What is a Wharncliffe Pattern Knife
- Schradenut
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What is a Wharncliffe Pattern Knife
There has been some chatter about "Wharncliffe". Most only refer to the style of blade, which has a gentle slope down towards the tip. As the angle gets much bigger it becomes a sheepfoot.
Most seem to think that there is no Wharncliffe pattern, that it is just a Serpentine sleeveboard.
The Guru of all things Schrade(Dale Vincent), describes the Serpentine Pattern sleeveboard as a "Wharncliffe Pattern", ie; Open Stock models:766, 866 etc.
I agree with Dale's interpretation, but would like to throw it out there to see what the general consensus is.
Tony.
Most seem to think that there is no Wharncliffe pattern, that it is just a Serpentine sleeveboard.
The Guru of all things Schrade(Dale Vincent), describes the Serpentine Pattern sleeveboard as a "Wharncliffe Pattern", ie; Open Stock models:766, 866 etc.
I agree with Dale's interpretation, but would like to throw it out there to see what the general consensus is.
Tony.
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- SW 766
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- wlf
- Gold Tier

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Re: What is a Wharncliffe Pattern Knife
The end all of discussion for me is conformations by old catalogs. Both these catalog cuts of 1921 Western States and the Enderes Alberta Lea Minn. describe the pattern as wharncliffe spelled whorncliffe (for whatever reason). I think this frame has always been called wharncliffe .
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- wharncliffe frame
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Lyle
- jerryd6818
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Re: What is a Wharncliffe Pattern Knife
Lyle, did you notice the top one spells it "Whorncliffe" and the bottom one spells it "Worncliffe" without the "h"? I believe I'll continue to spell it "Wharncliffe". 
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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SteelMyHeart85420
Re: What is a Wharncliffe Pattern Knife
Odd to me is a Worncliffe/ Whorncliffe frame, and no Wharncliffe blade
- jerryd6818
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Re: What is a Wharncliffe Pattern Knife
As I understand it, in the beginning Worncliffe/ Whorncliffe/Wharncliffe was the name of the frame. The name was applied to the blade later.SteelMyHeart85420 wrote:Odd to me is a Worncliffe/ Whorncliffe frame, and no Wharncliffe blade
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
- tongueriver
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Re: What is a Wharncliffe Pattern Knife
I concur.jerryd6818 wrote:As I understand it, in the beginning Worncliffe/ Whorncliffe/Wharncliffe was the name of the frame. The name was applied to the blade later.SteelMyHeart85420 wrote:Odd to me is a Worncliffe/ Whorncliffe frame, and no Wharncliffe blade
- wlf
- Gold Tier

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Re: What is a Wharncliffe Pattern Knife
Worncliffe and Whorncliffe, I didn't remember I already knew that Jerry thanks,I expect were regional bastardizations . Sometimes I can't remember what I forgot. Grin'n
I have catalog cuts of United Cutlery,J Koesters(Koesters is German for Casters as in Caster Bros),Wostenholm in Shapleigh's,etc. that are described as Wharnciffe patterns. All not having a "Wharncliffe" blade.
That frame is a Wharncliffe pattern.
I have catalog cuts of United Cutlery,J Koesters(Koesters is German for Casters as in Caster Bros),Wostenholm in Shapleigh's,etc. that are described as Wharnciffe patterns. All not having a "Wharncliffe" blade.
That frame is a Wharncliffe pattern.
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[b][b]Wanted GEC 641113s Trade or buy[/b][/b]May the Father and Son bless
Lyle
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AGDO
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Re: What is a Wharncliffe Pattern Knife
I believe the long blade in Schardenut's picture is a Western Clip. The first picture that wlf shows is a Warncliffe blade, popular among whittlers and carvers.
Both are favorites of mine.
Both are favorites of mine.
- Schradenut
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Re: What is a Wharncliffe Pattern Knife
Many thanks for your input gentleman. That sounds conclusive to me.
I was hoping that Dale would put his 20 cents worth in, as he was the one that planted the seed in my mind a few years ago...took a while for the seed to grow. LOL.
Tony.
I was hoping that Dale would put his 20 cents worth in, as he was the one that planted the seed in my mind a few years ago...took a while for the seed to grow. LOL.
Tony.
- wlf
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Re: What is a Wharncliffe Pattern Knife
That's just the shadow in the picture disguising a pruning blade. As both are farmers jacks,and farmers jacks have a pruning main and a spey or modified spey as a secondary. Wharncliffe are similar but the spline descends much quicker to the sharp edge which is on a horizontal plane . This differs from the edge of a pruning blade that follows the curve of the spline,sometimes dropping 1/4" below the choil.AGDO wrote:I believe the long blade in Schardenut's picture is a Western Clip. The first picture that wlf shows is a Warncliffe blade, popular among whittlers and carvers.
Both are favorites of mine.
Here is an actual Western States knife like the 1st cut:
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[b][b]Wanted GEC 641113s Trade or buy[/b][/b]May the Father and Son bless
Lyle
- wlf
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Re: What is a Wharncliffe Pattern Knife
That's just the shadow in the picture disguising a pruning blade. As both are farmers jacks,and farmers jacks have a pruning main and a spey or modified spey as a secondary. Wharncliffes are similar but the spline descends much quicker to the sharp edge which is on a horizontal plane with the choil , making it less thick than the pruner . This differs from the edge of a pruning blade that follows the curve of the spline,sometimes dropping 1/4" below the choil, forming what is called a hawkbill..AGDO wrote:I believe the long blade in Schardenut's picture is a Western Clip. The first picture that wlf shows is a Warncliffe blade, popular among whittlers and carvers.
Both are favorites of mine.
Here is an actual Enderes knife like the 1st cut, only worn some:
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[b][b]Wanted GEC 641113s Trade or buy[/b][/b]May the Father and Son bless
Lyle