Wharncliffe blades, uses, pro and con?

[Infinite Zero]

I see the Rockjumper still at some retailers available for under $60 in VG-10 which is an insane value deal really.

That’s a great deal. I’ve not been able to find it for under $90.

[SpeedHoles]

I see the Rockjumper still at some retailers available for under $60 in VG-10 which is an insane value deal really.

That’s a great deal. I’ve not been able to find it for under $90.

Knifecenter had them, among a few others I can't remember off the top of my head. Probably National, etc. Not sure what selection is still left, I haven't searched in awhile so stock might be dwindling.

[mikey177]

Like others, I use my wharnies for things I would use a box cutter for. They also get used a lot in the yard for weed removal, pruning and such.

Also, this thread needs more wharnie pics

[cabfrank]

Aladinsane, I'm considering a Leafjumper too.

[ejames13]

Wharncliffe, sheepsfoot, ramsfoot, etc are the most useful blade shapes for just pocket knife to cut whatever, imo. I don’t like them as a work knife for what I use my work knives for. But just cutting packages, opening plastic shell, even just cutting an apple, I like flat edge. Prefer smaller wharncliffe blades 3” or less, personally. Longer ones feel more unwieldy and iirc the original wharncliffe traditional knives were a smaller pattern. With Spyderco, the serrated wharncliffe models are cutting beasts, very aggressive. Wharncliffe blades are also easy to sharpen.

Curious what types of cutting you do at work that wharncliffes aren't suited for.

[Aladinsane]

Aladinsane, I'm considering a Leafjumper too.

Get one if you find one! I got my SE Leafjumper at Knife Center for $70.56 delivered. When I ordered last month they had 30 left. Rockjumpers are much more scarce! I'm really liking the LJ. In fact, having the LJ is what's making me hesitate on a RJ!! I'll give myself until Friday to decide!!!

[Aladinsane]

Like others, I use my wharnies for things I would use a box cutter for. They also get used a lot in the yard for weed removal, pruning and such.

Also, this thread needs more wharnie pics
wharnies 07.jpg

Wow! That's a lot of Wharncliffes!! AAAND I found the Rockjumper!

[sal]

A shame that the Rock Jumper didn't catch on. I guess it was a solution to a problem that was indeed too small?

sal

[Manixguy@1994]

A shame that the Rock Jumper didn't catch on. I guess it was a solution to a problem that was indeed too small?

sal

Rock Jumper is a great knife in both configurations . I think possibly timing and competing with other Wharncliffe blades in similar size made competition tough for a new model . I definitely would be open to the planned larger models that have been suggested for future release . Using the Rock Jumper reminds me of a Stretch without a choil and just as comfortable. Glad I have the design , I have six of this blade style from sprints to other FRN and I don’t hesitate grabbing the Rock Jumper . MG2

[mikey177]

Like others, I use my wharnies for things I would use a box cutter for. They also get used a lot in the yard for weed removal, pruning and such.

Also, this thread needs more wharnie pics
wharnies 07.jpg

Wow! That's a lot of Wharncliffes!! AAAND I found the Rockjumper!

The wharnie is my favorite blade shape.

I'm still looking for discontinued models like the Centofante 4 and Q-Ball to add to the collection.

The Rockjumper gets a lot of use in the backyard.

[SpeedHoles]

Like others, I use my wharnies for things I would use a box cutter for. They also get used a lot in the yard for weed removal, pruning and such.

Also, this thread needs more wharnie pics
wharnies 07.jpg

Wow! That's a lot of Wharncliffes!! AAAND I found the Rockjumper!

The wharnie is my favorite blade shape.

I'm still looking for discontinued models like the Centofante 4 and Q-Ball to add to the collection.

The Rockjumper gets a lot of use in the backyard.

The Q-Ball is a great one, I really like that design, I've actually got one sitting on a table near me right now. But that said, the lockball is kind of slick to actuate and it is quite wide in-pocket when folded. But don't let that discourage your search, it's a fun knife.

[JMM]

Wharnies are awesome. SE Wharnies are light sabers for many tasks.

[knivesandbooks]

Wharncliffe, sheepsfoot, ramsfoot, etc are the most useful blade shapes for just pocket knife to cut whatever, imo. I don’t like them as a work knife for what I use my work knives for. But just cutting packages, opening plastic shell, even just cutting an apple, I like flat edge. Prefer smaller wharncliffe blades 3” or less, personally. Longer ones feel more unwieldy and iirc the original wharncliffe traditional knives were a smaller pattern. With Spyderco, the serrated wharncliffe models are cutting beasts, very aggressive. Wharncliffe blades are also easy to sharpen.

Curious what types of cutting you do at work that wharncliffes aren't suited for.

Prefer something with a bit of belly or a tanto for work. Tantos are nice if you have to do some scraping. Don’t use my knives as screwdrivers or pry bars but for what I do they are multi tools. Also nice having a stouter tip on a work knife. All my wharncliffe blades from traditional GEC’s to Spyderco have precise and delicate tips. It’s easier for me to sharpen blade edge than unblunt a tip after having to do an emergency cut against metal or concrete. That might be a sharpening skill issue but is what it is. Right now I’ve been lugging an AD10 and a serrated Native 5 around. Thinking about condensing to a serrated Pacific Salt here soon.

[dullmaker]

Any wharncliffe in k390 works for me on most tasks. Great workhorse of a knife at great prices.

[T-1000]

Hard to believe the SE wharncliffe Endura didn’t catch on. This thing is an absolute cutting machine.

[Brock O Lee]

I have this Delica K390 and a PM2 Cruwear for garage-type chores. I often reach for the wharnie, this time it was to sharpen my pencil.

[Evil D]

This comes down to two scenarios for me:

1. Cutting things in mid air, as if you're holding in your off hand making the cut.

2. Cutting things against another surface.


Wharnies have no problem with 1, and in fact I'd say oftentimes have an advantage because material will slip off a wharnie less than it will off a blade with a belly and especially one with a lot of upsweep at the tip. Wharnies are awesome at pull cuts and that's very common with mid air cuts.

With surface cuts we're talking about cutting boards or any scenario where you need to get the edge flatter against the material being cut, and this includes skinning game. Basically you're probably not holding the material mid air, and you need the edge to contact the material before and/or moreso than the tip.

An exception to this is an X-Acto knife or other utility blade, where fine detailed cuts using just a sharp tip are an advantage to a wharnie, particularly when it comes to ergonomics. You can do this style cut with an upswept belly but you need to hold the blade in a less comfortable position to do it.

Even with cutting boards there are straight edged choppers, and you might be able to do that with a knife like a Yojimbo 2 or Yojumbo, so it's not absolutely pro or con in every situation.

I find that the majority of cuts I make are the type 1 mid air stuff, so I've never had much frustration with carrying a wharnie, but I do prefer a slight amount of belly like you see on a Caribbean sheepsfoot or an Endura. This is an edge shape that Spyderco do really well, having just a little bit of curve to the edge makes those cutting board cuts a little easier.

I think my all time longest carry knife is an Autonomy 1, followed by some variation of the Military 1.

A wild card to this whole debate is negative blade angle, because they tend to allow belly blades to pull cut more aggressively. I couldn't get along with an Ayoob without the wild blade angle.