Folder Questions

[MTUTX85]

So I was taking some of my folders apart to clean all of the lint out. I have 3 I was cleaning, 1 Gerber Auto side folder that I carried on duty for years and 2 Kershaw. One Kershaw made in USA on the blade the other has an Emerson claw on the top of the blade made in China. Both of them are at least 5 years old.

So I was curious if Kershaw makes some knives in the in the USA and or sources/imports the others? I also noticed that they had plastic washers on either side of the blade. Since I’m learning more about folders and the likes I see some have ceramic ball bearings and some have roller bearings like the Civivi. Does price increase on knives equal not only better blade quality but better opening via these bearings? I’m assuming it make for a smoother and faster opening knife?

I’m really liking the Civivi Praxis which uses a ball bearing. It has the copper handles and Damascus blade. Not sure about $107.00 for a knife made in China, or is this the newb in me and pretty much everything is made there. I have read on here a lot of you guys really like the WE knives and Civivi.

 

[tony281sc2]

So I was taking some of my folders apart to clean all of the lint out. I have 3 I was cleaning, 1 Gerber Auto side folder that I carried on duty for years and 2 Kershaw. One Kershaw made in USA on the blade the other has an Emerson claw on the top of the blade made in China. Both of them are at least 5 years old.

So I was curious if Kershaw makes some knives in the in the USA and or sources/imports the others?

Yes, most Kershaws are made in China these days and have speedsafe. The two don’t go hand in hand however, they offer some great A/O models deisigned towards folks getting into the hobby (IMO).
The quality is usually quite a bit better on their US models (Links, Leeks, Launches, scallions, etc.)

I also noticed that they had plastic washers on either side of the blade. Since I’m learning more about folders and the likes I see some have ceramic ball bearings and some have roller bearings like the Civivi. Does price increase on knives equal not only better blade quality but better opening via these bearings? I’m assuming it make for a smoother and faster opening knife?

AFAIK the only company that uses roller bearings is Shirogorov. I’m sure there’s others, but generally bearings do not substantially increase the price. Maybe not at all. 6-7 years ago it was a treat to get awesome action in a knife. Now you can get ZT-like action for $50. Also, some people Prefer bronze washers for the added durability (harder for debris to get inside the knife.)

I’m really liking the Civivi Praxis which uses a ball bearing. It has the copper handles and Damascus blade. Not sure about $107.00 for a knife made in China, or is this the newb in me and pretty much everything is made there. I have read on here a lot of you guys really like the WE knives and Civivi.

There are plenty of folks who like Civivi. I have one and my dad has one (Dogmas). They’re ok, the action is decent, the steel is decent, the price is good.,..but it will never be anything special.
Personally I like to buy things made in my home country. Something NOBODY talks about is WE’s (and Civivi) customer service.
It’s not something I do often (if ever), but it’s nice to know if I have a problem with my ZT or Spyderco I don’t have to ship my knife across the globe lol