Miscellaneous Wharncliffe Knives
Other Wharncliffe Knives
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Case Classics Whittlers
Despite what it says on the tang stamps, these knives were not made by Case.
Why don't I put these alongside the W.R. Case & Sons. Knives? Because they were not made by Case.
In the 1980s Case were making losses, and quality was on the decline, and the company was placed on the market in 1988. It was purchased by Parker, and then in 1990 by River Associates, who owned it for a couple of years before it was acquired by Zippo. Some would say that the "dark period" for Case ended when Zippo turned round its fortunes, and hence the reference that you quoted. Others would maintain that the dark period ended with the purchase of Case by Parker, but in reality, Parker was never really able to take the company forwards in the way that Zippo did.
An anomoly was that Parker had acquired the rights to reproduce Case "classics", and continued to do so, having them made in foreign pastures during the early 90's, but actually, these are not truly Case knives, but licenced copies of earlier knives, and, dare I venture to suggest, not the quality of a Case knife of earlier periods, or since.
Parker's dream: "The biggest reason for the Case Classics was my love for fine quality knives". "I wanted everyone to be able to own and enjoy a superior knife hand crafted in the old way; beautiful handle material and high Carbon steel blades that would take and hold a razor edge".
Parker had his "Case Classics" manufactured by Queen Cutlery. (Although a couple of patterns were made in the Case factory). In fact. many of the patterns were made extremely well, but in my opinion, not the Wharncliffe Whittlers.
Actually, in reality, his project failed, because a) there were not enough people (the market) who shared his dream, and b) he did not have them made "in house", employing the same craftsmen who could actually do it, and the quality was lower than the old knives. Why do you think Zippo's first move was to re-employ the old craftsmen?
1994 Case Brothers Case Classic
Size on this one is 3-3/8" closed. Smaller than a Case Seahorse Whittler. (And also a little shorter than a standard Case Whittler). The master Wharncliffe blade however, is exactly the same length as that on the Seahorse. That's where the similarity ends. It is quite a thin blade (although with a thick tang), and much shallower, without the pronounced hump back of the Wharncliffe of the Case Seahorse.
The two small pen blades are identical, and there's a fair amount of blade rock on both. Very lightweight, and thinner than the small blade on an 06263 Case Pen knife even. They feel quite fragile. The bolsters are much smaller, and have ends rounded like a Peanut.
The back spring arrangement is neither like the Seahorse OR the Case Whittler. The Seahorse has twin springs without a tapered divider. The Case Whittler has a chunky steel centre tapered divider. This Case Brothers Classic has a thin centre brass liner that tapers down. It is much less "substantial" and a thinner knife than a normal Case Whittler. The "snap" is like a light click. The Case Seahorse, on the other hand snaps like the lid on a Sherman Tank. Overall, not the quality of finish of a Seahorse Whittler or other Case made knives.
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The tang stamp on this Case brothers "Case Classic", made in 1994.
It was made by Queen. |
1994 "Good Earth" Case Classic Wharncliffe Whittler (73055 )
The first noticeable thing is that it is different in size from the other one above (it is larger) but still smaller than a Case Seahorse. The master Wharncliffe blades on each of the "Classics" are of the same length, but very different in shape. A totally different knife. Neither are as good as a Seahorse Whittler, although both have carbon steel blades. Frankly, I am disappointed with both of them. They are not Case made knives, and I am surprised that they can be called "Case Classics".
The Certificate of Authenticity on the 73055 reads:
"This certifies that the Case Tested 73055 Wharncliffe Whittler is a genuine
Case collectible. The run consist of a total of 613 knives in 3 distinct
colored handles. Production is as follows: 213-Good Earth, 194- Cranberry
Gold Swirl, and 206- Blue Ice.
Case knives have been made by skilled American craftsman since 1889...made
with quality, attention to detail, and uncommon pride. The 73055 offers further
testimony to the art of knifemaking as defined by Case".
.... and then the box contradicts that statement:
"Knife and Box Produced by Blue Grass Cutlery, Inc. under License from W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co."
All in all, I would venture to suggest that these two "Case Classics" are neither Case, nor classic, and certainly not "testimony to the art of knifemaking as defined by Case", but bear a title that is a figment of Parker's imagination, and sold at an unjustifiably inflated price at the time (1994), and also now. Their quality, fit and finish are a pale shadow of the current generation (Zippo era) Case Whittler or Seahorse Whittler (which are gems by comparison), and poor when compared with older Case knives.
The Case Classic 1994 Cranberry Gold Swirl Wharncliffe Whittler
Parker Whittler Knives
When Parker owned Case, he also acquired the old Case family brands trade marks of Crandall and J D C Kane, and he continued to have knives made under these trade marks well after Zippo took over W.R.Case & Sons. Case subsequently purchased back these trade marks, and have begun to use them again.
However, some of the Parker knives include Wharncliffe Whittlers, and actually, these are very good knives, with carbon steel blades. They are the same size as, and very similar indeed to the Case Seahorse Whittler, but with a slightly different Wharncliffe blade shape, rather like that on the Bulldog knives. In fact, they are identical to the 3-7/8" Bulldog Brand knives in every respect, except for the blade stamp and etching of the Bulldog. There can be little doubt that they were made in Solingen in the same factory. Bear in mind that Parker at this time was marketing the Bulldog knives too!
Crandall Bradford PA Wharncliffe Whittler - Mother of Pearl
This is a really nice knife. Real mother of pearl handles, plus the benefits of carbon steel blades. Parker's dream worked on these. And moreover, the mother of pearl knife can be purchased at a fraction of the cost of a Case Seahorse Whittler with mother of pearl handles.
J D C Kane PA Wharncliffe Whittler - Buffalo Horn
Note that these knives differ from the Case Seahorse Whittler in that the two secondary blades are reversed. The pen is to the front and the coping blade to the rear - Just as on the Bulldog Brand knives.
Below: the "Kane" and the Bulldog Brand, both in buffalo horn. They are identical knives, (apart from the blade markings). Both made in Solingen.
Marbles
A small Wharncliffe Whittler, just 3-1/8" long closed. Very nice stag handles.
This is a very rare knife, and very few indeed were made.
Normal Wharncliffe master blade. Tang stamp reads
M.S.A. Co.
01
GLADSTONE
MICH-USA
Two identical pen blades
A very fine knife indeed.
Schatt & Morgan Whittler
A small Wharncliffe Whittler, just 3-1/8" long closed. Notice the similarity with the Marbles knife above. Made by Queen. This is a perfect little knife. Gorgeous in every respect, and with nickel silver pins and liners, and wonderful mother of pearl scales.
The small pen blade reads "053 046". All tangs are stanped "Schatt & Morgan", and the rear of the master blade "Q Steel 96" (made in 1996). Twin backsprings, with the master blade opening against both springs. The blades have half stops.
Case Wharncliffe Copperhead
62109W SSM HTR
Item No. 03503
Made in the year 2000, this dark green handled Copperhead is a neat little knife. 3-1/8" long.
It has double liners on one side to help with blade separation when closed. Brass liners and pins. A single backspring operating both blades.
Case 6207W SS
Mini Trapper
Mini Trappers usually have the traditional clip and spay blades, although some were produced with a Wharncliffe blade.
2004
From the Family Brands Set.
Limited edition of 250.
Green Bone Handles
Case 6207W SS
Mini Trapper
2000
A Special Factory Order
Case 6107D
Damascus Mini Trapper
2002
A single Wharncliffe bladed Mini Trapper, and what makes this one so unusual is that it has just a single blade of carbon damascus steel.
Bulldog Whittlers
Also see the detailed section on Bulldog Whittlers
The Bulldog Brand Wharncliffe Whittlers
Parker introduced the Bulldog Brand Wharncliffe Whittlers in 2002, coincidentally, the same year that the Seahorse Whittler was introduced by W.R. Case & Sons.
These are available in three different sizes.
4-1/8"
3-7/8"
3-1/8"
They are good knives. Most of them have carbon steel blades, but some were made available in surgical stainless steel. Of the three sizes, only 60 were made in the smallest version in each of 10 handle materials. The middle size "Viking" model had less, except for the "second cut stag", (120); and the largest model, the "Thor", had a production run of 6 handle materials, and 60 of each in carbon steel and stainless. In his last "Pocket Knife Traders Price Guide - Volume 7" (2004) Jim Parker listed them with somewhat highly inflated values compared with what they actually achieve on the market as new knives. Many of them can still be picked up relatively easily, despite the low production runs of each. I predict that they will, however, become more scarce and sought after by collectors.
