A few Kershaw questions/Hello

J

jim preston

Joined
Jul 22, 2007
Messages
1,045
I only have one Kershaw, a Sapphire, but I'm pretty sure I want to diversify. See, the thing is, Kershaw offers innovative designs made right, that I like, at very reasonable prices, which I also like.
I've been on a bit of a traditional knife binge of late, buying Case, Moore Maker, Lagouiole, Opinel, and several SAKs (recently went to Switzerland.) The traditional, folksy, practical part of my heart has loved this, but the other part, that damnable part that likes to soend money on stuff I don't need, has been chanting "tactical,tactical,tactical". I think watching the DVRed episodes of Good Eats and Feasting on Asphault pointed me to Kershaw, and here I am. I see models like the Skyline, at great prices.

I have a few questions about some of the other Kershaws in a similar price range. First, the new model called the Zing. You can get it in don't-lose-me orange, and it has some new Scandinavian steel that I couldn't spell even if I wanted too. I have no doubt that the knife will be very sharp and all, but it's a liner lock, and looks similar to my discontinued Sapphire. Thing is, while the Sapphire is a very light, very sharp knife, I always haven't put quite as much trust in it as I have in some of my other knives, even my Benchmade Vex, which is a linerlock, albeit a beefy one. So, how thick is the liner lock on the Zing? Thicker than the Sapphire? A little bit more sturdy?

Another one is the Oso Sweet. At twenty-five dollars, it seems like a steal. Knifecenter does not list the country of orgin, so I'm assuming it's China. Also, it has AUS6A steel. My Sapphire is AUS-8, which has been excellent, and I have a CRKT M16 that I think is AUS4. I'm assuming the steel would be fairly easy to sharpen, but not retain that edge that long. Also, again, this is a liner lock, so how sturdy is it? It has my "perfect blade length", and Speedsafe, which I really want to try.

The DWO is a lockback, so lock stability shouldn't be problem, but in the pictures it looks like the lock is enclosed under a bit of rubber. Is this true? Is it consequentially harder to disengage?

It seems like you are a great bunch over here, and have very good taste in knives. Thanks for your help.

-James Preston Parham
(call me Preston)
 
Hello Preston

The liner thickness on the Zing is yet to be announced, but I'd guess in the .050 to .060 range, which should be sufficient for a knife of its size.

As for your other questions, I'll let some of the local experts answer those.

Hope to see you around some more.
 
Preston,
Glad to see you're hanging around in the Kershaw subforum!:thumbup: Like you, I've been on a bit of a tradional kick (I've recently been buying Cases-CV stuff, Bokers, Queens, Opinels, and Vic SAKs. I don't know why I needed 3 Sodbuster Jrs, but I got 'em) as well as of late, but Kershaw and Spyderco keep reelin' back in.

To try and help answer some of your questions, I think the Zing will definitely be a little more "sturdy" than the Saphire, which is, for all intents and purposes, more of a gent's knife. The Zing was designed by R.J. Martin, a tactical folder maker extrodinaire (look at the Kershaw Groove), so it'll be sure to stand up to some tough use.

The steel that is going to be used (making it's debut in the Zing) is 14C28, a more corrosion resistant upgrade to 13C26, which Kershaw has used in knives like the Groove, the Skyline (the one you were looking at getting), and the Junkyard Dogs, among others. I have no doubts that it'll be a great steel! Think of 13C26 as sort of an upgrade to the steel you're used to in your SAKs, very clean, with better edge retention and much higher hardness.

The Oso Sweet is made in China, but like Spyderco, Kershaw demands a lot from their Chinese products, so I'm sure you'll be impressed. AUS-6, in my opinion, done right (since it's Kershaw, it'll be done right) is leaps and bounds ahead of CRKT's AUS-4. I'd even bet it's leaps and bounds ahead of CRKT's (formerly used) AUS-6 as well. Kershaw seems to have their heat-treat down pat.

I'm not familiar with the DWO, so I'll let someone else take that question for ya.

Regards,
3G
 
Thanks, 3G

I agree that the Sapphire is more of a gent's knife. The reason I got one: My brother got one, half off. I got a big CRKT fixed blade at the same sale. About a year later, I really started eyeing up the Sapphire, and decided to get one. I searched for a while, and finally found one where it was thirty bucks plus ten shipping. Not quite as good a deal as my brothers, but still, a very good price.

As for Sodbusters, well, you don't technically need them, but...
 
The Sapphire was my first ever EDC, and I can definitely say that it is tougher than it looks. I used it for a wide multitude of cutting and even minor prying tasks, and it never failed on me. The Zing looks like it may be built even tougher, but since I have never handled one, I couldn't say for sure.
 
Preston, I've never had an issue with Kershaw's liner locks. Very well machined interface. I expect to get many years of service out of them.

You mentioned the tactical area. For that, look no further than Kershaw's ZT line. Pocket tanks! They are on the larger size (read: they're BIG), and all have a frame lock except for the 0200 (whose liner lock is thicker than many frame locks I've seen) and the MUDD, a collaboration between Kershaw and custom makers Grant and Gavin Hawk. Some come with Titanium frames. All of the ZT line are tough, no nonsense folders. But expect to pay up for these, and don't expect a small knife to show up at your door.

In the "could be semi-tactical/EDC" area, if you're looking for AO knives, let me suggest the Blur. Very tough knives, SpeedSafe equipped, and can be found in 440A (upgraded to 13C26, but there's still some "new old stock" in the distribution chain), 13C26 (current production), and after the first of the year, the Kershaw/Sandvik exclusive 14C28N. There's also an "upgrade" steel of SG2 that can be found if you look around. Expect to pay $ 60 or so for the 13C26, and upward of $ 100 for the SG2. I have a bunch of these, and love them.

Another nice knife I'd put in this category is the SpeedSafe equipped Cyclone. Available in full size or mini, current production is 13C26. Along with the SpeedSafe, you get a nice feature: the ability to turn the SpeedSafe on or off. Nice beefy blade, and a full grip. The full-sized Cyclone is a big knife! $ 40 to $ 60 depending on the size and dealer.

Non-AO's I would suggest looking at are the Lahar (VG-10 steel, a big beautiful knife) for around $ 55, the Lee Williams designed ENER-G and ENER-G II (smaller and larger versions), available in the original configuration of trac-tec inserts and satin finished blade, and the Limited Edition black/black G-10 slabbed (both in 13C26) for about $ 55, and the soon to be released OD-1. Also a Williams design, the OD-1 has another unique flipper and will start off the bat in 14C28N. G-10 slab on one side, and a stainless frame lock on the other. These should be released within the next few weeks (I hope!) and shound run around $ 50 or so.

Then there's always the JYD II Composite blade: a spine of 13C26 fused to a cutting edge of CPM D2. A good sized knife, the blade is a thing of beauty. The Composite Blade technology is exclusive to Kershaw, and they've done a tremendous job with it. Reasonably priced for $ 65 to $ 75, you get the benefit of a CPM D2 cutting edge without the price associated with a full blade of the stuff!

One that's often overlooked is the Mini Mojo (440A, out of production, but there are still some in the distribution chain) and the Mini Mijito (13C26). The best little "big" knife I've owned. Neat integral safety built into the flipper, this knife sports a beautiful recurved blade and Ken Onion's stud lock. It's very similar to it's bigger cousins, the Bumps.

I haven't even scratched the surface, and you can already see Kershaw makes a lot of different knives from inexpensive quality folders to high-end sprint runs for the steel junkies! And all of them are backed by Kershaw's lifetime warranty, and excellent customer service!

Hang around, read some of the threads, and ask any questions you like. You'll find a very friendly (but sometimes defensive of Kershaw) bunch!

Glad to have you around! :thumbup:
 
Note: my use of the word Tactical was mean to say one-hand opening knife w/pocket clip.

I've looked at (read oogled) the ZT line, but they're a little out of my price range, and all of them have blades longer than 4", except the 0400. I have no problems with carrying a knife of that size (I routinely carry an Al Mar Eagle Talon), but NCs blade length limit is 4" (I'm pretty sure)
 
NC as in North Carolina? If so, where about?

And one I missed you might really like... the Shallot! SpeedSafe, clip adjusts for tip up/down carry, 13C26 and a frame lock! Very sleek looking knife, it can serve double duty as a dress knife or an EDC.
 
Last edited:
jim preston said:
[...] I've looked at (read oogled) the ZT line, but they're a little out of my price range, and all of them have blades longer than 4", except the 0400.[...]
Click to expand...
FYI, some of the websites out there still have the pre-production prototype specs listed. For instance, the 030x's blade length is 3-3/4" not 4-1/4" as some sites claim.
 
I just measured the liner lock on my Skyline and it is .050. It is a great
knife for the money. You just can't beat it for $30. (Made in USA)
Also, have you taken a look at the RAM 1910?? It uses the Hawk Lock
and I can't see it failing unless you just bust the knife. It's been my EDC
for about 5 months now.

Demonstration of the lock on the RAM.

Our very own SladeGT40 showing off a bit on It's flipping abilities. ;)
 
Preston, I've got kin folk scattered from Roxboro to Goldsboro! :thumbup:

And speaking of Slade, where has he been? Anyone talked with him recently? :confused:
 
im here. life's been crazy. work's been crazy and i also remembered that i can read things that don't exist on a screen. decided to get into that stephanie meyer's twlight series and ended up reading the whole series in 4 days. but i'm around every day, but i havent really posted anything of significance.

thanks for the link on the ram vid. i worked on some aerial both closed and open until one day i twirled it closed and when i threw it, the blade half opened and i freaked out a bit nearly gripping the blade and cutting my hand. sooooo i wont try that for a while.

sorry for the not posting. i promise im still thinking of blades and all that, can't wait until these new models come out. trust me, even if my posts will be few and far between for the time being i will still check in every day. and once the black ram's come out i will post my two new sets of scales (thanks firebert). they look amazing

thanks for the concern you guys.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top