Is it worth it; Blem.

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OpKey

Joined
Jun 6, 2011
Messages
600
So, I've been visiting KershawGuy's site lately and it hasn't helped that I've been wanting to get myself a new ZT for awhile now. Well, I saw a couple 0301 around and now I just want one so bad. I was looking on his site and I noticed he had some for sale as "blems" for an amazing price. My problem is...Is this the type of knife to buy as a blem? What I'm saying is, is the knife too much of a collector's item to get a blem version? If I get one, it's going to be considered a user, a collector piece, etc. Everything. A knife is a knife. So, should I go ahead and jump on this blem or should i save up the money for the new one? I need some opinions and advice, guys. I really appreciate it. My pocket is burning and my finger is itching for this thing. I really need help. I contacted Dave about what kind of blemishes I should expect with it, but I havn't received a reply yet. I'm just impatient.

Thanks ahead of time, guys.
 
Kershawguy is the best. I own a couple blems, a ZT 301 and a Kershaw Leek, and I can't see anything that would make me think they're blems. If you want a user that's a bargain, a blem is the way to go.

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I ordered a Skyline blem from Kershawguy and it arrived today. I can't find anything wrong with it. The price was great and shipping was FAST as always from Dave. I am so impressed I ordered a ZT 350 blem and it should arrive this week. I say go for it.:thumbup:
 
I picked up a new in box 0300 on ebay right before Christmas for $177 shipped and it isn't a blem.
0350 snagged for $80 shipped. S30V Blur $43. Composite Leek $38. Plain Leek $25.
Blems are great if the price is right, but most are not a very good deal IMO. Watch the bay and you can get 1st for less than what 2nds are selling for.

Kershaws I try to pay no more than 45% of MSRP.
ZTs no more than 70% of MSRP.

I do have a few blems but the price was right. S30V Leek $40. Turbulence $38. Old S60V Ricochet $40.

The lock on the Leek sticks like crazy and the one on the Ricochet goes all the way to the right. But you get what you get and you are stuck good or bad.

The Turbulence is perfect in every way. The Leek is getting better and less sticky with use. The Ricochet is nice to look at but won't get any use with the lock so used up that there is blade play. Can the TI lock be stretched with a hammer and punch?

You do stand a better chance of getting a good one from the Kershaw Guy, but for me the price of a 1st with the best warranty in the business is worth the cost.
 
Hi OpKey -

In my opinion, you don't buy a ZT to keep it as a drawer queen - they are made to be used.

If I were looking for a knife to use, a blem is the way to go and kershawguy is the man to talk to, hands down.

If I were looking for a knife to collect and put in a drawer and play with it occasionally, I would see if kershawguy has a new one.

best regards -

mqqn
 
Kershawguy gifted me a ZT0350 blem here recently and it is a great knife. Solid as they come. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a blem from Kershawguy. He is the one to buy from if your going to get a blem.
 
Thanks for the help, guys. I think I'm going to jump on one of the blem 0301s. My purpose for this thread wasn't to ask if all blems were worth it, but instead specifically the 0301. Whenever I get off work I think I'm going to go ahead and place my order. I really can't wait.

Everyone says if I want a user then a blem is fine. Well, that's great because all my knives are users. Only one I havn't used was a custom I bought from the NWTF. So, I should be plenty happy with a 0301 blem. They seem to be built like a tank, and I saw Dave saying something about Kershaw/ZT still takes care of springs and minor parts like that on the blems. So that's great. Thanks again for all the help. I'm still open for advice on the subject though.
 
OpKey said:
Thanks for the help, guys. I think I'm going to jump on one of the blem 0301s. My purpose for this thread wasn't to ask if all blems were worth it, but instead specifically the 0301. Whenever I get off work I think I'm going to go ahead and place my order. I really can't wait.

Everyone says if I want a user then a blem is fine. Well, that's great because all my knives are users. Only one I havn't used was a custom I bought from the NWTF. So, I should be plenty happy with a 0301 blem. They seem to be built like a tank, and I saw Dave saying something about Kershaw/ZT still takes care of springs and minor parts like that on the blems. So that's great. Thanks again for all the help. I'm still open for advice on the subject though.
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The 301 is one of the ones I'm looking at buying from Kershawguy also. I like the way it looks, rather than just plain black like the 300. I think both are good values from Kershawguy though.
 
I have a Zt100 and Zt 500 blem. The only thing I could tell that was "blem" about them was that the DLC blade coating wasn't the rich BLACK color you see on non blem ZT's. It was a slightly lighter sun faded black.
 
I just sealed a trade which includes 3 Kershaws.A black/white smoke Leek,a blue Needs Work and a blem Kershaw Rake that the trader said they bought from Kershawguy. Did the fact that the Rake is a blem make me hesitate on doing the trade? Not at all,it is/will be a user blade.If you want a desktop diva by factory firsts,but I'm not one of these guys that buys knives just to have them around as decorations.I buy knives to carry and use and sometimes abuse if the situation calls for it.As I add more Kershaws to the stable,you can bet if Kershawguy has a blem I'll buy it first and save some $. Hence my long carried,heavily used and occasionally abused Emerson Commander.
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I am glad this topic has been covered because I find myself asking the same questions.
Here is my thought though... I think I am with Tsujigirl here...

Tsujigiri said:
I wouldn't buy them. I know that they're perfectly functional, and you probably won't need the customer service, but Kershaw's customer service is so good that I buy factory firsts just in case.
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I fell in love with Kershaw because of the their customer service. If I am going to buy a knife for a user, to me it would make more sense to have that warranty. If I am buying a knife the throw in a drawer and look at/play with it and not use it, then I would get a blem and not worry cause it's never gonna need the warranty...

I guess on the other hand the blems are so discounted, if something does happen, just buy another...

To me, I want to see Kershaw keep going so I will buy their retail product in the end.
 
OpKey said:
but instead specifically the 0301.
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I carry some big knives from time to time, but the 301 is just too big, thick and heavy for my pocket. The caveat is that I am a light EDC user generally speaking, and have never had the need to baton a manhole cover in half. If you can handle the weight and size of this puppy, then go for it. It is in all other respects a fine piece of knife.
 
I ordered a couple of blems yesterday from "kershawguy". (Thanks for shipping them out today!) :)

Warranty isn't that big an issue for me. My $1,000 TV won't have a warranty after a year, and my $30,000 vehicle won't have a warranty after 3 years...so I'm not going to worry about a $100 or $200 knife.

I just see blems as a sale on great knives.
 
Kershawguy is the best for Blems or New ZTs/Kersahws. Buy either with confidence and I love his new website.
 
Well, I pulled the trigger. I'm pretty happy already with Kershawguy. I sent him a couple emails, but I havn't gotten a reply yet. I understand, because people are busy. The part that makes me happy is, I ordered the knife from him at probably about...8am this morning. I had a shipping confirmation email with tracking number at 11am. That's fast. I kept seeing people always talk about how fast his shipping was, and I kept wondering how fast could it be? Most places I order from, the item ships the next day, and I thought that was fast. Well, Kershawguy set a new standard for me. A couple hours is amazing. I'm pleased already. I can't wait for my knife now.
 
Bought a Blur in S30V from him as a blem and can't see any issues. I am waiting on the knockout's and will purchase from him before I go to a large store.
 
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