By Merilee Kern, ‘The Luxe List’ Executive Editor
While there is no shortage of exceptional luxury design houses, there are an esteemed few that rise above their competitors and not only raise the industry bar—but actually set an inimitable standard. This is the case with William Henry, an American luxury brand for men that crafts unique artisan collections that include jewelry, writing instruments, money clips and award-winning pocketknives.
Known for its meticulous use of classic natural materials, precious metals, gemstones, and state-of-the-art alloys, William Henry is a benchmark luxury brand that has an upper echelon following world-wide. Just visit the “Proud Owners” section of its web site to see what entertainment power players like Harrison Ford, Nick Jonas, Jared Leto, Laurence Fishburne, John Varvatos, Luke Bryan, Pierce Brosnan, and Adrien Brody own from the company’s collections. Evan A-list ladies like Cameron Diaz have bought this brand’s baubles.
Given that William Henry is one of America’s industry-leading designers of luxe pocketknives, it’s a stellar option if you’re looking for a Father’s Day gift that’ll truly take Dad’s breath away and surely become treasured family heirlooms. The company often unveils exclusive, limited-edition knife designs that supplement its otherwise esteemed collection.
For example, Spring 2018 saw the debut of William Henry’s “Spearpoint Universe” design—a seven-inch knife featuring Gibeon meteorite scales and a one-handed button lock and thumb stud set with black diamonds. It has a silver, copper and 24K gold handle created by master engraver Alex Ostrogradsky, and a hand-forged Damascus steel blade (a type of steel used in sword-making from about 300 BC to 1700 AD) forged with a minimum of 300 layers by Robert Eggerling. Sourced from Namibia, the extraterrestrial origin of the prehistoric Gibeon meteorite consists of extremely rare long nickel-iron crystals that cannot occur naturally anywhere on earth. Priced at $35,000, this is a one-of-a-kind treasure for the serious collector.
There are a number of other designs in the William Henry pocketknife collection that I have a penchant for, with two in particular. One is the William Henry Monarch “Corsair” Pocketknife ($1,450) offering a rugged, yet elegantly simple style that fits smoothly in the hand. The knife frame is hand-carved sterling silver, inlaid with a carbon fiber scale. The beautifully crafted blade is wickedly sharp and features William Henry’s copper wave Damascus steel with a VG-5 (V-Gold 5) steel core. The one-hand button lock and the thumb stud are set with elegant citrine gemstones. This glassy yellow quartz varietal is strategically layered throughout the blade and handle to proffer a shiny, bright glow.
The Corsair is a sleek piece that is easy on the eye and effortless in the hand, and the elegant shape of the handle on this model is also an ideal canvas that showcases several of William Henry’s most admired exotic materials. It’s a true personality statement piece to be worn and used for a lifetime before being handed down to the next generation. The Corsair also comes with its own leather carrying case and is shipped in an elegant wood presentation box.
I also adore the exquisite William Henry Kestrel “Forest Glen” Pocketknife ($850), which features a light and resilient frame made of aerospace-grade titanium that’s inlaid with real blue spruce pinecone. One of the largest, hardiest and most adaptable spruce in the world, the Norway blue spruce material is reportedly stabilized with a color pigmented resin which enhances the contrast of the veneer and gives the scales of this piece a blue tonality. The blade of the Forest Glen is hand-forged “Boomerang” Damascus by Chad Nichols. Its one-hand button lock and thumb stud are set and spaced with sapphire gemstones, which traditionally symbolize nobility, truth, sincerity, and faithfulness. William Henry utilizes the highest quality sapphires, selected and cut by Swarovski Gems to décor the ribbits of this knife.
The overall design offers a deep finger groove at the intersection between the handle and blade, making it remarkably comfortable in the hand while maintaining its small and lightweight stature. Indeed, this is a compact but versatile folding knife that works and presents beautifully in any situation. It’s a perfect gift for the father who is a tireless adventurer, whether he’s fly-fishing the world’s most famous rivers or exploring remote forests–or is simply the master of his domain.
William Henry has rightly forged its fame on creating exclusive and award-winning pocketknives, transforming the archetype of these tools into functional works of art replete with classic natural materials, precious metals, gemstones, and state-of-the-art alloys. So, whether you’re in the market for a magnificent pocketknife, writing instrument, money clip, key chain, set of cuff links or distinctive men’s jewelry, William Henry’s haute collections will deliver in droves.
~~~
As the Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List,” Merilee Kern is an internationally-regarded consumer product trends expert and hospitality industry voice of authority—a travel, dining, leisure and lifestyle expert who spotlights noteworthy marketplace innovations, change makers, movers and shakers. She reports on exemplary travel destinations and experiences, extraordinary events and newsworthy products and services across all categories. Reach her online at www.TheLuxeList.com, on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/LuxeListEditor, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList and on Instagram at www.Instagram.com/LuxeListReviews.
***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided or arranged at no cost to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***
