First Look: Kershaw Camp 10, 14, & 18

I'm kinda liking these designs a bit, and I don't mind the steel choice for what I would use them for, as long as the price is right. Don't get me wrong, I'm more than willing to drop some serious dough on a great knife (for example, my ZT 0560 hasn't left my pocket since I got it! I loooves me that knife!), & I am becoming more and more a fan of exotic steels, but I appreciate an affordable camp knife, or machete. My favorite thing about these 3 designs is the handle. Depending on the length, they look very ergonomic to me. I know, it's only a picture, &i have yet to see one, let alone hold one, but I have held a LOT of knives, & those handles look comfy to me.
 
Please no cutouts on the 18. I know what will happen someone will break one on youtube and then people will bitch about the cutouts making the blade weak and blah blah blah drama drama drama. Also it seems like it would be an extra manufacturing step that's unecessary and could use that time to make sure they have the best possible edge.
 
I like them overall. Not crazy about the cutouts on the 18, but I don't think I would end up using it hard enough for them to be an issue, blade strength-wise. It would be cool to have a version of the 18 without the cut outs, and have the version in the rendering be the "lightweight" version.

As far as the steel choice goes, I have not been unhappy with any of the knives I have used from Kershaw, so I trust your decision in what steel will be the best performer for the price. :thumbup:
 
Just a quick heads up - the cutouts on the Camp 18 are not set in stone. They are meant to relieve some of the weight of the long, 5mm thick blade. We will be testing it out to make sure they do not weaken the blade. Generally, rounded cutouts like these create less stress risers than square-cornered cutouts, and should not cause issues. Testing will prove it out long before these knives are available on the consumer market.

The steel will be 65MN (1065), and there are no plans to change that as of this time. This knife has a lot to offer over other machetes, and the price point will be quite reasonable. There will be plenty of "bang for your buck" in this package.
 
That looks pretty interesting. So far I've been using my ZT-9 for big knife tasks. Any of these would be a welcome addition to my collection.
 
jimmer_5 said:
Just a quick heads up - the cutouts on the Camp 18 are not set in stone. They are meant to relieve some of the weight of the long, 5mm thick blade. We will be testing it out to make sure they do not weaken the blade. Generally, rounded cutouts like these create less stress risers than square-cornered cutouts, and should not cause issues. Testing will prove it out long before these knives are available on the consumer market.

The steel will be 65MN (1065), and there are no plans to change that as of this time. This knife has a lot to offer over other machetes, and the price point will be quite reasonable. There will be plenty of "bang for your buck" in this package.
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5mm thick 18 inch machete? This thing is going to be a monster, and very possibly monstrously heavy. I'm all for whatever weight savings you can pull off on that blade.
 
jimmer_5 said:
Just a quick heads up - the cutouts on the Camp 18 are not set in stone. They are meant to relieve some of the weight of the long, 5mm thick blade. We will be testing it out to make sure they do not weaken the blade. Generally, rounded cutouts like these create less stress risers than square-cornered cutouts, and should not cause issues. Testing will prove it out long before these knives are available on the consumer market.
Click to expand...

Feel free to send me one, I'll test it out and report back my thoughts and findings. :D
 
Good looking users, but in need of more exciting names. C10 could be kukri monster or dunlop. C14 cutloose, or catless? C18 Yetagain or yeti-gone? That is a sweet looking handle. Even before zombies made the scene, a high-vis color on a knife made it harder to lose or forget.

Then, how about a modular high tech hatchet or axe handle (haxe or haks?) that takes different faces such as broadaxe, halberd, splitter, brush hook, barong, pulaski, peavey, cant hook, prybar, fence stretcher, mattock, maul, scythe and adze? Could even use it to tweak deck boards and if you jointed it, could be packable and work as a bow saw.
 
I'm glad kershaw is going to make some machete types but i really wish you guys would make more reasonably sized camping/outdoor knives. Right now the kershaw fixed blades i like are too small for my uses and these new ones look too big for most of what i do. I'm fine with the steel choice though, don't know why people want a super steel in a machete.
 
can anyone from kershaw give us a clue as to what the sheaths will look like? are we looking at kydex, nylon, or something else altogether?
 
Flashpoint said:
Feel free to send me one, I'll test it out and report back my thoughts and findings. :D
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Do a passaround with the Camp 18. I have a hawthorn tree in my back yard I'll drop with it.




I am also wondering about the sheath. I am fond of the Outcast sheath, the only thing I can think to add to it would be a strap with a snap to make it extra secure for rugged terrain and extended travel.
 
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I can't get these out of my head. I really want the 14. Will there be a distal taper, or will it remain the full thickness until just shy of the tip? Also will the 14 be 5mm as well?

I think I need to take my outcast and chop something, maybe that will make waiting for the 14 to be out into production and distribution.
 
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I think I found my new EDC blade! :p

Seriously though, one of these would be great for in the truck for quickly hacking limbs off smaller trees across the path when I'm exploring forest roads. I keep driving over the small stuff that doesn't need moved or cut only to have the small branches get hung up and dragging the mess along down the road.

Great for taking out huge swaths of blackberries rather than messing around cutting them with an 0560.

Ummm.. scaring the crap out of the neighbors..
 
Very cool, loose the lightening holes on the 18 and you got a buyer. I don't care how heavy it is, it will make it a better chopper.

-orangish ducktape
 
Make it heavier and give it a two hand handle

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