Lenny
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 15, 1998
- Messages
- 2,486
Well, I told you that I wanted a small folder and that the 2 in contention were the Kershaw Chive and the CRKT small Navajo. I couldn't decide so I bought both. Only had them for a day so I'm only offering my initial opinions. After I've used them for a bit, I'll write up part 3.
- Chive: Everything you guys said was true. Flicking it open is addicting. For such a tiny knife, it's very comfy in the hand. Handle edges are nicely rounded, and my fingers fit around the cut-out very nicely. Lock up is very solid with zero blade play. The blade is very close to perfectly centered when closed and was shaving sharp out of the box. The whole knife seems very solid in the hand. Nice strong minimally designed clip. Best of all, the knife fits perfectly in the coin pocket of my Levis. Since it's such a small blade, I guess the recurve will help it cut like a much larger edge. The only changes I would recommend at this point are some grooves on the lock bar for better purchase when using and unlocking, and make the safety out of steel, instead of cheesy plastic. I'm just wondering how long the spring will last?
- CRKT small Navajo: This is a very nice knife, though a small step down from the Chive Quality-Wise. Handle edges could be a bit more rounded for comfort. Lock-up has a bit of wobble in it. Blade doesn't center as well when folded. However, I like the blade size and shape a bit better than the Chive's. Also, the handle fits my hand better. I'll have to take a Dremel to those edges though. One funny thing about the knife is the thumb ridges just behind the thumb studs. In the locked open position, they sit below the surface of the handle scales. 'Bout as useful as a screen door on a submarine. However, the ridged thumb studs provide nice purchase. Maybe ridges cut into the handle scales themselves would be nice. The ridges on the liner lock and surrounding handle scales are nicely done though. The clip is totally overdesigned for this knife. Too large and too tight. I can barely clip and unclip it from my jeans. Closing the blade, I can just barely feel it dropping into the ball detent, but then, I have to push it a mm further to fully close it. Overall, it's a nice knife for the money.
However, as the Chive is about $10 less than the Navajo, with better quality, either Kershaw is crazy for selling it for such a price, or the Navajo is overpriced.
I hope to put both thru their paces in the coming weeks.
My Sebenza will get a bit of a vacation in the mean time.
I've always wanted to see what the limitations are for such a small knife. I'm sure they can do almost everything the large Sebenza can, just a bit more difficult, and not as comfortably.
Comments, suggestions are welcome.
Lenny
- Chive: Everything you guys said was true. Flicking it open is addicting. For such a tiny knife, it's very comfy in the hand. Handle edges are nicely rounded, and my fingers fit around the cut-out very nicely. Lock up is very solid with zero blade play. The blade is very close to perfectly centered when closed and was shaving sharp out of the box. The whole knife seems very solid in the hand. Nice strong minimally designed clip. Best of all, the knife fits perfectly in the coin pocket of my Levis. Since it's such a small blade, I guess the recurve will help it cut like a much larger edge. The only changes I would recommend at this point are some grooves on the lock bar for better purchase when using and unlocking, and make the safety out of steel, instead of cheesy plastic. I'm just wondering how long the spring will last?
- CRKT small Navajo: This is a very nice knife, though a small step down from the Chive Quality-Wise. Handle edges could be a bit more rounded for comfort. Lock-up has a bit of wobble in it. Blade doesn't center as well when folded. However, I like the blade size and shape a bit better than the Chive's. Also, the handle fits my hand better. I'll have to take a Dremel to those edges though. One funny thing about the knife is the thumb ridges just behind the thumb studs. In the locked open position, they sit below the surface of the handle scales. 'Bout as useful as a screen door on a submarine. However, the ridged thumb studs provide nice purchase. Maybe ridges cut into the handle scales themselves would be nice. The ridges on the liner lock and surrounding handle scales are nicely done though. The clip is totally overdesigned for this knife. Too large and too tight. I can barely clip and unclip it from my jeans. Closing the blade, I can just barely feel it dropping into the ball detent, but then, I have to push it a mm further to fully close it. Overall, it's a nice knife for the money.
However, as the Chive is about $10 less than the Navajo, with better quality, either Kershaw is crazy for selling it for such a price, or the Navajo is overpriced.
I hope to put both thru their paces in the coming weeks.
My Sebenza will get a bit of a vacation in the mean time.
I've always wanted to see what the limitations are for such a small knife. I'm sure they can do almost everything the large Sebenza can, just a bit more difficult, and not as comfortably.
Comments, suggestions are welcome.
Lenny