested and excited to hear that you've found the Wegner's ATS-34 blade to behave somewhat like AUS-8; where it's not difficult to achieve that "razor edge". I love this property of AUS-8. If the Wegner turns out to be like this I'll be most elated!

Did you see in the other Wegner thread where I mentioned that I special ordered my plain edge Wegner yesterday? Yippee, Yahoo. I can't wait.

Cheers, Jeff/1911.
 
Hey Schmackey. Tim designed the knife to be Tip up.

Hi Dennis. I really can't answer that question until the 15th. I will say that perhaps you should get your half dozen or so while you still can.

We are planning on making the new Tim Wegner designed Ocelot.

sal
 
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