serrated Delica/Salt 2 sized wharncliffe experience/recommendations

[cjk]

I'd like to purchase a serrated Delica sized wharncliffe.
I'm interested in which of the following is the overall best performer in your experience:

* Delica 4 FRN Wharncliffe SE (FFG VG-10)
* Salt 2 FRN Green LC200N Wharncliffe SE. (FFG LC200N)
* Salt 2 FRN Yellow Wharncliffe SE. (hollow ground H1 or maybe H2)

I'm really interested in the opinions of folks with first hand experience with two or more of SE FFG VG-10, FFG SE LC200N, and hollow SE H1 in the same platform/model and possibly an ordered preference of two or more.

For this purchase, I really don't have any salty requirements. I am leaning towards the SE VG-10 Delica. However, if one of the others really is a better performer in some measurable or noticeable way, I'd rather get that instead.

Thanks in advance,

Christian

[JSumm]

Christian, I have been looking at the same exact thing. I'm glad you asked this because I'm curious as well. I wanted to try serrations and figured a small wharncliffe would be a good way to start since the tip is plain edge and that would really be all I need on a wharncliffe. I already have a RJ and wanted something different, but on the small side and a Delica looks great with a wharncliffe. Those 3 options to my knowledge are all there is.

Truth be told, your custom K390 wharncliffe you showed me at blade show last year was the inspiration.

[cjk]

Christian, I have been looking at the same exact thing. I'm glad you asked this because I'm curious as well. I wanted to try serrations and figured a small wharncliffe would be a good way to start since the tip is plain edge and that would really be all I need on a wharncliffe. I already have a RJ and wanted something different, but on the small side and a Delica looks great with a wharncliffe. Those 3 options to my knowledge are all there is.

Truth be told, your custom K390 wharncliffe you showed me at blade show last year was the inspiration.

Hey Jeff!!

The first serrated knife I really tried was the serrated VG-10 Endela and I am enjoying it very much.
I do very much enjoy the smaller wharncliffes. I probably carry a "Jazz" Delica more than anything else. I figured I'd like to try a SE one too.
That particular K390 wharncliffe is now wearing a different set of clothes and also has a very well dressed twin brother.

[ladybug93]

i think the wharncliffe blade shape is a good platform for serrated edges. i'm about to buy a delica wharncliffe myself and i also want a salt 2 wharncliffe, but i'm not going to get either in se. the reason is because i plan on pairing them with larger se blades like the pacific and caribbean. if it was going to be the only knife i was going to carry, i'd want it in se. as it stands, i'll probably keep both of them at fairly low grit pe as a substitute for se. don't forget that might be a viable option to open up other steels as well. the s30v, 20cv, and k390 wharncliffe delicas are all still available options.

[dsvirsky]

I have all three. While I actually "like" the H1 Salt version best (and will someday finish reprofiling it to 15°), the flat ground Delica and LC200N Salt are better slicers. So, I guess it depends on whether you have an irrational need for liners, or would rather use the knife that's 20% lighter. My preference is the LC200N Salt.

[JSumm]

Is the H1 pretty thick on the hollow grind portion on the Salt 2? I could definitely see it being not ideal for cutting through some material.

Also, we need pictures. I am suprised we haven't seen a K390 SE Wharncliffe.




I would say, you almost have to go Salt with this offering. If you have held the Salt 2, It feels just as solid to me as the standard Delica with liners. I think when you get to the Pac Salt (LC200N version) size category that the weight seems almost odd without the liners. The only exception would be if you wanted to mod it with some custom scales.

[cjk]

I have all three. While I actually "like" the H1 Salt version best (and will someday finish reprofiling it to 15°), the flat ground Delica and LC200N Salt are better slicers. So, I guess it depends on whether you have an irrational need for liners, or would rather use the knife that's 20% lighter. My preference is the LC200N Salt.

What is it about the H1 Salt which makes you like it the best?

[ladybug93]

i would absolutely be going with the salt if they had liners and a backspacer. not because i need extra stability, but because i really want a signet ring on mine.

[dsvirsky]

What is it about the H1 Salt which makes you like it the best?

Mostly an entirely subjective preference for SE H1 over SE LC200N.

[elena86]

I own and use all of them. My first choice is the SE wharnie Delica in VG10 unless you need extreme corrosion resistance. The SE wharnie Salt2 in LC200N is just as good but you might feel the need for the extra rigidity given by the nested liners so in the end… it depends. The SE wharnie Salt in H1 has the stronger blade but the hollow grind is not high enough for my taste. That being said, the H1 serrated edge will outcut the other two but you will not be able to feel the difference in real life.

[JSumm]

Mostly an entirely subjective preference for SE H1 over SE LC200N.

Most of what we discuss on this forum is subjective. I am curious what your preferences are. Maybe there is something you have learned about your preferences that has you favor one over the other. I think that is helpful too, even if it is a preference. Some people on here may have learned something similar and your observations may steer them in the right direction.

[benben]

I know it's a little larger but don't rule out a serrated Rockjumper, feels incredible in hand! I'm carrying my serrated Wharncliffe LC200N Salt 2 today, I don't think I could be without that knife now!

[metaphoricalsimile]

IMO the durable cutting power of serrations mask H1's horrible edge retention, but IMO LC200N both has better wear resistance and is more resistant to rolls than H1, so it is the overall superior steel unless you just need something that is completely chemically impervious to rust.

[ladybug93]

IMO the durable cutting power of serrations mask H1's horrible edge retention, but IMO LC200N both has better wear resistance and is more resistant to rolls than H1, so it is the overall superior steel unless you just need something that is completely chemically impervious to rust.

i've had the opposite experience with se versions of both steels. my caribbean serrations rolled in several places cutting a plastic strap, so i got my se h1 pacific salt out and tried it and it had no issues. it could be that the h1 is hollow ground vs ffg, but i don't know. h1 is more of a workhorse to me than lc200n, but i like them both.

[JSumm]

Even with the hollow grind, I thought the H1 Salts were still pretty thick behind the edge. I wonder if that gives H1 an edge at the edge in regards to rolling. Seems like I have read here that the H1 Salts take abuse at the edge better. My LC200N Pac Salt loves to roll.

[ladybug93]

Even with the hollow grind, I thought the H1 Salts were still pretty thick behind the edge. I wonder if that gives H1 an edge at the edge in regards to rolling. Seems like I have read here that the H1 Salts take abuse at the edge better. My LC200N Pac Salt loves to roll.

that's what i was trying to get at. i think it's thicker and it takes on tough work better. the h1 salts beg for use.

[metaphoricalsimile]

Idk, but my serrated H1 dragonfly rolls if I use it on cardboard, whereas I can hack through a 1cm thick vine in a single swing with my LC200N Salt without even a hint of damage.

[ladybug93]

interesting. i don't use my se h1 df2 salt hard, but i've never had any rolling with it or my se h1 pac salt. i've had rolling on the teeth of my caribbean, but none on any of my pe lc200n blades.

[JSumm]

Idk, but my serrated H1 dragonfly rolls if I use it on cardboard, whereas I can hack through a 1cm thick vine in a single swing with my LC200N Salt without even a hint of damage.

I'll preface this with I'm not saying you are wrong. The dragonfly in H1 actually has a nice high hollow grind. Definitely better in that regard than the Salt 2. So I could see how it wouldn't take hard hits as well. And vines and limbs outside though thick are typically pretty soft unless you hit a knot. I really do think the H1s have a better reputation for not rolling in the Salt and Pac Salt due to how thick they are behind the edge, but that is completely my uneducated guess. I went LC200N with the Pac Salt because I new it would glide through material better, but I would guess that the thicker Salt and Pac Salt in H1 would hold up to rolling better. LC200N has not done that well in my experience. Sharpens out easily though.

I have derailed from Christian's topic I think. Just my thoughts when trying to decide between those two in the same platform.

[cjk]

I have derailed from Christian's topic I think. Just my thoughts when trying to decide between those two in the same platform.

No problem at all. It’s all interesting.