2445ST First Impressions and Comparison Pics

PG5768 · Feb 20, 2009

I received my 2445ST today and have had a few moments to look it over and develop some first impressions. The first thing that required some getting used to is the manual opening. I've been using flippers and AOs almost exclusively lately.

Fit and finish are very good. Blade centering appears to be perfect. The Trac-Tec inserts aren't quite as rough as those on my Blur. The pocket clip is set up for left side tip-up or tip-down carry. Which is great for me, since I carry my knives in my left front pocket with the blade towards the back seam.

The 2445ST opens smoothly and the framelock has a good solid lock-up. No detectable vertical blade play and minor lateral blade play (any tighter and it would be harder to open). Using the method outlined by STR for testing knife locks, I couldn't get any movement from the blade or the lock.

The blade is extremely sharp out of the box. The serrations are convex rather than the usual concave. I'm not fond of combo edge blades, so it'll be interesting if this knife can change my mind.

I plan to carry this knife as my EDC for the few weeks and will be back with my evaluation after put it thru its paces opening oranges, letters, boxes, etc.

For those of you who would like to see it compared to a couple other Kershaws that are more familiar, here is the 2445ST next to a Random Leek (thank you spiralarchitect) and an S30V Blur (thank you TW).

J_Curd · Feb 20, 2009

I dig the clip.

A_Blade_Afficionado · Feb 20, 2009

That's a fatty clip there. That wouldn't let your knife move in your pocket at all. I just wish it had a flipper, I would get one if it did.

PG5768 · Feb 20, 2009

Looking at these pictures reminded me to change the clips on Random Leek and Blur to tip-down carry.

jonnyfgroove · Feb 20, 2009

Looks like the same clip as the skyline?

Cool knife, thanks for the review.:thumbup:

qqfob · Feb 20, 2009

jonnyfgroove said:
Looks like the same clip as the skyline?

Which is also the same as some of the ZT clips.

Dekz · Feb 22, 2009

PG5768 said:
The pocket clip is set up for left side tip-up or tip-down carry.

I'm confused

SladeGT40 · Feb 22, 2009

i think he means the left side of the knife if you are looking at it head on. its only drilled on one side i believe but it is reversible for tip up or down

ill let you know later on as im taking a friend on a little wally world adventure today to scope out their kershaws

knivesandguns · Feb 22, 2009

SladeGT40 said:
i think he means the left side of the knife if you are looking at it head on. its only drilled on one side i believe but it is reversible for tip up or down ill let you know later on as im taking a friend on a little wally world adventure today to scope out their kershaws

Yup, or translated as, right hand tip-up or down carry.

PG5768 · Feb 22, 2009

knivesandguns said:
Yup, or translated as, right hand tip-up or down carry.

knivesandguns, thanks for the clarification.

I wasn't thinking about orientation when you're using the knife. Did I get the the tip down part right, though?

PG5768 · Feb 22, 2009

SladeGT40 said:
i think he means the left side of the knife if you are looking at it head on. its only drilled on one side i believe but it is reversible for tip up or down ill let you know later on as im taking a friend on a little wally world adventure today to scope out their kershaws

Left, right, tip-up, tip-down. I'm still learning, thanks for straightening me out.

PG5768 · Feb 22, 2009

Dekz said:
I'm confused

Sorry for the confusion Dekz.

It looks like SladeGT40 and knivesandguns knew what I was trying to say and corrected my mistake.

PG5768 · Feb 22, 2009

So let me get this straight (so I don't confuse myself or anyone else next time). Standard orientation is just as if you are using the knife, spine up and blade pointing away? Tip-down carry is when the pocket clip is mounted near the pivot and the tip is pointing down when the closed knife is in a pocket and tip-up is the reverse?

Shore08 · Feb 22, 2009

PG5768 said:
Sorry for the confusion Dekz. It looks like SladeGT40 and knivesandguns knew what I was trying to say and corrected my mistake.

My dad was always liked to say "Do what I mean, not what I say!"

PG5768 · Feb 22, 2009

Shore08 said:
My dad was always liked to say "Do what I mean, not what I say!"

Smart man.

riffraff · Feb 22, 2009

Right-hand tip-down: tip is down while in right-side pocket, with spine towards the front.

Right-hand tip-up: tip is up while in right-side pocket with spine towards the rear.

Left-hand tip-down: tip is down while in left-side pocket with spine towards the front.

Left-hand tip-up: tip is up while in left-side pocket with spine towards the rear.

I think.

SladeGT40 · Feb 22, 2009

no problem all. ooo000ooh about to embark on my new knife quest.....god i shouldn't get excited about going to walmart.

PG5768 · Feb 22, 2009

riffraff said:
Right-hand tip-down: tip is down while in right-side pocket, with spine towards the front.

Right-hand tip-up: tip is up while in right-side pocket with spine towards the rear.

Left-hand tip-down: tip is down while in left-side pocket with spine towards the front.

Left-hand tip-up: tip is up while in left-side pocket with spine towards the rear.

I think.

Thanks riffraff. Than makes sense to me. :thumbup:

riffraff · Feb 22, 2009

PG5768 said:
Thanks riffraff. Than makes sense to me. :thumbup:

Eh. *shrugs* I used to be a technical writer.

OldPhysics · Feb 22, 2009

Well. My copy of the 2445ST arrived just this Saturday, in perfect condition in its Oregon-marked envelope.

And now I must leave the area for 2 - 4 weeks on business.:grumpy:

So ... I feel I should make some initial comments before I depart, especially since I cannot take the knife where I'm going. I hope the OP doesn't get too upset that I add my few comments to his excellent review; he and several others have already done an EXCELLENT job of describing the virtues of this little folder.

A little orientation:

This is a nice, solid little folder with good fit and finish. I've always favored the textured inserts that come with the 2445ST, as it improves one's grip. The blade sits very solidly within the handles and there is really no bladeplay when it deploys, which it does with a noticeable 'thunk.' Here is what you see:

As has already been mentioned, this knife comes unusually sharp right out of the envelope -- both the plain edge and the single-side serrations. It slices and dices admirably and that pointy tip should prove useful in the kitchen and in the field. The dual thumbstud is a good feature -- my 2445ST is difficult to open with the thumb right now, but I'm sure this will grow easier with use. I bent the pocket clip out a bit to improve the fit in my jeans pocket (a trivial task).

This little knife handles very well. No surprise, given Kershaw's experience with ergonomics:

I don't think there's any basic task this fine tool can't perform. And for only $35.00 US.

As I finish here and head upstairs to pack my kit bag, here are a few comparison shots with other familiar Kershaws:

From bottom: Groove, 2445ST, Shallot (CPM110V)

A final thanks to Thomas W as I head off for a mini-campaign. I shall pick up the 2445ST on my return ... and start slicing.

Au Revoir, all.