Dirt and grime tolerant Kershaw A/O?

Shoki

Shoki

Joined
Apr 10, 2007
Messages
7,395
While my trusty cyclone has served me very well despite the beating it's taken at work, I think I'm going to retire it from service. I believe some debris has worked it's way into the mechanism and it no longer opens completely. I've been thinking about sending it in for repair but I feel like I've gotten more than my money's worth out of it. I would, however, like another Kershaw for work that might better handle all of the various forms of yuck that inhabit my welding shop,the garage, and the rest of the mountain. Do any of you have a favorite model for using in really nasty conditions? The new knife will likely see sand, salt, fine dust, water, mud, various metal shavings and dust, various chemicals and oils, etc. What have you had luck with?
 
Well first off, you may not have to retire this particular blade. If you feel so inclined, Kershaw's Speedsafe mechanism is really easy to take apart and clean up. But if you want another blade, I've had good luck with my ZT0350, especially since whenever I feel the need to clean it you lliterally only have to take off the left side handle scale to get into the Speedsafe mechanism.
 
Wait, your knife is dirty so you need a new one? :confused: I'll use just about any excuse to buy a new knife but that one's a stretch even for me.

You should just take your Cyclone apart and clean the crud out of the mechanism. It's not complicated (even someone as mechanically inept like me can do it) and it won't void the warranty.
 
Dorito, I don't know if adding "It won't void the warranty" was even necessary. I think short of prying open a door with your Kershaw Leek, throwing on the ground, and pissing on it there's not much Kershaw won't cover.
 
if its just grimy just take it apart and clean it up. its not that hard.

as to a replacement, perhaps the ZT 0200? maybe you could track down a 0500.
 
Dorito Monk said:
Wait, your knife is dirty so you need a new one? :confused: I'll use just about any excuse to buy a new knife but that one's a stretch even for me.

You should just take your Cyclone apart and clean the crud out of the mechanism. It's not complicated (even someone as mechanically inept like me can do it) and it won't void the warranty.
Click to expand...

I am actually planning on taking the Cyclone apart and cleaning it myself, whenever I get around to picking up a torx bit.

Here she is:
1024112107.jpg
 
EBHM4 said:
Dorito, I don't know if adding "It won't void the warranty" was even necessary. I think short of prying open a door with your Kershaw Leek, throwing on the ground, and pissing on it there's not much Kershaw won't cover.
Click to expand...

True say, Kershaw does stand by it's products with a vengeance. :thumbup: I figured it was worth putting in there, though - more and more companies seem to be throwing some kind of clause about dismantling the knife into their warranties. Benchmade and Spyderco both apparently void your warranty if you disassemble their knives. :eek:

Blais said:
I am actually planning on taking the Cyclone apart and cleaning it myself, whenever I get around to picking up a torx bit.

Here she is:
1024112107.jpg
Click to expand...

Ah, okay, that's a relief. It'd be a shame to put that sweet user out of service on account of a little dirt. :thumbup: You could also call up Kershaw's customer service and see if they'll send you a torx tool so you can get your knife back into working order.
 
Dorito Monk said:
True say, Kershaw does stand by it's products with a vengeance. :thumbup: I figured it was worth putting in there, though - more and more companies seem to be throwing some kind of clause about dismantling the knife into their warranties. Benchmade and Spyderco both apparently void your warranty if you disassemble their knives. :eek:



Ah, okay, that's a relief. It'd be a shame to put that sweet user out of service on account of a little dirt. :thumbup: You could also call up Kershaw's customer service and see if they'll send you a torx tool so you can get your knife back into working order.
Click to expand...

Once it's cleaned up, it'll go back into rotation but not for work duty.

A ZT would be sweet, especially an 0200 but I don't have that kind of money right now.
 
Request a new torsion bar to put in after you clean it up. That always works wonders for me.

They are out of mini Cyclone torsion bars.......they might have the full size ones. If they aren't the same ones as the mini.

Lowes had a nice mini screwdriver set with t5 to t10 torx bits for $5.99 a few weeks ago.
This set looks nice too. link
 
presz said:
Request a new torsion bar to put in after you clean it up. That always works wonders for me.

They are out of mini Cyclone torsion bars.......they might have the full size ones. If they aren't the same ones as the mini.

Lowes had a nice mini screwdriver set with t5 to t10 torx bits for $5.99 a few weeks ago.
This set looks nice too. link
Click to expand...

I'll do that, thanks for the tip.
;)
 
Blur.

So far its the only assisted opener thats been very tolerant of the river silt and muck I subject things too. I think its mostly due to it being so darn snappy and having an open back design. That said, mine just get swished around in water when they get nasty so its less of an issue.
 
2nd on the blur.

My pops used his for work for a few years. He is a painter and sprays a lot. Paint gets into the pocket pretty well and the Blur has been subjected to plenty. After some time it wont lock up well because of the build up on the blade where the liner lock meets the blade. Some warm water and a q-tip and its good.
 
I do like the Blur, it's right in my budget and the grippy handle is a big plus too.
I'm also thinking about picking up another Blackout. I never used mine as a work knife but it struck me as suitable for heavier use.
 
The trac inserts on the blur are nice, if you do get one, the tanto blade is a bit thin for heavy use and the serrations arent as user friendly as the scalloped serrations that come on the regular blade.
 
hello this is my first post ive loved knives but had like three kershaws and had problems out of all of them, granted i really played with them, well the last kershaw i got was the cyclone bought it years ago used it loved it and it broke it i put it away for a SOG well i emailed kershaw about a month ago and they sent me a new torsion bar and the selectable spring bar part (i lost switch years ago when i took the broke spring out and made it a manual) well i put the new parts in and put it back togather now its like new, my go knife. this really made a super kershaw fan out of me. now im trying to pick out my next knife. so they do have the parts for the full sized kershaw, also i told the customer service rep that i lost the switch and they offered to give me a new knife!! kershaw really stands by their stuff!!
 
All you need is a T6 and T8 torx wrench (buy good ones, they're worth it) and some grease. Clean the crud out of the mechanism, put a little oil or grease on the washers, re-grease the torsion bar pocket (lithium grease or even petroleum jelly will work), and put it back together. Should work like a charm. If not, call customer service for a replacement torsion bar.
 
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