Brief review Kershaw Cyclone Ti/ZDP

You know speaking of the sprint runs. I have two separate sets of knives in my safe. One set is users. You know the stuff I'm attatched to from a user standpoint. Stuff I'm not going to baby at all, and will carry frequently.

Then the other set is the stuff I buy not to use but to keep in mint or very near mint condition with the boxes. These are bought just to collect and admire pulling them out now and then. I think one of the hallmarks of a great company is in how they make their mark in the knife world historically over time. Collectibles like sprint runs, limited editions, among other such rare collaboration pieces and rare handle materials sets a great company apart. Case did this well and still does. I don't see a problem pleasing the collectors out there with these at all.

STR
 
I really have to ask, what are you guys cutting with the ultra thin hollow ground knives that you are seeing such a dramatic difference? I have noticed a pretty big difference when putting on a thinner edge, example 20 degrees per side down to 10 degrees per side. However, I haven’t really seen much of a difference from a 10 degree edge with a factory blade grind and a 10 degree edge with a thinned down blade grind. Maybe it is because of the thinning I’ve done is convexed or because my carrying knives are fairly thin factory blade grinds, example SAKs, Slipjoints, and one handers like the Caly Jr. I did a good amount of thinning on the Caly Jr’s blade, and really didn’t notice an increase in cutting performance like I did just taking the edge angle down. Does that make sense?
As for sprint runs I like to see them done however, I much prefer a well-done regular easy to replace production piece.
 
thom, you're a bad bad man. My Edge Pro coarse stones are going to suffer from your suggestions. :p

C Ben Susrool, you're absolutely right, we are a distinct minority. However, knives like this Cyclone are targeted at people like us. The majority of buyers will never spend $150 on a knife and have no clue what type of steel the blade is made of or how to sharpen it properly. With a few exceptions, I see most of the comments on this thread as simple constructive criticism about how to make future products better. I can only speak with certainty for myself. I'm not going to tell Kershaw how to make their knives, but I will tell them what I like in a knife so they can take that into consideration. If they know what we want and choose to build them that way, we buy more knives and they get more money. Win win. :)
 
thombrogan said:
You need to thin it more. Keep at it! It's the difference between shooting a bullet and throwing one.
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If you’re responding to me could you explain any more than that? If I’d thin much more on my Caly or my Cadet Sak there wouldn’t be anything there. I guess I’m wondering what or how you’re cutting to see such a major difference in cutting from the blade grind, compared to just thinning the edge grind. I just personally haven’t seen a noticeable difference with thinning the blade grind. But, to qualify I haven’t thinned a .03 down to .005 either and do see how that will make a large difference. In fact I really don’t notice much difference in my very thin almost half as thin Caly Jr knife from my Benchmade cub both have around the same edge and are convexed but the BM blade is almost 2 times as thick about half an inch up from the edge.
 
Plastics, cardboard, wood, meat, and veggies are where I see the difference. Don't know about in other stuff.
 
STR,
I would be happy to regrind a jess horn spyderco for you. Just shoot me an email or pm.

IF the thumbstud is removable I would be happy to regrind the Cyclones also.

Thanks.

Tom
 
Those are pretty common items and I did notice an increase when I thinned the edge, just really don’t with the blade grind. It’s probably just effects from my heavy drinking days though. :)
 
Hmm... Maybe. I don't drink anymore.
















And I don't drink any less, either! :p

Carboard and stuff like spuds, butternut squash, and carrots is where behind the edge rears its ugly head a lot. And fabric. Blech!
 
STR said:
Ok you talked me into trying one. If Tom will do a ZDP189 Jess Horn for me like he did one of the other ZDP knives I'll go for it to see what all the fuss is about I'll give it a whirl with a Horn since I have two. Then I can compare them that way side by side.

What'd ya say Tom? Can I mail out a Jess Horn to you?

STR
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I have 2 Jess Horns in my posession, 1 Krein'ed and 1 factory but flat to the stone. There is a very real difference in the cutting ability, like Sodak said it's like adding nitrous. Real thin and light knives like the Caly Jr. and Jess Horn just scream for a Krein grind, as they aren't really designed for tough jobs anyway. They won't replace your larger folders for chopping and batoning, but they sure do make the more mundane jobs much easier. The almost instant sharpening is another benefit.

Mike
 
kneedeep said:
Thomas, I think that having sprint run knives spec out well on paper, but not deliver substance and quality, will get sales from the collector/speculators that might never notice what they aren't getting; the problem will be the sales you will inevitably get from the hard core knife enthusiasts that will know the difference. The collector/speculators will eventually hear the opinions of the enthusiasts (be it from the forums, the trade shows, or the local shop) and mind-share will be lost.
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So where in your eyes (and others) does this knife land in your above scenerio?
You and Kershaw don't strike me as the sort to do that type of thing to your customers anyway.
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We try not to be, although the end product will be the ultimate judge with that.

What we really would like to excel at is offering up these high end knives that perform really well, and don't break the bank at the same time.
I'd like to believe that these Cyclone's could take on dual roles, one as a more than satisfying performer if one so desired, or a super model that could be simply admired in a round table discussion.

Personally, I think a USA made, dual action, ti frame lock with ZDP-189 steel all rolled up in a Ken O design that streets out in the $130-$150 range is a decent buy.
C Ben Susrool said:
And I feel we should be very happy that we have people like Thomas W who listen to us.
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This thread (at least most of it) is very helpful to us. One of the reasons it is important that we are here is so we can converse with the buying public. From that we can better understand your all's like and dislikes with the knives we offer up.
We can be fooled by what we see going out the door, and our vision is not always 20/20. Mistakes cost money, usually a lot of it, so we do take what you all (well most of you) say seriously, and I believe the Kershaw products of tomorrow will be affected by what we speak about today. It's wonderful that you all (well most of you) care enough to put in the time with these types of threads, many thanks.
 
Thomas W said:
Personally, I think a USA made, dual action, ti frame lock with ZDP-189 steel all rolled up in a Ken O design that streets out in the $130-$150 range is a decent buy.
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I think it is a bargain, the best bank for the buck available today, and would like to thank you once again for making it happen. You are a real asset to the knife loving community, keep up the great work.
 
Thomas W said:
So where in your eyes (and others) does this knife land in your above scenerio?We try not to be, although the end product will be the ultimate judge with that.
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To be honest, I haven't had the Ti/ZDP Cyclone in hand, much less gotten to use one, so I wouldn't presume to give a an opinion of whether or not it meets its paper specs. (Though if you twist my arm to give an opinion on what's been posted in this thread, I'd have to say you've got a knife that will make the collectors and the enthusiasts happy, thinner edges notwithstanding)

FWIW though, I hadn't planned on getting a Cyclone at all (great features, shape not to my taste), but when the Ti/ZDP version was announced I took notice and started considering it (the materials and the look caught my eye, liked the reversed contrast, and the limited numbers are icing). Now that I've read the hands on reviews (from clearly discerning individuals) in this thread, I'll definitely pick one up.

Hmmm... supermodel with a PhD in physics, that you can take out for all you can eat wings and a pitcher of beer...
 
Hey, Got that Shun Birds Beak today. Heck this is the nicest kitchen knife since buttered bread. I don't see any folder here though. But I do see a great little user for more than just the kitchen. I'm thinking I'll sew me a nice horizontal carry sheath for this one here shortly.. :D This could be a very nice EDC in its own right in my opinion. Once I got it and looked it over it instantly reminded me of the little knives the natives in Dillingham Alaska used for skinning out their Moose and for just about anything else including cutting up their dinner. Little bird beaks knifes with blades no bigger than their index was all I ever saw in their hands whether they were in their backyard after a kill or at ocean side with a mess of salmon.

Put a flat handle and a lanyard hole on the handle with this same blade and you have a real winner for folks wanting a thin fixed blade EDC Thomas.


STR
 
Thomas W said:
Personally, I think a USA made, dual action, ti frame lock with ZDP-189 steel all rolled up in a Ken O design that streets out in the $130-$150 range is a decent buy.
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Can't argue with that, since most of us probably aren't buying these sprint run knives because we need them (at least not in the sense that we don't have any other knives to use ;)), the reasonable prices make it a little easier to justify another knife (well, to ourselves anyway).
 
Ok I have one of these Cyclones in my hands right now that I feel like giving away;

Everything stays in this thread (let's not go to General with this) ok?

Closest one to the number I have tattoo'ed my arm wins. Closes at 8:00 pm PST tonight! One entry per poster.

Ready, set, Go!
 
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