How does Kershaw do it?

[tom mayo]

But Ken Onion has only limited influence on what Kershaw will do with his custom-designs


where did you ever get this idea???

 

[silenthunterstudios]

All "Speed safe"knives are made in the USA. As well as the "STORM" . The Kershaw facillity is located in Tualitin Oregon. Most of our product line is mfgred there . Kershaw also has some products manufactured in Japan and yes China. Our China factories are all owned by KAI, Kershaws parent company in Japan and primarily use Japanese raw goods in the manufacture and utilize Chinese labor in the assembly of all products made in China.Kershaw needed to stay competative.

My three Scallions, Chive, Blackout and Splinter are a real joy, man. When does the Mini Mojo come out? Thanks for the cool knives.

 

[Psychopomp]

I have a Kershaw Vapor II (the one with the big, vampiric serrations on the combo-edge blade). It's made in China (says so on the blade), and does not say what steel it is made from. I do know that while I like the knife, and it feels quite well-made (good fit and construction), it is not the best at holding an edge, and didn't come with an especially sharp one. I have put a good edge on it myself, and coincidentally, it's been in my EDC pocket for a week or two now since I sharpened it.

The Vapor II has been my EDC for about eight months now. I'd never had a Kershaw before and wanted to see what their less expensive models were like before getting something more expensive. I haven't put it down since, and it's still the only Kershaw I own.

The blade steel is AUS6.

Mine came razor sharp, but no, it didn't hold the factory edge very long. But after some work reshaping it, it holds an edge very very well now (and since it's my EDC, I touch up the edge fairly often because it sees a lot of work).

The sharpest knife I've ever gotten out of the box is probably an SOG Flash II (which is still insanely sharp because it doesn't see much use).

 

[KenOnion]

Thanks for the kudos and feedback . Kershaw and I are listening and have several new madels with improved blade steel . I have been listening to fellow knifers asking for premium steels and I agree for me and you it is important but the facts show themselves in sales everyday . The general masses will only spend xyz for a knife and that range is 25-75.00 anything over that results in seriously declining sales numbers . Besides Kershaw has the added expense of Speed safe , Safeties , patented locking mechanisms and me. Everything costs $ to mfgr . As a compromise Kershaw will be offering alot of the old models in premium steels as well as many of the new models and we'll see what happens . Kershaw and I are listening and making every effort to accomodate everyone and doing better all the time . Check out our new stuff debuting at Blade show ,You'll see we're making it happen.

 

[anthony cheeseboro]

I noted that Kershaw uses little premium steel, but I mentioned it as fact, not a criticism. I love premium steel, but I also like being able to get a nice design like the Kershaw Blur at nice price. Furthermore, 440A is easy to sharpen. If Kershaw is going to upgrade steel, I would like to see more 440C on USA models. Benchmade uses 440C on their budget knives and they work fine IMO.

 

[Kohai999]

It does not have to be the newest, bestest steel in the foundry.

440C is a great steel, depending on the heat treat. That is an area where Benchmade MAY be deficient, and where Kershaw could excel.

The big difference being that with 440A you can stamp it, and 440C will just tear the stamping dies to hell. That being said, the ability to laser or water cut 400C does not, to my mind at least, preclude it anymore from consideration. We are talking 1 second or so to stamp, and 30 seconds or so for the other methods, Yes, it does slow down production, but how quickly can the finish grinders go?

Besides, you boys have some new tricks up your sleeves. I am looking forward to seeing the new products at Blade. C Ya there. Ken, make sure you know where your cell phone is at all times.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[faramir]

According to the Kershaw site, the Vapor II is AUS6A. Anyone know what the "A" at the end is for?

I just rememered your question while reading this page: http://www.knifenetwork.com/workshop/tut_composition_primos.shtml

Apparently the difference between AUS6 and AUS6A is that "A" might contain just a tiny bit more chrome (= harder, more wear-resistant blade) and contains molybdenum instead of vanadium for corrosion resistance (?).