WilliamHenry Knives

J

joeshredd

Joined
May 8, 2002
Messages
2,254
Okay guys,
You've been great answering the few questions I've had... so here's another one:

I'm looking for a dress folder, ya know... for my Sunday-go-ta-meetin' type clothes. I've seen one custom by Ken Onion and a variation on his piece by Audra Draper. But, I don't want to spend over a grand on a Cliff Parker or any of the other wonderful makers out there. So, I was thinking production... only I've only seen one "production" knife I consider to be dressy enough...
and that's the WH T-12 Spearpoint folder... with carved mammoth Ivory and damascus blade...

But I don't know much about their knives, nor have I seen much here at BFC. I have seen tons on Benchmade, Spyderco and CRK's' Sebenzas... And while I own Benchmades, they're just not fancy enough.

Can anyone tell me a little about their experiences with WH's and are they worth the bucks? Are they as good as Benchmades or Sebies?

Any help is appreciated all... I've collected a lot of fixed blades, it's just time I sort'a grew up and got the right accessories for my more mature image... right! :rolleyes:
Well... I do want 'em to look at it when I pull it out as jewellery... not a "weapon" :eek:

Thanks in advance all!
 
I've got a small WH gentleman's folder that I carry in "formal" occassions. It is a beautiful little knife. Operates very smoothly and with a thin blade, slices very nicely. It meets my requirments for those occassions but it certainly isn't a survival or defensive knife. :D
 
The William Henry shop makes outstanding knives.

The operation is quite smooth, easy and consistent. The production quality is consistent across the line, and I have found each knife to be excellent. The fit and finish are as good as virtually any handmade knife I have handled (well...WH's ARE handmade!).

I think you will find the Spearpoint design to be pretty versatile.

Like Chris Reeve knives, their main handicap is the limited pallette of designs to choose from.

BTW - these knives are far finer than any Benchmade knife I have seen or handled, custom Balisongs not included.
 
Originally posted by joeshredd
Okay guys,

And while I own Benchmades, they're just not fancy enough.

Not fancy enough? Maybe not but Benchmade tends to make their knives for "go" and not "show" Personnaly, I want a knife for my pocket and not my wall. :D ;)
Click to expand...
 
Bladeswinger...
I, too, have several Benchmades, and I even carry 'em... Right now I've got a 770 in my back pocket, and I usually trade off between a 705, a 710 or a 720: They are all terrific knives and were meant for carrying... and I use them. I also have several of the Axis-lock models,in the pre-production series, that are sitting on a stand at home.
However, what I'm looking for is one really special pocket knife that may look like jewellery, but it functions! And so far, one of the specials offered by WH, with the Mammoth Ivory, is looking like the nicest one I'd like to carry... AND be able to use!
Not to worry Bladeswinger... the Benchmades get carried day in, day out... this is just something I'd like to be able to pull out of my Tux at the Firm Christmas party and cut the roast beef with!

My thanks to Architect and Burtzolatar... Since I've never actaully handled one, I was curious about the action mostly - I figured the fit'n'finish had to be good, or nobody would pay that much for a pocket knife that WAS meant to be a wall-hanger.

Any more opinions would be gladly read... and probably listened to! Thanks guys... (and gals, too, if there are any here!) :D
 
I also carry Benchmades, but I really want a nice William Henry to wear when I'm in a suit! They are awesome blades!
 
I also have a few WH knives, Benchmades, and CRK pieces. While CRK is the clear winner for fit and finish, the WH knives are much better fit and finish than anything else I have. I've gravitated to them for the follow reasons: consistent high-end quality, small sheeple friendly blades, a wicked edge (thin blade), and aesthetics/design. The action on all the WH knives I've handled has been perfect.

- Mark
 
My WH T10-CF Lancet is what I have when the dress turns really formal. Their fit and finish has very little to complain about even if you're VERY picky. Great lock up, real sharp and a generally overall solid feel. I love WH knives. I'd like a few of their dressier knives (the T10-CF is actually a little utilitarian for a WH).

The WH knives are some of the finest knives I've seen that are almost afforable, very fine gentlemans knives that really are up to doing a bit of cutting. They're pretty, but they are real knives!

On top of that, Matt Conable seems to be a very honorable guy who cares about his product and his customers.

jmx
 
I've tried many a William Henry... I'm VERY selective... Though they seem to be well made... there is a certain lack of heft or momenum in the mix... obviously they ARE dainty lil' things, but I cant exactly explain it... kind of like "if" you were to drop it the sound would be like a rattle and not like a thud...

I came, I saw... I beheld the Mnandi.


you should too before you decide.
 
WH knives are awesome gent's knives, the best I have seen barring one of a kind custom's, thier fit and finish are always perfect. Sure they are not tactical field use knives and they are not meant to be they are though great pocket knives that look godd and function well for thier intended purpose and they beat the pants off of BM for thier purpose. You won't be disappointed buying one.
 
The WH Icon line. They are truly 'fancy' looking and one of the more hefty knives from William Henry.
Quality is as usual
 
I have a WH P10 Pearl Handled Lancet, that's my Sunday Go To Mettin' knife and I love it, as close as you can get to handemade/custom without actually bein' there.

It's a quality knife, fit and finish are superb. It is a very Sheeple friendly knife.
 
Beautiful knives! Check out the Icon series. I have a snakewwod inlayed version and it is absolutely superb! It is a full sized knife that weighs only 2.6 oz! I cannot say enough good things about their fit and finish. Buy one! Dave
 
I've owned 4 of the lancets and they are an absolutely outstanding knife. I've still got the rosewood lancet and have owned the MOP and a bone/sterling wire/ball bolsters/opal thumbstud. Their fit and finish is about as close as you're going to get with a non-custom (and really better than some customs), they're definitely solid, my rosewood has been through hell as an EDC, the action is super smooth and for basically not much more than shipping, WH will restore them. You won't go wrong with a WH.
 
I am overwhelmed... I hadn't read or seen much on the WH's, other than occassionally in one of the magazines... I appreciate everyone's help.
I've looked at the CRK's, and talked with Chris at several shows.. and his stuff is excellent, my having owned at least three of his fixed blades.. which I carry on every packing adventure....
But I gotta tell y'all... I'm enamoured with the latest limited edition that WH sold thru AGRussell - it had a carved mammoth ivory scales, Mokume bolsters and a way nice damascus blade... heck, it's my wallpaper for the background of my 'puter... But I just haven't had the experience with their knives to know if $900 was worth it for a production style knife, no matter how fancy the components.

Well, it looks like the consensus is that they ARE quality knives and that the price may just be worth my subjective criteria... Now, if only my bank account would equal my desires... I'd be wearing that knife to this years x-mas party! :eek: :cool:
I can't say for now, as I'm waiting on a Nick Wheeler fighter... but the input has been fantastic, and I would definitely feel comfortable going with a WH without even having played with one.. And I think Matt C would feel good about what y'all wrote...
So... hopefully Christmas will be good this year and I'll finally come up with a folder I'll be proud to pull out anywhere!
Thanks again...
And Happy Cuttin' on ya...
 
Thanks for the link... that's also quite a pretty knife... and knifeart.com has already seen me sink a chunk of credit into their accounts! :D ...
It so happens that one of the folders I have been looking at, handmade, as opposed to production, has been a variation on a Ken Onion design that Audra Draper and Mike Draper each did while visiting Ken a short time ago. Hers has a wonderful damascus blade and bolster mereging into a stag slab handle. However, she doesn't have any completed for sale yet.. so I've been holding back on getting a custom... The problem is my 'subjective' tastes - that blade shape on the WH T12 style is one that really floats the ol' boat! I don't know, something about the broad shape, thin profile and swedge merging into the overall lines of the handle... the damascus itself... Just that the whole thing is aesthetically pleasing to me.
And while the Hall piece not only looks good, the price is quite a bit better than the WH... but the overall presence doesn't do it for me. However, since I visit knifeart and bladegallery so much, maybe I'll start looking at the folders there... Who knows, a custom may still win me over!:)
Thanks again! :cool:
 
I could almost start a new thread with this...

Okay... You guys said they were good... So I shelled out big bucks and I have a T12 w/Mike Norris Damascus, Mokume and Mammoth ivory slabs... Coming in two days!

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!:eek: :D

Now I have to go get drunk again and kill the 'Buyer's Rremorse' before it sets in!!! :rolleyes:

EDC just got better!
 
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