A Taste of Chive

Will Power

Will Power

Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
33,943
I find myself in new terrain:thumbup:

I'm usually a fixed-blade type or use traditional slip-joints or lockbacks but a recent post on small knives put me onto a Kershaw Chive. And I'm very glad I did, got one from e.bay which arrived really quickly and I live in the EU so the speed was particularly welcome.

This little knife is extremely impressive, very well-made/engineered and is going to be a very useful box cutter and parcel opener. Some non-knife types at work got all interested in it&were convinced it must be some special tailor-made order as it is so small yet workmanlike. I don't know about other Kershaw knives, but if this is anything to go by then they are top-flight in my view:thumbup:

But this has come at a BAD TIME, just when I was trying to tell myself that this month I'll take a month off from this knife-buying illness and this little beauty gets me all interested in a whole new knife area no......:D As I generally like old school knives this is particularly surprising,but maybe I'll get it re-scaled in Sambar Stag:D

Any suggestions about the NEXT step in Kershaws? I'm well taken with this assisted opening thing so the Onion series seems to be it. How about a Scallion as this could be a very competent EDC? Not so keen on very large knives though. Are there any Kershaws with wood,bone or suchlike scales? Chives are one of my favourite herbs, but then, the whole onion family are a tasty bunch! But why no Kershaw Garlic? Does this frighten sheeple vampires too much.......
 
IMHO, your next logical step would be the Mini Mojo/Mojito. Here's a link to it on Kershaw's site: http://www.kershawknives.com/productdetails.php?id=69

This is a tremendous little knife...small, but packed with features such as a very innovative safety, SpeedSafe AO, stud lock, tip up/down carry, 2-3/8" blade, 3-1/2" overall closed, G-10 grip insert on the reverse side, beautiful recurve drop point blade...like I said, a lot of knife in a very small package. That's the knife pictured with my .45 below.

Sandy carries one...it's her pocket EDC. Now, she also has a Scallion clipped inside her purse, when she drags it along. Again a very neat little knife. Tip safety, and SpeedSafe AO. Link's here: http://www.kershawknives.com/productdetails.php?id=2.
They come in about 11 different varieties of colors and plain edges or partially serrated edges.

One thing to watch on the Mini Mojito tho...a LOT of retailers are offering the Mojito mis-labeled. The Mini Mojo was introduced, per Kershaw's press release, in April 2005. It had a 440A blade. Sometime around August 2007, the name changed to the Mojito, and the blade steel was changed to 13C26 Sandvik. Order on-line, and you get what the dealer has; Mojo or Mojito. I'd ask the dealer to check the date stamp...pre August 2007, it's a Mojo, post August 2007, it's a Mojito. Either way, it's a great knife.

Regardless of the date stamp, the Mojo/Mojito doesn't get enough page time here. Like I said, it's a lot of knife in a nice, small package. Did I mention I REALLY like this knife? :D
 
I got into Kershaw’s through the chive also. It was given to me as a gift years ago and now I have a couple of Chives and quite a few more Kershaw’s. If you like the Chive then you’ll defiantly like the Scallion. Just remember, you can’t buy just one:D

Enjoy your Chive:thumbup:

-sh00ter
 
You might want to take a look at the Mini-Cyclone...That's one of my favorites in the Kershaw stable!...It has the AO feature, but you can also turn off the AO if you don't want it with the Cyclones.
 
Easy there, glockcycloZT0200man99, let's not overwhelm willgoy too soon! :D
The Chives and Scallions are entry level Kershaw drugs...

Before you know it, he'll be jonesing for a Mini Cyclone, then a Cyclone, a Groove, ENER-G, Offset, Spec Bump, Mini Cyclone Ti/ZDP, Tyrade and then on to the harder stuff...the ZT's!

We've all been down this road, and while it's a very expensive habit, it never seems to end, especially with Thomas and Kershaw pushing harder stuff on us every few months!

He's hooked now. All we have to do is to sit back, be patient, and he'll come back asking for more! ;)

BTW, did I mention I just hooked up with a new ZT0200? :eek:
 
SPXTrader you are absolutely right, I begin to feel a strange compulsion to know and own more! Thanks for the very helpful info.
 
willgoy, Welcome, and feel free to take your time and peruse the Kershaw sub-forum! There are many very knowledgeable people here that can answer just about any question you can come up with.

Enjoy!

SPX
 
I'm a Leek nut, and they're probably my all time favorite EDC knife; it would be a good move up from a Chive. I started carrying a Leek so as not to startle many of the Female "Sheeple" customers I encounter on a daily basis. I really took a liking to them.

One of the Mini-Cyclones would be cool too; I think that's next on my list.

Hey, this is my tenth post! Watch out glockmann99, I should catch up with you in a week or so! ;)
 
spx-thanks about the info about the newer sandvik steel and two different names.....i am new to kershaws and that helped alot.....ryan
 
SPXTrader said:
Easy there, glockcycloZT0200man99, let's not overwhelm willgoy too soon! :D
The Chives and Scallions are entry level Kershaw drugs...

Before you know it, he'll be jonesing for a Mini Cyclone, then a Cyclone, a Groove, ENER-G, Offset, Spec Bump, Mini Cyclone Ti/ZDP, Tyrade and then on to the harder stuff...the ZT's!

We've all been down this road, and while it's a very expensive habit, it never seems to end, especially with Thomas and Kershaw pushing harder stuff on us every few months!

He's hooked now. All we have to do is to sit back, be patient, and he'll come back asking for more! ;)

BTW, did I mention I just hooked up with a new ZT0200? :eek:
Click to expand...
Geeze...Whatever you do, don't tell this new guy about the FANTASTIC ZT 0200 folder!!.:eek:.:eek:.
 
Thanks for the info and encouragement. When I've a bit of time I'll look through the picture archive on this thread. In the meantime, if anybody can post a comparison picture of say Chive,Scallion, Leek and Mojito side by side to see the size difference, I'd be grateful.

These look like knives I could relate to, unlike the Spydercos I have which are fine cutlery but they don't move me.
 
willgoy, here are some comparison shots of the Mini Cyclone (for size reference and glockcycloZT0200man99's enjoyment), a Mini Mojo, and a Wal Mart Scallion. Sorry for the quality, I kinda rushed these while waiting for my daily market data to download...

And unfortunately, I don't own a Leek :eek:, I just never got into the blade design, and I don't have a Chive either. But I hear that a high end sprint run of the Chive may be in the works, so I'll be patient.

The three side by side...the Mini Cyclone is a little over 7" open:
2007_1211Image0012.jpg


Again, but closed...
2007_1211Image0005.jpg


The tip lock on the Scallion...it works by sliding a bar up the back of the blade. Since it's a SpeedSafe, I never bother with it. In fact, I have it tightened down so it won't engage.
2007_1211Image0010.jpg


The Stud lock (bottom) and flipper lock on the Mini Mojo...the flipper lock is incorporated with the opening flipper. A great design!
2007_1211Image0018.jpg


A close-up of the flipper lock on the Mini Mojo...
2007_1211Image0017.jpg


I hope this helps, and I'm sure others will give you some comparisons to the Leek and Chive.
 
Well I don’t have a Leek or Mojito, but I do have a Chive and Scallion.
100_0199.jpg

I guess you can use this comparison shot to get an idea of how big the Cyclone and Mini Mojo are in SPX’s photo’s.

-sh00ter
 
Many thanks gentlemen!

Is Speedsafe that safe that you can forget about the tip-lock then?? I'd hate anything to start opening whilst carrying......does delay deployment the lock though.
 
Personally, I've never had any problems. But there are always exceptions to the rule. I can't answer whether the Scallion's tip lock delays deployment or not, since I effectively turned mine "off" the day I bought it. That said, the SpeedSafe mechanics are such that the blade is really "on safe" when closed. The same torsion bar that works the AO also functions as a resistance area when closing the blade.
 
You’d probably be fine not using the tip lock, as I have forgotten to use it many a time without any ill effects. I still generally use it though, mainly cause its there and I don’t think it delays deployment. I use my picky finger to push the tip lock down as I draw the knife so it doesn’t really slow me down, but I guess it would depend on how you carry/draw the knife yourself. Hope this helps.

-sh00ter
 
My chive really pops, so I make very sure to use the safety! It will open with the lightest touch to the flipper and I'd really hate to stab anything near my pocket. :eek: I love the knife, and was looking to get a scallion to go with it, but a Mojo might beat it to my stable. It's all SPXtraders fault with all those photos, and that nice photo in his sig..... costing me money I tell ya. :cool: I found a good price on a Mojo, but would like to try the newer steel except it's $15-$20 more for the newer model.
 
dblagent, The SpeedSafe feature seems to snap quicker on all the smaller blades...not to say the big ones are slow by any means. My Scallions open fast, but not having the tip up option means the flipper (if you're right-handed) lies on the outside seam of your right front pocket. This carry position helps eliminate pocket misfires, as the flipper naturally comes to the palm of your hand when you draw the knife. It takes a thoughtful movement to turn the knife to where your index finger rests on the flipper.

As for the 440A Mojo vs. the 13C26 Mojito, for everyday normal use I find the 440A to be a very good steel. They just require touch ups a little more frequently. A few swipes thru the Sharpmaker, and they're shaving sharp in minutes. So don't let this be a hold back on getting one. And with the Mojo/Mojito, you have tip up carry available, and the integral safety has a natural feel to it and I've NEVER had a misfire with it. Sandy has EDC's her Mojo for about 6 months now, hasn't needed a touch up, and she (unlike glockcycloZT0200man99) has yet to cut herself. She uses it every day, and she's known at work as the go to girl when someone needs a sharp knife (Pharmacists with knives! What's this world coming to?). So she frequently finds herself helping coworkers open boxes, cut strapping tape, etc. It will still clean shave my arm in one pass. And these little buggers open in a hurry!

This brings me to another point regarding Kershaw's recurves. If you own any type of recurve (Mojo, Speed Bump, Spec Bump, Boa, Groove, etc.) I have found these are much easier to touch up or bring back a very sharp edge using a Sharpmaker vs. a freehand flat stone. Even the Scallion is easier to touch up with a Sharpmaker. It can be a little difficult to keep the blade angle correct while maneuvering around the recurves on a flat stone.

So go ahead, blame me, and buy a few more Kershaw's! :D
 
You know, this is kinda funny. I was looking at my Scallion these days and I was thinking what a great knife it is, yet you don't hear much about it at the Forum. Maybe because it is unexpensive and already too common?
The whole family Chive / Scallion / Leek are both nice and functional and come in so many flavors. Not to mention they are quite affordable.
 
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