2 Kershaws in 1 day. Won't happen again.

S

seniordep2010

Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Messages
309
Today I decide I wanted a new knife and didn't want to order one and have to wait two weeks to get it. I went to Wal-Mart and decided on a Kershaw OD-1 after about 15 minutes of pondering.
Well, it's a nice knife, and I loved the G-10 and the frame lock. But the only way to open the knife is the flipper on the back, and I really like thumb studs/holes. The flipper was very hard to engage, you have to get just the right grip then put down 3 tons of force to get it to move.
So I decided to take it back after having it for 5 minutes. BTW I managed to cut my hand in those 5 minutes too, just a little one but still. :o.
I took it back and bought the Skyline, went to my car and opened it up. I almost didn't get it because the liner lock, I do not trust them. As soon as I took it out of the package I was in aww.......at how cheap and worthless it felt. It was very light, too light, the blade felt so weak I thought I could squeeze it in my hand and crush it. That along with the liner lock that I didn't trust anyways, I took that one back too.
Needless to say, I won't be purchasing any Kershaw brand knives in the future. Atleast not for awhile. :grumpy:
 
Sorry you had problems with the OD-1. Never had the problems you've had with the three I've owned. The flipper is awesome, IMO and the frame lock (aka Reeve Integral Lock) works as expected.

The first one I owned was given away as a prize and the winner still loves it AFAIK. BTW, the flipper does take some practice to master and the frame lock takes some getting uesd to if you aren't familiar with it.

My first frame lock Kershaw was a Random Leek and I did slice my thumb pretty good before I figured out how to open it.:o

And I'm spoiled by flippers now. :D
 
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I dont own either but I've handled both (each was not my cup of tea). Sounds like you want something that uses thumb stud or an opening hole.

In my book Kershaw is a great knife for the price.
 
Not to call you out or anything, but I believe you've got it all wrong about Kershaw. They have some of the nicest fit and finish around. You are doing yourself a disservice by writing them off. I'm sure you were using the incorrect hand position when opening the od 1, as most that think it is hard to open are putting pressure on the frame lock.
 
seniordep2010 said:
Today I decide I wanted a new knife and didn't want to order one and have to wait two weeks to get it. I went to Wal-Mart and decided on a Kershaw OD-1 after about 15 minutes of pondering.
Well, it's a nice knife, and I loved the G-10 and the frame lock. But the only way to open the knife is the flipper on the back, and I really like thumb studs/holes. The flipper was very hard to engage, you have to get just the right grip then put down 3 tons of force to get it to move.
So I decided to take it back after having it for 5 minutes. BTW I managed to cut my hand in those 5 minutes too, just a little one but still. :o.
I took it back and bought the Skyline, went to my car and opened it up. I almost didn't get it because the liner lock, I do not trust them. As soon as I took it out of the package I was in aww.......at how cheap and worthless it felt. It was very light, too light, the blade felt so weak I thought I could squeeze it in my hand and crush it. That along with the liner lock that I didn't trust anyways, I took that one back too.
Needless to say, I won't be purchasing any Kershaw brand knives in the future. Atleast not for awhile. :grumpy:
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Hmm, too bad you don't like the knives. I happen to think they are both excellent knives. Some of the best "bang for the buck" out there.

As far as the OD-1 opening, you need to make sure you are not pressing on the framelock bar when pressing the lever to open. You are basically applying extra pressure on the detent making it difficult to open.

The Skyline, well it's designed to be light. It is currently my favorite EDC knife out of many in my rotation. I have used it for all kinds of cutting tasks and it has never felt weak. It is not a "hard use" knife but I have heavier duty knives for that.

To each there own I guess. Sorry it didn't work out for ya.
 
I wouldn't say the Skyline is cheap and worthless... Its a fast, strong (for its weight) little knife. I reckon it would handle most of your cutting tasks, Maybe its no Strider but its a sexy lil bish.
 
A lot of Kershaws don't appeal to me because I don't care for ao or flippers. I too prefer thumb studs or the spydie hole but last spring I picked up the Kershaw Barrage 2445st at Walmart and couldn't be happier. It has dual thumb studs and a frame lock. It's a great performer and the best $35 knife I've got.

WT_Barrage2.jpg
 
I handled a skyline at walmart as well and as you said it really does feel flimsy and cheap. I just couldnt take it seriously. Now my kershaw blur on the other hand is an amazing knife. you should check it out.
 
A lot of Kershaws don't impress me either. But that has more to do with me not liking assisted opening and just their designs in general. For the most part their products are of good quality tho.

I recommend checking out their Zero Tolerance line. They take Kershaws to a whole 'nother level.
 
I had the same problem with my OD1 when I opened it. If you are putting pressure on the lock side it is hard to open. Keep your fingers off the pivot on the lock bar side. I even was keeping my index finger off the handle in order to open the knife easily just takes a little practice. What I did not like about it was the weak ball detent and would not trust this knife in my pocket with a point up clip carry. The Skyline is a good knife. Do not let the light weight and liner only on the lock side bother you as it is very nice light weight folder.

RKH
 
Yep PG, still liking the Od-1. It's been knocked out of the EDC rotation (for the time being) but when I need a dressy EDC I carry the Od-1. Just sharpened it up today. :D
By far one of my favorite knives, just is a great overall performer. The flipper takes getting used to bit once it's dialed in it's smooth as silk. Maybe yours needed the pivot loosened a little bit. The Od-1 needs patience to dial in the pivot but it's well worth it.
 
Weak ball detent? Three tons of force? I have read some of these comments with great interest. I can't help but feel we are dealing with a PEBCAK error here. The opening lever is quick and effortless, the fit and finish is second to none and as for the blade staying closed, I can snap drop virtually any knife I have handled, except for the OD-1. I think that Kershaw and Lee Williams did a fantastic job with the OD-1 and it is one of my favorite knives.

I am truly sorry the OP came away with a bad impression of the knives, but I can tell you that such is an exception to the norm where Kershaw is concerned.
 
seniordep2010 said:
Today I decide I wanted a new knife and didn't want to order one and have to wait two weeks to get it. I went to Wal-Mart and decided on a Kershaw OD-1 after about 15 minutes of pondering.
Well, it's a nice knife, and I loved the G-10 and the frame lock. But the only way to open the knife is the flipper on the back, and I really like thumb studs/holes. The flipper was very hard to engage, you have to get just the right grip then put down 3 tons of force to get it to move.
So I decided to take it back after having it for 5 minutes. BTW I managed to cut my hand in those 5 minutes too, just a little one but still. :o.
I took it back and bought the Skyline, went to my car and opened it up. I almost didn't get it because the liner lock, I do not trust them. As soon as I took it out of the package I was in aww.......at how cheap and worthless it felt. It was very light, too light, the blade felt so weak I thought I could squeeze it in my hand and crush it. That along with the liner lock that I didn't trust anyways, I took that one back too.
Needless to say, I won't be purchasing any Kershaw brand knives in the future. Atleast not for awhile. :grumpy:
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1. JYD II (especially with the composite blade)

2. ZT0200

Two knives you could run over with a truck and they wouldn't flinch. I'd be worried about the truck though.
 
I think you just need to trade up a little in quality and price. You chose very low end Kershaws. Go pick up something like a Leek which is U.S. made and very smooth.
 
Knife Outlet said:
I think you just need to trade up a little in quality and price. You chose very low end Kershaws. Go pick up something like a Leek which is U.S. made and very smooth.
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Both the OD-1 and Skyline are made in the US.

I too played with an OD-1 in a store and thought that the flipper took too much effort. But after reading some of the replies here, maybe I was squeezing the lockbar, or maybe the pivot was too tight.

As for the Skyline, I'm sorry but the threadstarter is way off base. There is nothing wrong with the strength of the knife or its liner lock. It's one of the knives that I carry the most specifically because it weighs almost nothing. If you want a heavier duty knife than the Skyline you simply bought the wrong knife, but there is nothing wrong with it.

I would strongly encourage you to check out the Kershaw RAM. The best flipper in existence IMO, the Hawk-Lock is one of the best on the market, and the knife is very sturdy.
 
seniordep2010 said:
Today I decide I wanted a new knife and didn't want to order one and have to wait two weeks to get it. I went to Wal-Mart and decided on a Kershaw OD-1 after about 15 minutes of pondering.
Well, it's a nice knife, and I loved the G-10 and the frame lock. But the only way to open the knife is the flipper on the back, and I really like thumb studs/holes. The flipper was very hard to engage, you have to get just the right grip then put down 3 tons of force to get it to move.
So I decided to take it back after having it for 5 minutes. BTW I managed to cut my hand in those 5 minutes too, just a little one but still. :o.
I took it back and bought the Skyline, went to my car and opened it up. I almost didn't get it because the liner lock, I do not trust them. As soon as I took it out of the package I was in aww.......at how cheap and worthless it felt. It was very light, too light, the blade felt so weak I thought I could squeeze it in my hand and crush it. That along with the liner lock that I didn't trust anyways, I took that one back too.
Needless to say, I won't be purchasing any Kershaw brand knives in the future. Atleast not for awhile. :grumpy:
Click to expand...
I own a Skyline and I think it is outstanding. Probably my best small light weight EDC I have. A big blade fore a small light weight knife also. Sorry with your bad experience, your the first about that knife.
 
I don't think you spent enough time with either knife to get a true sense of each's capabilities, and certainly not enough time to give any kind of a substantive review. Having said that, if you don't like flippers, and don't like linerless G10 liner lock knives, why on earth did you pick out an OD1 or Skyline?
 
both knifes are great for what they are and what they cost...to me it sounds like your expectations are either too high or unrealistic...

and for the most part, a kershaw liner lock is built to hold within the limits and purpose of the model...
 
Smash05 said:
I don't think you spent enough time with either knife to get a true sense of each's capabilities, and certainly not enough time to give any kind of a substantive review. Having said that, if you don't like flippers, and don't like linerless G10 liner lock knives, why on earth did you pick out an OD1 or Skyline?
Click to expand...

You don't know what you don't like until you try it. I tried the flipper, and didn't like it.
 
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