It's here! (2445ST)

knivesandguns

knivesandguns

Joined
Mar 6, 2008
Messages
3,200
Just got something awesome in the mail today :D (Thank you again Thomas :) )

Yup, the "barrage" or 2445ST.

Let's start out with general first impressions--pics will come later.

I pulled it out of the yellow packing envelope and ripped off the plastic wrapping.

This knife is a lot bigger than I thought it would be. Thomas' photos made it seem kinda small to me. Closed, the knife is the same size as the blur/shallot, and it is as thin as a regular shallot (or about 2/3 the thickness of a blur).

Well, I flicked it out (thumbstuds are the same as a leek) and I love the blade shape! Nice long, pointy profile, and the edge--I felt it and I have to say whoever sharpened it was a professional. Completely even grind, and it push cut newspaper 6 inches from hold, (cutting at an angle, newspaper held loosely at the top.) This is one sharp edge. Serrations are the standard Kershaw/ZT wavy kind, also scary sharp and very pointy.

Smooth action, not stiff, not loose, a really controlled opening. I put a dab of mineral oil in the pivot, and I think it opens great now--as fast as any of my knives with a good thumb flick (no wrist action.) I can use my left hand and open it just as easily as my right hand.

Matte, beadblasted finish, trac tec on the non-locking side, black finished pivot, body and pocket clip screws, silver ZT sized "kershaw" pocket clip. No rough or unfinished edges, perfect fit and finish.

Frame lock--it locks up very tight, the farthest it moves over is about the middle of the tang (right side of the frame lock). No lock failure is gonna happen with this knife. No blade wobble in any direction whatsoever.
Quite hard to unlock--maybe because it's thicker? The lockbar is not sticking, it is just "sprung" tighter. It has gotten a little easier to unlock after ~200 openings though.

Knife hold, with thumb on spine of blade--index finger has solid placement in the cutout for the thumbstud. The handle in the index area is actually flush on both sides, so your index finger rests evenly on both sides of the frame. Fits comfortably in hand. I've always liked how Galyeans' designs fit in my hand. (Especially the ZT 0610ST)

Black, smooth backspacer, fit and finish there is perfect.

This concludes my 6 hour fondling session, I'll be happy to answer any questions. This is an astounding knife for the walmart price of $35 IIRC. Made in the USA! :thumbup:
 
good preliminary reveiw. i have one question, when you say wavy serrations, do you mean old or new style?

i would assume new style since its a 09 knife, but you never know.
 
Good write up. I am still waiting for the postman to deliver mine. I am used to carrying a larger knife than the specs indicate the 2445 is, but I definately like the look of this knife. Glad to hear what you had to say about the framelock. I have found that Kershaw does an excellent job on the framelock knives I have.
 
Once you get it cutter, you can just add your thoughts to this thread, that way we don't have 10 separate threads about the same knife.

This knife just eats and eats cardboard, and the edge is holding up wonderfully.

Well, I just opened up the knife, and found something surprising. White washers. I don't know if PB washers would make performance any better, but I don't have a skyline to experiment with.
 
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knivesandguns said:
Once you get it cutter, you can just add your thoughts to this thread, that way we don't have 10 separate threads about the same knife.
Click to expand...

Missed your suggestion here knivesandguns and started my own thread. I don't think anyone will mind if we do wind up with 10 separate threads.

BTW, nice review and first impressions. You caught a lot more detail than I did.
 
PG5768 said:
Missed your suggestion here knivesandguns and started my own thread. I don't think anyone will mind if we do wind up with 10 separate threads.

BTW, nice review and first impressions. You caught a lot more detail than I did.
Click to expand...

Thomas said to just make one giant thread, but I guess that's ok :D

Thanks, I haven't cut a lot with my knife yet, though. I still need to find more stuff to give this knife a workout!
 
knivesandguns said:
Thomas said to just make one giant thread, but I guess that's ok :D

Thanks, I haven't cut a lot with my knife yet, though. I still need to find more stuff to give this knife a workout!
Click to expand...

My bad. I definitely missed that part of his giveaway. Does that mean I have to send the knife back?:eek:

I went back and read the original thread. Post #19 is what I missed. Darn, I can't follow simple directions. I'll add my future p\review posts to yours knivesandguns.
 
I just got mine in the mail. :D It is bigger than I had thought it would be. I kind of think this is the Leek XL that everyone always wanted. The blade shape is almost the same. Minus the assisted opening. It came sharp and I am hoping it will stay that way for a long time. Mine is very smooth and the lock doesn't stick at all. The clip is very tight and grips the pocket well. Maybe a little too well, it is harder than most to get clipped. It is almost a two handed job. I am going to try to unbend the clip just a little. It is the same clip that is on the Skyline just alot tighter. Anyway I will post more after I use it for awhile. A week at work should be good test. ;) Thanks again Thomas and Kershaw.
 
Just had a visit from the postman, and guess what he left.................yep, a little package from Mr. TW! At first glance I gotta say that Kershaw has come through again. Fit and finish is just great, with the blade centered upon closing, blade grinds are even on both sides with the point needle sharp. Like a lot of folks, I am not much for serrations, but I do like the design that Kershaw has employed, and they only take up a short portion of the blade. The black inserts are not rough like sandpaper, rather they are rubbery and do give a nice grip. Kershaw has again come thru in the framelock department! I have really been amazed at how well built Kershaws framelocks are in their less expensive knives. The lockbar mates perfectly to the blade tang and is stiff enough so that it will not inadvertenly slip. The lock on mine comes over about halfway on the tang and leaves plenty of room for any wear that might occur. Back to the blade again, as it came out of the envelope sharp, and I mean SHARP! Paper slicing and hair shaving are no problem. The blade action is a tad tight, almost like it is building up energy like the flippers, and when the blade comes out it is like a rocket. So, these are some first impressions/observations, and as I use it I will add to this thread. Thanks again for the oppurtunity Thomas!
 
Got the 2445ST today, and there's not much more I can add to what has been said above. I'll be amazed if these things don't fly off the shelves at Wal-Mart for the price, especially given that it's a frame lock.

Appears to be a great little knife, roughly between the Blur and the Leek in size and handling. The 14C28N steel should be a plus. This is my first partially-serrated blade Kershaw...we'll see how sharpening goes when it comes time.

The lock is absolutely spot-on; I cannot detect any play vertically or horizontally. A manual action knife, this will be a plus for those AO-phobic types (or subjects living in our more Draconian precincts).

All in all, I'd judge this design (and execution) to be a near-unbeatable bargain.

Speaking of design, the design really deserves to have Tim Galyean's name on this knife, but maybe Kershaw can make it up to him by finally giving Tim his own shingle on the web site. ;)

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BTW, the blade centering is really much better than it appears in that last photograph; I think that's a phenomena of the lighting setup.
 
My 2445ST arrived Saturday ... and now I've got to hit the airport at 0600 hrs Monday.:grumpy:

Given the high literary and critical standards of the Kershaw sub-forum, I'm not sure I can add anything substantive to what's already been posted ... but, being terminally loquacious, I posted inside PG's similar Thread anyway.

I'll try additional fondling, cutting, stabbing, and slicing when I eventually return.
 
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