Wilkinson Sword/Allan Wood Woodlore Knives

[Hoodoo]

Hey guys, let me offer you an alternative. You might want to consider the Bushcrafter from Allan Blade. This is an extremely nice scandi-ground knife with a coffin tang that is also pinned. so you get the best of both worlds-a full tang and a hidden tang which is more comfy in the winter on bare hands. Allan is an absolutely superb knifemaker and I don't make that claim lightly. You get absolute perfection from him in terms of fit and finish. That tang is wonderfully fitted to the handle. In short, it's an awesome knife. The steel is precision ground Starret O1 steel and Allan knows his stuff when it comes to heat treat. Not to mention, there are few knifemakers out there that can hold a candle to Allan when it comes to grinding a knife. I have two of his knife grinding videos so I've seen the man in action.

Now the only "complaint" I have of the Buschcrafter is that I think maybe some might perfer a bit wider handle but Allan is a custom maker and I'm sure he will give you whatever you want. For instance, mine is in micarta but I'm willing to bet Allan will also do a Bushcrafter in Bocote or Osage orange because I have two of his little Pack Pals (another awesome knife priced unbelievably low), one with Bacote and one with Osage Orange scales.

I paid $125 for my Bushcrafter. I think he will add a firesteel holder for $12 or $15. The finish is sandblast but if you want a hand rubbed finish, it will cost more. Sheaths are kydex and Allan makes one of the best kydex sheaths out there. So for $125 you get a custom made knife with a perfect scandi grind, a bonus coffin tang perfectly fitted, and you won't be waiting for a year either. But I would not wait too long. I got a feeling Allan's knives are going to go into high demand (I'm writing an article about them right now for Tactical Knives). He's been in high demand before but due to personal problems, fell off the radar. But he's back and he's good. I'm guessing that the waiting time is around a couple months. Well worth it in my opinion. Just my two cents but I thought you folks might be interested.

You can contact him here: BladeCutlery2003@aol.com

[Nod]

Maths test for you.

Woodlore/Alan wood hand made knife with neck/firesteel sheath and maple handle £195

Woodlore/wilkinson sword factory made knife £165 neck sheath for fire steel £45.

Which one's the bargain?

Is it me?

The RM/WS Birds Eye Maple handled version is still hand made, but with a shorter waiting time compared to the Woods version. Comes with hand stitched sheath too, though not the neck version, but I'd just put some cord through the belt loop.

The Micarta version is factory made with a machine stitched sheath hence the difference in price over the others. I think this one is the real bargain...after all, when in use will we be able to tell the difference bewteen them all.

It's nice to have all the options available though.

[johnboy]

Mmmmmm


The woodlore website now quotes "delivery end of January" for the micarta version.

Oh dear!

john

[Martyn]

Somethings afoot.

It actually says "Please note delivery: end January 2004"
for *both* the micarta and birch handled versions.

I wonder if this is for a second delivery, or if the original delivery is delayed?

We're now looking at a 3 month delay from the original October delivery.

[bigjackbrass]

On the subject of cost, Woodlore charge £45 for either the neck sheath or belt sheath if bought as a separate item, so buying the Wilkinson Maple knife with a neck sheath means that you are actually getting a knife and two sheaths for the money (Woodlore state that they will not substitute one sheath for the other). Even so, and especially in light of the increasing waiting period, the original knife looks a slightly better deal to me. Presumably once the initial production hiccoughs are out of the way the Wilkinson versions should be in stock throughout the year, but those of you now looking at a post-Christmas delivery must be feeling pretty cheesed off.

[Martyn]

On the subject of the woodlore and delays, I have just heard from woodlore...

" ...We are expecting our first delivery of knives by the 10.12.03 for all the orders made up to 28.11.03. Any orders from 28.11.03 will not get delivery until January. Wilkinson Sword ....assure me that they will have our back orders in time for Christmas."

That's something.

So it looks like the new January delivery is for orders placed on 28.11.03 and after!

[Martyn]

Wonder if WS will make the wednesday deadline? If they do, and woodlore are fast, some of us may get our blades by Friday. .....maybe.

[Brian]

My girlfriend is getting me the micarta WS for christmas, she called woodlore last week and they gave her the 12 dec as the date they are getting them in.

Can't wait to get it now,

Brian

[sargey]

My girlfriend is getting me the micarta WS for christmas

top chick!!! 8-)

has she got any sisters???

cheers, and.

edited to add: "top chick" is the highest form of accolade that can be bestowed on a lady, and has absolutely no negative or derogatory connotations whatsoever.

[Nod]

At the risk of emptying my water bottle onto your camp fire, I spoke to Wilkinson Sword yesterday afternoon and they told me that they are still working towards the 19th. I said that the 10th had been quoted on the Woodlore site, but she said she had checked with the production team and they said 19th would be the date they were ready to ship out. :cry:

I asked that as I'd ordered mine direct, if it would be later than the Woodlore ones but she said no, Woodlore and direct orders would all be completed at the same time.

Sorry everyone.....I hope they come sooner too, I want mine for Xmas. It was originally to be a birthday present, that was Nov 3rd!!!! :roll:

[Martyn]

Sorry everyone.....I hope they come sooner too, I want mine for Xmas. It was originally to be a birthday present, that was Nov 3rd!!!! :roll:

Ordered mine in September! :roll:

[Nod]

Blimey Martyn, you've got some patience!!

Ah well, 19th is only 10 days away now.

[Martyn]

got a phonecall this morning from Woodlore, they wanted to know if I'd be available to sign for my knife tomorrow morning.

I said I was busy.... NOT! :-D :-D :-D :-D

Anyone else get a call?

[alick]

Sorry everyone.....I hope they come sooner too, I want mine for Xmas. It was originally to be a birthday present, that was Nov 3rd!!!! :roll:

Ordered mine in September! :roll:

Martyn, excellent that you're going to get it before Xmas.

My wife bought me Ray's book for Christmas 01, I ordered the knife soon after. It arrived just in time for her to give it to me for Christmas 02 !

I'm a lucky beggar, but your wait hasn't been too bad considering.

You could test it out in the new year by turning your Christmas tree into firewood. Have fun

[Martyn]

Yahooo, it's arrived. Pics and comments to follow after I've played with it for a while.

[Tony]

:super: \:

[MartiniDave]

I'm delighted for you Martyn. Hopefully mine won't be too far behind it!
Have fun an mind your fingers! :shock: :-D :-D

Dave

[Nod]

I want mine!! I want mine!!

Congrats Martyn.........what's it like then?
Was it the Micarta or the Mirds eye maple that you ordered?

[Martyn]

Well, here it is....



First impressions - wow, it's certainly beefy. Slightly dissapointed with the finish of the blade, very highly polished, which is fine, but it was covered all over with freckles of rust. This is a gross oversight from the WS factory, it looks as though the blade has not been treated with oil or any kind of wax at all, then stored in the sheath. There was even freckles of rust on the grind - obviously a storage issue. These freckles have pitted the surface of the blade. I polished the blade immediately with Flitz and got the rust off. It's not a big issue for a working knife, but I would expect better from an outfit like WS - and the knife aint cheap at £160.

I'm not gonna comment beyond this, as there will be a full review in good time from the britishblades/bushcraftUK review team. :-D

Here are some pics though...

First, that pitting on the blade surface from the rust spots...















Hmmmm, "Made in England" doesnt that warm yer heart? :-D :-D

[Tony]

Very nice, now get out and use it ): :ekt:

[Ed]

ummmm yes. very nice, and just in time for christmas.... I wonder how many people are now hoping there prezzie has arrived and is under the tree.

:-)
Ed

[Martyn]

I just realised, as today is the first shipment to the public, I guess I'm one of the first people in the country to see one of these and my knife is prolly one of the first dozen or so off the production line - cool. :-D

The micarta handled version is supposed to be shipping out on friday - if they ship special delivery then you'll get it Sat a.m. - I've one of those comming too. :wink: :-D

I'd be interested to know if anyone else gets the rust freckles. If you do, and you dont have any Flitz metal polish, you can use toothpaste. Then oil/wax with whatever.

[Hoodoo]

That's certainly a beauty! I like the sheath too. Strange about the rust spots though. That shouldn't happen with a NIB knife, especially one of this price and quality.

[Martyn]

Strange about the rust spots though. That shouldn't happen with a NIB knife, especially one of this price and quality.

Absolutely agree. It's not a huge issue as the knife is a user (and I should point out that the above photo is an enlarged macro shot which magnifies the problem significantly), but it definitely should not happen. A rub over with any kind of wax would have easily prevented it. Really quite shocking from a company like Wilkinson Sword, they should know better.

[Nod]

I'm getting mine direct from WS. Micarta version. Rang them yesterday afternoon and they told me it will be sent next week and will def be here before Xmas.

They use a courier though rather than Royal Mail and the Courier doesn't do Sat delivery, so even if they post it on the Friday I won't get it till Monday.

Yours looks really good though Martyn, shame about the rust. Unacceptable from a company of such standing. Phone Wilky and complain. I had a moan about the performance of the Dartmoor when it arrived and they asked me to fill in a feedback form, then gave me a discount on my Micarta that's why I got it direct rather than from Ray's site.

Lovely pics.

[Colin KC]

Spoke with Rachel (via email) & she said HOPEFULLY ship Friday, should get it on Monday.

So, prolly using a Courier, like Nod said

[JohnB]

I'm waiting for a Micarta handled Woodlore knife, ordered 17th October. E-mail from Rachel today: some were delivered to Woodlore Friday, she is driving to WS tomorrow (Sunday) to collect the remainder. She said they'll be sent out Monday with guaranteed 24hr delivery. At last! :-D

This is my first post, so i s'pose I should say a bit about myself. (Odd place to do it, perhaps?) Anyway, I've been messing about outdoors for 25+ years, but not really in a bushcraft sense, more walking, mountaineering, camping, sailing - so some things are new to me, some aren't, but I'm always learning.

[Doc]

I am very tempted to invest in a Micarta version (well, after I've got over December's bills anyway).
Has anyone got one yet? What do you think? It's apparently not handmade - is the blade somehow different? Is there any advantage with either price or speed of delivery in ordering direct from Wilkinson? How much do Wooflore and Wilkinson charge for postage?


mm...just noticed a typo there.....

[Martyn]

I am very tempted to invest in a Micarta version (well, after I've got over December's bills anyway).
Has anyone got one yet? What do you think? It's apparently not handmade - is the blade somehow different? Is there any advantage with either price or speed of delivery in ordering direct from Wilkinson? How much do Wooflore and Wilkinson charge for postage?


mm...just noticed a typo there.....

Mine hasn't arrived yet, but as far as the blade goes, it should be identical. It's only the handle slabs which are hand carved on the knife above, the blade is factory ground on both of them, so there should be no difference between the blades of the micarta knife and the one in the pics above.

[Colin KC]

there should be no difference between the blades of the micarta knife and the one in the pics above.

Unless the Micarta versions don't have the speckled effect, sorry Boss, but that WOULD be funny :wink: