just got a Kershaw Skyline

J

Jake Bauer

Joined
Sep 19, 2007
Messages
4,293
Just Picked up a Kershaw Skyline at Wal mart tonight. It's my first Kershaw buy in a few years. Most know I'm a Spyderco addict, but I wanted to get an inexpensive preview of Kershaw's new steel. (All my old Kershaws are 420 or 440A). Before Spyderco's only, I was BMs only, and before that I was Kershaws only. So It's been a while.

Initial impressions are:

- LIGHT! Most of my other kershaws are a little heftier.

- Brought back old memories when I felt how blistering sharp it was right out of the box. I used to always tell customers "no one makes a sharper out of the box knife than kershaw." My statement had changed in past years but after tonight, well... I'll let yall know later when my mind is made up. I cut open a pack of sunny D's tonight with it.... went through it like a it was hot butter.

- Flipper works well. This is my first non-assisted Kershaw. Flipper works just as fast.

- VERRY grippy G10. On a knife that cost $34... I'm impressed. (Sad to say it is grippier than my Spyderco Tenacious)

- Little rough around the edges. By that I mean the edges of the handle could be rounded out a bit more for more comfort. I wouldn't want to really bare down on it because it'd start to dig into my hand after long use.

- Lock up is ok. Not as strong as the Tenacious on this aspect. Most of my Kershaws seem to barely get that liner under the blade, but none have ever failed. This one is the same way. I gave it a few spine whacks, and it holds. I'm not afraid of it, just would like to see the liner move over more.

- Pocket clip is pretty tight. Pulls my whole jean leg up when i pull it out. No biggie.

- good ergonomics

- thin blade, but Its a light EDC knife for me so It's no prob. No blade play.

Overall I'm impressed. I compare it a lot to my Tenacious. I think i might prefer the Tenacious a little more, but for roughly the same price, better G10, and USA made, you cant go wrong. Now I just need to take the steel for a Ride. Never used this sandvik stuff. Hope I like it. (im a VG10 junkie). This knife really has me looking at other Kershaws. Like the RAM, Shallot, and Packrat.
 
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From what I've handled, I like Kershaw's G-10. I've got a G-10/ATS-34 Hawk and it's probably the grippiest G-10 I own, and one of my favorite knives.

By rough around the edges do you mean the liners (if there are any) or the G-10? You could get some sandpaper and bevel the edges a bit to soften it up.

The Skyline looks ok, but a lot of Kershaw's recent models don't really do much for me... I'm not a fan of flippers or assisted openers. I do like the OD-1 though.
 
The Skyline will get even better over the next few days. It really does have a break-in period, that flipper is going to get even faster!

Speaking of which, I thoroughly recommend you pick up a RAM :thumbup:
 
I'm on my second Skyline and love these knives. They do get faster after a small break-in period. 13c26 is good stuff, gets as sharp as any steel I've ever used. (have had all of the most popular):thumbup:
 
yeah its pretty damn good considering its cost.


the kershaw zing is similar and also pretty good, it only costs like 10 dollars more, but i actually like the skyline better.
 
3mptin3ss said:
yeah its pretty damn good considering its cost.


the kershaw zing is similar and also pretty good, it only costs like 10 dollars more, but i actually like the skyline better.
Click to expand...

Got my frist Skyline at a gun show and really liked it (thin behind the edge) then came the Zing and now a second Skyline and I agree with you, I perfer the skyline. I like the Zing and glad I have it,but....
 
What steel is the Walmart Kershaws using? I thought they would still have the 13C26 at this point. I guess it would depend on the made on date, if the Skyline used the 14C28N or not.
 
Flashpoint said:
What steel is the Walmart Kershaws using? I thought they would still have the 13C26 at this point. I guess it would depend on the made on date, if the Skyline used the 14C28N or not.
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When I saw Skylines at my area's Wal-Mart, the outside packaging said the steel was 14C28N steel. They were in blister packs, not boxes, though.
Jim
 
I like the Skyline better than the OD 1 and zing too.

The rough edges are around all sides of the G10 on the side that the steel liner is attatched to (hope that makes sense) the other side is smooth.

I think the flipper has broken in a little, but still needs to break in more.

Im really interested in what steel mine is now. Mine came in a box, but has JAN 09 on the flipper. Is there a date after which 14 is used?

Psycho.. I felt the same as you. I have a bunch of older kershaws. I didnt like a lot of the new designs, but after handling the skyline, I've kind of had a change of heart.

I actually dont have it anymore. I'm going back to school on a plane tomorrow, and had to give it to my buddy who is driving back. I'll get it from him (if he doesnt keep it) when I get there. I hafta admit.. I miss the dang thing!
 
Definitely get a RAM.

You'll absolutely love the RAM. :thumbup:

Thank you for the review, I'm sure I'll splurge at walmart and snag one soon.
 
Jake Bauer said:
Im really interested in what steel mine is now. Mine came in a box, but has JAN 09 on the flipper. Is there a date after which 14 is used?
Click to expand...

Your knife should have the 14C28N with that date on it. I've got a DAM1760. I'm going to send the pivot screw, liner, and clip off to Mack's Shootin irons and have him coat it black and while those pieces are gone I'm going to polish the scales and turn it into a "going some place fancy" knife. Now that Wallie World is carrying them with the new steel I may have to get one and leave it stock.
 
Got the Skyline too from WalMart. I love it! It is awesome and is my 2nd favorite EDC blade. The one that beat it IMO is my OD-1. And that is just my opinion. I just like the design of the OD-1 better and my sample opens quicker without an extra little wrist flip that my Skyline sometimes needs. I adjusted it but it just doesn't open quickly and reliably with just flipper pressure like my OD-1. I do love the lightweight of the Skyline. The knock I have against the OD-1 is that finger placement is important so that you don't place pressure on the frame lock bar or it just won't open. Both are very smooth and solid. So out of my Benchmade Mini-Grip, SOG Twitch II, Kershaw Zing, Kershaw Scallion and Spyderco Native EDC knives, I put the OD-1 and the Skyline at the top. They are very close though and get definitely get the most carry.
 
+1 On the RAM


...unless you value your sanity or wallet at all! The RAM is amazingly made and is highly addicting! Don't say i didn't warn you :D
 
have my skyline for over a month now and like it,,,grippy,light weight, very sharp,,,great edc ,sometimes i forget its in my pocket,,
 
At my local WallyWorld, I was able to go through several boxed Zings before I got one well centered. The flipper does wear in well - but loosening/re-tightening the pivot screw helps. I went back to get an OD-1... only one was still there - and it's thumb post was loose as a goose, while the blade pivot was stiff. The next nearest store has the knives blister-packed, so you can't 'inspect' them prior to purchase. I don't know what the 'exchange' problems would be there, either.

I guess the OD-1 had my eye after the Zing - and the made-for-WallyWorld Barrage was a distant third. I hadn't seen the Skyline before - it may just be my next - interesting 'little', thickness and mass-wise, knife. Thanks for the remider. Actually, it really was a shocker - the blister packs stated the later blade material, as said. When I 'looked over' the boxed Skyline later at my local store (They had plenty!), the first one was perfect. I never worried about name brand knives 'off the shelf' - never had a dull blade, much less a defective one, right out of the box. Nearly six years ago, that changed - my only BM folder, a 440C bladed Grip, had to be battonned through warm butter. Still, I never had a defective US-made name brand knife until my Buck 850 Bravo last fall. Those off centered Kershaw Zings may have been an anomally, too... they'd have gone back, that's for sure, as would that OD-1. It pays to inspect.

I may return to my local store for a Skyline - $35 + s/t, same as the Barrage, is a fair price. The $40 Zing and OD-1 are neat - just get a good one. The best $40 (+s/t) I, okay, my wife as they were presents to me, ever spent there on a knife will remain the S30V Spydie Native - keeper - EDC - bargain! No more, of course. Great artificially low price - well worth $60-$70 regular price.

Stainz

PS The Buck 110 at $27 now is still a bargain, too... just not everyone's idea of an EDC! W-W does carry some US-made items - knives!
 
James Y said:
When I saw Skylines at my area's Wal-Mart, the outside packaging said the steel was 14C28N steel. They were in blister packs, not boxes, though.
Jim
Click to expand...

All Skylines and Zings are 14C28N. They never had 13C26, the models were introduced after the switch.

As far as i know all Kershaw models (6 in all) have 14C28N as a blade steel.

Please post your opinions of the steel if you have some experience.

Regards
//Jerker (Technical Support and Business developer for Sandvik)
 
Stainz said:
...I went back to get an OD-1... only one was still there - and it's thumb post was loose as a goose, while the blade pivot was stiff. The next nearest store has the knives blister-packed, so you can't 'inspect' them prior to purchase. I don't know what the 'exchange' problems would be there, either.
Click to expand...

If you're talking about the flipper being loose on the OD-1, I believe it is suppose to be that way. Or at least that's a limitation on the OD-1's flipper design since it hides in its own recess after blade deployment for a nice clean look. Also, be careful on where you place your fingers when opening. ANy pressure on the framelock bar will inhibit the blade from opening. It should open quite fast and lock with a fairy load "SNAP". The Skyline and the OD-1 are a couple of the smoothest and fastest deploying folders I've had my hands on. I'm sure due to the phosphor bronze bushings on them. Just my skyline needs a little help as I mentioned earlier. Hoping it'll work itself out over time.


Stainz said:
...The best $40 (+s/t) I, okay, my wife as they were presents to me, ever spent there on a knife will remain the S30V Spydie Native - keeper - EDC - bargain! No more, of course. Great artificially low price - well worth $60-$70 regular price.
Click to expand...

Yeah, about a month ago, I spotted a Native 4 hiding in the back of the locked cabinet and sale-marked for $30! I've been looking all over for this at the WalMarts in my area. I've even checked the store where I found it several times. Just dumb luck that I noticed a Spyderco box behind all the other Buck, Gerber and Kershaw boxes in the cabinet. Needless to saw, I bought it. Good knife with excellent steel (S30V). Cuts like a fiend. Only issues I have with it is that it is pinned together, not screwed and the FRN only scales. I would've preferred steel liners with the FRN like my Endura 4 or G10. Still, I love it. And for $30, very high value!
 
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