Is Kershaw second rate?

I consider Kershaw on the same level as Spyderco, Benchmade and many others.

They may be have less top grade models then others, but they tend to underprice them which I really appretiate. Also they always somehow special. Ken Onion design is always amaizing and with that special look he manage to keep his knives very functional. Latest SpecBump is just unbelivable.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
Thomas, it is nice to read your posts. Please visit more often. And please call me Chuck. ;)

Joshua J. said:
I think that people were so quick to jump on the new steel bandwagon that they didn’t even bother to look at whether or not that new steel even did what they wanted. And that Kershaw (and everyone else who used S60V) probably should have used S30V from the start.
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A persons view of knife history is based on when they started collecting. My guess is you've been a collector for a few years. There is nothing wrong with this except you need to review the timeline before developing opinions. Kershaw was the first knife company to use any of Crucible's CPM steels in a knife. This was a huge step for factory knives. Until that time the only way to test CPM steels was to buy a custom knife. S30V did not exist until a few years after S60V. It was impossible to make a decision to use a steel that didn't exist. It is easy to now have 20/20 hindsight and say what a company should have done.
Joshua J. said:
S60V has a carbon content of about 2.15 percent, common sense says “more carbon means less toughness”.
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Your version of "common sense" is not a rule in steel toughness anymore. The following steels all have more carbon and are tougher than S60V:
  • CPM-S60V - 2.15%
  • CPM-S90V - 2.30%
  • CPM-10V - 2.450%
  • ZDP-189 - 3.000%

I wish I knew more about metallurgy. I used to think the same way you do until I started testing knives made from the steels above. I don't know why or how the new ultra high carbon steels are tough, but they are! I have knives made from high RC and low RC R60V. Both are a pain to sharpen, both hold an edge a long time but the lower RC is significantly tougher. I noticed tiny chipping on the edge of high RC S60V when cutting cutting hard objects like trimming the end grain of hardwood or reaming burrs from steel conduit.

The new MIM technology is going to offer us some new blade steels we've never considered and others we've never heard of. Be prepared to toss away old ideas as new blade steels are introduced. I'm glad Kershaw had the cajones to step up and use the latest steels and technologies.

One last point about Kershaw that is not widely known. Kershaw has and continues to spend thousands of dollars educating people across the country so assisted openers remain legal. As far as I know, Kershaw is the only knife company who spends their money educating attorneys and LEO's. Any knife company who has an assisted opener and doesn't educate people is riding on Kershaw's coat tails. People who buy assisted opening knives should keep this point in mind when deciding what assisted opener to buy.
 
Good company, QC, customer service, innovative designs.

Bad heat treat, at least in the scallion, and leek models.

Though, I would like to try out one of their new higher end models

Thanks
Desmond
 
Mr. Bybee.

Would you consider the MIM 440C to cut akin to Boye Dendretic?

I was thinking the sintering process would produce a similiar "texture" to the steel.

And, I've never had a problem with Kershaw. Generally good value.
 
orthogonal1 said:
Would you consider the MIM 440C to cut akin to Boye Dendretic?
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I have to do more testing but so far I'm impressed.

I have a custom drop point hunter made with Boye Dendretic 440C. The blade is mirror polished. You can see a crystal or grain structure in the blade. The steel in the Offset blade has a similar "toothy" feel to it. It does not feel scary sharp but it cuts very well. I'm wondering if the MIM process results in more evenly distributed chromium carbides?
 
Chuck Bybee said:
I have to do more testing but so far I'm impressed.

I have a custom drop point hunter made with Boye Dendretic 440C. The blade is mirror polished. You can see a crystal or grain structure in the blade. The steel in the Offset blade has a similar "toothy" feel to it. It does not feel scary sharp but it cuts very well. I'm wondering if the MIM process results in more evenly distributed chromium carbides?
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Where did you get Offset? I am looking for one for a while, but no luck so far...

Thanks, Vassili.
 
I'll second that, my friend. A high-end Blur with G-10 & S30V would be great! I made my own "custom" Blur replacing the inserts with G-10 & it feels great in the hand.
 
One of my earliest fixed blades was (is) a 'Deer Hunter' purchased for me by a very dear to me soulmate ca. 1982. Still have the knife, but alas! the lass and I went separate ways :(
An ex-bro-in-law of mine was the chef for the Marriott Riverwalk in SA. He was rather pleased with the gift (1987 version) of the Deluxe Blade Trader. His other option was to carry a briefcase sized box of kitchen implements. I have the 3-blade version in my backpacking kit.
 
Hello all,I can't get in the best of or worst of discussion but I own only one Spyderco knife,never owned a BM but have 47 Case Brothers knives.BM and Spyderco top two production companies?Maybe....or maybe not
 
Chuck. Thanks for educating me, you’ve restored some of my faith in Kershaw. I’ve been a little harsh on them, and I apologize for it. I have never doubted the people at Kershaw; there are just the few things that annoy me enough to complain about, like low Rc steel. S60V may be fine at Rc55-57, but 440A should be harder than that, agreed?
 
I don't know about Kershaw being second rate. The Chive I bought for my Wife is a very well made little knife. I just wish that the blade steel was something better like 154CM. The edge doesn't last that long as it is now.

I just think that Kershaw doesn't have as high of a profile as do Benchmade or Spyderco.
 
We sure sell a lot more Kershaw knives than Benchmade or Spyderco. Probably more than the two lines combined. It ranks pretty close to CRKT, which is the best selling sporting knife product line we have. Benchmade and Spyderco are both a ways down the list. It's interesting to see that many people here view it as a low profile line. It goes to show you how differently different groups of folks view different products.

Personally I only own one Kershaw. It is called the Talon and was discontinued about 6 or 7 years ago. It is the smoothest operating liner lock I have ever encountered made by anybody anywhere at any time and at any price. It has an ATS-34 hawkbill blade and titanium handle. One super knife.
 
what does knife sales have to do with the quality of a knife? I sell knives also, and yes i sell more kershaws two to one, but they are less expensive and thats why they sell more...

kershaws are very nice, and a great value and great quality, but the quality of benchmades and spydercos are slightly better fit and finishwise in my opinions.,,,,

but it all comes down to the best bang for the buck...personally i'd rather buy and carry a benchmade over a kershaw,,,but pricewise kershaws are a btter deal...
 
timjmayer said:
what does knife sales have to do with the quality of a knife? I sell knives also, and yes i sell more kershaws two to one, but they are less expensive and thats why they sell more...

kershaws are very nice, and a great value and great quality, but the quality of benchmades and spydercos are slightly better fit and finishwise in my opinions.,,,,

but it all comes down to the best bang for the buck...personally i'd rather buy and carry a benchmade over a kershaw,,,but pricewise kershaws are a btter deal...
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I didn't say it had anything to do with the quality of a knife. If you read that in my post, then you read things that I didn't write and didn't even intend to suggest. I didn't compare the quality of any of the brands to each other. You did. My point was that it interested me that people on the forum considered Kershaw less well known than some other brands, when in fact it is not less well known. Do you often comment on people's posts without actually reading them?
 
Kershaw makes a nice knife! I like how they are not afraid to try out new technologies, MIM's technology sound really interesting! Kershaw ranks pretty high on the "Cool" factor. :cool:

I have three Kershaws, Whirlwind, Vapor, DWO, and they were all well-built knives (the made in China Vapor suprised me with it's quality). Only problem I had was some loose screws on the Whirlwind, and a little locktite fixed that up.

Also, their out of the box sharpness is on par with Spyderco, at least on the three I have!

Need more non-assisted opening models. Even though it's a nifty feature, I don't really care for it all that much on a carry knife.
 
I think I have carried a Leek more in '05 than any other knife. Slim profile, sharp, and my favorite pattern - wharnie.

I think the Blur is an outstanding value. opens like a rocket, has great textured scales, and a nice sturdy blade. In the same class as a BM Griptillian, I think, though I prefer the handle of the Blur.

I think that Kershaw offers one of the best valued lines on the market today. Dollar for dollar, hard to beat 'em.

The problem with any company who revolves much of their line around one look or designer is that people may have a love or hate relationship with them, with few people on the fence. I don't like the aesthetics of Spyderco designs, so I don't buy them. I do like Kershaws, so I do.

Companies like Benchmade have a wider variety of desgners/design influences, so they have something for everyone.

A Bump in S30V and a Leekin S30V with a G10 handle would make me HAPPY!
 
Joshua J. said:
S60V may be fine at Rc55-57, but 440A should be harder than that, agreed?
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This is a great question. I say yes, but I wish I more knowledge to write a better response.

Most of my knowledge of knife hardness comes from comparing custom knives. I have several knives that were RC tested by the knifemaker. The hardness was listed on the "Birth Certificate" I received when I bought the knife. Other knifemakers tell me they heat treat or have their knives heat treated to a specific hardness range. This is the information I use for testing.

You wrote previously that Kershaw listed on their website the RC hardness for the steels they use. In the future I plan to buy a Rockwell tester to test knives. I hope this will help explain to me why one knife made with the same blade shape and grind cuts better than another knife.
 
Just cut up an apple, pear, and two oranges with my vapor while cruising the forums...like a hot knife thru butter I tell ya...

A little hot water, air dry, and 'back in me pockit(sic)' it goes...

Oh yeah, did hit it with a little 800 grit over a mouse pad too...semi-convexed edges 'bean berry berry good to me'...:D

Shel
 
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