Echelon

I'd be more than happy to evaluate another one. As to "plunge," I'm not sure what is meant by that. The unsharpened bit doesn't bother me as it makes the knife safer to open in my opinion. My thumb sometimes follows through a bit with the Speedsafe knives, and has been mildly cut a time or two when it hits the blade. The blunt back edge prevents this. ;)



Thomas W said:
V-T

I've carried an Echelon for about a month and didn't find issues with the scales, as both slabs were beveled. I didn't experience any real hot spots. The clip wasn't overly tight. As to the sharpening...if you want the plunge, this is what you get.

It seems the one you received is not quite right, perhaps I should send you another for evaluation?
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Nice pictures. It is bigger than I thought it was going to be. Love the natural G10/G11.
I think I might just "need" one. That would have to be want, I am way past need.:D
But I can't find it in stock anywhere or on ebay. Just a few must have shipped is all I can figure out
 
Vege-Taco

It does look like on the three close-ups that the one side was not chamfered. In the first picture you can see a tiny burr on the un-chamfered side as if it was left rough because another process was to come and just did not happen. That last shot of the thumb stud is a good one, it looks flush with the handles. Hey, I would take Thomas up on his offer! Thanks for the detailed pictures and discussion.
 
Hmm. I too am on standby by two websites for one of these. Hope I can snag one.
 
Vege-Taco said:
OK, I finally took the time to inspect the knife closely. One scale has a beveled edge, while the other is completely squared off. I don't know if this is by design (poor decision), or if this was an oversight during manufacturing, but it is definitely odd.
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Vege - That squared off scale is a mistake. I will presonally make sure that this gets taken care of for you. I'll see what I can do to get you swapped out with a new one tomorrow.

- Jim
 
Vege-Taco said:
I'd be more than happy to evaluate another one. As to "plunge," I'm not sure what is meant by that. The unsharpened bit doesn't bother me as it makes the knife safer to open in my opinion. My thumb sometimes follows through a bit with the Speedsafe knives, and has been mildly cut a time or two when it hits the blade. The blunt back edge prevents this. ;)
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Vege - The "plunge" is is where the grind begins on the blade, back by the choil. This is where the grinding wheel "plunges" into the steel, and gradually sweeps forward until it passes the tip of the knife. We have made a change to the plunge on the Echelon which eliminates the spot where the blade is too thick to sharpen.
 
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Here is a photo that shows the revisions we have made to the plunge grind of the Echelon. As you can see from the photo on the left, the new plunge creates a more consistent thickness alon the whole edge, and eliminates the thick portion by the choil.

KershawEchelonplungegrindcomparison.jpg
 
Looks good should yield a smaller flat spot and a longer cutting edge.:cool:

Now lets get some more shipped, so that I can find one to buy.:thumbup:
 
I noticed Knifecenter's web site says expected summer 2012!? Some people got theirs', but now it won't be until summer until knifecenter gets them? Something seems amiss. I understand some setbacks and unexpected delays, but this seems weird. Has anyone else received an Echelon, and if so from what outlet?
 
Jim at Kershaw is getting my Echelon a new scale, so it should be a LOT more comfortable to hang onto when I get it back. I'll update my review and report back soon.

Thanks, Jim! :)
 
Guys that have these, what are your impressions? I canceled my pre order to save for a 0561 but I would still like to get one. Pics are always appreciated!
 
I just off the phone with a guy from Knifecenter. He said my Echelon would ship out today!! I hope you guys are getting yours too. I will post pictures soon.
 
I just put in a preorder from KC on one, I hope they really are shipping out this soon. I've been dying to get this knife since it was first released! It makes me wish Kershaw would try out the satin finish on more of their knives too.
 
I finally got it! Overall I like the knife. Maybe not quite as much as I had hoped, but I am definitely keeping it. I am not a huge speed safe guy, and I knew that coming in, so I cannot gripe too much about that one. A non-assisted flipper would have been perfect though. The thumb-lugs are not too bad, they are pretty much flush with the scales of the knife and do not seem to interfere with pulling the knife out or putting it back in my pocket. The knife did come right-hand tip-up which is a nice change, it seems that knives never come that way from the factory. I love the scales, like seeing the speed safe and like how they incorporated the sub-frame lock into the knife, although would still prefer non-assisted. It is very light feeling (not sure of the spec, do not really care, it feels light, not surprisingly light but light). The one gripe I have is actually with the clip. I love that Kershaw went with a deep carry clip, but they did not quite get it right in my opinion. It has good retention, but the button head screws that hold it on stick up enough such that the knife does not sit all the way down in my jeans pocket. It will go all the way down if I force it, but then pulling it out it is hard. My skyline mod clip has the same problem. These are just my first impressions, and I will carry it for a while and see how my opinion changes.

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mann0mann said:
Is there a ball detent on it so maybe the speedsafe could be removed?
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I'm hoping there is, although from that one picture of the lockbar it doesn't look like it. If it does have a detent like the 0350, that would be even better!
 
mann0mann said:
Is there a ball detent on it so maybe the speedsafe could be removed?
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That is what I am going to take a closer look at later today. I can see the ball on the lockbar, and feel it drop off the blade at about 90% open, but I cannot see the blade to make sure it has the female hole to retain when fully closed. It may not because the speed safe has plenty (too much) holding power. I am not passing judgement yet, as I cut my thumb this weekend and have a band-aid on it, so that could be giving me problems opening it, but it seems really hard to get the blade initiated. Of course once started the speed safe takes over and the blade comes out hard and fast.
 
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