It's Wharncliffe Wednesday!

[QTCut5]

I had an unusual incident with a Wharncliffe I bought recently that Charlie's question brought to mind (this incident only concerns a Wharncliffe blade, though, not a Wharncliffe frame). Some years back I purchased a Rough Ryder RR2181 Wharncliffe Swayback with blue denim Micarta handle scales that I had modified by BIGHEAD Barry with Amber Stag.

I really liked the knife and decided to get another one to keep in abeyance for a future modification project.

This is the knife that arrived:

As soon as I opened the box I saw that something was wrong with the blade on this brand new RR2181.....it didn't look the same as my first one, in fact, it didn't even look like a Wharncliffe at all

Side by side comparison of the two identical models revealed an obvious difference

IMO, the slight upsweep at the tip totally changed the blade from a Wharncliffe to something else.....not sure exactly what you'd call it, spear? tribal? modified Wharncliffe?

I haven't purchased very many Rough Ryders, but this one was the first (and only) RR I've ever gotten that had a factory error. To be fair, the knife was still fully functional, and no doubt still would have made a decent user. But, I specifically wanted a Wharncliffe blade, so of course I had to return it. I wonder if any of you Wharncliffe fan boys would have done any different

[Dinadan]

Very nice old Waterville, Woodwalker. That knife looks like it saw some serious use.

Kevin - four great looking Schatt & Morgans!

Q - That is an interesting comparison of the two Rough Ryders. I tend construe nomenclature rather strictly, so I completely agree with you that the second RR is not a Wharncliffe. I realize that I have posted three knives in this thread that really had Sheepsfoot blades, so maybe I am not as strict as all that. When I am altering a tipped blade, I have wondered about the exact amount of curvature along the back of the blade that will separate a Sheepsfoot from a Wharncliffe. But the straight cutting edge is a defining feature.

I did not know that there is a Wharncliff knife frame, I always thought that it is a blade pattern. I get to learn new stuff posting here, so enlighten me.

Wow: I get to enlighten!
The Wharncliffe frame could be described as a serpentine sleeveboard.
Charlie, if you were looking through old knife catalogs from a hundred years ago, you might see a knife advertised as a Wharncliffe, and then it would describe the blades. Here is an example. Unfortunately I did not record the source of this image: it was just one of many knives on a catalog page.

Whorncliffe1a.jpg (53.78 KiB) Viewed 1578 times

I do not know when Wharncliffe fell out of common usage for the frame. I still like it since no other term has replaced it for that particular frame. The four knives I posted today all have Wharncliffe frames, as do the knives FRJ and Woodwalker posted. Here is another old catalog image, this one from 1921

Worncliffe_1921a.jpg (50.38 KiB) Viewed 1578 times

[Sasquach]

Very nice old Waterville, Woodwalker. That knife looks like it saw some serious use.

Kevin - four great looking Schatt & Morgans!

Q - That is an interesting comparison of the two Rough Ryders. I tend construe nomenclature rather strictly, so I completely agree with you that the second RR is not a Wharncliffe. I realize that I have posted three knives in this thread that really had Sheepsfoot blades, so maybe I am not as strict as all that. When I am altering a tipped blade, I have wondered about the exact amount of curvature along the back of the blade that will separate a Sheepsfoot from a Wharncliffe. But the straight cutting edge is a defining feature.

I did not know that there is a Wharncliff knife frame, I always thought that it is a blade pattern. I get to learn new stuff posting here, so enlighten me.

Wow: I get to enlighten!
The Wharncliffe frame could be described as a serpentine sleeveboard.
Charlie, if you were looking through old knife catalogs from a hundred years ago, you might see a knife advertised as a Wharncliffe, and then it would describe the blades. Here is an example. Unfortunately I did not record the source of this image: it was just one of many knives on a catalog page.
Whorncliffe1a.jpg
I do not know when Wharncliffe fell out of common usage for the frame. I still like it since no other term has replaced it for that particular frame. The four knives I posted today all have Wharncliffe frames, as do the knives FRJ and Woodwalker posted. Here is another old catalog image, this one from 1921Worncliffe_1921a.jpg

Mel, that's very interesting. That looks very similar to the Case Seahorse whittler pattern, which is the one Wharncliffe bladed knife I am familiar with. Thank you for the knowledge. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

[knifeaddict1965]

As soon as I opened the box I saw that something was wrong with the blade on this brand new RR2181.....it didn't look the same as my first one, in fact, it didn't even look like a Wharncliffe at all

Side by side comparison of the two identical models revealed an obvious difference

IMO, the slight upsweep at the tip totally changed the blade from a Wharncliffe to something else.....not sure exactly what you'd call it, spear? tribal? modified Wharncliffe?

I haven't purchased very many Rough Ryders, but this one was the first (and only) RR I've ever gotten that had a factory error. To be fair, the knife was still fully functional, and no doubt still would have made a decent user. But, I specifically wanted a Wharncliffe blade, so of course I had to return it. I wonder if any of you Wharncliffe fan boys would have done any different

Amazing how such a minor change to a blade can totally change the appearance. I wouldn't have been happy with that one either and agree that you should have returned it.

Great show today fellas! Here are a few Pinks to close out Wharncliffe Wednesday.

[QTCut5]

I have wondered about the exact amount of curvature along the back of the blade that will separate a Sheepsfoot from a Wharncliffe. But the straight cutting edge is a defining feature.

Since they both have the straight cutting edge, the degree of steepness of the spine curve to the tip seems to be the detail that separates a Wharncliffe from a Sheepsfoot. I have always just eyed the curve and made my own determination, but not everyone agrees on exactly what degree of slope a Sheepsfoot becomes a Wharncliffe.

Here's one from my archive that I always felt was a Sheepsfoot, but others have called a Wharncliffe

[woodwalker]

Very nice old Waterville, Woodwalker. That knife looks like it saw some serious use.

Kevin - four great looking Schatt & Morgans!

Q - That is an interesting comparison of the two Rough Ryders. I tend construe nomenclature rather strictly, so I completely agree with you that the second RR is not a Wharncliffe. I realize that I have posted three knives in this thread that really had Sheepsfoot blades, so maybe I am not as strict as all that. When I am altering a tipped blade, I have wondered about the exact amount of curvature along the back of the blade that will separate a Sheepsfoot from a Wharncliffe. But the straight cutting edge is a defining feature.

I did not know that there is a Wharncliff knife frame, I always thought that it is a blade pattern. I get to learn new stuff posting here, so enlighten me.

Wow: I get to enlighten!
The Wharncliffe frame could be described as a serpentine sleeveboard.
Charlie, if you were looking through old knife catalogs from a hundred years ago, you might see a knife advertised as a Wharncliffe, and then it would describe the blades. Here is an example. Unfortunately I did not record the source of this image: it was just one of many knives on a catalog page.
Whorncliffe1a.jpg
I do not know when Wharncliffe fell out of common usage for the frame. I still like it since no other term has replaced it for that particular frame. The four knives I posted today all have Wharncliffe frames, as do the knives FRJ and Woodwalker posted. Here is another old catalog image, this one from 1921Worncliffe_1921a.jpg

Thanks Mel.

[Reverand]

I had an unusual incident with a Wharncliffe I bought recently that Charlie's question brought to mind (this incident only concerns a Wharncliffe blade, though, not a Wharncliffe frame). Some years back I purchased a Rough Ryder RR2181 Wharncliffe Swayback with blue denim Micarta handle scales that I had modified by BIGHEAD Barry with Amber Stag.

I really liked the knife and decided to get another one to keep in abeyance for a future modification project.

This is the knife that arrived:
IMG_0305.JPGIMG_0310.JPG


As soon as I opened the box I saw that something was wrong with the blade on this brand new RR2181.....it didn't look the same as my first one, in fact, it didn't even look like a Wharncliffe at all

Side by side comparison of the two identical models revealed an obvious difference
IMG_0309.JPGIMG_0308.JPG


IMO, the slight upsweep at the tip totally changed the blade from a Wharncliffe to something else.....not sure exactly what you'd call it, spear? tribal? modified Wharncliffe?
IMG_0238.JPGIMG_0239.JPG


I haven't purchased very many Rough Ryders, but this one was the first (and only) RR I've ever gotten that had a factory error. To be fair, the knife was still fully functional, and no doubt still would have made a decent user. But, I specifically wanted a Wharncliffe blade, so of course I had to return it. I wonder if any of you Wharncliffe fan boys would have done any different

My guess is that somebody got careless when grinding. I would call it a drop-point now.

[Gtrclktr-351]

I had an unusual incident with a Wharncliffe I bought recently that Charlie's question brought to mind (this incident only concerns a Wharncliffe blade, though, not a Wharncliffe frame). Some years back I purchased a Rough Ryder RR2181 Wharncliffe Swayback with blue denim Micarta handle scales that I had modified by BIGHEAD Barry with Amber Stag.

I really liked the knife and decided to get another one to keep in abeyance for a future modification project.

This is the knife that arrived:
IMG_0305.JPGIMG_0310.JPG


As soon as I opened the box I saw that something was wrong with the blade on this brand new RR2181.....it didn't look the same as my first one, in fact, it didn't even look like a Wharncliffe at all

Side by side comparison of the two identical models revealed an obvious difference
IMG_0309.JPGIMG_0308.JPG


IMO, the slight upsweep at the tip totally changed the blade from a Wharncliffe to something else.....not sure exactly what you'd call it, spear? tribal? modified Wharncliffe?
IMG_0238.JPGIMG_0239.JPG


I haven't purchased very many Rough Ryders, but this one was the first (and only) RR I've ever gotten that had a factory error. To be fair, the knife was still fully functional, and no doubt still would have made a decent user. But, I specifically wanted a Wharncliffe blade, so of course I had to return it. I wonder if any of you Wharncliffe fan boys would have done any different

That first RR was a really nice-looking knife that BIGHEAD turned into a beautiful knife. The second RR, though nice, is definitely not a Wharncliffe.

[QTCut5]

Mahalo, Bill And, yes, Reverend, I think Drop Point would be an accurate description of that ill-ground Wharncliffe blade.

[QTCut5]

Like manna from heaven, this RoseCraft Clinch River arrived in my mailbox on WW eve, a very generous 'Bomb' from Sasquach, possibly in retaliation for me practically forcing him to post his Buck Canoose Wharnoe a few weeks ago

[Sasquach]

Like manna from heaven, this RoseCraft Clinch River arrived in my mailbox on WW eve, a very generous 'Bomb' from Sasquach, possibly in retaliation for me practically forcing him to post his Buck Canoose Wharnoe a few weeks ago

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction or somethin' like that.

[Dinadan]

Beautiful Rosecraft, Q! I really like the curvature of the back of that blade.

Here is a Rough Ryder that just arrived at my place. It is a pretty substantial knife, four inches closed.

[knifeaddict1965]

Cool RoseCraft Clinch River Swayback, Q! A very generous gift from Sasquatch Charlie!
Nice RR Wharnie, Mel! I really like that shield and the threaded bolsters on that one. I have always liked the satin/matte finished steel with black scales as well.

I'll post a variety of green Mini-Ts in preparation for the upcoming St. Patrick's Day holiday.

[Lansky1]

Kevin - very nice stash of green Case wharnies !!

[QTCut5]

Here is a Rough Ryder that just arrived at my place. It is a pretty substantial knife, four inches closed.

Mel, ever since I first saw the Rough Ryder Reserve Quillcliffe I thought it looked a lot like the China Queen Sawcut Wharncliffe. Even wondered if perhaps they were both made on the same frame at the same factory But, the Queen measures only 3 5/8”, so as similar as they seem, I now see they are not quite as identical as I had thought.

[QTCut5]

a variety of green Mini-Ts in preparation for the upcoming St. Patrick's Day holiday.

Let’s see how many I can identify:
Pine Trees
Emerald x2
Olive
Bermuda x3
Lime

I think you should be pretty well covered for St Paddy’s Day, Kevin

[Dinadan]

Mel, ever since I first saw the Rough Ryder Reserve Quillcliffe I thought it looked a lot like the China Queen Sawcut Wharncliffe. Even wondered if perhaps they were both made on the same frame at the same factory But, the Queen measures only 3 5/8”, so as similar as they seem, I now see they are not quite as identical as I had thought.

I thought exactly the same, that the RR would be the same as the Queen. I thought that the Queen name was owned by Frost, but I have noticed that RR is making a RR branded teardrop peanut that appears identical to a Queen branded peanut, so I am confused about who owns what. The RR is a very nice knife: blade has a good snap but not a nail breaker, blade perfectly centered in the well, perfect run up, is that the term(?) where the back of the blade meets the spring when open. My only quibble is that the blade could be 3/8" longer and still fit into the well.

[knifeaddict1965]

Kevin - very nice stash of green Case wharnies !!

a variety of green Mini-Ts in preparation for the upcoming St. Patrick's Day holiday.

Let’s see how many I can identify:
Pine Trees
Emerald x2
Olive
Bermuda x3
Lime

I think you should be pretty well covered for St Paddy’s Day, Kevin

Mahalo John & Q!
I think you got them all right except the 3rd one down may be Green Apple, but it does look similar to some of the Olive Greens they do.

[QTCut5]

the 3rd one down may be Green Apple, but it does look similar to some of the Olive Greens they do.

Ah yes, I forgot about Green Apple....I should've known better because Case never made a 07W in Olive Green

For the record, here's an Olive Green 028 Teardrop....unfortunately, it's not a 028W

[QTCut5]

Since I started off this week’s WW with a new Stag Wharnie, I think it’s fitting to close it out with some Stag Wharnies from my archives

[knifeaddict1965]

Since I started off this week’s WW with a new Stag Wharnie, I think it’s fitting to close it out with some Stag Wharnies from my archives

Talk about a MIC DROP! Great way to close out Q-Cliffe Wednesday.

[Dinadan]

I'll post a variety of green Mini-Ts in preparation for the upcoming St. Patrick's Day holiday.

Great seasonal post, Kevin. Just seeing those makes me want a green beer.

Q - nice lot of stag to finish off a Wednesday.

[QTCut5]

Like clockwork, another Wednesday has arrived right on schedule. I don't know about anyone else, but for me Wednesday is the most anticipated day and the highlight of my week because it means it's time for another installment of Wharncliffe Wednesday I always look forward to seeing the variety of Wharnies posted by others as well as rummaging through my collection and archives to select one or two of mine to show.

This week I chose a custom Wharncliffe Swayback made in South Africa by Gavin Margrate. I really like the dyed Giraffe Bone handle and red liners on this one. It has a bear trap gator snap and bank vault lockup

[tvic]

Dang! A whole bunch of beauties, Q!
This is one I just got.

[Dinadan]

It has a bear trap gator snap and bank vault lockup

Camelopardalis knife, Q. It sounds as if it might be a bit too tough for me!


I also look forward to seeing the knives posted on Wednesday. This week I am submitting a U S Classic.