Does the Shallot have a safety...

serratededge

serratededge

Joined
Mar 30, 2008
Messages
1,507
Hey guys, long time reader, 1st time poster, lifetime blade fan.

Just curious if the Shallot has some sort of safety? Of the pics I`ve seen, I don`t see that little plastic slide as is on the Leeks.

Just really wondering, probably will buy one either way so my Leeks have a big brother.


Thanks all,
Dave
 
Hey Dave:)

The Shallot does not have a safety. It shouldn't be too much of an issue, really. I carry mine in my left front pocket so that the blade is sort of tucked into the corner of the pocket. I'm sure it wouldn't fire on its own, but better safe than sorry:o
 
Thank you Jake for the info. That is how I carry my leeks, tip up in the right pocket, so the blade is snugged into the side to keep it from deploying, I thought no safety should be no problem.

But then again, whats a little blood loss.....:)
 
The Shallot requires a more deliberate movement to open, in my experience. I suppose it's always possible that one could lean against something and inadvertently fire it, if it was loose in a pocket, but I think it would quite difficult to do that when clipped to a pocket.

It's probably safer than a Leek with a loose safety.
 
I carry 3 different assited opening Kershaws with me every day. Some
have locks (I don't use) and some don't. I have never had
a blade open on my before. As long as the knife is in good
physical condition I don't see it opening on it's own even when
being jarred & bumped around in the pocket.

As riffraff stated, it takes a little bit more to open the Shallot
than a Leek or a Chive.

Go get your Leeks a big bro. :thumbup:

mike
 
Dave, The Shallot doesn't need a safety. The mechanism has been modifyied a bit and delayed so that it takes a more deliberate force to open but opens with authority.and when closing the blade it pulls the blade into the closed position with a significant amount of force. By reworking the mechanism you get the best of both worlds.Opens with authority and closes wit authority,much more than the retention of a simple detent.Much more secure than a manual folder. By lengthening the stroke of the flipper and delaying the mechanism this new system balances out quite nicely.
How do the rest of you guys with Shallots like the action of this knife? Notice anything different? Do you think it needs a safety? Thoughts?
 
KenOnion said:
How do the rest of you guys with Shallots like the action of this knife? Notice anything different? Do you think it needs a safety? Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I like the action, very quick and snappy. As you mentioned, the blade
has the snapshut effect too. No it doesn't need a safety.

You've done a great job with this one and I like it the way it is.........
well, until the Damascus version comes out. :p

mike
 
the blade on the Shallot has to be opened approx 30-40 degrees befor firing, the overcenter cam holds the blade closed with the same force it opens the blade with. The likelyhood of a force in the pocket pulling/pushing the blade open 30-40 degrees is unrealistic. Even if a force in the pocket pushed / pulled the blade open a smidge, the overcenter cam will pull the blade closed again as soon as the force is relaxed.
 
Thanks Mike!Glad you like it. This knife dresses up real nice. Lots of potential for future versions.
 
KenOnion said:
Dave, The Shallot doesn't need a safety. The mechanism has been modifyied a bit and delayed so that it takes a more deliberate force to open but opens with authority.and when closing the blade it pulls the blade into the closed position with a significant amount of force. By reworking the mechanism you get the best of both worlds.Opens with authority and closes wit authority,much more than the retention of a simple detent.Much more secure than a manual folder. By lengthening the stroke of the flipper and delaying the mechanism this new system balances out quite nicely.
How do the rest of you guys with Shallots like the action of this knife? Notice anything different? Do you think it needs a safety? Thoughts?
Click to expand...
I recently picked up a Shallot (love it, BTW, Ken) and you've described it perfectly. I can't imagine what the conditions would have to be to make one even begin to open in your pocket, unless maybe you got hit by a good size meteor. :) On mine the spring assist doesn't come into play until the blade is open about 2.25" (measured from blade tip to handle.) While it's true that if you pinch the blade between thumb and finger and open it part way, there's no tendency to close the blade back into the handle, I just don't see the blade accidentally starting to open like that, there's just too much resistance.

I really can't say enough good things about the Shallot. The mechanism is very robust, it has great ergonomics, carries well, and the grind of the blade is exceptionally handsome, kind of a contemporary take on the classic California clip. Mine has pretty much gotten 100% pocket time since it arrived (and in the package with it were two composite blade Leeks, and a Ti/SG2 JDY II!)

:thumbup::thumbup: to you, Ken.
 
Ken I love my Shallot! I like the sound when it opens
It sounds like the slide closing on a 1911 style pistol, a nice crisp CLICK!
This knife feels very solid for a knife in it's price range
I love the shape of the blade and the general looks of the knife (mines the satin silver PE one)
I'm looking forward to the many possible different variances of this knife design.
I would like to see a little better grip surface for wet conditions on the non clip side although the finger chol probably will help a lot when wet,
All together though a awesome knife!!! :thumbup: :)
 
Outstanding info guys and Ken, thank you for your reply.

That really was nice to read and get more insight on it. Kershaw should post that info on their site for everyone to read.

I`d been eying one ever since they came out, but was always hesitant with no lock. Even though my Leeks had never opened on me, my luck I would get stuck. Givin so, the design is so nice, I just wanted one. NOW, it going in the EDC section. I was sold by the design, now I`m sold for function. Hell, I may buy 2, one for each pocket. (damn addictive hobby)

Many thanks all,
Dave
 
KenOnion said:
Dave, The Shallot doesn't need a safety. The mechanism has been modifyied a bit and delayed so that it takes a more deliberate force to open but opens with authority.and when closing the blade it pulls the blade into the closed position with a significant amount of force. By reworking the mechanism you get the best of both worlds.Opens with authority and closes wit authority,much more than the retention of a simple detent.Much more secure than a manual folder. By lengthening the stroke of the flipper and delaying the mechanism this new system balances out quite nicely.
How do the rest of you guys with Shallots like the action of this knife? Notice anything different? Do you think it needs a safety? Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Ken...

I definitely don't think it needs a safety and do notice the difference. As a matter of fact, I have a little bit of trouble opening mine...but then again, I'm somewhat of a wimp...:D

Ray :)
 
The Shallot was my first knife and Kershaw. Was going to pick up a SOG but the sales guy turned me to the Shallot and that's all I've been buying (Kershaw that is not a bunch of Shallots :D) The knife opens up very nicely. Smooth but with a snap. I do find it a bit hard to close it with one hand but I'm getting used to it. All in all I am very happy with it and would definitely recommend this knife to anyone. Oh, I don't think it needs a safety :)
 
How do the rest of you guys with Shallots like the action of this knife? Notice anything different? Do you think it needs a safety? Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I just bought one of these because everyone here told me it is what I wanted.:rolleyes::p:D I like the knife for it's thinness, stainless construction, and beefy lock, along with the choice of tip up or down carry. Oh, and I like being able to take it apart to clean if necessary. Guess that's the only reasons I am still hanging on to it.:D

I have a couple of problems with it. Since one of them is petty, as well as simply personal opinion, I won't mention it. The other is how difficult it is to open. It is OK the first time, but after 1/2 dozen, you notice how difficult it is to push the blade out, as well as how little purchase there is to disengage the lock.

On a brighter note, I cut about 60' of carpet with it yesterday, and it did very well. The first 2-3 12' long cuts were effortless with the factory edge. Obviously it dulled, but it came back up to sharpness quickly when I got home.

As far as a safety, if the knife had one I would remove it, so that it could not engage and keep me from opening the knife. If it opened due to haveing no safety, I would not carry it.

Overall, I like the knife. I am EDCing it, which I only do with one knife. This one bumped my last one, so it must have something going for it.
 
And here are some pics. They may answer serrated's questions too.

img0729676x507ow9.jpg


img0728676x507fh3.jpg


img0727676x507tw0.jpg


img0726676x507ae8.jpg


img0725676x507gs7.jpg
 
Great closeup pics Any Cal. Thank you. She looks smooth and sleek, but with an attitude. Love the jimping for better grip and looks like it helps unlocking the blade. On some of the Polished versions of the Leek, it could be difficult to unlock being so smooth.

I`m sold....
 
KenOnion said:
Thanks Mike!Glad you like it. This knife dresses up real nice. Lots of potential for future versions.
Click to expand...

The possibilities are endless. It would be great to see the Shallot go the same way as the Leek with multiple steels and designs. The Shallot is great, sleek and fast. No lock needed. Actually I have not used any of the locks on my Leeks or Scallions and have disabled most of them so they will not lock by mistake. I have never had one open up in my pocket. Great knife ( and knives) Ken!
 
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