confused about kershaw

Kershaw rocks. I bought my buddy a blur to take on his deployment, and that lit the fire for me... I've got 8, and they are all great knives (including the ones I got at walmart!!!)

-Jack
 
I see our very own 2Brothers Knife Co. has a Kershaw Hawk for just under $18! Yum-yum :)
 
I've got a PackRat(?) and a G10 Tyrade. Both very good knives for the price, and american knives are bloody expensive over here when bought via official import channels. Also quite sharp out of the box.
But they put a lot of lettering on the blade.
Maybe not my favourite company yet, but they are not bad. Not bad at all.
 
diamdave said:
I think that Kershaw has gotten so doggone good that the other 'big boys' need to constantly look over their shoulder. I still like Spyderco, BM not so much, and I consider Gerber and CRKT good but a distant second in quality, value, general steel used, edge retention and finish.
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thats true diam , but in my opinion crkt got some funky designs. i think most of thier stuff {at least what i seen is produced overseas.}. but overall i do see decent stuff from crkt. i think this the probable reason why there are getting a better reputations i have two crkts made in the orient. some borderline ninja without falling off a cliff.:). kershaw as well has a little wild in them as well. i like the both brands and they wont break the bank.but kershaw is i think has the upper hand due to made in u.s.a. you reckon?

joey
 
I'll answer it like this...

Kershaw "Needs Work" $40 at BiMart $69.95 MSRP
Sandvik 14C28N Steel
Polymide or G10 Handles
"SpeedSafe" Assisted Opening
Absolutely zero vertical or horizontal blade play
Blade rests in pivot dead-centered
Finish? The backspacer, liners and handles are not flush on the back of the knife, and there are some parts that are still cut sharp.

Benchmade 930 Kulgera $105 (I got a discount, can usually find for $130, MSRP at $205 )
S30V Steel
G10 Scales
Benchmade AXIS lock
Zero horizontal and vertical bladeplay--loosens up quicker than Needs Work though.
Blade centered
Fit and finish is impecable. Everything is flush, and smooth.

Kershaw makes terrific knives for very high value. The reason I've seen for this is because most of the places selling Kershaw knives sell them well below the MSRP. The same can be said for Benchmade as well, but when Kershaw's MSRPs are already so low it means you can get a fantastic knife for rather cheap.
 
I am sorry, but to compare a Kershaw Needs Work to a BM Kulgera doesn't seem fair. I could just as easily compare my Buck 172 Mayo TNT to my latest Ti-framelock - the CRK Wilson Combat 'Umnumzaan' I received last week. At least they share the same handle material/construction (Ti), lock (framelock), and blade metal (S30V). The Needs Work is a user - made with so-so handle (Mine is G10 - a tad better.) - and mundane metal. The Kulgera is a keeper - and you can tighten the pivot screw on both.

I have a fair collection of Benchmades, Bucks, Kershaws, etc, and love them all. My least favorite Kershaw is the Zing - and it came from WallyWorld. Love my Onion specials - and Blurs - and JYDII's. Even have the ultimate - a ZT-301. All of my Kershaws are US made - except for the VG-10 1993-2 'Gentleman's Folder'. I will always rate the WallyWorld 'Best Buy' as the Buck 110, however.

Stainz
 
My only criticism of Kershaw is that they hold their resale value about as well as Chrysler products. Both times I've tried to sell a limited edition high-end Kershaw it's either sold below what I paid or sat there for weeks without moving. I have up on the xchange now that it looks like I'm going to be taking a loss on.

They aren't 'collector' knives like Spyderco or BM, but as users they are every bit as good.
 
I have a Kershaw Storm in my "bug out" bag for one reason. I can trust it to do the job. Good steel, easy to carry and use (though a little unusual looking). Kershaw just makes a helluva knife.
 
Stainz said:
I am sorry, but to compare a Kershaw Needs Work to a BM Kulgera doesn't seem fair. I could just as easily compare my Buck 172 Mayo TNT to my latest Ti-framelock - the CRK Wilson Combat 'Umnumzaan' I received last week. At least they share the same handle material/construction (Ti), lock (framelock), and blade metal (S30V). The Needs Work is a user - made with so-so handle (Mine is G10 - a tad better.) - and mundane metal. The Kulgera is a keeper - and you can tighten the pivot screw on both.

I have a fair collection of Benchmades, Bucks, Kershaws, etc, and love them all. My least favorite Kershaw is the Zing - and it came from WallyWorld. Love my Onion specials - and Blurs - and JYDII's. Even have the ultimate - a ZT-301. All of my Kershaws are US made - except for the VG-10 1993-2 'Gentleman's Folder'. I will always rate the WallyWorld 'Best Buy' as the Buck 110, however.

Stainz
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I'm not really comparing them so much as listing the observations I've made about them, as they're the only ones I own from the "big three". I can see how you drew that conclusion though.

Again though, I just think Kershaw's most notable tendency is to have fairly high quality materials and construction for a low price tag because they already list the MSRP so low, and then that just gets cut down even lower. It's not as if I'm saying, "It's the same knife for cheaper!" or something. Just that with a Kershaw you can get higher-than-usual quality steel ( i.e. not some 440 stainless or something ) and G10 handles, and a company-designed unique opening system and so on and so forth at prices that you normally wouldn't see those features in. I think the only other knife I can think of with that kind of value in it would be a Buck Vantage Pro, and even then I've only seen them available for $50--I guess S30V is a bit pricier than Sandvik though. Either way, my point is that you just don't really see those kind of features and attention to build materials in that price range all that much, but Kershaw seems to have a lot of models that pull it off.
 
KennyB said:
I'm not really comparing them so much as listing the observations I've made about them, as they're the only ones I own from the "big three". I can see how you drew that conclusion though.

Again though, I just think Kershaw's most notable tendency is to have fairly high quality materials and construction for a low price tag because they already list the MSRP so low, and then that just gets cut down even lower. It's not as if I'm saying, "It's the same knife for cheaper!" or something. Just that with a Kershaw you can get higher-than-usual quality steel ( i.e. not some 440 stainless or something ) and G10 handles, and a company-designed unique opening system and so on and so forth at prices that you normally wouldn't see those features in. I think the only other knife I can think of with that kind of value in it would be a Buck Vantage Pro, and even then I've only seen them available for $50--I guess S30V is a bit pricier than Sandvik though. Either way, my point is that you just don't really see those kind of features and attention to build materials in that price range all that much, but Kershaw seems to have a lot of models that pull it off.
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Valid comparison or not, (IMO, I get what you were trying to say and agree, but there might've been a better BM choice to compare to) you get major kudos from me for mentioning Bi-Mart.
 
elkins45 said:
My only criticism of Kershaw is that they hold their resale value about as well as Chrysler products. Both times I've tried to sell a limited edition high-end Kershaw it's either sold below what I paid or sat there for weeks without moving. I have up on the xchange now that it looks like I'm going to be taking a loss on.

They aren't 'collector' knives like Spyderco or BM, but as users they are every bit as good.
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I just saw your knife for sale in the exchange and noticed that it is used and has had holes drilled into the handle.
If you paid more than you're selling it for I believe you paid too much as I was able to get 2 of them for less than that when they were released.
Good luck with your sale.

*topic

I consistently get great products from Kershaw.
In terms of quality they are with the best of them and I wouldn't hesitate to purchase one of their products.
The new Tilt coming out at the end of the year has my eye at the moment.
 
Are Kershaw products good?

Heck yea, I've EDCed multiple kershaws from various price ranges, $15-$150, and don't have any complaints in function, I might not like the way a certain clip looks, but that's just me. The three BIG things that kershaw has a lot of companies beat on is,

Variety- they offer arguably one of the widest selection of knives, no they ain't all Onion designed AOs, they have a ton of designs from various makers, (Grant and Gavin Hawk, RJ Martin, Tim Galyean,..etc.)

Warranty- Kershaw has a pretty customer friendly warranty, they understand a knife was meant to be use and they don't mind if you take your knife apart to clean it.

Customer service- I can only say great things about kershaw's customer service, rather it is about them shipping me screws because I stripped some, them shipping me catalogs, or just answering questions, Kershaw's CS is what usually keeps me coming back to them.
 
elkins45 said:
My only criticism of Kershaw is that they hold their resale value about as well as Chrysler products. Both times I've tried to sell a limited edition high-end Kershaw it's either sold below what I paid or sat there for weeks without moving. I have up on the xchange now that it looks like I'm going to be taking a loss on.

They aren't 'collector' knives like Spyderco or BM, but as users they are every bit as good.
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Hmmm...

Mini Cyclone Ti/ZDP: $120 new, $500 on the bay, S60V Blur: $175 new, over $450 on the bay, Leek Ti/ZDP: $120 new, $300 on the bay...

Look for the Speedform to go for well over street in a few months, along with the Volt and the Hinderer/ZT 0551, if you can find any of these at all.

Kershaw has the size to make top quality entry level knives for the big box stores, which requires a huge amount of volume, yet still has the newest technology (CB) and designers (mentioned by HW above, now adding Rick Hinderer) working with them on high-end sprint runs. You don't see this with BM or Spyderco. Not saying these two don't offer quality knives, just stating facts.

And one other little thing: Kershaw is the only manufacturer allowed by Hitachi to do the HT in-house on their ZDP. :thumbup:
 
CarlBagget said:
I just saw your knife for sale in the exchange and noticed that it is used and has had holes drilled into the handle.
If you paid more than you're selling it for I believe you paid too much as I was able to get 2 of them for less than that when they were released.
Good luck with your sale.
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Hey...I'm charging a little more because I IMPROVED it:D You have to admit that the factory clip is the most hideous thing that's ever been attached to a knife at the factory.
 
SPXTrader said:
Hmmm...

Mini Cyclone Ti/ZDP: $120 new, $500 on the bay, S60V Blur: $175 new, over $450 on the bay, Leek Ti/ZDP: $120 new, $300 on the bay...

Look for the Speedform to go for well over street in a few months, along with the Volt and the Hinderer/ZT 0551, if you can find any of these at all.

Kershaw has the size to make top quality entry level knives for the big box stores, which requires a huge amount of volume, yet still has the newest technology (CB) and designers (mentioned by HW above, now adding Rick Hinderer) working with them on high-end sprint runs. You don't see this with BM or Spyderco. Not saying these two don't offer quality knives, just stating facts.

And one other little thing: Kershaw is the only manufacturer allowed by Hitachi to do the HT in-house on their ZDP. :thumbup:
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I only have two words to say in rebuttal to that: Ti Bump
 
I bought my Spyderco Native from Wal-Mart.

I feel Kershaw has a wide range of products to suite whatever you knife needs. I also feel Kershaw is worthy to "run with the big dogs" irregardless of price.
 
SPXTrader said:
Hmmm...

Mini Cyclone Ti/ZDP: $120 new, $500 on the bay, S60V Blur: $175 new, over $450 on the bay, Leek Ti/ZDP: $120 new, $300 on the bay...

Look for the Speedform to go for well over street in a few months, along with the Volt and the Hinderer/ZT 0551, if you can find any of these at all.

Kershaw has the size to make top quality entry level knives for the big box stores, which requires a huge amount of volume, yet still has the newest technology (CB) and designers (mentioned by HW above, now adding Rick Hinderer) working with them on high-end sprint runs. You don't see this with BM or Spyderco. Not saying these two don't offer quality knives, just stating facts.

And one other little thing: Kershaw is the only manufacturer allowed by Hitachi to do the HT in-house on their ZDP. :thumbup:
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I tried selling a NIB non-blem Volt a little while back and couldn't even get any hits selling it for what I paid from a retailer when it came out. Yeah it's not 'cheap' but it's not marked up either which doesn't make any sense to me for a really nice limited run knife. Guess I need to try to sell it on Ebay for a ridiculous price and maybe someone will be interested (and pay 30 bucks in fees).
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
I tried selling a NIB non-blem Volt a little while back and couldn't even get any hits selling it for what I paid from a retailer when it came out. Yeah it's not 'cheap' but it's not marked up either which doesn't make any sense to me for a really nice limited run knife. Guess I need to try to sell it on Ebay for a ridiculous price and maybe someone will be interested (and pay 30 bucks in fees).
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It doesn't happen overnight with some models. The $120 to $500 price run on the Ti/ZDP Mini Cyclones took a couple of years. And consider there will always be someone out there needing cash quickly and will put them up at lower prices. Markets are efficient. Price always finds its level.
 
Kershaw seems to be a great company as far as I'm concerned. My 11 year old Random Task remains to be one of my favorite EDC knives. The Skyline that I purchased from Wally World on clearance has to be one of the sharpest knives out of the box I've ever gotten. I've had and still have several Kershaw folders as well as owning a ZT folder for a while. All in all I think they have a great and diverse product line.
 
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