Africa’s Toughest Knife Comes to America: Honey Badger Wharncleaver Review

One night time, whereas within the thrall of Instagram earlier than drifting to sleep, a picture of a knife scrolled into view that I had by no means seen earlier than. It bore a singular, hanging honeycomb deal with.

Propped upright and leaning towards a soda bottle, the electrical blue honeycomb scales popped out of the image and ultimately led right down to a swooping Wharncliffe-style blade. I used to be hooked and knew I wanted to determine simply what I used to be .

After slightly digging, and with the assistance of Google Lens, I discovered the knife I used to be was often called Honey Badger Knives’ “Wharncleaver” — and it got here in 25 mixtures.

Honey Badger Knives, designed in South Africa and distributed via Western Active right here within the U.S., makes some actual bangers for beneath $100. In truth, it makes seven totally different knives in three totally different sizes — with two totally different blade steels — and a mess of deal with scale colours.

Yes, all for beneath $100.

In quick: Honey Badger has set a objective for itself: to design, produce, and promote sturdy on a regular basis carry knives at a fraction of the price of the competitors. And with the Wharncleaver, it meets that objective, tenfold.

Honey Badger Knives Wharncleaver Review

Design & Features

This model of the Honey Badger Wharncleaver includes FRN (Fiber Reinforced Nylon) deal with scales with a metal body for rigidity, a Wharncliffe-style, 8Cr13MoV stainless-steel blade for corrosion and abrasion resistance, and two opposing curler bearings to assist in frictionless flipper motion opening.

Additionally, the honeycomb sample on the Wharncleaver scales advantages each grip and ergonomics. Meanwhile, a jimping on the liner lock, flipper, backbone, and choil additional helps the Wharncleaver carry out comfortably in each moist and dry circumstances.

Where’s the Grind Line?!

The Wharncleaver doesn’t have a visual grind line. Historically, that’s one thing for which Spyderco is understood — like its Manix 2 and Para Military knives, and the gone-but-not-forgotten Rock Lobster. Generally, nonetheless, you’ll discover this on chef’s knives.

So, why no grind line on a pocket knife? Ease of use is my greatest reply — not {that a} grind line will maintain up slicing and chopping duties. But the absence right here simply makes the motion smoother and extra fluid.

First Impressions

Go large or go house, proper? So I did.

The Wharncleaver, like the entire blade types within the Honey Badger lineup, is available in three sizes: small, medium, and enormous.

And to that finish, at 8.25 inches lengthy (OAL), it lands on the big finish of the folding pocket knife spectrum. Additionally, the big measurement has a choil, which provides to what the Wharncleaver can do.

I additionally had the selection of two knife steels — 8Cr13MoV or D2. I’m a giant fan of D2, however I don’t check a number of knives with 8Cr13MoV. Many contemplate the latter a price metal that gives excessive corrosion resistance, good edge retention, and abrasion resistance.

So, I went with the 8Cr13MoV, which put the knife at $40 (round $50 shipped).

Sadly, the electrical blue variant was out of inventory after I made my order, so I went with inexperienced — and I’m glad I did! The inexperienced is muted and offers a little bit of a smooth, toy-like look to the knife.

With the honeycomb sample juxtaposed towards the three.63-inch blade, stainless-steel {hardware}, and pocket clip, the Wharncleaver makes for a really handsome and comfortable-to-use knife. That stability isn’t one thing I hunt down — but when I do get it in a knife, it’s value noting.

I additionally need to observe the Wharncleaver’s flipper motion. It’s easy and lands with a big click on when it engages with the liner lock. This owes to the 18 ball bearings that dwell contained in the pivot.

It additionally begs the query: When did value-priced knives like this begin to embody premium options like ball bearings?

Field Test: Honey Badger Wharncleaver

The Wharncleaver comes with an angled Torx instrument that has a T8 and T6 Torx bit. This permits you to change the pocket clip from proper to left (T6) and tighten the pivot (T8).

Just to get this out of the best way, as a result of it needs to be stated and I don’t need it taking away from the knife: You’ll need to regulate that pivot screw as a result of it tends to return unfastened after some long-term use and abuse. If it will get unfastened sufficient, it could trigger the lock to fail and the blade might shut in on you. Thankfully, blade wobble will present a transparent indication that you just’re coming to that time.

So, make certain to verify in on that pivot screw sometimes.

Otherwise, the Wharncleaver was an actual deal with, each within the wilderness and as an on a regular basis carry choice. The knife feels and acts like knives two to a few occasions the price of the Wharncleaver. I even opted to make use of it for a pleasant piece of prime rib as a substitute of the steak knife that got here with the meal.

It’s not the primary time I’ve accomplished one thing like that (and received’t be the final), however if you’re in a elaborate joint having a elaborate meal, and also you resolve to make use of your personal knife, make certain it’s up for the duty. The Honey Badger Wharncleaver was.

Drawbacks

My one gripe concerning the knife is the addition of an oversize thumb gap. It’s not particular to the Honey Badger line; it’s rampant within the knife world and is mindless to me.

Yes, it provides a second opening choice for the consumer. But 10 out of 10 occasions, somebody who buys a flipper-style knife will use the flipper. That’s not an opinion, it’s a truth. Why else would one purchase a flipper?

Wharncleaver: Overall Impressions

There will at all times be a spot for premium-priced knives made by American knife producers. But the rising choice of reasonably priced, imported knives made with premium, if not fascinating, supplies has grown out of demand. Arguably, it spawned from necessity as nicely.

If the time we spent through the pandemic coping with supply-chain shortages taught us something, it’s that there’s a number of nice stuff on the market if we’re prepared to look previous title manufacturers. In truth, there are many viable manufacturers on the market that would usurp a few of our favourite manufacturers, piecemeal or solely. They simply want a approach in.

Honey Badger knives are designed in South Africa and made in China. The model is just not attempting to cover that, and there’s no purpose it ought to. The Honey Badger Wharncleaver is one in every of a handful of value-priced knives available on the market right now that gives among the smoothest flipping motion I’ve loved, in addition to a sturdy construct produced from high quality supplies.

Don’t get hung up on this knife not being made in America. The Honey Badger flipper carries and performs simply in addition to knives made proper right here within the States, if not higher, and at a way more fascinating value for on a regular basis use.