Wilmont K23 review

It’s Wilmont Weekend! 100 Knives in 100 Days Giveaway – Wilmont Knives K23

Editors Note: The drawing for this knife is now over. But there are still some great knives coming up. There is  a Hoffner, a Ruana, a WE, an Artisan, a whole bunch of more budget oriented folders, a handful of Condor Kepharts, some more Brownings, and the two “most awesomest” knives in our Giveaway – Custom knives by David Kurt and SR (Steve) Johnson. If you want to win these or other knives from our 100 Days Giveaway, you must Register for a free account, and leave a comment on our official contest thread (here) – Your single comment remains good as your entry for the duration of the contest.

With that out of the way, here is a little bit about Chris Williams, Wilmont Knives, and the K23 that he donated to our 100 Knives in 100 Days Giveaway. (If you haven’t entered the primary drawing pool yet, make sure you leave a comment at that link as well).

Chris is a retired SOF soldier with over 20 years in the US Army. His mechanical engineering background predates his formal training, but he has been a tinkerer since childhood. His desire to always make things better carried over into making knives and other tools. In fact, when he was unsatisfied with off the shelf grinder options, he went out and designed his own. He ended up founding Wilmont Grinders, which I am told by folks I trust are the Cadillacs of the grinder world.

Chris was actually profiled in our February 2019 print issue by Jamin Bracket. Click the button below to launch the flipbook of the article:

Chris Williams Article Feb 2019

 

As far as the K23 goes, Wilmont Knives describes it thusly:

My K23 model is 5 inches long total with a 2 1/4″ blade. It has black G10 scales (Handles) that are scalloped via a belt grinder. THis knife is made out of Cpm Cru-Wear which is pretty much D2 on steriods. THis knife is 62 on the Rockwell C scale hard. It comes with a Kydex sheath and clip. Knife ships for $225 with kydex and clip.

Personal Observations:

The ergonomics are surprisingly good for such a small knife. While my hand can only wrap 3 fingers on the handle, its thickness and the contoured shape of the grip ensure a solid interface with my hand.

The jimpped thumb rest further helps lock the handle into one’s hand. Some folks don’t like scalloped handles, but I am not among them, and I have no issues with hot spots on the K23.

The plunge lines are even and the finish is spot on throughout. Not an “art-knife” by any means, this is a knife meant to be used. I beat the piss out of my Wilmont Wharny, the review of which I include below, and it always came back for more. The highest compliment I can pay a knife is to continue to carry it even when I am finished writing a review. The Wharny has been my companion on many a fishing trip into the Smokies in the years since I first tested the knife.

Outside Review:

Being a lower volume boutique maker, there are not many reviews out there. So I am going to share a review of the Wilmont Wharny, a knife I reviewed back at TTAK. Obviously the size and shape are different, but the CruWear steel and knife’s overall construction are the same.

Knife Review: Wilmont Knives Wharny

 


I would like to close by thanking Chris for his support of my career both at TTAK and now at Knife Magazine. He remains one of the most approachable and friendly folks in the industry. I always look forward to visiting with him at Blade Show each year, and am still looking forward to taking him fishing if he ever finds himself on the Tennessee side of the mountain.