william henry knives

C

calan

Joined
Nov 16, 2003
Messages
5
I was looking at a william henry knife that has a zdp-189 steel blade and titanium handle. It looks great to me but I would like some feedback about william henry knives in general. Are they considered good quality or are they just good looks. Thanks.
 
For what they cost they better well be good quality or they would have been out of business a long time ago. They are really good knives and quite expenisive. I don't really think the higher end ones are worth it, but even thei $300 and under are high, even custom quality.
I know if you decide to buy one you won't be disappointed. I've own four over the years, and sold two, but every one was top notch.
 
WH makes great quality knives that also happen to look good. Right now I've got 8 of them, and have probably handled 20-30 in stores and from other collectors. In all these cases the QC has perfect (and I'm picky). I agree with Walking Man that the prices on higher end ornate ones are getting a bit out of hand, but the regular model lines are a solid buy.

In reference to your question about the knives with new ZDP-189 blades, it is interesting that these knives cost about the same as what I paid for similar knives with 154CM blades. In that sense you're not paying more for the new steel -- a nice feature.

- Mark

P.S. Welcome to Bladeforums!
 
The fit/finish on William Henry knives is impeccable, easily the match of many better custom folders. They aren't perfect, but I've been hard pressed to find anything I could call a "flaw". Never actually used one, but I'd imagine their heat treat is similar in quality to their fit/finish.
 
Thanks for your thoughts. It sounds like a keeper to me! I am grateful to all the people who have actually handled so many different makes of knives and know their stuff. Take care all of you. Lance
 
One more quick thing. The WH knives often have very acute bevel angles on the edges, which mean you get a very sharp blade. Now, I wouldn't use one to pry open a crate, but for everyday minor tasks, they are some of the sharpest knives I own. If you touch them up on a Sharpmaker or equivalent, they can easily get "scary sharp."

- Mark
 
by the way, if you buy one oner the web and just check at the picture... be sure you check the size also !
Some of them are very small !!:D
 
William Henry's are like the Mont Blanc pens. A Bic will get the job done, but the Mont Blanc is a lot nicer, classier, and more fun to own. But I wouldn't take a Mont Blanc to my job (I use 24/$5 Bics), just as I wouldn't take any of my dress knives to work either (I work at a pizza place).

I don't own a WH yet, but now that they're making full sized autos, that might change. I wish they made a Westcliff one, I've always loved the look of that blade style. The new San Mai/Damascus ZDP-189 blades are simply gorgeous, especially with the snakewood handles.
 
That's my problem with them, too. I consider many other knives to be a better value. (And I'm talking "real" value) The steel is good. ZDP189 is available elsewhere and the sizes of the WH are just not what I consider useful except in the most minimal application. They are also mostly METAL handles and on a small knife, that makes them even HARDER to hold on to.
They're nice, but I would rather carry a larger knife and put the balance into a nice coin or another knife.

But, to each his own.

:)
 
I have a WH Carbon Fiber w/ 2.5" drop point blade, a few years old in ATS-34. It's a nice looking knife, blue titanium liners, carbon scales, nothing out of place. I rotate it in for EDC, and the carbon fiber is durable. I don't put it in with the keys, and it doesn't get hard use (opening boxes, mail, etc.) but it holds up well. 3 years, no scratches.The liner locks up solid & 100%. They do a great job. The price on this knife has almost doubled since I bought mine.
 
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