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

[Mr .44 Spl]

I've found many of the Kershaws are pretty stiff when they are new. This makes them hard to open, but after opening and closing them a few times they smooth right out. I had a Blur that was dang near impossible to open with the thumb stud when new. I spent a whole day practially opening and closing it while watching TV, on the computer, etc. Now it flies right open, and takes what I consider to be just the right amount of effort.

IMO, flippers are the way to go. I much prefer a folder (AO or otherwise) to have a flipper. I've got knives without them, but the flippers are my favorites.

Just my $0.02, and probably overpriced at that.

Kershaw makes great knives, especially some of the higher end ones.

 

[cutter17]

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. .
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:

Hey, that's great news! Now there will be more for me and others.

 

[BOrrell]

Have a number of Kershaws and like most of the; have a Skyline in my pocket right now; is it one I would take elk hunting? No, but for most of the things I do it is fine; This week I have carried a Ritter Griptillian, a full sized Dejavoo and, because of what I was doing yesterday and will be doing todya, the Skyline is fine.

 

[winbag338]

Im not a fan of the o.d. ,but the skyline is fantastic.

 

[Smash05]

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

Good for you for trying something new, but from your post you said you really like thumb studs/holes - as if to say that you prefered them and knew this prior to your purchase of the above mentioned Kershaw knives.

 

[seniordep2010]

Good for you for trying something new, but from your post you said you really like thumb studs/holes - as if to say that you prefered them and knew this prior to your purchase of the above mentioned Kershaw knives.

Well I had never tried a flipper, it was always a stud or a hole, so in that sense that's what I prefered. Now that I tried the flipper, I confirmed that I prefer the stud/hole design. Now if the OD-1 has a stud along with the flipper, it would be in my pocket right now.

 

[J_Curd]

I see you posting alot about Spyderco's in the short time you've been here.

Take the same money you'd spend on a mid-level Spydie, spend it on a Kershaw, and see what you think.

Negatively evaluating an (the?) industry leader on their budget Wal-Mart "Billy Bob will buy this for $30" knives when you're used to a "hobbyist" grade knife isn't exactly apples to apples.

It's akin to demeaning Spyderco if I thought poorly of the Byrd line...

 

[dmonay]

Sounds like you are a Spiderco fan. That is the style of knife you are describing that you like. Maybe you should stick to them. Just don't slam Kershaws because they are not your cup of tea. I own a n OD1 and its a great little knife, opens very easy. The way a liner lock works is the tighter you grip it the more force you put on the lock keeping it even more secure and safe. Maybe you need someone more experienced in handling knives to show you how well these typs of knives work.
Kershaw knives are some of the best in the buisness with customer service second to none. You may just not like flipper type knives, that is one of Kershaws specialty's and my favorite type of opening mechanism. Try out the Kershaw R.A.M. its a flipper that opens like butter, smooth and easy, and is totaly an inertia opener no spring assist. It closes with a slide lever and the Hawk lock is said to be very strong. I also own that one and its my number one EDC knife.
Good luck which ever way decide to you go with your knife purchases.

 

[seniordep2010]

Just don't slam Kershaws because they are not your cup of tea.......Good luck which ever way decide to you go with your knife purchases.

I'm not "slamming" Kershaw, I simply stated that I tried two of their products and didn't like them. And I gave my reasons to justify why I didn't like them.

I'm not trying to start a flame war with Kershaw's fans but I think many people are getting offended for some reason. For example, I have a Buck 112, I love that knife, but if someone started a thread saying they hated it I wouldn't be offended or put off by this. I would accept that fact that their choice is their choice and the like what they like.
Some knives work for some people and that same knife may not work for the next guy.

Anyways, thanks for the good luck. :thumbup:

 

[J_Curd]

I'm not "slamming" Kershaw, I simply stated that I tried two of their products and didn't like them. And I gave my reasons to justify why I didn't like 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.

Maybe it is your tact, or lack thereof. It's all good, you'll understand a bit better once you've had some more time here. Good luck!

And!....never rule out any company for future purchases. There are plenty of knives I've loved that I won't buy again, and many that I've disliked that I currently enjoy.

Things change, don't short yourself.

 

[hwpaintballer]

How were you using the flipper?

It's better to apply pressure to the tip (I know on this model the flipper is round and hides away) of the flipper. The OD-1 (an orange G10 one) was one of the first knives I gifted to a sister of mine, in no time she had the flipper down, so with a little bit of practice you can get it down.

 

[hwpaintballer]

I'm not trying to start a flame war with Kershaw's fans but I think many people are getting offended for some reason.

I can't see why some people get offended over the littlest of stuff. I mean sure you pissed on some brand, calling their products hard to open, dangerous, cheap, and even the whole flipper system useless, and even though those were budget knives, you have decided not to try any of the other sturdier, smoother, or heavy knives that Kershaw offers. Also these little tid-bits in your first post is probably what sent the mood for the thread.

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.

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.

Needless to say, I won't be purchasing any Kershaw brand knives in the future.

 

[audiopile]

Here's my less than 2cents worth: a.) Not a big fan of flippers -not very glove friendly and where I live - that's reality for about 4 months out of any year- will coincide that point. 2.) Carried and used a Kershaw Boa ( let me be clear - the same knife - not the same model in multiple examples)- for 4 or 5 years straight. Liner lock never let me down. Very occasionally ( 2 or 3 times in total)enough pocket lint would accumulate that the knife would not lock. Flick of a small screwdriver to remove the carpet of lint in the lock -and I was back in business. 3.) Torsion bar finally failed.By this point this was one rough looking cutting tool.Blade chipped - finish missing because I routinely used it to hammer plastic screw anchors into concrete.Still cut very well.4.) Sent it back to Keshaw. To my amazement - they sent me a new knife.
I have no experience with the knives you've mentioned - the flipper doesn't interest me and have never handled the other. But I'll tell you this - I've been using folding knives for 50 years - Kershaw consistently makes some of the best.
As others have posted - pick up and handle some of their + or - 100 buck knives at a B&M store or a knife show -I think you'll be impressed.

 

[Tostig]

Too bad you didn't enjoy those two fantastic knives from Kershaw.

The OD-1 is an awesome knife , you have to use it a bit to get the jist of it , not for the impatient.... As far fas the Skyline goes , it might 'feel' insignificant because of it's light wieght but that is where it barely begins to shine. A knife that light with that much cutting power , not to mention ease of opening and for the low price and awesome customer service/warranty ? - pretty darn rare these days.

As for not trusting the liner lock , I can sympathize a little until you do a 'whack test' on a 2x4 or something then realize how strong it really is , providing it was sent out right from the factory. Yes there are stronger locks but the linerlock definatly has it's place in the knife world.

Can't please 'em all.

Tostig

 

[PG5768]

I can't see why some people get offended over the littlest of stuff. I mean sure you pissed on some brand, calling their products hard to open, dangerous, cheap, and even the whole flipper system useless, and even though those were budget knives, you have decided not to try any of the other sturdier, smoother, or heavy knives that Kershaw offers. Also these little tid-bits in your first post is probably what sent the mood for the thread.

I'm a little offended , I don't think the OD-1 is a "budget" knife. A $15 S&W or Winchester liner/frame lock, sure, those are "budget" knives. The OD-1 is an exceptional value in fit, finish, and materials, IMHO. (I'm biased towards flippers, though ).

 

[Sevorius]

My OD-1 came with a very stiff ball detent, but after about 500 openings (and a very sore index finger) it broke in nicely. Now its as smooth as butter and locks up like a vault.

As for the skyline, it is a very lightweight linerless knife designed with EDC tasks in mind, but that does not make it cheap. as far as feeling like you could crush it in your hand, my money is on the skyline G10 may flex slightly but it is way tougher than it appears. next time you are in walmart you should ask to handle one again and give it a good hard squeeze, it might impress you. I do agree with you on the linerlock though, I don't trust them with tough jobs.

To be honest, the more I've learned about knives over the last few years here on bladeforums the less I rely on any folding knife's lock. Any lock can fail if circumstances conspire against you. Consequently I've come to treat every knife I own like a slipjoint, and if an accident should occur the lock is there just in case, kinda like an airbag in a car.

 

[seniordep2010]

I'm a little offended , I don't think the OD-1 is a "budget" knife. A $15 S&W or Winchester liner/frame lock, sure, those are "budget" knives. The OD-1 is an exceptional value in fit, finish, and materials, IMHO. (I'm biased towards flippers, though ).

Now I bought the Winchester ParFive for $15 at Wal-Mart about 6 months ago. It has a frame lock and it very sturdy, and has a great lockup. I've EDC'd this knife since I got it and I love it. I have had not one problem with it, the only reason I want a new knife is because I just get kinda bored somethimes with the same thing.

 

[J_Curd]

The steel on that Winchester doesn't hold a candle to either of the Kershaw's you returned. Keep buying and experimenting, and you'll see the full spectrum under which most of us purchase. I bought some "very nice knives" until I learned about all the steel options, and realized that the steel choice is paramount to the long term durability of any knife.

Kershaw uses really good steel, in their box store knives. 14C28N is really really nice steel for the cost.

If you only double your money, they offer the BEST steels (ZDP-189, S110V) and they are the only factory to do their own heat treat of ZDP-189 INSIDE the USA. No one else can say that to my knowledge.

Show me another knife to rival the durability, strength, features, and warranty of a sprint run Kershaw Shallot in ZDP-189 or S110V, at the same cost, and I will buy it for you.

How's that for a fanboi?

 

[GronK]

I'm a big fan of Spydercos, don't care for AO or recurve blades and was ambivalent about flippers. I gave the OD-1 and Skyline a try when they came out and they now share pocket time with my Spydercos. For "light knife" days in khakis they are near perfect, being light and smallish but with excellent fit and finish, have nice ergos and they're made in the USA to boot.

 

[seniordep2010]

The steel on that Winchester doesn't hold a candle to either of the Kershaw's you returned. Keep buying and experimenting, and you'll see the full spectrum under which most of us purchase. I bought some "very nice knives" until I learned about all the steel options, and realized that the steel choice is paramount to the long term durability of any knife.

Kershaw uses really good steel, in their box store knives. 14C28N is really really nice steel for the cost.

If you only double your money, they offer the BEST steels (ZDP-189, S110V) and they are the only factory to do their own heat treat of ZDP-189 INSIDE the USA. No one else can say that to my knowledge.

Show me another knife to rival the durability, strength, features, and warranty of a sprint run Kershaw Shallot in ZDP-189 or S110V, at the same cost, and I will buy it for you.

How's that for a fanboi?

:thumbup::thumbup:. I'm sure I will end up buying another Kershaw one day, but I'll do more homework on it and make sure it's gonna work for me. Maybe the higher end ones will please me more. Anyways, if and when I try another Kershaw, I assure you guys, I'll be posting about it.