First Looks - Kershaw Blackwash Linup for 2014

flarp said:
The composition of 3Cr13 is very similar to 420J2. If it performs the same, it will be very corrosion resistant and tough. The MSRP is only $30, so street price is going to be even less. For that, you get a good sized blade, SpeedSafe, Blackwash finish, and a lifetime warranty backed by a reputable company. That's still a bargain.
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My good man, I couldn't have said it better myself :thumbup:
 
Does anyone have the black Cryo? I'm wondering how well the black oxide coating stands up to wear and tear. I didn't think it was able to be made into a blackwash. The USA blackwash has the DLC as the base coating which is known to be tough, but I don't know anything about this oxide coating
 
annasoH323 said:
Does anyone have the black Cryo? I'm wondering how well the black oxide coating stands up to wear and tear. I didn't think it was able to be made into a blackwash. The USA blackwash has the DLC as the base coating which is known to be tough, but I don't know anything about this oxide coating
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I have experience with a few budget Kershaws that use this black oxide coating (Brawler, Clash and Funxion EMT). It's by no means DLC but it's fine for what it is. A little more glossy/reflective, and still scratches up through normal use, but it serves its purpose.
 
3CR13MOV? Yes, very similar to 420J2 which is about the lowest knife steel known. I agree it looks a lot like the Schrade, but the Schrade has much better steel at least. 420J2 is what they make all those cheap katanas and fantasy swords out of. Big no thanks, and hopefully no one is confusing it being similar to 420HC.

I'm liking the Cryo Tanto, though it's a nightmare like grind and I'd do everything I could to avoid dulling the blade. That blackwash Thermite is sexy too!
 
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bad_juju said:
I don't think they would use it if it did not stand up^.
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I'm just curious from an objective standpoint about the properties and a comparison to the standard DLC. I had a coated tanto Zing that stood up phenomenally to a lot of random things but have no experience with the oxide. I'm not concerned, just curious

grownstar said:
I have experience with a few budget Kershaws that use this black oxide coating (Brawler, Clash and Funxion EMT). It's by no means DLC but it's fine for what it is. A little more glossy/reflective, and still scratches up through normal use, but it serves its purpose.
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I wonder if that glossiness shows up after the blackwashing? Only speculative since the pics we have currently are catalog and a little small. Wait and see...
 
The Manifold looks great, but I'm just one more person hoping for a ZT (or USA Kershaw) version with higher grade steel.
 
Whoops. Just saw the blades are 3CR13 and not 3CR13MOV. That means it is 420J2. Even with a good heat treat that stuff has the edge retention of an aluminum can.

I do like the other blades, but using 420J2 devalues the brand in my eyes. That is just my opinion, but the terribleness of 420J2 isn't an opinion. Even with the best heat treat it's still a horrible steel.
 
o4tg said:
Whoops. Just saw the blades are 3CR13 and not 3CR13MOV. That means it is 420J2. Even with a good heat treat that stuff has the edge retention of an aluminum can.

I do like the other blades, but using 420J2 devalues the brand in my eyes. That is just my opinion, but the terribleness of 420J2 isn't an opinion. Even with the best heat treat it's still a horrible steel.
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What do you expect from Chinese knives? Really? As Thomas stated in a recent podcast, there's next to nothing in China. You're not going to get Vanax, M390, S110V, etc. In a Chinese knife. Using these steels allowes Kershaw to bring these knives in at a very affordable price.
 
I don't like the Lifter or Manifold. The steel is well below my bottom line (which happens to be 8Cr, which ain't too shabby) and the pocket clips are the nails in the already locked coffin. The other knives look nice though. I may have to get at least one of them just to have a blackwashed knife.
 
KnottyEagle said:
What do you expect from Chinese knives? Really? As Thomas stated in a recent podcast, there's next to nothing in China. You're not going to get Vanax, M390, S110V, etc. In a Chinese knife. Using these steels allowes Kershaw to bring these knives in at a very affordable price.
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It's not about country of origin. 8cr13mov is a decent enough steel. Dropping down to 3cr is all about making the cheapest possible knife at the cost of anything close to decent edge holding.

They're aiming those at Gerber's low-end knife buying customers, not someone like a preson who frequents bladeforums.
 
kreole said:
It's not about country of origin. 8cr13mov is a decent enough steel. Dropping down to 3cr is all about making the cheapest possible knife at the cost of anything close to decent edge holding.
C
They're aiming those at Gerber's low-end knife buying customers, not someone like a preson who frequents bladeforums.
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Which is my worry. Gerber transitioned to having a few boutique models and a bunch of Chinese garbage and it almost tanked their company. Now you see they're starting to offer some good products again and I don't think that's coincidence after having a few years of low profits. I see Kershaw stepping closer and closer to that same path in watering their lines down with cheap shitty knives that only sell at Walmart and truck stops.

420J2 is not acceptable for a reputable company. How sad is it Taylor brands use better steel on their cheaper knives than Kershaw?
 
What everyone fails to understand is that all of us here on BF are just the minority. While 3cr might be too low end for you, I can almost guarantee you most of these sell like crazy. It's all about what the consumer buys, not what we want them to do.
 
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