First Looks - Kershaw Blackwash Linup for 2014

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.

They're aiming those at Gerber's low-end knife buying customers, not someone like a preson who frequents bladeforums.
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How is it not about country of origin? Exporting steel to China would defeat the entire idea of budget knives. 8Cr and 3Cr are the only steels in China. Thomas W. explained this in a podcast with Gear Geeks Live.

Whatever they're aiming these at, they're doing a damn good job of it.
 
There's strength in diversity, and that's one of the things the new lineup offers. The initial Blackwashed models were on some of the higher-end ZT's. Now, it will be available on several Kershaws available at all price ranges. The higher priced models are likely to feature higher-end materials, which shouldn't be a big surprise. The point is that the new lineup now makes the Blackwash finish available to a broader audience, from the new budget-friendly and aptly-named Starter series all the way up to the high-end ZT's. If the 3Cr13 steel isn't for you, they offer a wide range of other models to choose from with different blade steels, different sizes and styles, and a wide range of prices. There's something for everyone!
 
BW Thermite and Scrambler for sure, dig the Lifter and Manifold, but not the tip down right hand only clips. :(
 
KnottyEagle said:
How is it not about country of origin? Exporting steel to China would defeat the entire idea of budget knives. 8Cr and 3Cr are the only steels in China. Thomas W. explained this in a podcast with Gear Geeks Live.

Whatever they're aiming these at, they're doing a damn good job of it.
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8CR13MOV and 3CR are nowhere near the only Chinese steels. The gap from 8CR13MOV and 3CR is VERY significant.
 
From the pictures posted online, the Cryo blackwash looks nice. Also saw on Kershaw's website that there will be a Cryo G-10. Wish they would offer a Cryo G-10 blackwash...
 
o4tg said:
No disrespect, but there's what he says, and what the truth is. AUS8, AUS6, 440 of all grades, 5CR, 7CR, 8CR, 9CR, 1075, and lots more. China is one of the largest steel producers in the world.
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They can produce all the steel they want... Doesn't mean any of it is cutlery steel.

Of course let's all take your word over the VP ofa giant multinational cutlery company who had actually been to the knife factories in China...
 
Scurvy092 said:
They can produce all the steel they want... Doesn't mean any of it is cutlery steel.

Of course let's all take your word over the VP ofa giant multinational cutlery company who had actually been to the knife factories in China...
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Quoted for truth.
 
Are you guys serious? Dozens of other makers are producing knives in other steels in China. Saying 8CR14MOV and 3CR are the only steels China produces is incorrect. Not sure why you guys are arguing something you're so blatantly wrong on.

Maybe they meant THEIR factory doesn't produce anything but 420J2 and 8CR14MOV. If so, that's kind of sad.
 
Yeah, I don't get how Boker can put 440C in their Chinese knives, I believe they've even put VG10 on a Chinese knife recently. Sounds like Kershaw's Chinese factory has limited access to steel and that sucks. Just listened to most of the podcast, but more importantly the part about the availability of steels in China. Sounds like Thomas is saying that despite what other manufacturers may claim; it's not what they say it is and it's really one of the CR steels he mentions. If that is so, how did Kershaw get D2 for the Outcast fixed blade? Did something change in imports to China? I know (not for a fact but I can vouch that whatever it is it is tougher than just about anything I've ever sharpened) the Outcast is a D2 knife, how is what Thomas says legitimate? Just looking for an explanation on a pretty heavy statement by him.
 
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Scurvy092 said:
They can produce all the steel they want... Doesn't mean any of it is cutlery steel.

Of course let's all take your word over the VP ofa giant multinational cutlery company who had actually been to the knife factories in China...
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Has he been to every knife factory in China? Is he saying that the knives I have in 9Cr13 and 7Cr13 aren't really 9Cr13 and 7Cr13?
 
That Cryo II Tanto is sexy and it knows it. How about upgrading that sucker to 14c28n and moving production to Taiwan or the US Kershaw?
 
KnottyEagle said:
How is it not about country of origin? Exporting steel to China would defeat the entire idea of budget knives. 8Cr and 3Cr are the only steels in China. Thomas W. explained this in a podcast with Gear Geeks Live.

Whatever they're aiming these at, they're doing a damn good job of it.
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3cr13 is about equivalent to 420J2. IMO, that's fine for a lower end, introductory knife offering, but claiming that those are the only two cutlery steels in China is absurd. Now, maybe those are the only two the factory KAI deals with is willing to work, but saying there are no other steels, or even that the availability of other steels is limited seems ridiculous gives them flood of knives in 9cr13, 9cr17, 7cr13, 7cr17, etc. Thomas W. has a job to do, and I respect that, but common sense and a tiny bit of research tell me that he is, at minimum, massaging the truth on that one.
 
Insipid, if you listen to the podcast, it sounds as if he's implying that all steel coming out of China, despite what the company claims, is really a CR steel and to not be deceived. I'm hoping it's a mistake on his part or he didn't word his statement correctly.
 
No one is claiming that 8cr and 3cr are the only steels in China. Pretty sure knotty just misspoke. Thomas said alphabet steel is the only cutlery steel made in China and the performance differences aren't that big because of their rudimentary heat treating knowledge.
 
Scurvy092 said:
No one is claiming that 8cr and 3cr are the only steels in China. Pretty sure knotty just misspoke. Thomas said alphabet steel is the only cutlery steel made in China and the performance differences aren't that big because of their rudimentary heat treating knowledge.
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Gotcha! Now that I have much less difficulty swallowing.
 
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