best budget-priced Kershaw?

UtahLuke said:
Thanks all! I don't want anything too enormously big. I am a bit overwhelmed by the wealth of selections available!

Of all that I've read, the Skyline seems to be especially popular. What features make it so, in your opinion?

How would you compare it to, say, the Clash, Injection, OSO Sweet? The Chill?
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The Skyline is the only knife on your list made in the USA if that matters, the Sandvik 14c28n holds an edge quite a bit longer and gets sharper than the blade steel used in the import knives in my opinion. As far as what made it popular, probably because of the weight, aside from the blade there isn't much metal in a skyline, it's a very light weight knife while being fairly sturdy.

The Clash and OSO Sweet are assisted openers, which some people really want, others really dislike it, some don't care. The Chill, Injection and Skyline are manual openers, the Injection only has a thumb stud while the Chill only has a flipper, the Skyline has both a flipper and a thumb stud although the thumbstud isn't very effective for left handers.
 
I have quite a few Kershaws, both Chinese and American, and while there are some that are arguably better than others, the RJI (or RJ1 as some people prefer) is my favorite overall. More specifically, when I think of a defensive EDC blade, the RJI is what embodies the exact type of knife that comes to mind. I wish there was an American or Japanese version with better steel, but I have no complaints as it stands.
 
If you're not looking for something big I would highly recommend the clash. It is an amazing knife for the money. You will definitely not be disappointed. In fact, if you order one and don't like it, I'll buy it from you. I'll give you exactly what you put into it. I used to have one and I miss it, so I would be ordering another one anyway. Deal?
 
As mentioned above, if you want a great work knife find a Tremor. I have several Kershaws and like them all a lot, but the best large work knife of the bunch is the Tremor. Nice grinds make it a snap to sharpen, almost indestructible, heavy duty liner lock, and 4 way carry.

After using this knife a few months in my construction work, I found the guy I bought it from and bought the two he had left!

Robert
 
UtahLuke said:
Thanks all! I don't want anything too enormously big. I am a bit overwhelmed by the wealth of selections available!

Of all that I've read, the Skyline seems to be especially popular. What features make it so, in your opinion?

How would you compare it to, say, the Clash, Injection, OSO Sweet? The Chill?
Click to expand...

For one thing, unlike the other models you just mentioned, the Skyline is USA-made and of higher quality steel. It doesn't have assisted opening, which is simply a matter of preference for some and the difference between legal and illegal for others. Another matter of preference is the overall shape, which is really fairly plain and utilitarian compared to some other Kershaw knives. A lot of people prefer a less aggressive-looking knife than the "tactical" folders that are so popular right now, as well as a blade suited to a wide range of tasks.

Although I don't personally own a Skyline, I have a Clash (among many other Kershaws) and recently bought my wife an OSO Sweet. I have no reservations about buying a Chinese knife from a reputable manufacturer, and have never ended up with a "dud" from Kershaw, but I do like the fact that they offer inexpensive American models too. I just happen not to care for the aesthetics of the Skyline or Blur, which I would guess are the most popular of Kershaw's American knives.
 
For a cheap, thin and light manual flipper skip the Skyline and get the superior in everything but the looks and blade steel department Chill. Erik has excellent taste, if you don't want a flipper go with the Injection.

For a bigger inexpensive Kershaw you can't beat the Tremor. I paid $12 for mine and it's solid.
 
Consider the Volt II. I have been impressed with it so far. Decent steel, easy to sharpen. Great flipper and fast
 
Another vote for the Tremor, it's one of the best budget knives I bought that was under 20 dollars, I got mine for 19 dollars and one time my friend was locked out of his truck and had to use it to jimmy open the back window and there was no damage to the tip of the blade after.

The speed safe is broken but the knife is still very useful and it's just a work horse of a knife and the clip point on it is a beast.

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midnight flyer said:
As mentioned above, if you want a great work knife find a Tremor. I have several Kershaws and like them all a lot, but the best large work knife of the bunch is the Tremor. Nice grinds make it a snap to sharpen, almost indestructible, heavy duty liner lock, and 4 way carry.
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Are they now making Tremors with 4-way carry? I had one but it only had two way carry (tip up/down right side) and gave it to my brother in law. If they now make them with 4 way carry so lefties can use it in an easier fashion I'd be tempted to get another.
 
RedLynx said:
Are they now making Tremors with 4-way carry? I had one but it only had two way carry (tip up/down right side) and gave it to my brother in law. If they now make them with 4 way carry so lefties can use it in an easier fashion I'd be tempted to get another.
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If they don't make a 4 way pocket clip Tremor you could drill the clip on the left side if you have the right drill bits, it shouldn't be too difficult.
 
Rip Gut Tactical said:
If they don't make a 4 way pocket clip Tremor you could drill the clip on the left side if you have the right drill bits, it shouldn't be too difficult.
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That is true... I am not too good with power drills/drill presses and would likely mess it up but I might be able to find someone who could do it... just have to make sure they have the right bits and drill it to accept the right screws, etc.
 
Also another good thing about the Tremor is that it has a beefy liner lock, I have confidence it most likely will not fail and the finger guard also is a great thing.
 
RedLynx said:
That is true... I am not too good with power drills/drill presses and would likely mess it up but I might be able to find someone who could do it... just have to make sure they have the right bits and drill it to accept the right screws, etc.
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You could get a small nail that is 1 size thinner than the screws for the pocket clip and hammer in the holes into the G-10 scales and then screw the pocket clip in to the left side of the handle.

you would have to take the whole knife apart first.
 
Thanks, they're cheap so I may pick one up to try (can't find any plain edge online at the moment) and see how it goes.

All in all I agree it is a fantastic knife, I just usually carry ones for lefties, though funnily enough my brother in law is lefty also and left bothered by it.

Some knives I get even knowing they are not lefty carry, JYDII for example, great knife and only one position clip.
Rip Gut Tactical said:
You could get a small nail that is 1 size thinner than the screws for the pocket clip and hammer in the holes into the G-10 scales and then screw the pocket clip in to the left side of the handle.

you would have to take the whole knife apart first.
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RedLynx said:
Thanks, they're cheap so I may pick one up to try (can't find any plain edge online at the moment) and see how it goes.

All in all I agree it is a fantastic knife, I just usually carry ones for lefties, though funnily enough my brother in law is lefty also and left bothered by it.

Some knives I get even knowing they are not lefty carry, JYDII for example, great knife and only one position clip.
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Yeah I noticed all of the plain edge Tremors are sold out, I guess people have stocked up on them because they are a bargain......Remember that the screws on the handle strip easily when taking it apart, I actually stripped mine bad and had to hammer in one size bigger torx just to unscrew them.
 
Rip Gut Tactical said:
Yeah I noticed all of the plain edge Tremors are sold out, I guess people have stocked up on them because they are a bargain......Remember that the screws on the handle strip easily when taking it apart, I actually stripped mine bad and had to hammer in one size bigger torx just to unscrew them.
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Can't blame them, if I find a great bargain-priced knife that works really well I like to stock up on a few.
 
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