William Henry Carbon Fiber Icon W/Mattlock

[anthony cheeseboro]

I just got it today, so I will only give a quick overview. The Icon is incredibly thin and light, especially considering that this knife is the same size as a large Sebenza or medium Kit Carson Model 4. The company says its dimensions are 3/8" wide and 2.6 oz. I see no reason to doubt either stat. The blade is a spearpoint with a swedge and the steel is 154CM. It has no clip and comes with a leather clip case with a steel clip.

The most distinctive feature of the Icon is its Mattlock mechanism. In short, the Mattlock is a sort of reverse lockblade. Whereas a standard lockblade is disengaged by puushing down, the Mattlock is released by pushing up on an ambidextrious spring. The lock appears to be as secure as one would expect a strong, high-end lockback to be. Unless someone set out to break the lock, I do not see it failing. The problem I have with the Mattlock is that it is actually harder to engage than a standard lockback. Since a standard lock back is lefty friendly, I see no real advantage for the Mattlock. My guess is that William Henry developed the Mattlock so they could market it as new locking mechanism since we knifenuts are suckers for gadgets (hey, they got me to shell out the bucks.) If the Mattlock does have a structural advantage, it would be that it is probably lighter than a similarly sized lockback.

As for the knife itself, I think that the Icon series is betwixt and between. It is marketed as a gents knife, but it really to large for use in a office type of setting unless you know ahead of time that it is knife friendly. The carbon fiber and snakewood Icons would make great work knives for someone who values a light, compact knife. The pearl and abalone models will probably see much more limited use. I also think that the Icon has great tactical potential because of the great clip sheath that comes with. Finally, the Icon should provide competition to the Sebenza as an alternative to those who do not trust or are tired of liner locks.

 

[Architect]

Anthony, thanks for providing a review. I have been mulling over whether or not to pick one of these up the past couple of month.

The thinness of the overall knife is probably the most attractive part, as I favor very thin handle set-ups. I presume that the overall quality is typical of William Henry.

But...the interframe design is not particularly interesting or unique. The spearpoint design with little belly seems to be an odd shape for a blade this large. I would prefer a wharncliff or clip point rather than a dagger shape. That is probably the least appealing feature to me.

Since I have never had a problem with frame or liner locks, the Mattlock holds no special appeal.

At their pricing, they are in complete competition with handmade (custom) knives. Somehow, I just can see this knife being very popular.

 

[anthony cheeseboro]

Architect, I'm glad you found the review useful. After a few more days, I will say that I am getting used to the Mattlock. My best way to close it is to to use fingers on both sides and pull up on the mchanism. Then I take the blade and push it in. Closing the blade is very safe but not like the Axis lock which never requires the fingers to cross the path of the blade. This is a good knife even though I think the lock is gimmicky. It reminds of the old Al Mar Eagle in that it is a very thin full size "lockback" knife, except that the Icon is even lighter than the Al Mar.

 

[jaiden]

Hey Anthony, glad to see your back (from where ever). Is that Carson model 4 still for sale, I never got an answer and your email didn't work.