For you Kershaw fans some question for you.

deskil said:
Skyline, gray G-10, CPM-154 blackwashed blade. I think it would sell quickly at $ 75-80. I'd buy one.
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KAI has discontinued usage of CPM-154 on all but a few ZT models, and has no intentions of using it on any models in the future (sadly). That would be a helluva knife...I think their CPM-154 outperforms their (and most) S30V.
 
Skyline in M390, Elmax, or S90V.....Id go with a digi cam G-10 handle to support the whole for the troops thing. Id buy one sign me up!!!!! lol
 
pnsxyr said:
KAI has discontinued usage of CPM-154 on all but a few ZT models, and has no intentions of using it on any models in the future (sadly). That would be a helluva knife...I think their CPM-154 outperforms their (and most) S30V.
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Really? Very interesting, where did you hear that?
 
All branches of the US armed forces have their own camo pattern. If your charity is mainly geared towards for example the Marines a MARPAT handle would be awesome, not so much so if your charity works for all veterans equally (and with the army changing pattern every five weeks making one for them is problematic.

But aye, a Skyline in grey/OD/ranger green/khaki/tan would be grand. Maybe in a fancy steel, maybe not. Just make sure to engrave the blade and have it come in something other than bead-blast. With KAI on a black-wash binge maybe that would look good?
 
This might be an off-the-wall idea... another way to approach it might be using an LE but sought after model and down-grade materials. This would get the model in more people's hands, without having to now shell out $500-$900 to acquire the rare bird on the secondary market.

So, with that, I say do the Tilt. Take away features to get it to the price point you need - for instance, single steel blade in S30V (or Elmax if you must), washers instead of KVT, and G10 instead of carbon fiber, maybe even liner lock it instead of frame lock if Ti drives up the price too much. Heck, maybe even scale the size down a tad to save a bit on material costs. All this is analogous to what they've already done with the ZT 0777 / 0770. CNC something in the G10 or choose another G10 color to make it a bit more collectible (OD green with DLC blade would be good for a knife benefiting veterans, wouldn't you say?)

I know the Tilt might be a stretch, but that is my vote.
 
Digicam crossed my mind at first, but 1) as been pointed out, each branch has its own camo and 2) there are a lot of veterans out there whose service predated the introduction of digicam. I also think that the model chosen for this run should be something with a blade shape associated with military use, such as a clip point or spear point. A Skyline with olive drab G10 makes sense in my opinion.

Just a thought along those lines though - what about a fixed blade Skyline?
 
Inazone said:
Digicam crossed my mind at first, but 1) as been pointed out, each branch has its own camo and 2) there are a lot of veterans out there whose service predated the introduction of digicam. I also think that the model chosen for this run should be something with a blade shape associated with military use, such as a clip point or spear point. A Skyline with olive drab G10 makes sense in my opinion.

Just a thought along those lines though - what about a fixed blade Skyline?
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Too many knife laws restricting fixed blades, even if it was something I wanted I wouldn't bother since I live in Ca. There are a few local cities where it's illegal. If I conceal it that's a felony, something I can't afford. Carrying one would just cause panic in the area I live in and invite cops to hassle me. I imagine a lot of people would be in a similar situation as me so I think a folder would bring in a wider audience.

I liked the digicam idea but your making a very good argument for olive drab. I am also thinking BDU (m81 general purpose pattern, U.S Woodland) would be another good pattern since it was used by Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, etc and is widely recognized as camouflage and associated with the military despite not being used by all of them now.

So I am now thinking Skyline, S110V, BDU G10 handles, possibly a black (or very dark grey) titanium nitride blade or black DLC blade (torn on whether I would want this). Have a feeling that would exceed the $100 price point but would be worth it.
 
2 shot said:
Remember on the BF Skyline the decision to use S30V was to keep the cost below $100 and the minimum order was 500. I don't know the price of steels above the quality of S30V but surely they would be pushing that dollar amount if not exceeding it.

I really like the idea of the Ram in M390!!!! The original Zing (without the groves) in a premium steel would be great as well. I think there is a big desire for blades this size.

Perhaps Minuteman watches could be the outlet for Kershaw boutique runs using higher end steels with the veteran cause being the focal point.

Thomas thank you and your family for supporting those that served our country.
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I am thinking if anything the minimum order could be a killer 500 is a lot more than I think we can handle so will see what they say. Thanks so much for the kind words. =)

The idea of being an outlet appeals to us but if I were a long time Kershaw dealer I would crying fowl to be honest.
 
I am going to predict that going with a different blade steel is going to be a bridge too far for us on this next go. If that's the case I am sure we could do a different coating on something no problem. Not sure on handle material as we may well find we have the same high minimum to meet. That's just my gut feeling.

If we can't do something with a different blade steel what would you then suggest? Keep in mind though that might well mean we can then sell at a lower price. =)
 
Thomas Carey said:
I was wondering about a Coyote tan? =) Thoughts?
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It's been done before a coyote brown with black dlc blades. I don't think they have done the olive drab, digi camo, or BDU pattern yet though.

If the price is too much I am thinking one of the last three with the normal Sandvik 14C28N with a black DLC coating. The DLC coating isn't done as often on the Skylines and this should produce a pretty unique knife when paired up with the different handle. I think it would look pretty good on the BDU pattern and olive drab.
 
Here's an interesting idea. You get exotic steel without going over $80. Just get your G10 color and start selling!
 
wazu013 said:
Here's an interesting idea. You get exotic steel without going over $80. Just get your G10 color and start selling!
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That was just re-released though. So I imagine a lot of guys including myself who missed out on the first round of that and didn't want to pay the high second hand prices jumped at it, I know I did. So that may be tougher sale steel wise out of all the ones that aren't normally produced as we just got it and you can still get them at good prices. I can pretty much guarantee it will eventually sell out though. And to my understanding Kershaw didn't make the blade they contracted it to Alabama Damascus Steel & Cutlery to make so getting a hold of it may be harder.

Another round of S30V may be a good option as the only one I know of is the Bladeforums version if blade steel is still on the table. And we already have a pretty decent idea of the pricing of that from the bladeforums knife if the blade steel option is still on the table.
 
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Since Elmax is so popular with Kai , just do a version with it and a completely different color scale. I'm sure carbon fiber would probably drive up the price too high. Micarta maybe? Did I mention getting rid of that pocket clip for a deep carry?!
 
What do you all think of switching to the pocket clip used on say the 0801?
 
Thomas Carey said:
What do you all think of switching to the pocket clip used on say the 0801?
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I love the 0801 pocket clip, but the holes are different and they will not reciprocate. I maybe mistaken, but I believe the ZT 0350 has the same clip as the skyline. It's a wider, 2 hole design that leaves a good half inch exposed when carried tip up. I wish it was easy as swapping with a different model, but I think, a whole new clip would have to be made, which would again drive up costs. That said, if they did, I know there would be a lot of happy 0350 owners as well ;).
 
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