As a long time Kershaw fan I have a confession

Kershaw has a lot of great designs coming out this year, but many of them are from China if that matters to you.

 

I have Benchmades, Spydercos, Gerbers, Beckers and a bunch of others. Everybody has a preference.

 

I'm sorry you feel this way.
You've seen there newest usa made ones like the piston , knockout, speedform2 ?

 

well-its the little things in life that give joy. I-on the other hand had been looking for a non-Kershaw blade as a way to enter the slightly more upscale market after years of owning mostly <$40 edc's. (I am a professional woodworker so I am plenty familiar with quality Swiss/Japanese chisels and blades but the nicest edc I owned was probably my 10yr old 'Leek' -which still performs flawlessly even though beat) Anyway-i was watching WAY too many hours of YT video reviews on the bm and spyd brands when I stumbled upon the Kershaw Crown 3160. Yes -I understand its crazy cheap but I havn't had this much fun with a knife in...well-almost since the 'Leek' was new. Its beautiful and lightning fast. Its build quality equals or surpasses -imo-the build of the other brands 'value' blades and the drop point blade is not too bad for everyday use. But mostly its nice looking and fast. It was the best $13 I spent on a blade in long time and just like there is no reason to not own at least one Opinel-I can't think of a reason to not own the crown.

That said-I am still considering what will be my first +$100 edc blade and I honestly don't have a Kershaw in mind -even though the 'Leek' will always be in my top 3-4 all-time carries. I also had to get over the made in USA issue as I have a few other expensive addictions like vintage watches and dupont lighters so I am wary of spending more then $60-$100 on more then one or two blades. In fact-the leek is my blade standard for what I expect for price point in a knife. Unfortunately-if I want a decent knife from the other brands I will have to spend a good bit more I think.

any suggestions for an interesting and pretty kershaw in the $90-$150 range would be helpful

Also-does anybody know anything about a kershaw called a shuttle or shuffle? I generally carry smaller edc's because I have ready access to larger blades in my shop/truck (and house, and cabin, and garage, and storage shed....so many places to stash blades

 

And you came here to say this for what reason, ha.

 

Sounds like a sad existence

 

Thankfully, I am fairly new to knife collecting, so I am still trying to play catchup, let alone worry about new offerings.

 

Kershaw will always be tops for me. Most of my collection consists of kershaw knives. BUT... as of late I've noticed that Kershaw is slipping down towards the more "budget" spectrum in regards to reputation. I too am not really all that blown away with their 2013 catalog. The good thing is that their knives cover such a wide range of styles. There will always be a few that I'll like. Spydercos all have a certain look to them. So do Benchamades.

As far as the Foreign vs USA made thing goes.... A good knife is a good knife, right? Thats the answer you always here. And I agree with that. But I think there is more to it than just that. There are some that will only buy US produced because they want to support a US labor force. Oh, so then you'll only buy US products then? And you therefor don't shop at Walmart either huh? Get rid of everything in your house that wasn't made in the US. You wont have anything left. Instead it's more about the feeling you get when you know your favorite knife was made in your own country. It's like rooting for your city's football team in the superbowl even though you're not even a football fan. So yeah I like US made. But it won't dictate what I buy. I love my Sage II.

 

We are blessed with many good choices in knives from some stellar companies that back up their products, and still offer top notch manufacturing, and innovation. Kershaw/ZT is a great example of one. If you don't like knives from them, don't buy them. I've been buying knives for several years now and can attest they are excellent, and I like their designs, and most of their new products. It is all personal preference and choice. I am glad we have them.

 

finally got a chance to do a little catch-up with Kershaw. I really just came to these knife forums (to be honest) to find out some info on two other top brands as was was looking for something to replace my soon to be retired 'Leek' (after 10 hard yrs deserves a rest). I have other Kershaws I've used extensively but they were never what I considered 'higher-end'. An OSO and another anodized leek (lost) and a newish Crown (which is a lot of sleek badass for $13). But now I was just checking on this new Kershaw Shuttle and saw the Echelon with the green g-10 scales. While I won't say its the most beautiful knife design I definitely think it is one of the cooler looking blades out there. Particularly like the fancy thumb-stud cut-out and the shape of the blades edge. I also am VERY curious as to how easily those unbleached g-10 handles would take to a custom aniline dye job-say in a deep violet blue? Anyway-thnx for this thread as it made me get off my butt and explore Kershaw and now have a serious contender for my list of first +$90 blade thats under $150. In fact-I think with Kershaws speed-safe feature the Echelon may be a better bet for me then the comprable BM or SPY. Any experience with the Echelon out there?

 

To each his own. I am really drawn to the Kershaw brand right now. What they offer appeals to me both functionally and aesthetically.

 

It's okay for you to buy , use and like knives from more than one manufacturer ya know. So give Kershaw and ZT a break for a little while and check out some other brands.

My three favorite brands are Spyderco , ZT and BM. But lately BM bores me so I'm all about ZT and Spyderco.

I think it's funny that you weren't a fan of the ergonomics of the 0550. I feel that everything about the 0550 (including the awesome ergos) are perfect for me. One my favorite knives ever built. But everyone is different and I understand that.

Also , what's up with that "heaven forbid" comment on Spyderco ? They make a fantastic product. You should give them a try. They are quality through and through.

 

Zero tolerance brand is a blessing and a curse seem like great knives if your into the tactical and/or titanium but it does seem to canibalize the high end kershaw lineup somewhat.

 

I like all knives. I love some of them. That is all.

 

It's not a big deal, it really isn't. You like what you like, and that's about where it should end.

 

To each his own. Not everyone likes everything. I don't like emerson or strider. No big deal.

 

I happen to hate Benchmade and am so so regarding Spyderco. A beat up Spyderco Stretch or a Kershaw folder of a type is what is in my pocket most of the time. I just love the skyline and piston (IMO what I wanted, something like a slightly larger skyline).

Like others said, you have a preference. These are all businesses and if you don't like something vote with your money. The companies won't continue to make a product if it doesn't sell well. But, I guess blurs, skylines, 0350s, and those Hinderers are selling well, even though I don't care for the latest ZTs much either.

 

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