CRKT Has Reimagined The Squid II With Their New Carbon Fiber Version Of The Beloved EDC Folder.
The Squid line of folding knives is one of the most beloved in the cutlery world. CRKT has given the classic a new look with the Squid II Carbon Fiber.
The Italian-made knife features a 2.68-inch blade made from Bohler M390 steel, designed for edge retention and to resist wear, and treated to a 59-61 HRC. The satin finish gives the knife a clean, elegant look. The steel is connected to the carbon fiber handle and stays securely in place via a liner lock, which is the first liner lock on a knife in the Squid line.
Even with the carbon fiber handle, the knife has a nice bit of heft at 4.9 ounces. As you would expect from the Squid line, nothing was forgotten. The new Carbon Fiber is an excellent addition to the Squid line.
Custom Flipping Folders Are Becoming More And More Popular By The Day. These Are Some Of The Coolest Custom Flippers.
The energy surrounding the custom flipper folder market is rising to new heights these days with the fit and finish, good looks and liveliness of high-quality materials, incredible skill, and, best of all, imagination.
A look at the current trends among some of the best in the class offers the custom knife market perspective on the future while also allowing a moment to appreciate and absorb the excellence around us. The commitment to make flipper folders isn’t taken lightly; it involves a concentrated effort to achieve, meet, and overcome the challenges in bringing this type of custom knife to life.
Dan Thornburg – Albuquerque, NM
Of his flipper folders Dan Thornburg said, “Little things like the cutout on the lockbar or depth of bearing pockets all affect how smooth the action will be.” The blade is Moku-Mai by Baker Forge and the handle is ancient walrus ivory. Closed length: 5 inches. His price for a similar knife: $2,000. (Image: SharpByCoop)
“I really enjoy making flipper folders because of the challenge they present in both mechanical function and working with different materials,” explained Dan Thornburg of Albuquerque, New Mexico. “I like figuring out how things work or why something doesn’t.”
Thornburg got started in flipper folders after meeting Paul Lusk at a Houston knife show years ago. “This guy is one of the smartest people I’ve ever met and is one heck of a good businessman,” Dan said of Paul. “His encouragement helped my knifemaking get to the next level.”
Evidence of that next level is readily apparent in Dan’s flipper in a handle of ancient walrus ivory with damascus bolsters. Made by Baker Forge, the blade material is Moku-Mai—mokume forge welded over 80CrV2 carbon steel. Dan said it’s not unlike a san-mai construction using mokume. The product of his ingenuity reflects an intense technical appreciation.
“I don’t think I’ve changed the design as much as refined the design,” he reasoned. “Little things like the cutout on the lockbar or depth of bearing pockets all affect how smooth the action will be. I do try to keep it simple and not reinvent the wheel, so to speak.”
Thornburg succeeds handsomely in his mission, paying close attention to detail and applying a natural talent for precision. He indicated he likes the flipper tab to double as a single guard and fashions it with the same material as the blade. Then, he advises the owners of his flipper folders to learn their safe operation.
“I think, just like most things, operating a flipper folder is a learned thing,” he said. “The more you flip it open, the easier it becomes. My dad still couldn’t open the best and smoothest folder I’ve made—too old school I guess! For someone that owns and loves flippers, most will fly open.”
Eliot Maldonado – Bulverde, TX
“Having a shorter tab is easier on pockets and looks cleaner,” Eliot Maldonado stated. “When the knife is closed, the tab doubles as a guard, but it is still short enough so that it does not ‘ouch’ your finger when closing.” His flipper employs a tanto blade of Moku-Mai by Baker Forge Steel and a marbled-carbon-fiber handle and Micarta® bolsters. Closed length: 4 inches. (Image: SharpByCoop)
Eliot Maldonado of Bulverde, Texas, started his custom knifemaking career making slip joints and then saw an opportunity. About 15 years ago, he had helped knifemaking friend Alan Davis work with slippies, and Davis assisted Maldonado with linerlocks in turn.
“Soon after, and knowing the function of linerlocks, I experimented with flippers,” Eliot explained. “It was a successful outcome and the passion for flippers started.”
Eliot’s flipper in Baker Forge damascus, a Micarta® bolster, and a marbled carbon-fiber handle demonstrate his appreciation of the finer points in the endeavor. His use of materials has also progressed from the early days. Back then he used basics just in case something went wrong. As he has become more proficient, upgrades to higher-quality blade and handle materials followed.
“I also started changing up patterns, those patterns that appealed to me,” Maldonado said, “like, I enjoy making folders with a classic kind of western—cowboy—look but still make more traditional tactical-type flippers as well.”
Eliot pays special attention to the flipper tab, applying a technique that enhances the action of blade deployment.
“Of course, the use of bearings changes the game when it comes to flippers, and I like a shorter tab with a checkering or ridge for traction. I feel having a shorter tab is easier on pockets and looks cleaner. When the knife is closed, the tab doubles as a guard, but it is still short enough so that it does not ‘ouch’ your finger when closing.”
Eliot is a firm believer in the assertive action of a flipper folder, and he makes no apologies for being a purist.
“I believe a flipper should snap to open position when flicked by a finger,” he related. “Anything other than that is just not acceptable to me. The way I achieve that is by using caged bearings, stop pin position, the liner relief cut, and the perfect tolerance on the blade and back spacer. The result should be a fast opening with zero blade play and strong lockup.”
Todd Rexford – Florissant, CO
Todd Rexford’s futuristic flipper folder features a stainless damascus blade and a handle of DarkTi zirconium and titanium overlays. The overlays extend into the inside of the frame, while the mechanism features an inlaid lockbar and detent pin. Closed length: 4.6 inches. (Image: SharpByCoop)
The flipper folder genre has changed since Todd Rexford of Florissant, Colorado, began his journey some years ago. He credits demand as the catalyst for focusing his creativity on flipper folders.
“They were in their infancy when I started making them,” he commented. “There were some very good makers doing it, but back then the thumb stud still ruled the folder world. It was really my customers that wanted me to start making them, and I had ideas for my own flippers as well, for what I wanted to see and what the way forward was for my knives.”
The way forward for Todd is clearly indicated by a fine flipper folder of stainless damascus with a handle of DarkTi zirconium and titanium overlays. The overlays extend into the inside of the frame, while the mechanism features a hardened stainless pivot, inlaid lockbar, and detent pin with the Rexford radius bearing system integrated. A titanium pocket clip and back spacer complete the stunning package.
Todd sees the operation of the flipper folder as a critical element of the overall presentation, but hesitates to favor fully opening vs. more of an assisted movement.
“I don’t judge,” he offered. “If a wrist snap is needed, then so be it. We can’t forget that when I make a stiff-detent lockbar flipper, you won’t be able to open it slowly. It will open with authority and everyone around you will hear it. This goes to show that each detent force has its own place depending on the end users and their task requirements.”
Nonetheless, the smooth operation of the flipper folder is a hallmark of a successfully completed professional effort.
“The detent force, and how much preload you can place on the system before it overcomes the detent, is one factor that determines if the knife will fully open or not,” Rexford asserted.
“The other factor is the person and his or her finger,” he continued. “Through my years of building flippers, I’ve built everything on the spectrum of this force. Take a stiff detent to a show and half the people love it; half the people can’t open it. I’ve had users time some of my very fast knives in a pseudo drag race using camera-frame timing because they love it, but for a lot of people they may not be able to open that knife. At the end of the day it’s a preference, and I have stopped ‘standardizing’ my force. Yes, a flick will open the knife, but the velocity of the tip may change to suit different customers.”
The Skiff Family – Broadalbin, NY
The Culprit flipper folder by Steven Skiff, Jr. and Sr. won Best in Show at the 2022 NCCA Show. The blade is Damasteel stainless damascus in a Fafnir pattern. Closed length: 4.25 inches. The makers’ price for a similar knife: $1,495.
The father-son team of Steven Skiff, Sr., and Steven Skiff, Jr., from Broadalbin, New York, collaborates to make their own bold statement in the flipper folder realm. While Steven, Sr. makes the blades and does fit and finish, Steven, Jr. handles the CNC milling and produces blade bearings for the Skiffs’ projects, as well as bearings for other customers in the knife industry.
The Skiffs enjoy tackling the relative intricacy of flipper folder construction and relish the opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency, particularly with their team approach.
“Making flippers is a challenge,” Steven, Sr remarked. “They are deceptively simple looking to make. It can be difficult to get the action exactly the way you want. It’s that challenge that I enjoy and it makes me prefer making them over other knives.”
The Skiffs’ Culprit framelock flipper folder features a blade of Damasteel stainless damascus in a Fafnir pattern, and a titanium handle with zirconium accents and seafoam anodizing. The result is dazzling, and Steven, Sr. credits custom knifemaking greats Andre Thorburn, R.J. Martin, and Kirby Lambert for “having a hand in increasing my interest to continue making flippers.”
The flipper construction process has progressed in the years since the Skiffs began to concentrate on the style. One aspect of that progress is the addition of an over-travel stop.
“That’s an example of one important advancement that [a number of] us makers started using on framelocks a while ago,” Steven, Sr. observed. “Another advancement includes the evolution of using bearings instead of thrust washers, and we also use a hardened insert in the lockbar to prevent wear.”
The Flipper Folder Continues To Grow
The firm foundation of the flipper folder, both in popularity and mechanical and aesthetic quality, sets the stage for the future.
“I do predict we will see further refinement in materials, as well as in material quality over the coming years,” Rexford assessed. “We have also seen new locking mechanisms being adapted for the flipper category of knives.”
Maldonado looks ahead to “future advances in making a double-action flipper/auto. Of course, using new and exotic blade and handle materials is always something that keeps evolving.”
Future generations of collectors and users come to mind with Thornburg’s ideas of tomorrow. He commented, “I like to use materials that are not common when making my flippers. Mammoth, walrus and elk antler are my main scale materials, and my idea is a fine gentleman’s flipper folder for the upscale customer that will be handed down to their children.”
Altogether, the custom makers and their colleagues are doing their part to ensure that the flipper folder has staying power.
The New Kizer Drop Bear Is An Excellent EDC, And The Clutch Lock Is A Worthy New Addition To The World Of Axis Lock Knives
In the ever-growing world of EDC knives, finding ways to stand out is difficult. So many brands, so many steels, so much of everything. And even in that crowded field, the new Drop Bear from Kizer finds ways to catch the eye.
Boasting a high-quality blade, simple handle, and innovative lock, the Drop Bear is the kind of knife you’ll want to use every day … more so, it’s the type of blade you’ll go out of your way to use.
Getting The Drop On The Drop Bear
The Drop Bear in both of its colorways: Gunsteel on top and Black, with the bright purple thumb stud, below.
First that name. For those wondering it originates from a beast of Australian folklore that–as the legend goes–drops from trees to attack humans. Pleasant.
However, Kizer’s Drop Bear (MSRP $158) allure isn’t its reference to free-falling arboreal bruins. Instead, it’s Kizer’s twist to Benchmade’s Axis™ lock configuration.
Called a Clutch Lock by the China-based company, the mechanism provides a dead-tight lockup. I put this through the wringer, but we’ll get to that in a moment. And while few locking mechanisms have ever sold a knife, this adds enough of a spin to the traditional drop point to make it stand out.
So, let’s talk a little bit about the Drop Bear’s Clutch Lock.
Clutch Player
The clutch lock seen after removing one of the scales. The lock can be adjusted, and scales replaced, in less than two minutes.
As the fidgety type, I have to confess up front I love this knife. Right off that should give some indication of what the Clutch Lock brings to the table.
Where Kizer gets it correct is by not improving an already proven system, with the blade unlocking similar to most other Axis-type locks. For those unfamiliar, a pair of buttons situated on either side of the knife–in this case behind the pivot–are retracted, thus releasing the blade. As mentioned, it’s an ideal lock for those of us who fidget.
However, Kizer has improved the system by tinkering with the pair of Gemini springs hidden beneath the scales. The rub here, their tension is adjustable. This is a big deal.
This concept is not entirely foreign to those bold enough to have skunk worked spring tension for years. Many times the results were less than optimal, which is why Kizer’s setup is desirable. Basically, you won’t make the Drop Bear a victim of shoddy kitchen-table knifesmithing.
The tension adjustment itself is simple, even for the mechanically challenged. The frame has five holes on each side in which the spring is loosened or tightened. If you want a faster open and tighter lockup, crank it up to the holes closest to the blade. Desire a looser action, dial it down.
Interestingly, and probably grasped by the mathematically inclined in the audience, the five holes on each side don’t add up to five settings. Instead, it’s 5X5 settings for a total of 25. Boy, if you can’t find what you’re looking for in that range, then nearly any knife is likely to leave you cold.
Bear Necessities
The Drop Bear is a sleek, nimble knife as seen from above.
Novel as the Drop Bear’s Clutch Lock is, it wouldn’t add up to a pile of scrap if Kizer didn’t finish the job with all the parts to make a solid knife. Overall, they make it worth the price of admission.
With a quality EDC knife in mind, Kiser outfitted the Drop Bear with a blade a shade under 3-inches long–legal in most jurisdictions. The 154CM stainless steel, again becoming popular in this role, offers a Rockwell hardness of 58-61 HRC.
Topping off this end of the knife, Kizer applies a flat grind to help create the edge. Good choice, because it comes out of the box frighteningly sharp. Outfitted with moderately sized thumb studs with plenty of clearance, this attribute is quickly deployed.
In the hand, the knife feels light–listed as 3.7 ounces–but not light as air. This is a good middle ground for this class of knife, where it feels substantial in your hand yet won’t tear the rivets out of your jean’s hip pockets.
Much of the weight savings come from an attractive skeletonized frame, under the aluminum handle scale. With an ergonomic swell toward the middle of the handle, the Drop Bear offers purchase and plenty of control.
As for aesthetics, the knife comes in two colorways. The first style is a gun steel blade with a satin finish and black thumb stud. The second has a black blade with an eye-catching purple thumb stud.
Finally, a tip-up clip keeps the knife at hand and riding deep in the pocket.
Testing The Drop Bear
The Drop Bear was a joy to test and cuts most types of material with ease.
It’s an EDC so I wasn’t going to try and chop through the vines slowly overtaking the corner of my backyard fence. I used it around the house for a few days.
It cut through plastic and tape like there was nothing there at all. It’s a perfect letter opener. The Drop Bear easily handles the daily tasks you’ll see every day. Taking it a step further, I used it as my only knife when prepping dinner for my wife and I.
First was the romaine lettuce, which the knife handled with ease. Whether holding the Drop Bear in the pinch grip like a chef’s knife or by using the jimping and pressing down with my thumb from the top down, the knife dispatched the lettuce easily.
Up next was the tomatoes, and it was the best experience I’ve had with a flat-edge knife cutting tomatoes. They were Campari tomatoes, so smaller and more delicate than beefsteak or Roma tomatoes, and the Drop Bear went through the flesh easily. This was best done in a pinch grip and got incredibly thin slices of tomato for the salad.
Celery is stiff and crunchy, and it was no problem for the Drop Bear. The chicken breast was easy too. I preferred cutting the chicken by utilizing the jimping, and the knife bit down easily and sliced through the meat without a hiccup.
My single favorite cutting task was the bell pepper. I chose to cut the pepper through the skin side as that is traditionally more difficult than cutting through the interior flesh. I have never cut through a bell pepper easier than I did with the Drop Bear. It left me thinking that this could reasonably replace a paring knife.
However, the Drop Bear did meet its match against a large carrot. The knife did not enjoy fighting through the harder, denser flesh, forcing me to switch to a kitchen knife to finish the job.
Beyond the kitchen, the Drop Bear shined. It gets through cardboard boxes like nothing. The corrugated cardboard can be the test upon which many knives fail, but the Drop Bear didn’t even blink.
Additionally, I tested it on some brand new ⅜-inch polypropylene cord. I figured that the cord would provide some sort of fight for the Drop Bear. Instead, it was a first-round knockout as the blade smoothly sliced through the rope, leaving a clean cut with little in terms of frayed strands.
As for the action, I preferred the knife a little looser and set it at the second position. And the lock, I put the strength of the lock through the ringer. I did everything I could to break it. I bent it backward, sideways, every which way I could to flex the knife. The lock held firm and never budged.
Final Cut
Overall, the Drop Bear makes the cut for me.
The knife has enough mechanical allure to make it intriguing while remaining practical. For tinkers and fidgeters, this is a big plus. For those less inclined to get wowed by engineering wizardry, Kizer’s creation still shows sharp.
The Drop Bear is more than ready to tackle most EDC jobs, though you might not want to push it too far out of its comfort zone. What knife isn’t that true for? But for the price, it seems Kizer has hit the mythological sweet spot for this class of knife.
A Father, With The Help Of His Uncle, Works To Make A One-Of-A-Kind Knife For His Son After Living The Life Of A Military Kid.
The hardest question for my son Zachary “Kaz” Kazmir to answer is “Where are you from?” His answer usually falls along the lines of, “Home is where the military takes your family.”
Zach’s answer is true for just about any token “military brat.” Military families often move every two to three years—that’s a rate of 10 times more than average civilian families. Living this kind of life for a child requires tremendous resilience, exceptional adaptability, and an uncommonly high maturity level. Zach would repeatedly get settled in a routine, a school, a friend group, and community activities, only to pick up, leave it all behind and start fresh again.
Oh, and the trials of life do not stop there. He persevered through my frequent deployments, earthquakes, accidents, and even a direct hit by one of the strongest tornadoes ever recorded while he was living in Moore, Oklahoma. Zach’s life led him on a journey spanning two countries, four states, and five schools.
Bobby Kazmir and his son Zach.
I wanted to give the young man something special on the occasion of his 21st birthday. Even with all the places he’s lived and the experiences he’s had, Zach’s fondest memories always gravitate to his time in Okinawa, Japan. The first memories of his life were created there. Okinawa will forever hold a special place in his heart. With that, I set out to have a knife crafted in hopes of capturing and honoring these priceless memories for him.
Uncle Stanley
I could think of no better place to turn for such a task than my uncle, Stanley Buzek. Uncle Stanley is a knifemaker from Caldwell, Texas, and is most certainly the right man for the job. There’s no one I know who puts as much heart into his craft as Uncle Stanley. He guided me through the many options, and I closed in on what would become the most meaningful and elegant 4.5-inch, two-blade Texas trapper I’ve ever seen.
My uncle crafted the frame and liners from raw bars of integral 416 stainless steel. As with each of his knives, he added a personal touch to the spine. This was truly amazing to witness. I’ve seen many of his finished knives over the years, but I hadn’t realized the level of precise craftsmanship he put into the pieces that non-makers like myself often take for granted. Most of us just naturally look to the business end of a blade.
In thinking of the knife for this gift, I aimed to give Zach a glimpse into his resiliency through my eyes. He has been stretched so thin that at times his only choice to keep from breaking was to fold over in the fetal position to regain his strength. He’s been heated, hammered, pressed to the edge of his capabilities, put back in the fire, crushed, bent beyond his limits, beaten down even more, and subjected to unrelenting pressures in different directions.
Nonetheless, he emerged from the fire stronger than ever before, with a character that can only be described as beautiful—just like the banding and mottling of damascus. The beautiful steel forged by Bill Poor couldn’t be more fitting for this knife. Bill transformed raw 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels into an extra-fine River of Fire pattern with elaborate feathering that perfectly captures how I view Zach’s coming-of-age: indicative of many intense moments, but not scarred. Instead, radiating with a unique, luxurious magnificence that exemplifies resilience.
Making The Knife Handle
The next essential element on my mind was the scale material. (I called it the “side of the knife” but you know how knifemakers are about educating the ignorant.) The scales had to be more than just the perfect material, they had to be uniquely sourced. I wanted my son to have a literal piece of his childhood that he could hold in his hands whenever he wanted.
Scanning the beach for seashells while barefoot along the shoreline of Okinawa’s Devils Cove is no doubt among Zach’s favorite island memories.
I reached out to a military friend stationed in Okinawa to acquire a piece of one of the famed, colossal banyan trees from the island. With travel restrictions, import/export regulations on agricultural items, and COVID-related shipping delays, it proved much more difficult than we expected. However, my contact was able to come through! After nearly a year, a heavily worn, 5-by-10-inch piece of banyan tree finally arrived in the mail.
Uncle Stanley was reluctant to use banyan. He cautioned me not to get my hopes up because he knew how challenging it can be to properly stabilize such a soft wood. In addition, the sample was very weathered, extra-soft, and had several deep cracks inflicted in transit during shipping. In other words, there wasn’t a lot of room for error!
Uncle Stanley sent the wood to the very capable Terry Dunn of TNT Enterprises, and I was truly blown away by what he was able to do. Dunn not only stabilized the wood, he preserved its beautifully subtle grains and the small, intricate pitch pocket. The latter is a cavity in the wood where the tree suffered some sort of damage over its life, or a small knot of sorts if you will.
Stanley assembled the sleek trapper, affixed the scales, and presented me with a truly remarkable knife. Then he took it from my hands and said, “Now it’s time to go get it ‘scratched up.’”
Engraving The Knife
A slight fear came over me. I worried that an engraver could potentially damage this work of art. However, the worry left me as quick as it came when I learned the engraver was Alice B. Carter. I’ve seen her amazing work in the past. I knew she could add another layer of beauty to the piece.
To my surprise, Alice asked so much more than, “What would you like me to engrave?” She had an authentic interest in the story of the knife and its eventual recipient. I think she asked me more about Zach than she did about art that day. I shared with her the things Zach tends to reminisce about from his time in Okinawa, and we honed in on a few specifics.
One of the first memories of his life is enjoying the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Okinawa’s capital city of Naha. The festival draws crowds of thousands each January to see the city streets completely encased in the vibrant blooms. Zach also speaks of how massive he remembers the banyan trees being there. If you’ve never seen a 200-year-old banyan, the behemoths appear to be as old as time and so wide they seem to fill the sky with a majestic, towering presence as if from a fantasy movie.
Alice’s smile grew wider and wider as we continued to talk through a few other details. She drew inspiration from our chat and created an absolute masterpiece. Engraving for more than 40 hours and inlaying more than six feet of 24k-gold wire, she created so much more than a scene or picture. Her art marvelously captured the emotions connected to the memories.
Reaching from corner to corner on the upper bolster of the facing side shines the island of Okinawa in pure, radiant gold. The shading effect seems to literally draw the island’s shape out from the knife. Carefully inlaid in the exact location of Kadena Air Base where Zach lived on the island, a one-millimeter copper marker memorializes his time there.
The lower bolsters hold a personal message from father to son: Ichi-go ichi-e. Emblazoned in bold Japanese Kanji, it is an idiom roughly translating to “for this time only.” Reaching from corner to corner on one side of the upper bolster shines the island of Okinawa engraved by Alice Carter in 24k gold. The knife’s oversized shield brilliantly gleams Zach’s nickname of “KAZ” in Japanese-styled English letters. (SharpByCoop image)
On the opposite side in exquisite detail is an ancient, powerful banyan tree spanning from edge to edge. In a beautiful complement to the gold inlay, the banyan’s leaves are adorned with Alice’s self-alloyed green gold. Zach can view the upper bolsters in remembrance of the land he once knew.
As is customary in the military, a servicemember’s last name becomes his or her first name. It’s the military way. Kazmir was shortened to “Kaz” almost immediately, and that nickname stuck for the entire two decades I served. As Zach approached adulthood, he began to go by this moniker as well. The knife’s oversized shield brilliantly gleams “KAZ” in Japanese-styled English letters—an embodiment of how I’ve passed on my name to my boy.
Finally, the lower bolsters hold a personal message from father to son: Ichi-go ichi-e. Emblazoned in bold Japanese Kanji, the message is an idiom roughly translating to “for this time only.” It means that Zach’s experience in Okinawa was truly a once-in-a-lifetime episode that can never be duplicated, and he should treasure it forever.
Alice brought all the components together by incorporating gorgeous cherry blossoms engraved with intricate detail resulting in what I see as the perfect gift. Zach received it as a Christmas present and shed some heavy tears as I explained each element. He and I are both still amazed at how everyone came together to help me make this one-of-a-kind knife happen.
Uncle Stanley once told me that nearly every knifemaker is an expert at something, but no knifemaker is an expert at everything. He described knifemaking as a network of experts who bring their talents together to make the impossible possible. In the military, we have a term for this—it’s called synergy. With this beautiful piece, I’m convinced the knifemaking community is synergy at its finest.
For more information about the knife, contact Stanley Buzek, Dept. BL8, P.O. Box 621, Caldwell, TX 77836 346-412-2532 [email protected], s.buzekknives.com.
The Wharncliffe Is An Interesting Blade Design With A Captivating History. Over The Years It’s Grown Into A Desirable EDC Blade. These Five Wharncliffes Stand Out From The Pack.
There aren’t many blade styles like the wharncliffe. The wharncliffe stands out from many other blade designs thanks to its long, straight cutting edge and spine that tapers to the point. This allows for a variety of shapes of wharncliffe blades, with some being more squared off with a sharp taper and others being more rounded with a more gentle taper.
Regardless of the taper or size of the blade, the wharncliffe has grown into a beloved blade that has evolved to meet the needs of knife lovers over the last 200 years.
Where Does The Name Wharncliffe Come From?
If you guessed that it was named for a person you’d be correct, or at least almost correct. The name for the blade dates back to the 1820s and British Colonel James Archibald Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie, the first Lord of Wharncliffe.
One night, while having dinner with his cousin, Archdeacon Corbett, Wharncliffe was lamenting how staid and tired the cutlery industry in Britain had become. The two then worked on a new type of knife to present to the Joseph Rodgers & Sons cutlery company in Sheffield, the epicenter of the cutlery trade in the UK.
Rodgers liked the blade so much that the company put it into production and named it the wharncliffe in the Lord’s honor.
What Is The Wharncliffe Used For?
The wharncliffe initially was used mainly as a whittling knife. The long, straight edge made it perfect for long strokes on a piece of wood. Over time, the blade has evolved with the rest of the knife industry and is now a quality all-rounder EDC. The straight edge is excellent at transferring energy from the hand into the material being cut. Not great at puncturing, it’s very good at most other cutting tasks.
5 Wharncliffes You Should Look Into Buying
Today, the wharncliffe has become a standard blade design by makers around the world. These are five that you should take a look at.
Spyderco Salt 2
Few companies have dived deeper into wharncliffes than Spyderco. The Salt 2 is a prime example of how the company has smartly developed the blade style, although there are many knives on the company’s roster that utilize it as well.
The ergonomic green FRN handle makes this knife easy to use, especially considering how it was designed to be used near water. The H-1 steel is highly corrosion resistant, which makes this knife the perfect choice to use near water. You can choose between a plain edge and a serrated edge, and the lockback keeps everything secure even when drenched.
Spyderco is beloved because of the quality of its knives, and the Salt 2 shows many things the company can do.
MSRP: $124.25
CRKT Inara
A simple, elegant design from Richard Rogers, the CRKT Inara is a perfect example of a quality, affordable wharncliffe EDC.
The framelock is strong. The deployment is smooth. The G-10 stands firm even in extreme conditions. This little flipper really does it all and looks good while doing it. The stonewashed 8Cr14MoV stainless blade is 2.78 inches long and the whole construction weighs just 1.8 ounces.
A small, nimble knife, the Inara showcases why the wharncliffe has become a regular EDC blade.
MSRP: $56
Emerson Knives P-Sark
If the last knife was for day-to-day use, the Emerson Knives P-Sark is for the most extreme situations. This is the standard issue knife for U.S. Navy Rescue Teams, according to Emerson Knives. It’s a thick, beefy blade designed to extract people in severe situations.
The 3.5-inch blade is made from 154CM stainless steel with a chisel grind. The G-10 handle is waterproof and perfect for the type of intense moments this knife was built for. The blade comes in both black and stonewashed varieties.
Sure, this could be used as an EDC, but this knife is designed for much more than just opening boxes and stripping wires, and is priced accordingly. If you want a strong, physical knife, then this is the one for you, but you’ll be able to find good EDC wharncliffes at more affordable prices.
MSRP: $226.95
Kershaw Leek
Kershaw has them all, and it’s no surprise that it offers a solid EDC wharncliffe. The Leek line of knives runs 16 deep, but we are concentrating on the original.
The whole construction is stainless steel with a 3-inch blade made from 14C28N stainless steel. The Ken Onion-designed knife is a sleek, sturdy flipper held in place with a framelock. At 3 ounces it’s a bit heavier than some of the other knives on this list, which is good because it helps the piece feel better in the hand and more secure in use.
The assisted-opening flipper, the tip lock to keep it secure when closed, and the reversible pocket clip are all features on the knife that elevate it from just a good knife to a high-quality EDC.
MSRP: $79.99
Cold Steel Tuff Lite
Small. Tough. Durable. Three ways to describe the Tuff Lite from Cold Steel. This little wharncliffe is a rugged little beast. Made from Japanese AUS-8A stainless steel, the Tuff Lite’s blade is just 2.5 inches long with a relatively squared-off tip that makes it perfect for deep cutting tasks.
The handle is made from Griv-Ex which, when paired with Cold Steel’s Tri-Ad lock, provides a rock-hard construction when deployed. This is the most affordable knife on our list, but it may be the highest value thanks to how the knife was put together.
MSRP: $40.99
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Five Different Factory Makers Picked Up Awards At Salt Lake City With WE Knife Stealing The Show
Factory makers brought out their best for the BLADE Show West knife competition, and they did not disappoint. Five factories took home wins with the big winner being WE Knife, which won two categories and the Best Of Show award.
Awards Were Given Out In Nine Different Custom Knife Categories Including Best In Show At BLADE Show West In Salt Lake City.
Dozens of makers entered knives in competition across eight different custom knife categories. The skill on display was tremendous, and numerous knives wowed the judges. However, these were the blades that stood out from the crowd and took home the awards. All images are SharpByCoop Images.
