KAI-Kershaw Link M390- best knife ever

Do any link M390 owners find the aluminum handles to be a bit slippery? I've had bad luck with aluminum in the past. That, and the Speedsafe, are the 2 things I'm wondering if I'll like on mine (which is still on its way in the mail).
 
I don’t find the aluminum slippery at all.

Do any link M390 owners find the aluminum handles to be a bit slippery? I've had bad luck with aluminum in the past. That, and the Speedsafe, are the 2 things I'm wondering if I'll like on mine (which is still on its way in the mail).
 
Got mine, agree with you guys, it's a great knife for the $79 I paid. Great lockup with no play. Great thinner blade profile. Blade perfectly centered. Aluminum handles comfortable without being slippery. It's a lot of knife for the price, especially considering M390.
 
It would be great if it didn't have the speedsafe. Kershaw really needs to make folders without speedsafe. Bearings are cheap and just as fast and much easier and safer to close.
 
I too prefer manual knives. I have to say tho, the action on this new Kershaw Link has slightly opened my mind to the concept that Speedsafe can work well. I don't know how it holds up over time, if it gets out of adjustment, etc. But the out of box experience, the deployment, lock up, lack of blade play, detent when closed, all good.
 
Carrying mine as I write this. Really can't say anything bad about this knife! All my EDC's are aluminum scales. This knife or my others, have never slipped out of my hand. The speedsafe has performed flawlessly thus far. I don't find it at all non-safe to close.
Mine is the 420HC version but that's ok :)
 
It would be great if it didn't have the speedsafe. Kershaw really needs to make folders without speedsafe. Bearings are cheap and just as fast and much easier and safer to close.

I won't dispute the rest of what you said because i think there is room in this world for both. But i don't see how a speed safe knife is dangerous to close.

This is part of the design that allows it to slow down and acts like a detent (Usually at 90°) before you close it on your unsuspecting fingers. Its actually a slight resistance until its almost completely closed.

Some bearing designs though fall so freely shut that they can fall right on your fingers.
I cant see your argument. I have kids and i started them all out on kershaw speed safe knives.

I like it when my kids have all their digits!
 
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Thats a good looking knife....
....but I dont do assisted.

Why?

I've tended to stay away from them myself. Mainly because I prefer to keep the mechanism simple, less stuff to maintain, break, wear out. From just a few days playing with this new Kershaw--and not knowing how the Speedsafe holds up over time--I'm wondering if I need to rethink this a bit. I probably still prefer the simpler manual opening mechanism when I can get it, but at least on this knife, assisted works pretty darn well.
 
I definitely prefer manual opening pocket knives.

However, I won't let AO prevent me from carrying and using a knife that catches my eye aesthetically, provides good value for its price point (this is very subjective, I know), is functional for my EDC purposes, and comes in an excellent steel :)

If I did, I would've missed out on a few fantastic AO folders that are a joy for me to carry and use - - the HOB Kershaw Link s35vn, Kershaw Dividend m390, and the ZT 0770cf s35vn. All three have been great, IMO.
 
Good question. It should just be different blade steel is all. Don't know why not.
 
Good question. I have the HOB exclusive in s35. Love it! Great work knife.
The AO broke after about 4 months. It’s still usable, but there is almost no detent now. The blade opens very easily.
Can still flip, but must use push button.
I wouldn’t recommend removing it.
Joe

Can t the AO be removed?
 
I think I removed the spring of the assisted opening of my ZT 350 . It now flips and opens with studs manually. Decent, but not a great flipper. I like it better without the assist.
 
What did you not like about the Link that the Dividend gave you? Just the slimmer profile, less weight?

I wasn't the biggest fan of the Link, now the Dividend on the other hand. I recently acquired the M390 version of it and it's awesome.
 
What did you not like about the Link that the Dividend gave you? Just the slimmer profile, less weight?
Bingo! I am a huge fan of the Leek and the Dividend is similar and slightly better in my opinion. I think the Link is well designed and a huge value in M390, just a bit too beefy for my Kershaw tastes ;). I did buy several Links as gifts though and the guys I got them for loved them.
 
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