- Joined
- Jul 26, 2006
- Messages
- 6,038
So usually I just buy the high end stuff, because, well, I just do. Recently I decided to spend some bucks on a bunch of the more "average buyer" knives to fill gaps in my collection and to give people as gifts. Here's some feedback from me and others:
Skyline - I picked one up a month ago for my brother-in-law who is a machist/mechanic/shop manager for an industrial machinery company. He typically carries in his right back pocket, and isnt picky about tip up or down. He does like a good lock, decent steel, and primarily a FLAT knife. He is also really prone to abuse knives, so he always tells me to spend under $30. So after a month of use, he loves it. He said its perfect in size and weight, loves the ergonomics, and has abused the heck out of the blade and its still ticking. Nothing but praise.
Needs Work - Yes it does. I have put this knife through a bunch of utility tasks around the house, and I can't find anything wrong with it during use. Feels great in the hand, doesnt have any hot spots, and i like a nice straight edge to sharpen when its been dulled. I will say that I wish it had the option for tip up carry, and the rearward blade cant took some time to get accustomed to...but for its cost, its a great work knife. If I were in a place where a bunch of boxes met my knife, I think this would be my choice. Nice defined tip, easy as pie to sharpen.
Oso Sweet - I got to hold one and was sold for the price. Another knife I would put in the "beater" category, its price just begs for it to be abused until you need to buy another. The grind was a little bit off on the tip, but for the price, who really cares. This knife has a good blend of ergos with a traditional blade shape. Ive been happy with the AUS6 and AUS8 that Kershaw uses, and the blades have a better heat treatment than your average AUS series steels that most people dislike. This knife was no exception. Tip up optional, with a very subtle clip. VERY responsive torsion bar. Big thumbs up on this one. Its a sleeper!
On to some fixed blades...
Military Boot Knife - Im not much into "tactical" style fixed blades, because frankly, I almost never carry a fixed blade when Im not camping, and when Im camping, I have a gun for anything that might concern me. I like this knife alot because it is very slim in width and thickness, and has the drop forged construction that offers a metal butt. For the price, again, its a winner. I put it on the belly strap of my hiking pack which carries my Outcast on the back. Good pair for the woods. I dig the small sheath and carry options, but I dont plan on using them other than on a pack or a belt. It will get REAL sharp, but the steel will likely lend itself to frequent resharpening.
Vertigo - Lemme preface this with the fact that I DONT care for serrations. I dont dislike them, but if I have a choice I go for NO serrations. Well, truth is, I like the serrations on this knife. The serrations take up a sizable portion of the blade, and really bites when you start a cut. I put this knife in my car as a backup in the event I need a fixed blade for any reason during travel. I love the blade shape and design. The handle, although a hardened plastic, has Ken's typical "melts in your hand" feel, and I really like everything about it. This knife could really benefit from some upgrades in materials. The design has tons of potential. I will note that the sheath needs work. They offered a vertical or horizontal style carry in the same design, and it makes the knife stick out alot when mounted horizontally. For open carry, it would be fine, but it makes the knife too hard to conceal. Also, the mounting piece isn't removable, so you cant put a Tek-Lok on it.
Overall, I have been really impressed, and I think that some of the more affordable Kershaws are extremely underrated.
For those of you that haven't picked up some of the more economical Kershaws you should. For anyone considering the above knives, I dont think you will be disappointed for what you will have invested in them.
Skyline - I picked one up a month ago for my brother-in-law who is a machist/mechanic/shop manager for an industrial machinery company. He typically carries in his right back pocket, and isnt picky about tip up or down. He does like a good lock, decent steel, and primarily a FLAT knife. He is also really prone to abuse knives, so he always tells me to spend under $30. So after a month of use, he loves it. He said its perfect in size and weight, loves the ergonomics, and has abused the heck out of the blade and its still ticking. Nothing but praise.
Needs Work - Yes it does. I have put this knife through a bunch of utility tasks around the house, and I can't find anything wrong with it during use. Feels great in the hand, doesnt have any hot spots, and i like a nice straight edge to sharpen when its been dulled. I will say that I wish it had the option for tip up carry, and the rearward blade cant took some time to get accustomed to...but for its cost, its a great work knife. If I were in a place where a bunch of boxes met my knife, I think this would be my choice. Nice defined tip, easy as pie to sharpen.
Oso Sweet - I got to hold one and was sold for the price. Another knife I would put in the "beater" category, its price just begs for it to be abused until you need to buy another. The grind was a little bit off on the tip, but for the price, who really cares. This knife has a good blend of ergos with a traditional blade shape. Ive been happy with the AUS6 and AUS8 that Kershaw uses, and the blades have a better heat treatment than your average AUS series steels that most people dislike. This knife was no exception. Tip up optional, with a very subtle clip. VERY responsive torsion bar. Big thumbs up on this one. Its a sleeper!
On to some fixed blades...
Military Boot Knife - Im not much into "tactical" style fixed blades, because frankly, I almost never carry a fixed blade when Im not camping, and when Im camping, I have a gun for anything that might concern me. I like this knife alot because it is very slim in width and thickness, and has the drop forged construction that offers a metal butt. For the price, again, its a winner. I put it on the belly strap of my hiking pack which carries my Outcast on the back. Good pair for the woods. I dig the small sheath and carry options, but I dont plan on using them other than on a pack or a belt. It will get REAL sharp, but the steel will likely lend itself to frequent resharpening.
Vertigo - Lemme preface this with the fact that I DONT care for serrations. I dont dislike them, but if I have a choice I go for NO serrations. Well, truth is, I like the serrations on this knife. The serrations take up a sizable portion of the blade, and really bites when you start a cut. I put this knife in my car as a backup in the event I need a fixed blade for any reason during travel. I love the blade shape and design. The handle, although a hardened plastic, has Ken's typical "melts in your hand" feel, and I really like everything about it. This knife could really benefit from some upgrades in materials. The design has tons of potential. I will note that the sheath needs work. They offered a vertical or horizontal style carry in the same design, and it makes the knife stick out alot when mounted horizontally. For open carry, it would be fine, but it makes the knife too hard to conceal. Also, the mounting piece isn't removable, so you cant put a Tek-Lok on it.
Overall, I have been really impressed, and I think that some of the more affordable Kershaws are extremely underrated.
For those of you that haven't picked up some of the more economical Kershaws you should. For anyone considering the above knives, I dont think you will be disappointed for what you will have invested in them.
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