Gentlemen's Folder

black mamba

black mamba

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Oct 21, 2009
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Here is a beautiful Kershaw Gentlemen's Folder I just picked up here on the forum. I'm not sure if it is strictly traditional, but it is probably the closest thing to it that Kershaw makes and I thought you all would enjoy seeing it. 4-1/4" closed length, lockback, black linen micarta and VG-10 steel.

KGFclosed.jpg


This blade came nicely sharp, and is actually my first ever knife with VG-10. I love it! I immediately cut up about 5 pieces of cardboard, which it sailed through, then touched it up with a half dozen swipes per side with an xtra fine DMT diamond card, followed by 3-4 strops per side on a cardboard edge to remove any burr.

KGFpartial.jpg


It is now a RAZOR! Just that little touch up (2 minutes) made it wonderfully sharp. Anybody know what Kershaw runs their VG-10 at? It sharpened easily with virtually no wire edge to deburr. A couple drops of oil completed the setup, and it is in my pocket right now.

KGFopen.jpg


Slender, ergonomic, and sharp with good steel-- this one is a beauty. Thanks kershawguy!
 
I like that knife. But Kershaw does or has made more traditional looking knives. Unfortunately, I don't own any at the present. - Ed J
 
That's a nice looking knife. Classy, but not flashy. I didn't realize Kershaw was using VG-10 and micarta on any of their "gentleman's" knives. It's a very nice combination of materials.
 
I just got a second one of those - from Dave - his August special (Knife-only - in a plain white box!). My first Kershaw 1993-2 was also bought new, in regular Kershaw box with the sheath, papers, etc - but several years ago - and, although a nice knife, it had some problems. The edge was unsymmetrical, especially at the tip, and the Micarta scales had crosswise scratches, which I never could polish away. Then there was the cheesy and useless leather sheath with a big plastic belt hook - not up to the quality of the knife at all. Fit and finish on the second one - today's arrival, which was knife-only - was spotless. The VG10 is a Japaneese steel - and the knives were made in Japan. They have had several production runs, the latest being some years back. They fit and pocket carry quite well in a larger CRK calfskin pouch, as made for a large Sebbie - but, at $25, that's a significant part of the Gentleman's Folder's cost! Still, it has no clip - not a problem here - but does have a nice brass tube/lanyard hole. It also has brass pins and liners - a quality touch. Both came all-but-razor sharp - great sliver-makers from grocery store register tapes, typing paper, etc - and, that first one was easily re-sharpened on a Spydie Sharpmaker. Kept it's working edge about like S30V - regained it like 154CM. The blade has a substantial hollow grind - and starts at ~.125", like the Sebenza's. It's lockback design seems quite sure - and secure - but it isn't a 'bushcraft' folder, like a Buck 110. It is a real Gentleman's Folder - and it was a deal at it's MSRP years ago of ~$130, just ignore the cheesy leather holster!

Stainz
 
That might be tough to find an answer to on the VG10 ..these are made by Moki and I haven't found much in the way of publish info.
 
Thanks, Jim. It felt about like good 1095 on the stones. My guess, around 58-59 HRc.
 
Nice knife Jeff. Pretty much a square cornered, lockback, Sodbuster. Certainly traditional enough for this sub-forum I should think.
 
Thanks for the nice comments, fellas. I'm really liking this VG-10 blade; this one is in the pocket for a while!
 
A 4-1/4" closed gentlemen's folder? :eek: Nice looking knife for sure, but I think they might want to re-think the name. You could field-dress a boar with that.

-- Mark
 
Mad_Maxx said:
looks really nice! is that a current production model? or older one?
Click to expand...

Must be older, see Stainz' post above. Mine came in a plain, white box from kershawguy here on BFC. I'm guessing leftover stock.

And Mark-- yes it's a good sized knife, but very slim and flat in the pocket. Only .413" thick and 2.8 ounces.
 
That's a beautiful knife. That one really straddles the line between being traditional / non-traditional. It's like a locking sodbuster with integral guards. Looks exquisitely made, at any rate. Very nice. If it had a bolster, it would look an awful lot like an Al-Mar. Doesn't Moki make knives for Al-Mar too?
 
mnblade said:
A 4-1/4" closed gentlemen's folder? :eek: Nice looking knife for sure, but I think they might want to re-think the name. You could field-dress a boar with that.

-- Mark
Click to expand...

No sense in changing the name now...these are discontinued. :p
 
Thanks, Jason, it doesn't feel as hard as 61 to me for sure, but the lower end of that range is right where it seems to be.

We'll see how the edge holding is, as I intend to give this one a workout for a week or two.
 
(The Eagle that I've been totin' for the past couple weeks is Moki-made, and its fit & finish is nearly on a par with some of the customs I've seen/held... and it was made in the 1980s!)
 
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