Centofante Onion. Variations, steels, etc.

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fishwatcher

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Nov 26, 2002
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Don't know where I've been, related to Kershaw knives.. but I handled one of these Centofante's recently, with the mother of pearl inlays.. and was very impressed.

Doing some online research, I think the standard steel on these knives is 440A. I'm curious, how this compares to the 420HC used on the Kershaw Chive?

Also, I found a version with, 13C26. AGain, how does this compare to the 420HC and also to 440A?

What are the different versions of this knife?

I see one with, "410 Stainless-Steel Tungsten DLC Coated Handle w/Pearl Inlays", that looks very nice. Also another one (or is it the same?), with Frank Centofante's autograph printed on the handle.

There are also maroon aluminum handles, and maybe a few other versions?

Is there a list available, or can we start one here?

I've always missed my little chive, and wanted to replace it, and now may do so with an Onion-Centofante!

Thank you.

Calvin
 
As far as blade steel & in general, 440A's better than 420HC & Kershaw's 13C26 Sandvik is better than 440A.

As far as the different Centofante models, that's a good question & I'd like to know, too. I have a Centofante that was described to me as a "Dealers LE model". It's all boron (Blade & handle) with 3 pearl inlays on each side. Mine doesn't have a pocket clip or holes for one on it, but came with a leather sheath with a pocket clip attached to it. It's pretty small, but I do like the blade shape (Wharncliffe, I believe) & overall, an excellent little folder.

Great looking, too. In fact, it's probably the "prettiest" Kershaw I have, although the baby-Boa's pretty neat looking, too.
 
1610 3-1/8" Closed. Red Aluminum Handles, 440A, Pocketclip. New models have 13C26 bladesteel
1610BB 3-1/8" Closed. Black Aluminum Handles, 440A Black DLC coating, Pocketclip
1615 3-1/8" Closed. DLC coated handles w/pearl inlay, 440A. Usually comes with a leather sheath. New models have 13C26 bladesteel
1615VIB 3-1/8" Closed. Spectrum coated handles w/pearl inlay, Spectrum coated 440A. Usually comes with a leather sheath.
1615BLKVIB 3-1/8" Closed. Spectrum coated handles w/pearl inlay, Black 440A. Usually comes with a leather sheath.

Hope that helps

mike
 
Thanks for the replies.

It also looks like there is a version of the 1615 with Ken Onion and Frank Centofante's signatures, with 440A.

I guess the latest and greatest, in this model, do not have the signature, and have the 13C26 bladesteel.
 
A few more questions on the Onion-Centofante.

Does Kershaw note the bladesteel used on the knife, or packaging?
ie. would a dealer be able to confirm which steel their 1615 has, since
it has changed from 440A to 13c26?

Also, would love a link or two to previous reviews of the Centofante.

I searched via Google, limited to bladeforusm.com, but the thread I
found was on an archive page, and I couldn't bring it up.

This looks like a great knife, and though it's not new.. I'm just discovering
it for myself now.

Thanks.
 
fishwatcher said:
A few more questions on the Onion-Centofante.

Does Kershaw note the bladesteel used on the knife, or packaging?
ie. would a dealer be able to confirm which steel their 1615 has, since
it has changed from 440A to 13c26?

Also, would love a link or two to previous reviews of the Centofante.

I searched via Google, limited to bladeforusm.com, but the thread I
found was on an archive page, and I couldn't bring it up.

This looks like a great knife, and though it's not new.. I'm just discovering
it for myself now.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

The blade steel is usually only noted when it's a run of a premium steel like S30V or something even more exotic like an injection molded, laminated, or composite-steel blade. Then the steel type is usually labled on the blade and often incorporated in the model name in addition to being printed on the box.

The transition from 440A to 13C26 occured mid-2007 (from July on, I believe) and a new transition to 14C28 is due to occur soon. The USA made folders have Born On dates so when the question arises over whether a given knife is 440A or 13C26, it's easy to check.

I'm not really familiar with any of the Centofante models, however, so perhaps none of this is relevant...

Ray :)
 
Everything in the current line up got the switch to 13C26 July 07 except
the Chive and Scallion. Just check the blade when you buy from a local.
It's hit or miss when you order online....there's still lots of stock out there
with 440A. Not that that's a bad thing. 440A is a pretty decent steel IMHO.
I bought my dad a Chive about 4 years back...I'm thinking it's time for a change.
He still loves it and EDC's it but I think he'll like the Onion/Centofante.
 
Here's what I have:

1610BLK -- Black aluminum handles, plain edged 440A blade, pocket clip
1610BBST -- Black aluminum handles, serrated 440A black DLC coated blade, pocket clip
 
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