All About Pocket Knives

jerryd6818 wrote:In a series of posts, I will be examining the history of specific innovations and evolutions in the knife community.

jerryd--I think this is a BRILLIANT idea. I heartily support, enthusiastically encourage and ardently applaud your ambitious undertaking and can't help but think that the information you propose to present is something every serious knife collector (or even a cutlery enthusiast of any degree) would find essential, informative and interesting. Surely even the 'weekend hobbyists' would like to know what it is they've got and perhaps even why the knives they're drawn to "call out" to them...for whatever reason.

It's undoubtedly a daunting undertaking in relentless research combined with years of meticulous (one might even say obsessive) first-hand experience and determined, detailed documentation with a vast assortment of patterns, verified historical (and anecdotal) evidence and even potential discrepancies in the "official" historical record (you may want to include citations to other research references).

This could even turn out to be an article that Tom "bestgear" might consider for publication.

~Q~

jerry you have given us a wonderful exposition. Thank you very much. Looking forward to the next one.

Thanks for sharing Lord Jerry!!

QTCut5 wrote:

jerryd6818 wrote:In a series of posts, I will be examining the history of specific innovations and evolutions in the knife community.

jerryd--I think this is a BRILLIANT idea. I heartily support, enthusiastically encourage and ardently applaud your ambitious undertaking and can't help but think that the information you propose to present is something every serious knife collector (or even a cutlery enthusiast of any degree) would find essential, informative and interesting. Surely even the 'weekend hobbyists' would like to know what it is they've got and perhaps even why the knives they're drawn to "call out" to them...for whatever reason.

It's undoubtedly a daunting undertaking in relentless research combined with years of meticulous (one might even say obsessive) first-hand experience and determined, detailed documentation with a vast assortment of patterns, verified historical (and anecdotal) evidence and even potential discrepancies in the "official" historical record (you may want to include citations to other research references).

This could even turn out to be an article that Tom "bestgear" might consider for publication.

~Q~

No, no, no. Slow down there stud. You missed the very first line in my post. Except for the first line, that entire post is a copy of some dudes Blog. That wasn't me taking on a gargantuan task like that. It were him, whoever 'him' is. I humbly apologize for not making that clear.

So, if "Wharncliffe" initially referred to a specific blade profile, I wonder at what point (and why) it subsequently became synonymous with a particular frame style as well?

I know there's been some discussion on this issue previously on AAPK, but I don't recall ever reading a definitive answer.

~Q~

QTCut5 wrote:So, if "Wharncliffe" initially referred to a specific blade profile, I wonder at what point (and why) it subsequently became synonymous with a particular frame style as well?

I know there's been some discussion on this issue previously on AAPK, but I don't recall ever reading a definitive answer.

~Q~

~Q~ my friend, I think it best you take an anti-OCD tab because I very seriously doubt there is a "definitive answer".

There was an article written in the June 2018 issue of "Knife Magazine" covering the history of the Wharncliffe knife.
Basically, both the blade and handle shape together create a true Wharncliffe knife.
Here is a "Wilds" Wharncliffe model from circa 1850 along with a few catalog illustrations from around the turn of the twentieth century.

Here are three cuts from around 20's,Western cut is from 1921 catalog. There it is ,do with it as you see fit. Notice "Whorncliffe" in all three cuts.

1. Enderes
2. Utica I think made the Western and probably the Enderes
3. Western States

Beautiful old knife, Mason!

This Challenge is the only vintage Wharncliffe I have in the collection.

that is a beauty, John, great stag!

John that indeed is one beautiful wharncliffe Whittler and the stag is incredible

Duffer wrote:John that indeed is one beautiful wharncliffe Whittler and the stag is incredible

danno50 wrote:that is a beauty, John, great stag!

Lloyd,Dan, thank you very much.

Wow John R, what a beauty.

Nice old wharncliffe Neal ... the blade stamp is really !!! I haven’t seen too many with that stamp - beautiful handles too ... I enjoyed your wharncliffe article ... I think over the years the term wharncliffe was used in different ways - some ads for wharncliffe handles and other blades as Lyle showed... I guess the original intent morphed over time as it has with other knife styles ... or is it like what is a true whittler to a small extent at least these days....

Thanks for sharing those catalog cuts Lyle

John - That is a beautiful example ... I watched that one on eBay very closely ... I think Jay had posted it as well for verification of it being a Challenge... definitely one of the nicest Challenge knives I have seen

That is one beautiful knife John. Thanks for sharing it!!

What a beautiful knife, Neal. No bolster at the main blade and still intact after these long years. Pretty cool.

John, your knife is really special. I agree with Lee. It's one of the most beautiful Challenge knives I have seen.

John, That's a beautiful Challenge. The stag on that knife is incredible.
Neal, the Wilds Wharncliffe is a real beauty. Super rare, have you ever seen another from this maker?
Thanks for sharing.

Been carrying this CRKT PECK lately

A little Miller Bros Pearl watch Fob. It's 2 1/8" closed.

This Beretta 580 Sport Knife lays on the table beside my chair, on standby for any cutting duties that may arise. Gifted to me a year ago by ~Q~, thank you very much you kind generous soul. A sibling I'm quite fond of.

John Westons Celebrated Cutlery. Stag handles 3" closed. German? English? American? Can't find any info on this Maker.

Peter Hendrichs & Grah. 3 1/2" closed. According to Goins 1922 to 1926.....What would you call this pattern?

Jonathan Crookes Stag. 3 9/16" closed.