Ordered my Wilkinson Sword Micarta Woodlore knife just after New Year. Arrived today- a month late but Woodlore had kept me posted on the delivery delays.
Seemed to have come direct from Woodlore, not WS - maybe Woodlore are doing their own quality control now? Satisfactorily wrapped in bubble wrap and jiffy bag, with an A4 printout on current UK knife law.
It is very good. Undoubtedly the best knife I have ever owned, though I do not have the knowledge and experience of Martyn and others on this forum.
It has a genuine zero edge- no secondary bevel. Checked it with a x10 loupe - definitely no secondary bevel.
Mirror finish on the steel, except the bevel. No rust.
Balance and 'feel' is excellent. Micarta feels grippy and secure in the hand. Wood to Micarta fit is excellent. I could detect no asymmetry between the scales (see previous threads).
Others have commented that the handle may be small for those with big hands - I agree. A shade on the small side of perfection for me. My hands are size 7.5 (in surgical gloves, anyway).
Only imperfection I can detect is a slight (and I mean barely detectable) machining mark on the back of the blade where the handle ends. Also. I don't agree with the comment on the Woodlore website that it looks like ebony. The woodgrain effect is pleasing though. Slight plastic smell that I think will go in time.
Sheath is good, workmanlike, securely fitting and a pleasing chestnut brown. The belt loop could be thicker, but looks secure enough.
Out of the packet, it cuts paper and wood well. Not quite as sharp as my Brusletto or Frost, but should be minimal effort to make it so.
Throws sparks from a firesteel better than ANYTHING. Quite a revelation.
At 3.6mm, slightly thinner than an Alan Wood model, but much thicker than a Brusletto or Frosts. I can't imagine wanting it any thicker.
Overall- well, in my limited experience, it is functionally the best bushcraft knife available at any price, remembering that many makers charge more for micarta handles than wood. Aesthetically, wood is probably slightly nicer. I shoot a bit, and would never even consider a rifle or shotgun with a synthetic ABS stock, even though they are more weatherproof and more accurate. Micarta is different somehow - it 'looks' natural in its own way.
For an investment, I'd go for the Alan Wood original, but for a working knife, that might still end up an heirloom for your (?grand)children, I think its well worth £95.
Seemed to have come direct from Woodlore, not WS - maybe Woodlore are doing their own quality control now? Satisfactorily wrapped in bubble wrap and jiffy bag, with an A4 printout on current UK knife law.
It is very good. Undoubtedly the best knife I have ever owned, though I do not have the knowledge and experience of Martyn and others on this forum.
It has a genuine zero edge- no secondary bevel. Checked it with a x10 loupe - definitely no secondary bevel.
Mirror finish on the steel, except the bevel. No rust.
Balance and 'feel' is excellent. Micarta feels grippy and secure in the hand. Wood to Micarta fit is excellent. I could detect no asymmetry between the scales (see previous threads).
Others have commented that the handle may be small for those with big hands - I agree. A shade on the small side of perfection for me. My hands are size 7.5 (in surgical gloves, anyway).
Only imperfection I can detect is a slight (and I mean barely detectable) machining mark on the back of the blade where the handle ends. Also. I don't agree with the comment on the Woodlore website that it looks like ebony. The woodgrain effect is pleasing though. Slight plastic smell that I think will go in time.
Sheath is good, workmanlike, securely fitting and a pleasing chestnut brown. The belt loop could be thicker, but looks secure enough.
Out of the packet, it cuts paper and wood well. Not quite as sharp as my Brusletto or Frost, but should be minimal effort to make it so.
Throws sparks from a firesteel better than ANYTHING. Quite a revelation.
At 3.6mm, slightly thinner than an Alan Wood model, but much thicker than a Brusletto or Frosts. I can't imagine wanting it any thicker.
Overall- well, in my limited experience, it is functionally the best bushcraft knife available at any price, remembering that many makers charge more for micarta handles than wood. Aesthetically, wood is probably slightly nicer. I shoot a bit, and would never even consider a rifle or shotgun with a synthetic ABS stock, even though they are more weatherproof and more accurate. Micarta is different somehow - it 'looks' natural in its own way.
For an investment, I'd go for the Alan Wood original, but for a working knife, that might still end up an heirloom for your (?grand)children, I think its well worth £95.
): :biggthump
