anyone use Kershaw?

I have a Kershaw 1550 ST Blackout. I also bought the plain blade one for my daughter. Opens smooth cuts well. I like it a lot, unlike the Chive that I bought. The 1550 is my daughters EDC, ( she works nites )
I dont know about using it to clean / skin game. I have used my to just cut up sandwiches and the mayo gets gunked into the guts of the blade works pretty bad. I am concerned that it will gum up the spring works and the knife wont open.
As for washing it, I have had to run it under the faucet and then I shake it out. Then a good coating of WD 40 just to keep anything from rusting, If it can rust.
Actually that is a good question, will the spring and guts rust on this knife ?
Anyway, any animial I have ever skinned / cleaned has been with a small fixed blade. In my opinion just a better knife for the situation.
For EDC I like the 1550
Good Luck
Jack
 
As far as I know, In the Canadian "House of Knives" stores, kershaw's warrenties can be handled over the counter. This means we dont need to pay shipping and wait for a few weeks to get our knives warrentied. I know a few companies prefer you send them out.
I had a chive speed safe torsion bar snap on me, and I just brought it back and got a new one because it was a manufacture's defect.

Can someone check if this is true for all kershaw authorized dealers across North America.
 
Ive heard, I think maybe three people have had problems with the spring breaking. has anyone else ever had a problem? I own several and have never personally experienced this problem.
 
I've had a Ricochet, Boa, Whirlwind, BC Coated Chive, and now a Leek. All of them quality made, but I traded away the Whirlwind since I never used it--never was too fond of that plastic handle. The Ricochet and Boa both spent over a year each as my primary EDC and I usually carry the Chive of the Leek as a backup. Never had even a hint of a problem with any of them. I'd recommend them to anyone anytime.
 
I am retired, and work part time at a knife store, and I push the Ken Onion designs more than any other brand in the store as most of the customers want an medium grade knife that works well, and often ask about the warranty.
As for bang for the buck, and they want the best steel without going into higher $$$(over$100), I suggest the Avalanche as it has the 440V blade, and double liner frame, G-10 scales as well as the speed safe for quick easy opening.
If you shop around you can get the Avalanche for $20-$25 more than the Blackout, and get a knife that is more heavy duty(for those that don't like the plastic handles and many don't), and the better steel. I have yet to have a un-happy customer.
Let me mention here that the Whirlwind, and Blackout use 440A steel in the blade, and is a good steel, and sharpens easily, and holds a decent edge.
Also I mention their un-believeable warranty, which is a good selling point.
I suggest the Avalanche because it in the middle of the line, and some want a little better than the lower line, but don't want to spend for the higher(Boa) line.
Let me state here that is not to put down the lower models as they are excellent bang for the buck knives, and expecially the Chive, and the Scallion, the next step being the Blackout, and Whirlwind.
I am just saying that if you want gto go a little better with the steel, and the handle, try the Avalanche.

Just my .02 cents rounded off to a buck :)

Larry
 
I carry my Kershaw Whirlwind every day at work for a couple of reasons. I like that i can easily open the blade quickly with my gloves on, if I brake it I wont cry about it because it was only $40, and with a few passes on my sharpmaker every couple of weeks it maintains an edge that can easily handle the many cutting tasks that I encounter on a daily basis, like cutting conveyer belt, rope, cardboard, sharpening pencils, etc... Last year I even took my Whirlwind in the ocean with me by accident. The little bearing on the liner rusted up, but with a little WD-40 it cleaned right up. Overall I am very happy with this knife.
 
I bought three Ken Onion Vapors for Christmas presents a couple of weeks ago.

It's a nice knife, for the money (jeez, they were under $20 each on ebay) they're a VERY nice knife.
 
for about three years now. If there was a lefty version I might very well carry one, too. Light, sharp, quick. What's not to like?
 
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