Is Kershaw cooling?

[evltcat]

Like a lot of folks here @BF, I moved into high-end knives and I don't think Kershaw is all that appealing. I got spoiled finding good prices on Benchmade knives at gun shows when I was a newbie. I still recommend Kershaw to people new to the hobby and casual knife users. I find they're a nice place for the beginner to start in most cases, and some of the non-USA made models are quite good.

 

[Dknight16]

Seeing and buying Kershaws with my young son at the first Walmart to open in my city rekindled my interest in EDC knives larger than a SAK. Ken Onion SpeedSafes like the Chive and Leek were of greatest interest. I largely stayed in the Kershaw realm for about a decade, with occasional detours at gun shows. Then the climb up the quality ladder began, and really caught fire when I joined BF.

I still have around 15 Kershaws - mostly Hinderer, Sinkevich, and Onion models. My newest is a beautiful Launch 1.

I still keep tabs on what Kershaw is doing, but Civivi is eating their lunch when it comes to value.

 

[LimpCroissant]

Excellent thread @MolokaiRider. I'm glad to see that it took off. It's really taken me down memory lane. That Tyrade posted in the thread was, in my mind, about the ultimate production folder for a long time (When we're talking knives priced under about $400 aka "Sebenza money"). That knife was very advanced for it's time and still is. It had a thick titanium framelock, nicely milled out in a cool pattern and nicely done carbon fiber placed into the inlays, and the blade was magnificient. A combination of 154cm and CPM-D2 which were both fantastic steels that you only got in the more expensive knives of the day. I always thought it was cool that it was two higher end steels brazed together. Normally you'd get a nice steel for the cutting edge and then a cheaper, yet tough steel on the spine (or on the outside in the case of san mai). Did having 154cm on the mass of the blade and spine benefit us as opposed to something less expensive? That's debatable, but a cool feature either way.

I can't tell you how cool it was going to their warehouse sales every year and quickly walking to each table getting the opportunity to handle and buy (for a much better deal than anywhere else) the knives that I'd been reading about and lusting over on the internet throughout the year.

I wish I still had all my Kershaws. I had amassed most of the early ZT's and a ton of awesome Kershaws throughout this period that a lot of us are talking about. Unfortunately I sold most of them when I had really no other choice due to unexpected financial issues.

I'll always keep an eye on them though as long as their around and get one here and there.

 

[MolokaiRider]

Excellent thread @MolokaiRider. I'm glad to see that it took off. It's really taken me down memory lane. That Tyrade posted in the thread was, in my mind, about the ultimate production folder for a long time (When we're talking knives priced under about $400 aka "Sebenza money"). That knife was very advanced for it's time and still is. It had a thick titanium framelock, nicely milled out in a cool pattern and nicely done carbon fiber placed into the inlays, and the blade was magnificient. A combination of 154cm and CPM-D2 which were both fantastic steels that you only got in the more expensive knives of the day. I always thought it was cool that it was two higher end steels brazed together. Normally you'd get a nice steel for the cutting edge and then a cheaper, yet tough steel on the spine (or on the outside in the case of san mai). Did having 154cm on the mass of the blade and spine benefit us as opposed to something less expensive? That's debatable, but a cool feature either way.

I can't tell you how cool it was going to their warehouse sales every year and quickly walking to each table getting the opportunity to handle and buy (for a much better deal than anywhere else) the knives that I'd been reading about and lusting over on the internet throughout the year.

I wish I still had all my Kershaws. I had amassed most of the early ZT's and a ton of awesome Kershaws throughout this period that a lot of us are talking about. Unfortunately I sold most of them when I had really no other choice due to unexpected financial issues.

I'll always keep an eye on them though as long as their around and get one here and there.

Thank you sir. I appreciate the kind words.

It is a bummer that you had to all those blades, but life happens, and responsible people sometimes have to weather financial challenges. Good on you for taking care of priorities.

Your comments on the steel combos further accentuate what I appreciate about the brand. Those quirky, exclusive, and creative designs are appealing to an enthusiast.

 

[MolokaiRider]

Here is an old Whirlwind in 14c28n, another Onion design. Very comfortable handle, and a fantastic blade profile. It's a SpeedSafe liner lock, with a single pocket clip location.

The only con is the very flexible scales, and incredibly tiny lanyard hole. The liner lock can accidentally disengage when lateral force is applied.

I love the blade though, it is a very useful shape. The pocket clip is very big, but makes slipping in your pocket easy.

 

[MolokaiRider]

Here is an exclusive House of Blades Link in S35VN, a deep carry clip, and neat colors. This thing pops.

Disregard my full first name. I go by Nate, unless I'm in trouble by Wife or Mother.

 

[LimpCroissant]

Thank you sir. I appreciate the kind words.

It is a bummer that you had to all those blades, but life happens, and responsible people sometimes have to weather financial challenges. Good on you for taking care of priorities.

Your comments on the steel combos further accentuate what I appreciate about the brand. Those quirky, exclusive, and creative designs are appealing to an enthusiast.

Most definitely my friend and thank you.

Yea they really liked to push the envelope back then with cool new innovations. My favorite lately from that period is the G&G Hawk designed M.U.D.D. with it's sealed bearing pivot.

My latest Kershaw that I really like a lot is this Copper Leak in CPM-154. I picked it up used for 40 bucks a few weeks ago and brought it camping with me. She's getting a nice little patina going. And yea the Outcast was/is a fantastic deal. I think I bought it for $40 bucks new around 10 years ago. It is a Chinese model and I think that was around when they started producing more Chinese knives. I remember not being too happy about that, but it's a big ol' chunk of D2 back when D2 was still pretty dang well thought of by many. I keep meaning to thrash on it some but kind of don't want to reprofile the D2 when it starts getting a bunch of rolls or a chip or two. So for now it still has the cosmoline like stuff it came with

 

[LimpCroissant]

The Whirlwind was a favorite of mine. It has a very nice thin hollow grind that cut like crazy. The Blackout was cool too, it had the same or almost the exact same handle but a DLC coated S30V blade.

I carried this Avalanche for about a year and a half straight up until I started reading on Bladeforums again last year. The heat treat on it seems to be very good. The S30v blade was holding an edge for much longer than I thought it would and would come back to poppin hairs with a few swipes on the Sharpmaker.

 

[MolokaiRider]

Most definitely my friend and thank you.

Yea they really liked to push the envelope back then with cool new innovations. My favorite lately from that period is the G&G Hawk designed M.U.D.D. with it's sealed bearing pivot.

My latest Kershaw that I really like a lot is this Copper Leak in CPM-154. I picked it up used for 40 bucks a few weeks ago and brought it camping with me. She's getting a nice little patina going. And yea the Outcast was/is a fantastic deal. I think I bought it for $40 bucks new around 10 years ago. It is a Chinese model and I think that was around when they started producing more Chinese knives. I remember not being too happy about that, but it's a big ol' chunk of D2 back when D2 was still pretty dang well thought of by many. I keep meaning to thrash on it some but kind of don't want to reprofile the D2 when it starts getting a bunch of rolls or a chip or two. So for now it still has the cosmoline like stuff it came with

Very nice. I've got an assortment of Leeks as well, such a great little pocket knife.

Kevin (Spark) gifted me a Leek in S30V with grippy G10 scales. I don't use it due to sentimentality, and I had no idea Kershaw even offered them in that configuration.

 

[MolokaiRider]

The Whirlwind was a favorite of mine. It has a very nice thin hollow grind that cut like crazy. The Blackout was cool too, it had the same or almost the exact same handle but a DLC coated S30V blade.

I carried this Avalanche for about a year and a half straight up until I started reading on Bladeforums again last year. The heat treat on it seems to be very good. The S30v blade was holding an edge for much longer than I thought it would and would come back to poppin hairs with a few swipes on the Sharpmaker.

Wowsers, that is super cool. That folder could be a one-and-done EDC for a lot of people. Didn't even know it existed.

Thats another thing about Kershaw. They had so many cool offerings, but are all discontinued.

 

[sgt1372]

Late to the party. I miss when they used to come out with cool stuff like the Tyrade with the composite 154/D2 blades. It's really the only Kershaw that I've been actively chasing. I think they were also in a phase of changing up their business model around the time Ken Onion left. Quantity over quality I suppose, and if that reflects in the uppers' pocket books, then why not?

I never really liked this design (not sure what they call it) for the Tyrade. There's currently one for sale like it on ACK, as well as a couple of tan G10 variations that the sellers have priced at really crazy levels.

I still regret passing an a plain black G10 D2/154CM composite version that sat on EB for a long time before it sold. Felt it was too expensive at the time but (like some other knives I passed on) I've yet to see another one at any price again.

It looked like this and I'm still looking for another one like it:

 

[LimpCroissant]

@MolokaiRider Does it look anything like this one perhaps? Haha I've got me a nice little collection of Leeks too. That was very nice of Spark!

Yea I agree about the Avalanche being a one-and-done knife for many people. It's honestly like a perfect knife for me handle and blade wise. The only things I would change on it if I could would be double thumbstuds and for it to be non assisted.

 

[Monofletch]

I like mine!

 

[Danny Linguini]

I don’t know how this will fly here, but after giving it a bit of thought, I don’t really much care. I don’t have a big problem with American companies off-shoring their manufacturing, as long as their off-shore partners are building exactly to the company’s specs. There’s some decent quality stuff coming from over there significantly cheaper than it could be manufactured here. And face it, fewer and fewer of us spoiled brat Americans are willing to work those kinds of jobs. Of course I’d rather see all the work done here at home, but I’ll take this arrangement to the alternative of these companies going tits-up, or is having to pay a premium for even the lowest end knives. I do have a big problem with the blatant knockoffs of other people’s designs and R&D, and the even more egregious counterfeits. But I don’t think legally partnered manufacturers should be grouped into that same category.

 

[LimpCroissant]

I never really liked this design (not sure what they call it) for the Tyrade. There's currently one for sale like it on ACK, as well as a couple of tan G10 variations that the sellers have priced at really crazy levels.

I still regret passing an a plain black G10 D2/154CM composite version that sat on EB for a long time before it sold. Felt it was too expensive at the time but (like some other knives I passed on) I've yet to see another one at any price again.

It looked like this and I'm still looking for another one like it:

You would have cried if you would have seen how many of those were at the blem sale one year. If I remember right they had a very hard time getting the brazing even between the two steels. They turned down a ton of them in quality control because the brazing was a very slightly different thickness throughout the blade. It was strictly a cosmetic thing that most of us didn't even notice until we were told why here on BF. They had big plastic tupperware containers about two foot by one foot and 6 inches deep FULL of them. They had them in black, grey and tan g10. I remember not buying even one because I loved how they etched the CPM-D2 on the Ti Tyrade so much and that's the one I really wanted. Plus I already had too many knives in my basket. I wish I would have bought some now though.
Edit: There were also orange g10 Tyrades.

 

[MolokaiRider]

I never really liked this design (not sure what they call it) for the Tyrade. There's currently one for sale like it on ACK, as well as a couple of tan G10 variations that the sellers have priced at really crazy levels.

I still regret passing an a plain black G10 D2/154CM composite version that sat on EB for a long time before it sold. Felt it was too expensive at the time but (like some other knives I passed on) I've yet to see another one at any price again.

It looked like this and I'm still looking for another one like it:

I can relate on the polarization of the design. Ken Onion has a very distinct styling. I wonder if there are other designers that used to work with Kershaw? It is clear I have a lot to learn about their history.

@MolokaiRider Does it look anything like this one perhaps? Haha I've got me a nice little collection of Leeks too. That was very nice of Spark!

Yea I agree about the Avalanche being a one-and-done knife for many people. It's honestly like a perfect knife for me handle and blade wise. The only things I would change on it if I could would be double thumbstuds and for it to be non assisted.

That would be the one!

Now I wish I hadn't seen that Avalanche. I am channeling my internal Veruca Salt.

 

[MolokaiRider]

I don’t know how this will fly here, but after giving it a bit of thought, I don’t really much care. I don’t have a big problem with American companies off-shoring their manufacturing, as long as their off-shore partners are building exactly to the company’s specs. There’s some decent quality stuff coming from over there significantly cheaper than it could be manufactured here. And face it, fewer and fewer of us spoiled brat Americans are willing to work those kinds of jobs. Of course I’d rather see all the work done here at home, but I’ll take this arrangement to the alternative of these companies going tits-up, or is having to pay a premium for even the lowest end knives. I do have a big problem with the blatant knockoffs of other people’s designs and R&D, and the even more egregious counterfeits. But I don’t think legally partnered manufacturers should be grouped into that same category.

Of course your opinions fly here, I welcome and appreciate the dialogue.

I also can sympathize with manufacturers using oversea providers to maintain competitive in a market they can operate in. I don't necessarily like all the facets, but that's the way things are currently.

I am more just sorta focused on the slowing down of new, innovative, and diverse product lines that Kershaw seems to have participated more in the past. Like a Japanese made lockback, or US made fixed blade with a leather sheath. They are offering a few traditionals, but I don't see much fervor here on BF.

A slipjoint with jigged bone, 52100 steel, with a complimentary slip... that might get some juices flowing!

 

[LimpCroissant]

I'm trying to think of what other designers may have worked with Kershaw during this time period. What I can think of now are Grant and Gavin Hawk, Ken Onion, Strider, Spyderco, and Ernest Emerson. I can't quite think of the model but there's a really rare Emerson designed ZT (Not the newer ones that are posted here and there). That's all I can think of right now, I'll try to think about it some more throughout tomorrow. I have to go get some sleep (I work swing-ish).

I don't know if you've seen this one @MolokaiRider? The Spyker.

Edit: Wanted to say that the Spyker pictures aren't mine, just something I found.

 

[MolokaiRider]

I'm trying to think of what other designers may have worked with Kershaw during this time period. What I can think of now are Grant and Gavin Hawk, Ken Onion, Strider, Spyderco, and Ernest Emerson. I can't quite think of the model but there's a really rare Emerson designed ZT (Not the newer ones that are posted here and there). That's all I can think of right now, I'll try to think about it some more throughout tomorrow. I have to go get some sleep (I work swing-ish).

I don't know if you've seen this one @MolokaiRider? The Spyker.

Thanks man, that's good info!

I have not seen one like that! It even has speed holes in the scales!

 

[Ajack60]

The most recent Kershaw I’ve bought is the Federalist, sweet slip joint. For me, there’s fewer models to choose from since KAI bought them out and now it seems that Kershaw is just a part of their portfolio to cover a wider range of the market. I’ve held on to a few of the earlier models that were popular when they were just Kershaw.
Every so often they’ll come out with something that peaks my interest, and that keeps me looking at them. I like the Link and the Bareknuckle. Some of the spin offs from ZT aren’t appealing to me.