Wharncliffe Knives

[wlf]

Sorry,I have none to sell, they occasionally come up on the aftermarkets.

[Mason]

Lee ,I was honored Bill Howard wanted to do it,I had mentioned it,but he instigated it a year or so after we had met.

I was born in this little house on the front label,taken from these pictures. That was Papaw and Mamaw Fry's home-place up the holler. Me and Daddy down by the creek fish'n, which we did a lot... I only have one memory before Daddy started taking me fish'n,and it's so early you wouldn't believe it.

Daddy and Papaw Fry could crouch like that all day long,a trait I didn't get. I grin

I enjoyed the labeling probably more than the knife itself,but I liked the rendition. Thanks again Bill.

Very cool!!!
Great concept knife and wonderful to see the family pictures and history.

[wlf]

Thanks buddy

[RobesonsRme.com]

A Google search turned up several ads, but the knives were no longer available.

Maybe it would be prudent to do another run?

Charlie

[jerryd6818]

Charlie I get the impression it's specifically Lyle's Lick Creek Farmer's Jack you're looking for. I ask because if it's just the pattern you're looking for, there were several others made and some of those are still out there and available. Several, I think, on KSF.

[RobesonsRme.com]

KSF?

I sawseveral listed, two with smooth white bone and one jigged brown bone (my favorite). All were out of stock.

I did not see a listing for anything I recall as fitting that abbrviation.

Give me a link.

And yes,I should have bought one when Lyle made them available.

Charlie

[jerryd6818]

I'm sorry. I assume too often. KSF = Knives Ship Free

I don't know if this even interests you but there are plenty of #38 John Chapmans left. Same knife, they just weren't made for Lyle.
https://www.knivesshipfree.com/great-eastern-cutler-38/

[RobesonsRme.com]

I looked at one of Lyle's Lick Crick knives on Knives Ship Free, they were out of stock.

Charli

[jerryd6818]

Yeah. That's why I mentioned the Chapman's. They are in stock. But of course they may not interest you.

[QTCut5]

I have to say I called 2 spring whittlers with a wedge a split spring whittler at one time - I wash't aware at that time that a true split spring whittler as discussed above was exactly that - a spring which had been split - I also came to learn that finding a true split spring whittler is a tough thing to do

Back to the issue of what constitutes a true "Split Backspring Whittler" that was brought up earlier...here is a perfect example of why there is confusion on exactly what that nomenclature refers to:

split backspring whittler.jpg (9.45 KiB) Viewed 4772 times

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Case-PEARL-Spli ... SwgApW-vaH

Notice that Case calls this knife a "Split Backspring Whittler" on the COA. Even though the seller doesn't include a photo of the backspring in the listing, I have seen other examples of this same knife and it actually has 2 backsprings, not one that is split part of the length and left in one single piece the rest of the length.

The only reason I can imagine why a 2-spring whittler like this Case (as well as most of the 3-blade whittlers available nowadays) is often referred to as a split backspring is because the master blade uses both springs, hence, the springs function together in unison as a single spring, while the secondary blades each use only 1 of the springs, thus, the function of the backspring(s) is "split" between them.

~Q~

[FRJ]

I think we're picking the fly s... out of the pepper here boys. Most of us know what is meant when we refer to a split backspring whittler.

I'd love to see a spring that was actually split and fashioned from one spring.

[gsmith7158]

Perfect explanation Q. I have seen pictures of a couple of true splitsprings on BladeForums but never in person. The design was apparently abandoned about 150 years ago in favor of the two spring system. If anyone here on AAPK has one of the true whittlers, please show it off. I would love to see it.

[jerryd6818]

I too have seen pictures. I don't know how they did it because on the split part there is only a few thousandths between the two springs. It didn't look like you could slide a piece of paper down in that crack. As Joe said, "we're picking the fly s... out of the pepper" but then what else do we old guys have to do?

[carrmillus]

I think we're picking the fly s... out of the pepper here boys. Most of us know what is meant when we refer to a split backspring whittler.

I'd love to see a spring that was actually split and fashioned from one spring.

......me, too, frj!!!!................ ...........................

[QTCut5]

Thank You, Greg.

I think we're picking the fly s... out of the pepper here boys. Most of us know what is meant when we refer to a split backspring whittler.

Sorry to waste your time picking out the "fly s...," FRJ; naturally, you're free to enjoy your spices however it suits you, but personally, I prefer my pepper fly-s...-free. Besides, just because you think "most of us know what is meant when we refer to a split backspring whittler" doesn't mean it's not worth discussing. If that were the case, "most of us" wouldn't have anything to talk about and there would be no need for this forum at all. As jerryd said, "What else do we old guys have to do?"

If there's one thing I have learned on AAPK, it's that I don't know nearly as much about knives as I once thought I did. So, whenever I have the opportunity to share something I have learned that might also help others, I am eager to do so. There are many members who are not as knowledgeable on certain knife-related details as others are, that's why we all strive to patiently share what we know with each other and why those seeking knowledge, clarification or deeper understanding about anything knife-related feel comfortable asking for answers even to ("dumb") questions that may seem basic, obvious or elementary to those with more experience. Please don't discourage this delicate trust by suggesting such exchange is insignificant or tedious. It's exactly that "most of us" attitude that can lead to the perception of AAPK being too "cliquish"
(see: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=47227).

Just a gentle reminder.

Aloha,
~Q~

[Another Knife Collector]

I used to have a true split backspring tiny hawk bill jack knife of all things. It had a tiny sheepsfoot or hawkbill blade and a quill/pen blade and had a horn handle. It was under 2 inches long. I think it was a custom order from a cutler for an unknown specific purpose. No idea why one would make a split backspring jack, but it was so. Maybe just a show of quality. Levine confirmed its age and was interested enough in it to feature it in a Whut-Izzit column in knife world a few years back. He couldn't figure out what it was used for either. In a time when money was tight for me I regretfully sold it on ebay for far less than it was worth. I posted it on this site but can't find the post.

[LongBlade]

I would love to see one too... in fact I know there is one out there somewhere ... BTW - other than the jack just noted by Another Knife Collector - was a "true" split spring used on any other knife springs for any other patterns?

and on another note - Joe - you will have to teach me how to pick the fly s... out of the pepper - now that is some skill and my eyes are not that good

and finally and all in jest - I think I will rename this thread "Wharncliffe Knives - And anything else related you want to discuss" ...

[FRJ]

Why Q, you have reached a significant plateau over fly s..!

When you come down know that, from my little spot on earth, I don't need any reminders in any form from you or anyone else.

[QTCut5]

OK, Joe..I'll try to remember that...but you may need to (gently) remind me every now and then since I suffer from CRC (Can't Remember Crap)!


~Q~

[RobesonsRme.com]

So, do the preceding few notes explain my cravings for sweets after seasoning my meal with black pepper?

Curious.

Charlie Noyes

[carrmillus]

OK, Joe..I'll try to remember that...but you may need to (gently) remind me every now and then since I suffer from CRC (Can't Remember Crap)!


~Q~

...........Q, is that a mild form of CRS???................. ....................

[gsmith7158]

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showt ... Request%29
Here are some pictures of true split springs. You can view them at the link.

[FRJ]

It's great to see pictures of those springs, Gregg. Good post.
Too bad they didn't show a tang stamp or mention a maker.

[gsmith7158]

Joe those knives are fully explained on that link to BladeForums

[wlf]

Thanks Greg,I knew I had seen them somewhere.

Here's the double spring(no split) that I erroneously thought was the "true split spring until closer examination.

Western Cutlery Co by Wiebusch and Hilger(F Wiebusch bought BJ Eyre's Sheffield Challenge trademark ,then opened Challenge Razor Works Bridgeport ,then bought Hatch Cutlery, then moved into Hatch's Bridgeport factory and became Challenge Cutlery Bridgeport Conn

Here's the pressed stag German version ,Challenge and B J Eyre related whittler.I've always heard that the little underlined o in Co. was a sign of an old stamp.