Disappointed with Kershaw

Right. I think we just want them to be made a little better. Especially since they have designs people like. But when we get them, they are completely shit. Like waste of money shit.
 
I definitely think they heyday of Kershaw is over. I remember I used to have a ripstop and blur the quality was awesome. They still make the blur. They have other good knives now too, I love my cqc7k.

However their classic designs like the Boa the Speedbump, the RAM, they just aren't making them like that anymore.


Maybe its just nostalgia though, they have some awesome newer designs like they knockout.
 
vwb563 said:
It just hate seeing so much China made stuff in the Kershaw line. I'm not saying the China stuff is no good but it's definitely not on par with the USA made stuff. Then I see a few new American made models that I like but then I start looking at the their specs and see 420 as a blade steel. 420 is ok but certainly not on par with s30v or s35v or even 14c28n like my Leek has. Just seems like KAI is downgrading the Kershaw line of knives. I guess it's all part of the master plan to push quantity over quality. At leat they do offer limited runs of some models in the better steels. I love their ZT line and steels they offer. I'd actually like to see more exotic steels offered like s90v in the ZT models.
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This is the average person shopping at a WalMart or similar is not going to drop more than $20-$30 on a knife. There is a specific market there. This demographic has no idea and does not care about the difference between 8Cr, 3Cr or S30V, especially when they cannot see past the item in their hand. Kershaw has simply filled the demand for the specific entry level/budget knife. There are plenty of higher quality models available under the Kershaw banner that are still made in the US. Then you also have the ZT brand that offers even more variety, but at a higher price. If it were not for the budget line being as popular as it is, I do not think ZT would have made it as far as it has.
https://kershaw.kaiusaltd.com/knives?madeinusa=12
 
Kinda puzzled about this op did you not just buy a natrix off the exchange today? You know it's a Chinese made kershaw correct? I mean your disappointment in kershaw is valid but you literally just started a thread about your disappointment and then buy the same thing you were complaining about.
I belive kershaw still makes great knives and of course they have your subpar knives but most of their USA made knives are great. Just kinda funny to me let's bash their Chinese stuff then buy one off the exchange.
 
Mo2 said:
Right. I think we just want them to be made a little better. Especially since they have designs people like. But when we get them, they are completely shit. Like waste of money shit.
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Dude... you got one lemon. It's been clearly shown they are not all shit. Why you continue to peddle this instead of just returning it for a correct one mystifies me.

Lapedog said:
I definitely think they heyday of Kershaw is over. I remember I used to have a ripstop and blur the quality was awesome. They still make the blur. They have other good knives now too, I love my cqc7k.

However their classic designs like the Boa the Speedbump, the RAM, they just aren't making them like that anymore.


Maybe its just nostalgia though, they have some awesome newer designs like they knockout.
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The Boa, Speedbump and RAM were all pre-ZT knives I believe. All of the 'cool' designs are ZTs now. If I have a cool design but I know it won't sell to anyone but enthusiasts... do I make it out of aluminum, g10 and sandvick steel and sell it as a value piece? Or do I make it out of Ti, Cf and 204p at a higher profit per item?

None of them were hot sellers so you that almost immediately removes the value play.

If you were running a company, would you rather make the value version and sell 10,000 knives a year at a $20/knife profit or would you rather go high end, sell 7,000 a year and make $50/knife profit?
 
my only beef(s) with kershaw are.......

too many 3.25" or smaller bladed folders. yeah i know why they do this but i just dont need small folders. so i dont buy them.

their chinese factory isnt as good as it should be. tolerances are too wide and fit and finish is lax at best.

their launch autos have often encountered lock bounce. their prior autos suffered from that as well. they really need to get engineering to fix this.

lastly their designs arent as great as they used to be. that's a personal opinion deal and they do make a few i really like every year so maybe its just me.

other than those nitpicks...im still good with kershaw and will still buy knives they make i like whether Chinese made or American made.
 
jbmonkey said:
too many 3.25" or smaller bladed folders. yeah i know why they do this but i just don't need small folders. so i don't buy them.
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I'm just the reverse. Don't like long blades, 3.25 or smaller are fine with me. I have no gripes about Kershaw. They have some good folder designs and well made (I have 8 Kershaws). What I'm seeing with many modern makers is that they keep trying for "new" designs which end up being frankenknives. There are only so many designs that are really functional. Companies are just trying to keep customers coming by making "new" designs, most of which are ugly and don't look comfortable to use nor practical. Not to mention too #@%* expensive. Most my $0.02 on the matter.

Rich
 
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Well, I do love my Link. Now is it my Protech?..of course not.
Has not failed me yet after several hundred openings. I rotate with this knife often because I do love flippers.
 
My biggest Kershaw gripe is the proliferation of Assisted Openers I just prefer an automatic or a manual don't give me that ugly hybrid.
 
Scurvy092 said:
Dude... you got one lemon.
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They noticed it was a bent blade and did a work around to fix it by putting 4 washers on one side in order to ship it. It was intended to go like that. It was not a lemon. I've also seen other issues with them on other people's natrix when they saw my video and reached out. And that's not the only flipping model that is completely crap from them. Don't tell me for a sec I got a lemon. Now one things for certain they have a warranty and are willing to do something. For the money it's completely junk otherwise despite the issues I had.

There are much better made and better designed Chinese knives for the money.
 
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PirateSeulb said:
My biggest Kershaw gripe is the proliferation of Assisted Openers I just prefer an automatic or a manual don't give me that ugly hybrid.
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That is what the majority of people enjoy about them, funny how that works (Thank you Ken Onion for speed safe). As to the lock bounce of the Launch series, I own about 5 of them, a couple Launch 1, a couple Launch 2 and a 3. None of them have exhibited failure to lock upon firing. In fact, the tension of these knives is excellent. I enjoy the quality steel that for a long time was only seen on customs (CPM154) as well as the various colors. If you got a bad Launch, I would suggest sending it in and getting it repaired. At least contact Customer service. I don't know who works there anymore, the girls that ran CS for KAI about 5 years ago were some of the very best I have dealt with in the time I've collected and bought knives.
 
Just received a Barstow, my 1st ever Chinese blade. Complete impulse buy. For $25 I'm impressed. I'll never carry it, just seemed like a fun little knife, and it is.
 
Can't believe you posted this IM!
I just ordered an Induction yesterday! I went on Kershawguy's site and was looking around, he usually has some discoed stuff for sale, and saw the Induction.
Sounded interesting so I clicked on it!
Also ordered a Flourish.
I'll let you know how the Induction is. I should have it Tuesday.
Hope you're feeling well my friend.
Joe

Insipid Moniker said:
I'm not thrilled with the direction Kershaw has gone, but they still come out with at least one thing I want per year. Speaking of which, the Induction just hit and I need to grab me one. ;)
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RevDevil said:
That is what the majority of people enjoy about them, funny how that works (Thank you Ken Onion for speed safe). As to the lock bounce of the Launch series, I own about 5 of them, a couple Launch 1, a couple Launch 2 and a 3. None of them have exhibited failure to lock upon firing. In fact, the tension of these knives is excellent. I enjoy the quality steel that for a long time was only seen on customs (CPM154) as well as the various colors. If you got a bad Launch, I would suggest sending it in and getting it repaired. At least contact Customer service. I don't know who works there anymore, the girls that ran CS for KAI about 5 years ago were some of the very best I have dealt with in the time I've collected and bought knives.
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All the launches I've owed fired hard and locked up like a safe. Well made without problems and customer service has always been great same as rev said
 
gonebad395 said:
Kinda puzzled about this op did you not just buy a natrix off the exchange today? You know it's a Chinese made kershaw correct? I mean your disappointment in kershaw is valid but you literally just started a thread about your disappointment and then buy the same thing you were complaining about.
I belive kershaw still makes great knives and of course they have your subpar knives but most of their USA made knives are great. Just kinda funny to me let's bash their Chinese stuff then buy one off the exchange.
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I most certainly did buy one off the exchange. I liked the looks of it. I bought it. Period end of story. I most certainly did not "bash" Kershaw over their Chinese stuff. I said I was disappointed in seeing so many as compared to the USA made ones and their use of lower and lower grade blade steels. I certainly wished the Natrix I purchased today off the exchange had s30v or even better s90v steel but it is what it is. I recently bought a Link with the 420 blade steel also. Certainly doesn't mean I'm happy about their steel choice. Wish it had s90v also. No I was not "bashing" them. I just wish they would offer more USA made models and use better blade steels in the Kershaw line. I think you need to look up the definition of the word bash and get your facts straight before you post.
 
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You'll be ok as kershaw has plenty of great knives made in the USA with good steel. And as long as you Can complain about the Chinese made knives but buy the them because of the looks of the knives made in China they will have a buyer base. Don't get me wrong I like a few of their Chinese made knives also. But you cry here about disappointment but buy the same things you are crying about. You me and many others are one of the reasons there is the kershaw China based knife.
 
RevDevil said:
That is what the majority of people enjoy about them, funny how that works (Thank you Ken Onion for speed safe). As to the lock bounce of the Launch series, I own about 5 of them, a couple Launch 1, a couple Launch 2 and a 3. None of them have exhibited failure to lock upon firing. In fact, the tension of these knives is excellent. I enjoy the quality steel that for a long time was only seen on customs (CPM154) as well as the various colors. If you got a bad Launch, I would suggest sending it in and getting it repaired. At least contact Customer service. I don't know who works there anymore, the girls that ran CS for KAI about 5 years ago were some of the very best I have dealt with in the time I've collected and bought knives.
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I have the same experience with the Launches - although I only have one, the Launch 1 (hey, I live in Illinois and we only recently can have automatic knives...) -

My experience with the lower priced China-made Kershaw knives has been very good - as well as the China made knives from some other manufacturers.

If you get a good knife for 20 bucks, you can't start talking about blade steel, right?

You pays your money and takes your choice.

best

mqqn
 
gonebad395 said:
You'll be ok as kershaw has plenty of great knives made in the USA with good steel. And as long as you Can complain about the Chinese made knives but buy the them because of the looks of the knives made in China they will have a buyer base. Don't get me wrong I like a few of their Chinese made knives also. But you cry here about disappointment but buy the same things you are crying about. You me and many others are one of the reasons there is the kershaw China based knife.
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Again, you are trying to make more of what I said than I said. I was not "crying" over anything. I said I was disappointed. Look up the definition to the word crying. Stop trying to speak for me. I'm perfectly able to express what I want to say.
 
vwb563 said:
Again, you are trying to make more of what I said than I said. I was not "crying" over anything. I said I was disappointed. Look up the definition to the word crying. Stop trying to speak for me. I'm perfectly able to express what I want to say.
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I'm not making more of what you said at all. What I'm saying is if you are going to complain about their Chinese blade steel but then buy one because you like the looks of the knife but ignore the blade steel on the said knife you just bought it's kinda nulls the whole reason of your post. We get you are sad about their use of steels in their Chinese made knives but buying them isn't letting them know you don't like their choices. Agian I buy them also but I don't mind the few I buy that are Chinese made. And really enjoy the USA ones I own. Getting angry about dosent do any good we all have our own opinions.
 
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