One night, while in the thrall of Instagram before drifting to sleep, an image of a knife scrolled into view that I had never seen before. It bore a unique, striking honeycomb handle.
Propped upright and leaning against a soda bottle, the electric blue honeycomb scales popped out of the picture and eventually led down to a swooping Wharncliffe-style blade. I was hooked and knew I needed to figure out just what I was looking at.
After a little digging, and with the help of Google Lens, I figured out the knife I was looking at was known as Honey Badger Knives’ “ Wharncleaver” — and it came in 25 combinations.
Honey Badger Knives, designed in South Africa and distributed through Western Active here in the U.S., makes some real bangers for under $100. In fact, it makes seven different knives in three different sizes — with two different blade steels — and a multitude of handle scale colors.
Yes, all for under $100.
In short: Honey Badger has set a goal for itself: to design, produce, and sell durable everyday carry knives at a fraction of the cost of the competition. And with the Wharncleaver, it meets that goal, tenfold.
- OAL: 8.25”
- Blade length: 3.63”
- Blade steel: 8Cr13MoV
- Blade shape: Wharncliffe
- Grind: Flat
- Hardness: 60-62 HRC
- Lock type: Frame
- Carry: Right or left, deep carry
- Weight: 7 oz.
Pros
- Flipping action
- Honeycomb scales add to both form and function
- Blade slices through sinuous materials with ease
- $50 shipped
Cons
- The pivot screw needs tightening from time to time
- The thumb hole isn’t necessary
- “Coming 2 America” wasn’t a great sequel
Honey Badger Knives Wharncleaver Review
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Design & Features
Where’s the Grind Line?!
First Impressions
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Field Test: Honey Badger Wharncleaver
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