CUDA EDC v. Kershaw Sapphire

KeithAM

KeithAM

Joined
Dec 15, 2003
Messages
3,154
My son Kyle and I are just starting to collect/acquire knives as a hobby. Well, my son has saved enough too buy either of these knives, and would like some input as to which to buy. We've found and read threads on both, but see there's not too much on the Sapphire. Thanks!
 
I have handled both and I really didn't care for either.The Kershaw if I had to pick one.Does he have enough for a speed safe Kershaw?
 
I need to phrase that better,I would really like the Sapphire if it was a speed safe action.
BTW welcome to the forums.
 
Welcome Keith,

I think Either one would be a nice knife, I tend to lean towards the CUDA. Open, easy to clean up if you get it messy.
 
if you get the EDC be sure to get it with 154cm blade steel, NOT the early 420HC steel!!!!!!!
 
There are things I like about the Sapphire... for one, the blade is really long for it's handle size; that makes it nice to carry.

What I don't like is that (on my specimen anyway) the blue coating on the handles rubs off easily. If you try to polish it with a fine grit chrome polish such as Simichrome, the blue will be gone with one wipe of the rag. Also, the thumb studs are micro-miniature.. YMMV.
 
A sub-question I have is whether the 154cm used for the EDC steel is better than the AUS8 used for the Sapphire. BTW, I should also state the knife's intended purpose: EDC, relatively light use.
 
Read the following link for steel info

I'd go with the EDC. I've had one for about 6 months now and am quite happy with it. Nice solid little framelock, good quality for the money, I think.
 
Will second what DrClckWrk has to say. In the short time I have had mine I am very impressed with it.
 
Go with the EDC. The ones I've seen have a better fit and finish. The blade is also a little thicker and the geometry seems better.
 
I am assuming from your choices that he would like a knife with a metal handle. I really like VG-10 alloy as a step up from either 154CM or AUS-8. It takes a sharper edge than 154CM and holds an edge longer than AUS-8.

If you don't think that 3.5" is too long a blade length I would look at a Browning Ice Storm. It has an aluminum handle with stainless steel locking liner. You can get it with a blue handle if you like. It has pleasing proportions. It has a VG-10 alloy blade with a nice shape. I would get it online and save some money.

For a 3" bladed knife I would look at a new Spyderco Delica with VG-10 alloy blade, but this does not have a metal handle.

I find the EDC a little bit of a challenge to sharpen. The blade has a bit of recurve and that makes the inside of the curve a little difficult to sharpen. Combine that with the 154CM alloy blade, and it is not a knife I would pick for a first-timer (if you expect him to learn to sharpen).
 
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