To those of you that own one or more knives by William Henry, is the quality up to that of other knives at this price point? In particular the Icon series with the Mattlock feature. I have only seen photos on the Internet and have no idea what they are like up close. They certainly use the finest materials available, but what is the fit and finish like and do they hold up well as daily using knives. If I lay down somewhere between $300 and $500 for a knife, I would like to use it regularly, but if it didnt hold up over time, I would be very disappointed. Thanks.
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William Henry Knives
- Thread starter Quy4n8
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2002
- Messages
- 134
I've handled and used several William Henrys and In my opinion, they are quality through and through.
Fit and finish are superb and the designs are near perfect for the type of knife that they are.
Holding one in your hand, they seem much stronger than what they look like on paper.
I expecially like the black and tan with the bc1 coated blade.
This knife is light as a wisp of air but feels strong as a fixed blade when open.(no kidding)
Quality stuff.
Fit and finish are superb and the designs are near perfect for the type of knife that they are.
Holding one in your hand, they seem much stronger than what they look like on paper.
I expecially like the black and tan with the bc1 coated blade.
This knife is light as a wisp of air but feels strong as a fixed blade when open.(no kidding)
Quality stuff.
The quality is superb--near custom. Also, top notch materials are used. I picked up a Spectrum at March's ECCK Show in NYC. It also has the Mattlock and is essentially built along the lines of the Icon. Mine has mother of pearl inlays. The tolerances, QC, fit and finish are very impressive.
William Henry has won an amazing number of awards in recent years at the Blade Show for Knife of the Year, American-made Knife of the Year (the Spectrum--last year), etc.
You won't go wrong.
William Henry has won an amazing number of awards in recent years at the Blade Show for Knife of the Year, American-made Knife of the Year (the Spectrum--last year), etc.
You won't go wrong.
Pros:
The Icon has a nice blade shape. I guarantee that the fit and finish is as fine as you will find on virtually any knife, produced by anyone. It is unbelieveably light for its size.
Cons:
The Mattlock is not my favorite device, as it is pretty marginal as a one-hand device, in my experience. The exposed tang in the closed position is a pet peeve of mine, and shouldn't be included on a knife of this caliber.
Finally - if you are patient and do some Ebay hunting, you can pick these knives up for about 70% of what they typically go for on retail.
The Icon has a nice blade shape. I guarantee that the fit and finish is as fine as you will find on virtually any knife, produced by anyone. It is unbelieveably light for its size.
Cons:
The Mattlock is not my favorite device, as it is pretty marginal as a one-hand device, in my experience. The exposed tang in the closed position is a pet peeve of mine, and shouldn't be included on a knife of this caliber.
Finally - if you are patient and do some Ebay hunting, you can pick these knives up for about 70% of what they typically go for on retail.
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2002
- Messages
- 4,131
I can't stand the Mattlock, but I love William henry knives! I'm hoping my next knife can be a little pearl handled job with raindrop damascus that is at the local cutlery shop.
Architect,
What do you mean by exposed tang? Is the corner of the tang where it engages the lock exposed or is it something else?
Steven,
Why do you not like the Mattlock? Is it difficult to close one-handed as Architect mentioned or something else about it that does not appeal to you?
Any insight is sincerely appreciated.
What do you mean by exposed tang? Is the corner of the tang where it engages the lock exposed or is it something else?
Steven,
Why do you not like the Mattlock? Is it difficult to close one-handed as Architect mentioned or something else about it that does not appeal to you?
Any insight is sincerely appreciated.
I have "borrowed" this image from www.bestknives.com so that you can see what the knife looks like when closed.
The exposed back of the blade sticks out, and is very sharp and nasty. You can carry it in the clipcase - but if you don't want to carry it in the clipcase - watch out.
The exposed back of the blade sticks out, and is very sharp and nasty. You can carry it in the clipcase - but if you don't want to carry it in the clipcase - watch out.
Attachments
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2003
- Messages
- 1,139
I have an Icon, a Spectrum, and a T-12 Black and Tan.
The fit and finish is superior to a median custom folder in the $500 range, of which I have quite a number.
For their purpose, a "gentleman's folder", you'd be hard pressed to find a better designed and executed knife. They are not designed for heavy duty use. They are very thin, both in the blade and in the handle, which gives great slicing ability and a very comfortable pocket presence, but you wouldn't want to use it, say, as a camping knife.
The Icon and Spectrum don't have pocket clips, but instead use a pouch that has a clip on it. You will need to use this as, at least with the Icon, it is susceptible to scratching and inlay damage. The Black and Tan is very tough in comparison, and comes with a clip.
I haven't had Architect's problems with the false edge on the Icon, but I did stab myself pretty badly with the Black and Tan when I managed to whack it vertically in my pocket causing it to partially open while playing on a jungle gym with my kids. I'll leave it to the reader to decide whether William Henry or my dumb ass is more at fault for the occasional jungle gym-finger stabbing accident.
If the promise of the knife appeals to you, then you'd be really happy to have one, as they deliver exactly what they promise. Personally I prefer a larger EDC, so I carry a Darrel Ralph 5.5" Aftermath. I tried to convince William Henry to manufacture a larger bladed version of the Black and Tan, and went so far as to offer to buy the first 100 and split the manufacturing setup costs. At that point they stopped returning my emails, so I think moved out of the "repeat customer" category and into the "post the loony knife stalker email on the company corkboard" category.:grumpy:
The fit and finish is superior to a median custom folder in the $500 range, of which I have quite a number.
For their purpose, a "gentleman's folder", you'd be hard pressed to find a better designed and executed knife. They are not designed for heavy duty use. They are very thin, both in the blade and in the handle, which gives great slicing ability and a very comfortable pocket presence, but you wouldn't want to use it, say, as a camping knife.
The Icon and Spectrum don't have pocket clips, but instead use a pouch that has a clip on it. You will need to use this as, at least with the Icon, it is susceptible to scratching and inlay damage. The Black and Tan is very tough in comparison, and comes with a clip.
I haven't had Architect's problems with the false edge on the Icon, but I did stab myself pretty badly with the Black and Tan when I managed to whack it vertically in my pocket causing it to partially open while playing on a jungle gym with my kids. I'll leave it to the reader to decide whether William Henry or my dumb ass is more at fault for the occasional jungle gym-finger stabbing accident.
If the promise of the knife appeals to you, then you'd be really happy to have one, as they deliver exactly what they promise. Personally I prefer a larger EDC, so I carry a Darrel Ralph 5.5" Aftermath. I tried to convince William Henry to manufacture a larger bladed version of the Black and Tan, and went so far as to offer to buy the first 100 and split the manufacturing setup costs. At that point they stopped returning my emails, so I think moved out of the "repeat customer" category and into the "post the loony knife stalker email on the company corkboard" category.:grumpy:
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2002
- Messages
- 4,131
That is my primary problem with it. I just won't buy a knife if it isn't comfortable or easy to operate. It's just a personal "feel" problem.
On the other hand, I don't like it much because I'm not too sure of the strength, Granted, it isn't meant to be a hard use folder, but I do wonder how it would take a nice spinewhack test...
This isn't a judgement on William henry knives, I just have decided to stick with a nice linerlock.
Bobby B
No more Mr. Knife-guy
- Joined
- May 18, 2001
- Messages
- 3,053
I have a B&T T-10 and absolutely love it! It is my current EDC. It's only been a couple of weeks, but it is standing up nicely. Very light, and pretty enough not to upset the sheeple.
I had a regular T-10 CF, and was not nearly as impressed. It didn't come as sharp as I would have liked (though that can certainly be remedied), but I also found that the grind lines weren't as even as I would have expected in a knife at this price range. My B&T is almost perfect.
My SWAG (Scientific Wild -Ass Guess) is that the QC may be a little more lax since they have been hugely back-ordered. Or... I was lucky and/or too picky...:grumpy:
I also have a MOP T-12. THAT is a pretty knife, with amost perfect grinds as well. It is incredibly smooth to open and the fit and finish are incredible.
I'd love a T-09 Kestrel in MOP or B&T or...
In short: yes I like it as an EDC, but check your individual knife when you get it. Like everyone else, Mr. William Henry is not perfect.
I had a regular T-10 CF, and was not nearly as impressed. It didn't come as sharp as I would have liked (though that can certainly be remedied), but I also found that the grind lines weren't as even as I would have expected in a knife at this price range. My B&T is almost perfect.
My SWAG (Scientific Wild -Ass Guess) is that the QC may be a little more lax since they have been hugely back-ordered. Or... I was lucky and/or too picky...:grumpy:
I also have a MOP T-12. THAT is a pretty knife, with amost perfect grinds as well. It is incredibly smooth to open and the fit and finish are incredible.
I'd love a T-09 Kestrel in MOP or B&T or...
In short: yes I like it as an EDC, but check your individual knife when you get it. Like everyone else, Mr. William Henry is not perfect.
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2002
- Messages
- 2,283
I have to say they are great knives, some are just plain art, stronger than they appear to be and very pocketable. Most everone I have seen was flawless, ignor Bobby up there hes to picky 
No really they are nice knivesI own several but aint telling Bobby how many.
No really they are nice knivesI own several but aint telling Bobby how many.
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2000
- Messages
- 5,811
I've only used one,..., a T-12 for a few years...outstanding knife at "Street Prices". I have handled many many many W&H knives.., and have yet to see one that I think lacks in fit & finish. They do some darn nice work.
I agree with many on the Mattlock. Not a great design IMO, but I do like the blade.
I agree with many on the Mattlock. Not a great design IMO, but I do like the blade.