good kershaw for under $100

D

dtownknifekid

Joined
Dec 21, 2006
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i'm looking for a good kershaw to buy after my griptillian comes. I would like it to be under $100. I was thinking the chive, the blur or the leek. Which knife would you recomend?
 
Their External Toggle is my favorite, but it's not for everyone. Their Junkyard Dog II is my second favorite, but the pocketclip freaks out some folks. Their Leek is just awesome (thin, pointy, hollow-ground blade), but some folks run in fear when they hear it has 440A. Haven't tried the Scallion or Chive.

The four I'd recommend are:

External Toggle
Junkyard Dog II
Leek
Groove
 
I have one of the older plain 1660 Leeks with the 440A steel and have never had a problem with it, however, as far as I know the newer ones are now made with Sandvik 13C26 steel which is awesome. I have the Sandvik steel on another knife and it is one of my favorites for holding an edge and ease of resharpening.
 
The Leek is very popular. Nice size for EDC. Comes in various configurations. Just pick what you like, i.e., handle material, blade steel and lock type. I really like the Titanium ZDP-189 model.
 
After carying around and using the JYDII for a little while i would vote for it, if you are like me and enjoy the ergonomics of the knife as well as the clip you will really enjoy it. A leek is a good choice but I always found there handles a bit small for my hand.
 
I've been saying since seeing the JYDII that it is a super product. Tim Galyean outdid himself with it. I rarely write a maker congratulating him on an accomplishment but I did write Tim because I felt he outdid himself with that knife. Its comfortable in the hand. Thats an understatement actually because its perhaps one of the most comfortable knives that size I have used. I really like the way it just snugs right into my palm. The shape and curves act to lock it in place and the way its designed with that flipper it really makes it a very secure liner locking folder because your hand as well as the lock are both blocking the blade from closing just from grip for the most part.

The blade shape is wonderful also providing lots of straight edge and width for years and years of sharpening as well as lots of strength. I've really leaned into it during the cutting trials I did with it for Kershaw. Its a ruggedly built folder for a liner lock and I rate it much stronger than many frame locks I've seen and used. My particular JYDII is sporting between .075 and .080 liners on it. Being stainless that is awesomely strong for a liner. I'd have to say for the money its certainly going to be hard to take certain other competitor knives seriously when you consider what you get.

If the clip is bothering you rest easy. Its sure easy enough to slap a new aftermarket clip on it for tip up or fashion a new one for it to mount tip down. I've found the clip is the one thing that either makes people buy it right away or lose all interest and thats a shame. If you can look past the pocket clip should you be one of the latter its a great knife. Look around at knives that compete with it. Look at the Emerson Commander and compare it side by side. Both USA made, both around the same size and shapes, both sporting similar blades really but different steel. The JYDII outsliced the Emerson hands down. It was more comfortable to use also, and much smoother with no grainy or grittyness at all in the pivot right out of the box. Fit and finish was in my opinion above that of the much more expensive EKI. When you compare liner thickness its a no brainer for me. Sorry Ernie, I love ya but I could buy three of these for the price of one of yours. Not to pick on Emerson or anything because the JYDII blows many other competitors away including some other higher priced models I've tested.

Here are some pics of mine posted in another thread also posted below my sig.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=68274&d=1172782637

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=68275&d=1172782656

STR

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=458071
 
Also Kershaw offers the Groove. This is another fine choice. I personally can't think of a smoother knife other than a custom. For the money this thing costs its truly an accomplishment for smoothness all by itself. But the grooves in the blade give it an appeal that has that wow effect on people since thats normally the first word out of their mouth as they say let me see that. I personally don't find the Groove as comfortable in the hand but I don't find my Storm II to be either and it isn't enough to say I can't use it. It just means that as is typical of thinner steel lined or ti lined knives that the thinner profile can obviously bite into your hand more under force. For most jobs its not an issue. Just something I noted in cutting 1/2" hemp rope.

I reprofiled the edge on both my JYD and Groove and felt it vastly improved slicing ability without compromising edge stability or edge holding for what its worth. I know Thom did this also.

Either of these are fine choices. Heck you could probably get one of each for that $100 if you get lucky on ebay.

STR
 
nygiantsfan3342 said:
I would go with the Random Leek when they are available. http://www.crocblades.com/store/catalog.cfm?product=K1660TGRYST

S30V Steel, nice finish, Reverse Tanto, Frame Lock, reversible pocket clip, better serrations, Speed Safe...etc. Great knife for $85!
Click to expand...

Good choice. Out of the 6 Kershaw's that I have, 3 of them are Leeks. One is the ti-zdp and one is one of the original Random's. So I guess I'd have to vote for the Leek also. And a Random would be awesome!
 
the leek is awsome, and so is the chive. if you want a larger knife from kershaw, go with the speed bump. you can find them on the net for like $60. very fast opener, great steel, looks awsome, and sure can cut.

http://budk.com/kershaw-speed-bump/p/K1595/c/6150/

i have bought from them before. pretty fast and good prices. (when i say good prices im talking about you find it cheaper than what they are selling it for, u tell them and give them site to check it out, they will match the lower price and take 5% more off. that 5% covers shipping on alot of things. nice lil perk)
 
i doubt the jyd for 35 bucks can be beat-recived mine today from gpk
or spend $150 and get a mini cyclone zdp
 
I have really enjoyed my Cyclone. 13C26 steel, aluminum handles, light in the pocket yet large enough for big hands, it has been a good knife. Next I'll have to get the mini ZDP mentioned above (and a JYD, Groove, etc...)
KS1630%5Blarge%5D.jpg
 
I had a Blur in 440A, lost it a while back. I liked the knife fine, and would think that the Blur in S30V would be a really nice knife; seen them around the web for $75 or so. I have a Ti Bump with S30V, and it takes a wicked sharp edge- and holds it. I am >< close to picking up another Kershaw, and it will definitely be either the s30v Blur or Random Leek.
 
Cyclone, blur and spped bump are all great...I just got the speed bump shown above for $45....great knife!!
 
I have a Chive, Leek and a MiniCyclone. Of the three of them I prefer the Leek the most, it's an excellent slicer, gets razor sharp and it is barely felt in the pocket.
 
If one hand opening isn't a must, check out the Gentleman's Lockback. It's very slim and has a great blade (VG-10 and well thought out design).
 
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