William Henry Knives (High End): Worth It?

I am very familiar with William Henry knives and I live minutes away from where that are made. I've been in the production area and I know for a fact ti is a factory production with some outsourcing. Some from Japan and maybe from China. They are well made
with intricate laser etching, some plating techniques etc. however it is craftsmanship by production design rather than pure artistry and discipline. The knives, writing pens and jewelry are produced by a manufacturing process purely with technicians and assemblers and finishers. These are not hand crafted by any stretch of the imagination.
 
viewster said:
I am very familiar with William Henry knives and I live minutes away from where that are made. I've been in the production area and I know for a fact ti is a factory production with some outsourcing. Some from Japan and maybe from China. They are well made
with intricate laser etching, some plating techniques etc. however it is craftsmanship by production design rather than pure artistry and discipline. The knives, writing pens and jewelry are produced by a manufacturing process purely with technicians and assemblers and finishers. These are not hand crafted by any stretch of the imagination.
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Sounds like a passive aggressive slight on WHK to me. Are you saying WH knives aren't worth what they're selling for or anything or just stating that they're a production company like many others? If the latter, then I'm sure that's not much of a surprise considering how many are produced. I bet you couldve said the exact same for Rockstead and other high end production knives.

I bet the person pushing the button that starts the machine that screws the handles together at ZT is probably just some guy hired to do the job just as much as a dude who pushes the button that starts the machine that screws the handles together for WH.
 
I collect a lot of different knives and brand of knives and I love them all. Of course William Henry Knives aren't worth the cost, unless you happen to love them above the others. I have sold a few and made a little money, but I don't think these are for investment, but out of love for your personal collection. Most of mine cost aroune 9 to 10 k each and that is crazy, but I am happy for each one. Every man should have something he has or does just because he loves them, not because it makes sense. Every now and then they have a new one with just the specifics I like. I buy it.
 
viewster said:
I am very familiar with William Henry knives and I live minutes away from where that are made. I've been in the production area and I know for a fact ti is a factory production with some outsourcing. Some from Japan and maybe from China. They are well made with intricate laser etching, some plating techniques etc. however it is craftsmanship by production design rather than pure artistry and discipline. The knives, writing pens and jewelry are produced by a manufacturing process purely with technicians and assemblers and finishers. These are not hand crafted by any stretch of the imagination.
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Yes. That's what's so. It's also so what? Lots of high-end (and I might add, expensive) knives are produced these days by a manufacturing process purely with technicians, assemblers and finishers and are not hand crafted by any stretch of the imagination. That doesn't take anything away from their quality. Even the William Henry knives that aren't blingy are, as you stated, well-made . . . arguably as well made as any knives that are produced using the manufacturing method you described. Of course, there's only one way to know that for sure. You need to stick one in your pocket and carry it awhile.

One thing you should do when considering the purchase of a William Henry knife is set a reasonable expectation. William Henrys are not "hard-use" knives by any stretch of the imagination. A "heavy" William Henry knife weighs 2 ounces! And while they can be artsy, they can also be pretty plain. It just all depends on what you're looking for and how thick your wallet is.
 
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I collect knives as i like some of the knives are so well made and they pleased me every time I handled them. Not invest them. As when you want to invest, you want to go into very fine made art knives. I do not have that kind of money yet.

Before I went into collecting custom knives, I studied WH for a while and became member of their collectors' club. As I thought WH knives are so well made and their collector pieces are limited runs and much more appealing than the normal production run pieces.

I purchased a collector piece Pikatii B04 in March for $1,400, it is very nice looking small knife. But soon after that I found I was too rush for running into WH one of a a kind collector pieces. As I searched their data base, they sold similar looking knives in 2011 at $975 and $1,275. And these collector's pieces are supposed to be one of a kind knife. They are so similar make me think that mine would never even keep the value as it's not even a one of a kind it's just a production run knife. Then I emailed them asking them why these one of kind knives are so similar while the one I bought price is so high. They replied me that they do not have a formula calculating the costs and market prices for their knives. They took everything into consideration to name what a good price it will be. This is so frustrating. As I don't want to spend $1,400 for a production knife!

I think their knives are so easy to be made and they just run out of new design of the one of a kind look. There are unbelievable to such a successful company. These designs or settings will be surely confusing the collectors or consumers. As their knives are flooded into the market, but in very similar design but very different prices. What's the value differences and why? They do not have a comprehensive pricing structure either. So I would say these knives are just good looking knives and they would not worth that much. But I will not judge those fine engraved knives they made. Some engraving of those would worth collecting or even investing?

WH knives are aimed to be EDC knife or tools for executive personnel, Business person or person with certain taste. These are gentleman's folder. On this part, WH positioned their brand very well and being sold through the Jewelry distribution channel. As these men's toys/tools are like lady's jewelry.

I obtained a production run WH knife B05 later on for few hundred bucks from our BF forum. It works really fine. I carried and used it everyday for tape, envelope, fruit cutting.

So if you ask me whether WH worth it? Ask your purpose of buying this knife. If you want to invest, the answer is "not worth it". If you want to use it, the answer is"try their knives below $600".
 
simonxm said:
I collect knives as i like some of the knives are so well made and they pleased me every time I handled them. Not invest them. As when you want to invest, you want to go into very fine made art knives. I do not have that kind of money yet.

Before I went into collecting custom knives, I studied WH for a while and became member of their collectors' club. As I thought WH knives are so well made and their collector pieces are limited runs and much more appealing than the normal production run pieces.

I purchased a collector piece Pikatii B04 in March for $1,400, it is very nice looking small knife. But soon after that I found I was too rush for running into WH one of a a kind collector pieces. As I searched their data base, they sold similar looking knives in 2011 at $975 and $1,275. And these collector's pieces are supposed to be one of a kind knife. They are so similar make me think that mine would never even keep the value as it's not even a one of a kind it's just a production run knife. Then I emailed them asking them why these one of kind knives are so similar while the one I bought price is so high. They replied me that they do not have a formula calculating the costs and market prices for their knives. They took everything into consideration to name what a good price it will be. This is so frustrating. As I don't want to spend $1,400 for a production knife!

I think their knives are so easy to be made and they just run out of new design of the one of a kind look. There are unbelievable to such a successful company. These designs or settings will be surely confusing the collectors or consumers. As their knives are flooded into the market, but in very similar design but very different prices. What's the value differences and why? They do not have a comprehensive pricing structure either. So I would say these knives are just good looking knives and they would not worth that much. But I will not judge those fine engraved knives they made. Some engraving of those would worth collecting or even investing?

WH knives are aimed to be EDC knife or tools for executive personnel, Business person or person with certain taste. These are gentleman's folder. On this part, WH positioned their brand very well and being sold through the Jewelry distribution channel. As these men's toys/tools are like lady's jewelry.

I obtained a production run WH knife B05 later on for few hundred bucks from our BF forum. It works really fine. I carried and used it everyday for tape, envelope, fruit cutting.

So if you ask me whether WH worth it? Ask your purpose of buying this knife. If you want to invest, the answer is "not worth it". If you want to use it, the answer is"try their knives below $600".
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This a very thorough response and perspective. Curious if this perspective still holds up?
 
I've owned 3-4 of their knives over the past 20 years. They were very good, both in materials and design as well as the assembly and finish. I tend to prefer carrying a two bladed pocket knife, so they never really caught on with me. The ones I've moved have ended up being traded or sold, and cost was an issue with that. I have only run into one individual who actively collected WH, but I know a few others who have more than one.

Would I buy another? Maybe. For me it would have to be a combination of the "look" and price, as I've already satisfied myself on the value. But I'd happily pay twice the retail cost of a WH for a Ron Lake original.
 
HJK said:
If you get it, you get it; if you don't, you don't. But don't diss what you don't understand. In a few years, a few more knives and a few thousand more posts, you may come to understand a little batter. :)
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Hey H HJK I am curious...

In the few (20-ish) years, few more knives and few thousand more posts that have elapsed since you started this thread about a WH knife....

"Did you get it?"

Oh, and which one did you get? This is a hell of a necro-thread, but a neat opportunity for a follow-up!
 
I traded Terzola ACTF for a Williwm Henry and a Chris Reeve knife. The William Henry is a better knife than either the CRK or Terzuola. Matt Conable makes an excellent product. Their ZDP steel cuts like a laser and the edge lasts. "Don't buy no ugly knife." :)
 
edwardscissorjams said:
This a very thorough response and perspective. Curious if this perspective still holds up?
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Regarding William Henry knifes, they are beautiful. Regarding the service of a William Henry knife, my experience has been anything but pleasant. When you return a very expensive knife for service or sharpening, one would hope the manufacturer would acknowledge receipt in a timely manner via phone or email. Not WH. You’ll wait months for a response and months for the simplest service. Avoid WH knifes with the leather tassel, as if it is to be used as a daily driver, it will be in the shop on a regular basis getting the tassel replaced (on your dime). A poor, useless design at best. In hindsight, I should have purchased two knifes- one to carry, and one that will always be in the repair department! Silly me. William Henry- Never Again!
Bob
 
Kbrasmodeler said:
Not the oldest necro-revival I've seen, but 3-1/2 years...
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Now , now :D
The member just joined today and this seems to be his inaugural post.
It's a good one, though.
I also think their knives are beautiful and appreciate being warned about the poor service.
Even if it's only a tassel - for that kind of money...
 
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Interesting thread. There is one local jewelry store, less than an hour away, that carries a few William Henry knives. I think the most attractive ones are among the cheapest ones. Some day I might buy one. The very expensive knives are kitsch.

I would never buy one of their 'turquoise' knives. A description on their web site reads, "The Monarch 'Turquoise' features a beautiful hand-engraved stainless frame by Tim George, inlaid with 'Zinc Matrix' Kingman turquoise." (SKU: B05 TURQUOISE). That's an honest description for people who know what 'Zinc Matrix' Kingman turquoise is. The Kingman mine has not operated for years, but the mine still has huge piles of trash left over from the mining operation. They mix this trash with glue and sell it to people who want to make pretty jewelry, or pretty knives. And it is indeed pretty. It is also literally trash glued together.
 
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Another Shepherd said:
I would never buy one of their 'turquoise' knives. A description on their web site reads, "The Monarch 'Turquoise' features a beautiful hand-engraved stainless frame by Tim George, inlaid with 'Zinc Matrix' Kingman turquoise." (SKU: B05 TURQUOISE). That's an honest description for people who know what 'Zinc Matrix' Kingman turquoise is. The Kingman mine has not operated for years, but the mine still has huge piles of trash left over from the mining operation. They mix this trash with glue and sell it to people who want to make pretty jewelry, or pretty knives. And it is indeed pretty. It is also literally trash glued together.
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?
Kingman has a website and there are plenty of other independent websites that seem to indicate otherwise....
In 1962, Chuck Colbaugh heard that the Mineral Park Copper Mine was going to open, so he got permission to remove turquoise from the mine. Two years later, the Duval Mining Company began copper mining and Colbaugh retained his contract rights to mine turquoise within the mine. To this day, the Colbaugh family still has those contract rights, now with the Origin Mining Company of Canada.
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I believe what you are referring to is a stabilization process used by Kingman which takes stone that is otherwise unsuitable for use and combines it with other materials such as zinc to make a useable product.
 
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