Any Experience w/ these Discontinued Kershaw Models?

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Blades&Bullets

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I was wondering if any of these models really stood out to you in form/quality/function. There is a store near me that has several Kershaws I believe are discontinued. They are probably still in stock because their prices are pretty high. (This is not a discussion about prices/value though). I have carried a Kershaw Storm II (another discontinued model) for years and it was a really good knife and great value for the price range. So, any really positive experiences with these models. Or if you know of any design flaws/issues that would be good to know to.

Here are some they had available.


KERSHAW:
-Steven Seagal
-Wild Turkey
-Gentleman's Folder
-Frank Centofante signature (pretty small)
-Groove
-Cyclone
-R.A.M.
-Sapphire
-Ener-G2
-Junkyard Dog I
-EDIT: Splinter
Thanks
 
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I had a Cyclone and have a JYD II, larger than the I but essentially the same.

My Cyclone's speedsafe did not work for some reason, but it is a dual action model and worked well as a manual knife. I sold it earlier this year.
 
I have a Groove, numerous Cyclones (incl. Mini models) and a R.A.M. The Groove is one of my favorite knives, regardless of brand; the look, feel and overall design are all excellent in my opinion. The Cyclone series is also pretty high on my list. The R.A.M. is unfortunately not one I've taken a liking to, but I have kept one in my collection because it is pretty unique in its own way. Some people are serious fans and can probably explain the fascination.

I also have a Storm (might be a Storm II) and dig it a lot as well.
 
Out of the ones you listed I had a RAM for awhile. I thought I was good knife like almost all Kershaw's. Liked the fact you could decompress the side lock and flip out like a Benchmade Axis lock. Kinda wish I didn't get rid of it but I know I wouldn't have used it as much as others and don't have the money to be a knife collector so. I only have two Kershaw's at the moment. A Storm and Avalanche. Really like them both.
 
I picked this Seagal up years ago in a sporting goods store for a bit over 50. It never was a very popular model despite, being very well made and it even has real ray skin inserts. The liner lock is very smooth and just clicks into place with precision. Blade has a nice polish and it's very sharp. I've always just hung onto it because they never brought a lot on the secondary market, probably in no small part because Seagal seemed to fall in popularity soon after it came out.


2vxlm6b.jpg
 
Blades&Bullets said:
I was wondering if any of these models really stood out to you in form/quality/function. There is a store near me that has several Kershaws I believe are discontinued. They are probably still in stock because their prices are pretty high. (This is not a discussion about prices/value though). I have carried a Kershaw Storm II (another discontinued model) for years and it was a really good knife and great value for the price range. So, any really positive experiences with these models. Or if you know of any design flaws/issues that would be good to know to.

Here are some they had available.


KERSHAW:
-Steven Seagal
-Wild Turkey
-Gentleman's Folder
-Frank Centofante signature (pretty small)
-Groove
-Cyclone
-R.A.M.
-Sapphire
-Ener-G2
-Junkyard Dog I

Thanks
Click to expand...

Cyclones are awesome. I like being able to tur the assist off. Jyd 1 is a great knife. As is the ram and groove. You really cant go wrong with any of them. This store wouldnt be on illinois would lt? You are describing the inventory of a shop i know of to a t.
 
I have one of the damascus Wild Turkeys. It's a very nice knife with a surprisingly large blade. The damascus is subtle. Very classy, really.
 
I have a Groove, a large Cyclone, an Energ2, and 3 RAMs. I keep all of them except one of my RAMs in a knife bag. I like all of them in their own way but I prefer the RAM to most Kershaw folders. The wife hates it because when I get it out it is constantly flicked. It is such a fun flipper and is super smooth. It is a definite user, has been modified, but has held up surprisingly well.
 
I have a red Snap-On edition R.A.M.
One of the few knives I won't use and I've kept it because it's a fairly rare, discontinued special edition. Not sure how may were made but have only seen others for sale on eBay.
It's a nice knife though. Unique action and very smooth.
 
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The JYD-I is good. I find the bigger one to have better ergos, as the flipper/guard reduces the underside grip length. But it's flat, so a fencing grip works nicely and it flips really well. I skinned a groundhog with mine, that's about it...
 
Thanks for the responses so far.
I've noticed a few Grooves mentioned as carry knives and it seemed like an interesting design. The Centofante would have been great if they made the same size as the Leek that was the first Sapphire I had ever seen.
I liked the look of the R.A.M., but I wasn't sure if I would like the location of the safety button on it.

Oh, I forgot they had one called a Splinter too.

jill jackson said:
I picked this Seagal up years ago in a sporting goods store for a bit over 50. It never was a very popular model despite, being very well made and it even has real ray skin inserts. The liner lock is very smooth and just clicks into place with precision. Blade has a nice polish and it's very sharp. I've always just hung onto it because they never brought a lot on the secondary market, probably in no small part because Seagal seemed to fall in popularity soon after it came out.
Click to expand...
~$50 sound pretty good. This place must be selling full MSRP, because they want over 3x that.
I thought the ray skin inserts were pretty cool, and was probably comfortable in the hand, but it wasn't my favorite design. Before seeing it person, I didn't know Seagal had done a collaboration with Kershaw.
NeilB said:
I have one of the damascus Wild Turkeys. It's a very nice knife with a surprisingly large blade. The damascus is subtle. Very classy, really.
Click to expand...
I liked the look of the Wild Turkey and Gentleman's Folder since they were more traditional knives and Kershaw produces mostly modern designs now. I don't know if Kershaw even make any knives in Japan anymore.
Is the Wild Turkey the predecessor to the Crown? They look pretty similar.

PURPLEDC said:
Cyclones are awesome. I like being able to tur the assist off. Jyd 1 is a great knife. As is the ram and groove. You really cant go wrong with any of them. This store wouldnt be on illinois would lt? You are describing the inventory of a shop i know of to a t.
Click to expand...
I like the JYD's. I had never seen the smaller model though until I went in that store.
No, not in IL. I think the reason this place has so many discontinued knives is because there prices seem to be full MSRP.
 
When the Seagal came out it was MSRP around 150, or more, then they didn't sell well it got dropped and the rest where sold discounted. The knife actually is extremely well made and solid. I saw it in the showcase for 56 bucks and didn't hesitate a second.
 
- Wild Turkey - I have one, but haven't really ever used it. It is very slim and well built. It was actually a bit longer than I had pictured it.

- Cyclone - Very nice and pretty large folder. The little use this one has gotten from me has just been around the house, for which it was more than adequate. Mine doesn't have the toggle switch for the A/O. This one was also larger than I had pictured.

- RAM - This one is an awesome design. I've carried and used this one a fair amount. Awesome flipping action, great ergos, and comfortable to carry. If you have a chance to pick one of these up at a decent price, it's very worth it.

- Ener-G2 - I actually have an Ener-G (all black G10 handles, but otherwise the same). The floating launch tab works somewhat similar to the OD-1 (both Lee Williams design), and it really rockets the blade out.

Cyclone_NRG_Blur_RAM_Skyline_Leek_WildTurkey_open_800x491.jpg


Cyclone_NRG_Blur_RAM_Skyline_Leek_WildTurkey_closed_800x476.jpg
 
The older discontinued Kershaws are some of the coolest knives I've ever seen. Compared to a lot of other manufacturers, they just had more style; more personality.

I love the Cyclones, and I've been carrying a Turbulence lately (another discontinued gem). I really want to pick up a Storm. Hopefully next month!
 
Flarp,
Thanks for the detailed post and comparison pics! I haven't handled any of them yet and it is nice seeing how they compare side by side.

grownstar,
They do have some really cool knives that are discontinued (the Offset and Spec Bump come to mind).
I bought my Storm II I think in 07 or early 08 and it was my EDC until about a year ago. Most of that time I worked cutting lawns, rough carpentry, etc. and it got plenty of use. A few months ago I got the pivot replaced and it is nearly good as new. Since I live in the city now I often carry smaller knives like my stockman or Delica, so it doesn't get the use it did in the past. I would definitely recommend it though. I bought mine new for a little over $30 and never regretted it. It was my first USA made modern folder and it really showed me what kind of quality was available.
 
I carried a mini Cyclone for a couple of years. Great blade shape, nice size and light. Only gripe was I could get the liner lock to partially disengage on a hard grip, it had to go.
 
I had a titanium "Wild Wild Turkey" 1430 at one point, it was a neat knife with ATS-34 steel I believe and made by Moki for Kershaw. If I recall the reason I sold it was because I found the thumb stud a little hard to access due to the narrow nature of the handle and my big paws. It was certainly a well made knife. Very similar to the discontinued G-10 Hawk but with better materials and fit & finish.
 
eschwebach said:
I had a titanium "Wild Wild Turkey" 1430 at one point, it was a neat knife with ATS-34 steel I believe and made by Moki for Kershaw. If I recall the reason I sold it was because I found the thumb stud a little hard to access due to the narrow nature of the handle and my big paws. It was certainly a well made knife. Very similar to the discontinued G-10 Hawk but with better materials and fit & finish.
Click to expand...
The updated look is nice too, but I can see where the thumb stud could be uncomfortable. MOKI, I think I've heard that name but I'm not really familiar with their work. I need to check them out.
 
I don't want to derail the thread but I thought I would add some info on Moki. Moki is a Japanese knife maker. They make a few of their own knives but seem to make knives for other makers more often than not. They make, or have made knives, for Spyderco, Al Mar, Kershaw, and many more. I owned a Moki Fish Owl and it was very well made. They are a quality knife maker for sure.
 
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