Anymore "high-end" Kershaws?

Noctis3880

Noctis3880

Joined
Jul 22, 2009
Messages
11,409
I've been having trouble finding Kershaw knives in the $200-$250 range lately, and haven't seen much aside from the various discontinued Titanium Bump, Titanium JYD, Speedform, and Volt. Now I have my eyes on the Tilt, so don't you fret, I haven't missed a thing:thumbup:.

I've seen about a hundred models in the sub $75 range, and some seem to be very attractive designs(particularly the ones from R.J. Martin). So I was wondering if there will be similar models with a higher price tag and more exotic materials and designs(titanium of course, the Bohler-Uddeholm steels, and I'm also keeping my fingers crossed for more widespread use of the KVT system). Perhaps in a full production run as well?

Also haven't missed the Hinderer flipper, though I believe that's the ZT branch. ZT has plenty of knives in the price range I'm looking for, but I was hoping for something slimmer with a more EDC design from Kershaw. Perhaps something with titanium handles, KVT, and M390 in a razor thin edge:thumbup:.
 
knivesandguns said:
Blade, Noctis, Blade. A new grail is rumored to be revealed.
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I'd attend if I had the kind of cash to fly over there as well as the hotel, which is kind of the problem seeing as how that alone would deprive me of any remaining money with which to purchase knives:thumbdn:. Oh well, maybe in 10 years, by which time I fully expect Kershaw to use something with 15% vanadium:thumbup:.
 
I think that is kind of the point of ZT. Kershaws target market are those people who think that spending 200 dollars on a knife is like buying a $100k pinto. Zt gives a little bit more of the fun stuff with a little bit more of a sock to the wallet.
 
You can always try to hunt down the Ti/ZDP Mini Cyclone and a Ti/ZDP Leek. It sounds like you need a Ti Tyrade as well. The Whisper was a very limited run with satin finished 440V plain or partially serrated blade, Ti handles, kraton inserts, and a Vault Lock which I believe was a lock collaborated between Ken Onion and Rick Hinderer. I could be wrong about that, but I can swear that I've read that before. I've never seen the lock on another knife other than the Whisper.
 
I think we need more high end regular production Kershaw’s. To date there are a limited amount of choices, with nothing over $200. Factory capacity while juggling both the Kershaw and ZT brands continues to challenge us. Currently we’re falling short keeping up with demand, with scorecards and fill-rates needing improvement.

Kai-USA is one of the few manufacturers in the states that can produce value folders in quantity. I can’t stress enough how difficult this is. I’m not speaking about specialty manufacturing output, but volume output that can supply the likes of all the major retailers and big box outlets in this country. As you can imagine this is no easy task. The core products we produce, and the monies that this company makes is built on these sales. The majority of these retailers work on price points that fit their everyday buyer. These price points are much lower than the OP is calling for in this thread.
I’ve always felt the Kershaw brand brought forth a price point and product that exceeded entry level, but incorporate features and performance that brought ultimate value to the next level of offerings for the general public. This formula has been successful for us, and is quite unique in today’s knife world.

On the flip side, we’ve always tried to lead by bringing forth new technology, and introducing exotic steels to the marketplace. Our higher end patterns have often turned to boutique runs, as again, our volume priorities and factory capacity makes it very difficult for us to do both regularly in production.
While we do find value in pushing our higher end capabilities to the enthusiast, ultimately it puts pressure on the factory, and makes us much less efficient than sometimes we like to be.

ZT of course has been popular with the upper end knife crowd, and we’ve been using that brand as a way of satisfying those that want top tier stuff.

Balancing both brands has aged many of us here, but it’s all been worth it, as we feel we’ve been able to do what not many can. Deliver both value and performance. We’re giving our import competition a strong run for the big box dollars by producing USA quality at an eye popping street price, all while keeping the specialty boys looking in their rear view mirrors.
 
I wouldn't suggest crippling the low end production in favor of high-end, but given that many of the limited run high-end knives go up in value on the secondary market, I believe the demand is there.
 
Noctis3880 said:
I wouldn't suggest crippling the low end production in favor of high-end, but given that many of the limited run high-end knives go up in value on the secondary market, I believe the demand is there.
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The demand is there, but what pays to keep the factory running and the employees salaried? The profit margin has to be pretty slim on the really high end exotic stuff. You could kind of compare it to car manufacturing. Exotic car makers like Lamborghini can (hopefully) make a profit selling relatively few cars because their factory is set up that way and their pricing is set up to cover the cost of manufacturing and limited marketing and distribution. Compare this to Ford, they can certainly make a Lamborghini level car, look at the GT. But is it practical for them to produce it? The R&D and manufacturing costs were not likely to have been recovered by the short run, plus there is the added cost of being able to support maintenance of the ones that were produced. Hopefully valuable info was gained during development that trickled down to their mainstream cars. And of course publicity and mindshare gained were invaluable.

I guess I am just saying we should do all we can to support and buy the volume knives so Kershaw and ZT can afford to make is the high end and sprints we want. And when they do make something for us we need to make sure it goes fast so they know they didn't make a mistake. And also make sure we let them know when we really like something new or think that something really works well in the high end stuff so they can think about incorporating it into their mainstream production.
 
Thomas W said:
I think we need more high end regular production Kershaw’s. To date there are a limited amount of choices, with nothing over $200. Factory capacity while juggling both the Kershaw and ZT brands continues to challenge us. Currently we’re falling short keeping up with demand, with scorecards and fill-rates needing improvement.

Kai-USA is one of the few manufacturers in the states that can produce value folders in quantity. I can’t stress enough how difficult this is. I’m not speaking about specialty manufacturing output, but volume output that can supply the likes of all the major retailers and big box outlets in this country. As you can imagine this is no easy task. The core products we produce, and the monies that this company makes is built on these sales. The majority of these retailers work on price points that fit their everyday buyer. These price points are much lower than the OP is calling for in this thread.
I’ve always felt the Kershaw brand brought forth a price point and product that exceeded entry level, but incorporate features and performance that brought ultimate value to the next level of offerings for the general public. This formula has been successful for us, and is quite unique in today’s knife world.

On the flip side, we’ve always tried to lead by bringing forth new technology, and introducing exotic steels to the marketplace. Our higher end patterns have often turned to boutique runs, as again, our volume priorities and factory capacity makes it very difficult for us to do both regularly in production.
While we do find value in pushing our higher end capabilities to the enthusiast, ultimately it puts pressure on the factory, and makes us much less efficient than sometimes we like to be.

ZT of course has been popular with the upper end knife crowd, and we’ve been using that brand as a way of satisfying those that want top tier stuff.

Balancing both brands has aged many of us here, but it’s all been worth it, as we feel we’ve been able to do what not many can. Deliver both value and performance. We’re giving our import competition a strong run for the big box dollars by producing USA quality at an eye popping street price, all while keeping the specialty boys looking in their rear view mirrors.
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Well said Thomas. :thumbup:

You should sticky this as it seems to describe Kershaw/ZT's philosophy and approach to production very well. Then you can just direct people with questions regarding such to it!
 
Kershaw and ZT are the most amazing brands to me right now.

My buddy is in need of a new knife, nothing fancy just a combo edge knife for work. So I picked him up a Salvo, USA made (important to both of use) tough frame lock with great basic features, like traktech and a steel frame lock. Cost me roughly 25 bucks, and I'm sure it'll serve him well.

The same company that makes that amazingly inexpensive but well built standard knife, is able to put out something like the zt 301, 551, or soon the zt/hinderer flipper that manages to get me all in a sweat just waiting for it to become the most expensive knife I'll own. Thats just mind blowing, in a great way! As much as the other companies have their thing, and serve there crowd IMHO kershaw/zt has the bases covered for just about everyone's knife needs, thats pretty darn impressive.

You guys are doing a fantastic job!
 
Agree!
LMAO! at Thomas W's "foreplay" remark,then marvelled at his summary of how it all works....which,I believe,is his longest post here,ever.
 
Maybeso said:
Well said Thomas. :thumbup:

You should sticky this as it seems to describe Kershaw/ZT's philosophy and approach to production very well. Then you can just direct people with questions regarding such to it!
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+1 on making TW's post a sticky. An interesting eye-opener for sure.
 
Other top tier companies have similar capacity but only by have much or most of the production done oversees and or by having limited new knife designs.
 
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