Bigger folders; what's the deal?

J

J.Davey

Joined
Feb 10, 2004
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I'm just wondering why Kershaw isn't putting out some bigger folders (that aren't $100+ ZT's), and discontinuing several of their well-made larger Chinese imports while going smaller on the Chinese stuff. For instance, almost EVERY folder in Kershaw's new line is under 3and 1/2 inches. I (personally) prefer my blades to between 3and 1/2 and 4 inches. I live in northern MN, and and a 3 inch blade will often not cut it (pun intended). Some may call me a "mall-ninja" (which is really annoying to a 40 year old guy who has been using knives his entire life...and can actually SHARPEN THEM BY HAND, so doesn't care about the "steel snob" attitude. I just want a bigger flipper! To be honest, I own two "Compounds" (pocket and an extra); I would love to see this blade design in an American made, 4 inch design, with or without the Speed Assist. My favorite pocket carry carry design, ever. Just some thoughts.
 
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I wish they made some bigger knives to, Do you have a junkyard dog? Thats the main thing that comes to mind...
 
Seconded for piston and JYD II

But I know the feeling, I've been wondering the same thing.
 
The knockout I have is about same size as my 0350. I kind of consider it as my "Kershaw 00zt" knife
 
My extremely wild guess, the US economy has been horrible and prompted KAI to push in to the European market further. Not that they wouldn't have done that anyway but slow domestic sales likely created a bit more urgency. In many European countries there are strict blade size limits.

I have some ridiculously large production folders (Lone Wolf T3, Benchmade Rukus, etc) but find a 4 inch folder to be perfect. Anything more is stupid large. Not that I wouldn't carry, as I have carried, something stupid large! I find that size to be just at the limit of easy carry but enough blade to do anything you could possibly need to do with a folder. I would never baton a folder except in an emergency so having something larger for that type of use is unnecessary.

The new RJ Martin would be perfect but I'm one of those guys that Thomas ridicules because I don't think I could carry such a nice and limited model. I wish the 0560, that has been my EDC for well over a year except for one day at a wedding, had another 1/4 or 1/2 inch. Just a bit more. The Kershaw Piston though is really nice and gives you a lot of blade for the weight. I just like having Elmax and a titanium framelock. I'll wear that mall ninja badge with honor if I have to :)
 
Im not sure I agree that they are doing what you say. It would seem to me KAI is as eclectic as ever and continues to release different blades of all different sizes regularly. If there are any changes and discontinued knives you can almost guaranteed associate sales with that. If a knife was doing well they wouldnt discontinue it unless a source for manufacturing dried up. a few models being introduced on the larger side

injection 3.5" blade
cryo 2 3 3/8" blade
scrambler 3.5" blade


there are bunch of older ones too still being produced. Botom line I think they will produce what there is significant demand for.
 
Chris Wille said:
I can't carry anything over 3.5 inches in my state anyway.SO i'm fine with it:)
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3.5" is the max in WA? Oops, I lived in Oregon on the state line and used to go into WA with a 4" blade all the time. :o

Now that I live in CO 3.5" is the max too. Going from a 4" CRKT M16 to a 3.5" clash took some getting used to.
 
The max in CO is 3.5?????
Woops. I've always brought a blade bigger than 3.5 when I visit my family there.
 
TotalDbag said:
The max in CO is 3.5?????
Woops. I've always brought a blade bigger than 3.5 when I visit my family there.
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Sadly, yes if it's concealed. I think you can go bigger if it's open but I don't recall what the distinction between open vs concealed. I just stick to 3.5" to be safe.
 
To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of the 2013 line of Kershaw's- They're mostly imports and not really my *taste*.

I love their older line of knives - Mostly the US made knives, but I do have a couple of the imports as well. In fact, 90% of my knife collection are Kershaw / ZT. Anyways, just makes me sad to see their nicer knives get DC'd. I understand the "price-point" targeted knives are hot sellers, but I really do like Kershaw's more upscale knives. Hope they bring some back next year.

Just my 2cents...
 
I've never seen or found any WA State law that has a blade length. I know that Seattle has a city ordinance that limits to 3.5. Seattle Municipal Code 12A.14.010

The number of US made knives hasn't shrank though as far as I know. They just increased the size of the lineup. I haven't counted, but I think with the ZT lineup the number of US made knives available has actually increased. Take a count of how many new US made models someone like Benchmade or Spyderco have/will release this year and then count what KAI is releasing in the Kershaw and ZT lines.
 
I would guess laws, manufacturing costs and ease of carry issues that impact sales in a way that having a high ratio of 3.5" - 4" folders in the product mix hurts sales/profits. They are running a business after all...
 
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