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Why Warncliff?
- Thread starter Willieboy
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2005
- Messages
- 341
I read somewhere that it was 'commissioned 'especially by a minor aristocrat called Wharncliffe.
Here is some text :
The Wharncliffe blade is attributed to the design of Lord Wharncliffe who was the patron of Joseph Rodgers & Sons in Sheffield in the early 1800s. The blade was designed around 1832. To this time, most pocket knives had rather slender blades. Tradition has it that Lord Wharncliffe wanted a small pocket knife with a thick strong blade. The result was a knife that was not only a whittler pocket knife, but one that could be really leant on hard without danger of it breaking. A wood splitter. Once you have handled a knife with a real Wharncliffe blade, then you will appreciate the meaning of this. It is a beast of a blade, even though it may be quite short. The high arched back only adds to its strength.
Hope this helps explain
Here is some text :
The Wharncliffe blade is attributed to the design of Lord Wharncliffe who was the patron of Joseph Rodgers & Sons in Sheffield in the early 1800s. The blade was designed around 1832. To this time, most pocket knives had rather slender blades. Tradition has it that Lord Wharncliffe wanted a small pocket knife with a thick strong blade. The result was a knife that was not only a whittler pocket knife, but one that could be really leant on hard without danger of it breaking. A wood splitter. Once you have handled a knife with a real Wharncliffe blade, then you will appreciate the meaning of this. It is a beast of a blade, even though it may be quite short. The high arched back only adds to its strength.
Hope this helps explain
waynorth
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2005
- Messages
- 32,909
I like the sharp point, as well as a straight or almost straight blade. Mostly I whittle, pick out splinters, open mail or boxes, cut out my crossword puzzles. For heavy cutting, a wharncliffe is too fragile in many cases, but for more prcision work, a wharncliffe is the way to go. Of course I usually carry 3 or 4 blade styles in various pockets, or clipped on somewhere: and then there's the Leatherman in its sheath! Hmmm, I guess I have to say it's a great blade, but not the ONLY blade!
waynorth
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2005
- Messages
- 32,909
Hi Casares! your reply slipped in ahead of mine, but very interesting. I've got Wharcliffes that are beefy, and some that are more refined. They both have their uses. The best whittling Wharncliffe is as your quote describes, short and thick for strength, and precision.
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2004
- Messages
- 12,955
The Wharncliff blade is a great general utility shape. They provide a lot of straight edge so its easy to sharpen over say a recurved blade but it more than just that. They are very useful by design. Woodcarvers love it, and so do contracters and carpenders. Look at the Stanley blade. You can use a Wharncliff for anything from taking out the caulking of an old window to field dressing game and even self defense (look at the Yojimbo by Spyderco) I know guys that do all those things and more with one.
As for the history: the Wharncliff is a modified Sheepsfoot or Lambsfoot blade. In the early days when sailing vessels were often the way to travel sailors and deck hands always had blunt tip knives. The idea was that when you were getting tossed around good on a rough see that you weren't flailing around with a pointed instrument stabbing yourself and your buddies. But on shore a good splinter picker and stabbing point was needed if not preferred. This is how the true Wharncliff came about.
STR
As for the history: the Wharncliff is a modified Sheepsfoot or Lambsfoot blade. In the early days when sailing vessels were often the way to travel sailors and deck hands always had blunt tip knives. The idea was that when you were getting tossed around good on a rough see that you weren't flailing around with a pointed instrument stabbing yourself and your buddies. But on shore a good splinter picker and stabbing point was needed if not preferred. This is how the true Wharncliff came about.
STR