Everyone needs a Tilt or at least one of the new KVT knives!

[oregonknifenerd]

I just had a chance to handle a Tilt. I only wish I'd had a chance long ago. Thomas and Kershaw, thank you for making this knife! I just wish these were more widely available. Next time I hope market and timelines allow for more. Everyone get a preorder in NOW if you can find somewhere just in case there is still some chance of getting one!

The pictures don't do the Tilt justice at all. I originally was only a bit interested in this knife as the angular shape didn't look like it would be comfortable to hold. Boy was I wrong! The Tilt is AMAZING! It is much larger than I imagined even estimating size and profile from the size specs and images. The KVT sounds all technical and...big deal.. bearings.. even watching videos of it being flipped you just don't get a sense of how awesome this thing is.. how the blade just glides open. If you haven't got a preorder in or foolishly cancelled a preorder to have money for chasing Blurs, get a new preorder in! You want one! The Tilt feels like a custom knife worth at least twice the cost. I just can't stress how great this knife is without using some non-family friendly words. I can't believe that after holding one of these and flipping that smooth KVT action open that anyone would ever let it go. The fit and finish is perfect. I don't know how Kershaw managed to get everything so exact and smooth even with the limited number produced and hold up for extra attention to detail. I've NEVER seen a knife before that I didn't quite know how to put in to words how great it is. These had to be difficult to engineer even with all of the high tech laser cutters and CNC mills over in Tualatin. There must be crates full of Tilts with the tiniest blems tossed somewhere so that only knives that pass a microscope analysis make it out the door. It's that good! And since these are so hard to obtain, I really didn't want to like it as much as I do!

The carbon fiber is nice and thick but because it is carbon and titanium the knife is very well balanced. Maybe the tiniest bit blade heavy. The carbon fiber is slick and really shows off the weave. You may think this would make for a difficult to hold knife but this is not the case. The angular shape, that from the images may make it look like it would be uncomfortable hold, put the handle right in to the pocket of your palm making for a knice firm rip with the blade extending away from the palm at a nice angle for a slicing cut. The TILT cut out as lightening in the handle we've all seen pictures of. The attention to detail on this blade is just amazing. Even the outlined lettering of the font compliments the rest of the style of this knife. The simplicity of the Skyline is what makes that knife. The Tilt went the other direction and they threw carbon fiber, titanium, KVT bearing system and so many minute engineering and design details in to this knife that it's just mind blowing in the technology all packaged in to a single knife.

Now on to what I don't like... and this is a huge stretch. The DLC coated blade. When it came out as a coated blade and it sounded like there was very little chance of ever getting one in the original run I didn't want money tied up set aside for one. Kershaw makes composite blades that have that nicely defined border and they just look so great. The DLC coating on the blade gives it a nice stealth bomber sort of look but I really want to see the contrast of the two steels. They may not have the fancy border that some of the other composite blade Kershaws have but I still would like to see it. The stonewash Tilt is going to an excellent compliment to the full black Tilt if not even better! I just hope I can get one of these Tilts as I'd love a stonewashed one! Again, if you haven't got a preorder in, get one in now and set aside some money again for a stonewash!

Now I just hope that I got a new preorder in on time to get a stonewash Tilt. If the Tilt says anything at all about what to expect with the 0777, and we know it does, the 077 is going to be even more mind blowing! I only wish I had the funds for one of those also. I've put down a full preorder payment on a pair of ZT 0560s and with the KVT the 0560/0561 will be just as smooth opening but something I won't feel guilty carrying! With some Mr. H aftermarket carbon scales the 0560 can pack some technology also.

If you can, pick up a Tilt.. and if not a Tilt, you need to at least pick up something with the new KVT bearing system and that buttery smooth flipping action. The 0560/0561s, if not all of the glamor of the Tilt or 0777, are going to be real guilt free users and have very nice stonewashed blades to flip with that KVT and will have the backup of the excellent Kershaw/ZT customer service and support we've all come to know and love! I'm excited as the 0560s sounds like will be shipping soon!

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Thomas, feel free to merge this with another Tilt thread but I felt that it's as much a review of the new KVT as it is the Tilt and worthy of a thread of it's own.

[Cal45]

WTT: Anything you want for a Tilt

[gundude73]

I love my tilt. KVT is amazing, the design is amazing, all the features are amazing.

Did I mention it's amazing?

[ibute21]

I wish I could get in on a preorder, but sadly, school and rent and car problems are gobbling up what little cash I do have from work. I'll hopefully be able to pick one up eventually. To all of those with one, use those Tilts!

[DrOpPoInT1110]

I agree, the KVT is incredible. The first time I opened my Tilt, I was literally in awe. It's ridiculously smooth and fast but still locks up like a bank vault.

[DrOpPoInT1110]

-sorry, double post. ignore this one-

[mqqn]

Agreed. If you don't have one, you need one.

I used to judge smoothness of action on a folding blade by holding the blade vertically tip-down, and rotating the handle up to 90 degrees, then release the handle. I gaged how smooth the knife was by how far the handle would rotate down to the blade.

With the Tilt, I hold the handle, and release the blade - the blade rotates down and closes. It is amazing.

No need for assisted opening when the blade is so smooth and friction free.

My example sees use every day. For me, the color of the finish is not a consideration, and in fact I think the stealthy black look fits the design well.

Of course I have a stonewashed on order as well......

best regards -

mqqn

[GenKraid]

Thanks for the great review! Now I'm even MORE excited for the 0560/0561/0777 that I have pre ordered!

[brandnewcolony]

The Tilt is badassssss!

[DrOpPoInT1110]

The Tilt is badassssss!

It is badass indeed! As excited as I am about the stonewashed version, the all blacked-out model has really grown on me. Just looks killer. Honestly, aside from the KVT which is certainly worth trying out on any Kershaw to come, I think the Tilt is the perfect candidate for it. Top-notch all the way through!

[Wharn]

Man I was super excited for the 0560 but now you have me searching for a tilt. I have to get off these forums.

[mr_anderson]

I liked my all black so much, I decided to order 2 of the Stonewashed. It is ridiculous how smooth it is to open.

[mley1]

I do a lot of hunting. I'm wondering how the bearings will hold up once they get gunked up with blood, and dirt. Are the bearings sealed? Is it easy to clean them? Would I be crazy to use a knife with the KVT bearings for gutting and skinning animals? Has anyone used their tilt, or any KVT knife, for this type of use?

[dakine]

I really want the stone wash Tilt and 561

[DrOpPoInT1110]

I do a lot of hunting. I'm wondering how the bearings will hold up once they get gunked up with blood, and dirt. Are the bearings sealed? Is it easy to clean them? Would I be crazy to use a knife with the KVT bearings for gutting and skinning animals? Has anyone used their tilt, or any KVT knife, for this type of use?

The bearings aren't totally sealed but they are encased so they would probably hold up better than something like IKBS. I suppose the Tilt could be used for hunting tasks but I wouldn't say it's the best option. If you try it out, be sure to let us know how it performs!

[mr_anderson]

You could rinse it out no problem, shouldn't hurt anything.

I do a lot of hunting. I'm wondering how the bearings will hold up once they get gunked up with blood, and dirt. Are the bearings sealed? Is it easy to clean them? Would I be crazy to use a knife with the KVT bearings for gutting and skinning animals? Has anyone used their tilt, or any KVT knife, for this type of use?

[g17steve]

I want a Tilt really bad they just go so fast and don't show up much on the second hand market.

[Opticon]

I want a Tilt really bad they just go so fast and don't show up much on the second hand market.

I've been on the hunt for one as well, good luck to you

[Wildog007]

I love my tilt. KVT is amazing, the design is amazing, all the features are amazing.

Did I mention it's amazing?

It's amazing how hard it is to get one now!!! Excellent review on the you tube BTW.

[gundude73]

It's amazing how hard it is to get one now!!! Excellent review on the you tube BTW.

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.