Ken Onion joined forces with CRKT

[3Guardsmen]

For a first effort in trying to produce an Onion design it's very good.

You can say that again! CRKT appears to have done a fantastic job on that one!:thumbup:

 

[nozh2002]

I was perusing A.G.'s site (great site BTW) and stumbled upon this! I'm saddened to think that he left Kershaw for CRKT, as I've always found Kershaw's products to be far superior to CRKT's in every way, but perhaps he'll bring additional credibility to some of CRKT's products. His CRKT design looks interesting, though I have no clue what Acuto+ steel is or how it performs.

I somehow miss one of the biggest news on this year too.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=610909

This is land slide changes, hope Kershaw understand what they did.

Nice to see KO new design on the production market again.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[spiralarchitect]

I somehow miss one of the biggest news on this year too.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=610909

This is land slide changes, hope Kershaw understand what they did.

Nice to see KO new design on the production market again.

Thanks, Vassili.

I suspect KAI and KO are all acutely aware of what they have done. It's been covered. No one is talking about it (KAI nor KO) and yes it is nice to see KO back in the market.

 

[diamdave]

Actually, I find your statement rather humorous. Suggesting that Ken is copying other people's knife designs? I don't think so.

No, IMP, I wasn't suggesting that at all. Don't go there. And don't put words in my mouth please. I simply said that the knife looked, to my eye, like a slimmer version of the Ener-G. If you want to start accusing people of copying knife patterns you're going to have a looooooooooooong list of presumed imitations to deal with.

 

[ChuckV]

just found out about ken onion leaving kershaw ilove his designs and kershaws quality.they seemed awinning team to me.crkt have some good stuff and some that are pretty mediocrs. perhaps ken onion can put them over the top.

 

[Thomas W]

I have to kind of smile at all this simplistic thinking concerning the Kai USA/Ken Onion relationship. We at Kai USA are about team. Without team, where could the success really come from? Daily success, annual success, decade long success. Efforts from many brought forth success.

Kai Corp’s recent focus has been to “break ordinary, and dare each day”. Our change over the last 5 years has brought forth growth and expansion, the birth of new brands, strength, and pain. We’ve listened and learned, and we’re a better organization today because of it all.

Opportunities are often the beginning of success, and Kai USA did benefit and capitalize from SpeedSafe. The AO category was developed to where it currently sits today because of a relationship. Although the relationship is different than it once was, please try to keep from posting rumors and innuendos, as to its past and/or present. In truth none of you have any idea. As I’ve mentioned in the past, all our business relationships are private and not for public consumption. No doubt you understand, or at least you should.

I have little doubt that Kai USA and Ken will both have successful futures.

 

[nozh2002]

Not so far ago it was only Ken knives what make any sense in Kershaw product line. I do not remember anything from Kershaw from let say 2003, but only Ken Onion's models - like Avalanche, Boa and of course Chive, Leek, Scallon then Bump, Storm, Offset, Tyrade... Kershaw and Ken Onion in my eye was same thing and for the reason - Speed Safe, Thumb Lock, etc... it was all Ken's contribution to Knife World channeled through Kershaw exclusevely. I like Kershaw because it has always something new and exciting from Ken.

Now things changed after as I understand 10 years... It is really disappointing old news. Hope his creation will find their way to us not only to rich customers for his expensive custom made knives.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[akadave2]

Hmmm....prepare for nicely designed knives made out of sub-par materials.

 

[unwisefool]

I like it a lot except for the clip which for some reason looks kind of tacky to me. Plus it doesn't look like it can be carried tip-up. But I do believe it might make a nice dressy/office knife. I'll have to get one and see

 

[A.P.F.]

There is no question that Ken is a brilliant artisan whose work is among the best I have ever seen. However, some of the comments that I read, paint Kai/Kershaw as a bunch of bumbling idiots, drifting around the corporate wilderness until KO took their hand and rescued them from the abyss. With all due respect to such opinions, it was Kershaw who gave the nod to the collaboration; it was Kershaw who gave the nod to the designs; it was Kershaw that undertook mass production of same; it was Kershaw who provided the marketing infrastructure to successfully distribute and sell the product and it was Kershaw who cut the bloody cheques. So let's give some credit where credit is due, shall we?

 

[orthogonal1]

I remember a fair amount of the "pre-Onion" Kershaw and there were a bunch of fine knives. I still have my "sailors knife", a "yachting" model that I have yet to find a relacement for (though that AG Russell framelock model is a close second - digress). It just that few of these were industry "standouts".

I just seem to remember Kershaw as being "another knife company" until about the time Mr. Onion joined them. Shortly thereafter, it looked like Kershaw was being more agressive in its approach to knife design, materials, and such after that.

 

[Kaizen1]

With designs like the Volt and the Speedform on the way, I'm sure Kershaw is doing just fine. Both KAI and KO seem to be heading in the right direction.

 

[Condition 1]

I stand corrected.

 

[thejamppa]

Kershaw has a lot good knife designers. KO was figure head. Lee Williams design are excellent too. Anyone who has used Lee Williams designed Kershaw can agree with me. Most important thing is that KO's designs will stay on market and he found new partner. CRKT hasn't been in favour in here but few of their recent knives have slightly changed my mind. With KO's design's CRKT can become a real contender with Spyderco, Kershaw and BM if they keep up their QC in order.

 

[Bobby Branton]

Actually, I find your statement rather humorous. Suggesting that Ken is copying other people's knife designs? I don't think so. If anything it's the other way around... And from what I know I don't believe that those 5 guys(no disrespect) mentioned above have generated the amount of sales that Ken has with just one model(take your pick) that Kershaw has produced. Even if you combine their total sales they still don't come close to selling the amount of say Leeks that Kershaw has sold. Don't be stupid all your life.

Anyway, here it is next to a custom Ripple. For a first effort in trying to produce an Onion design it's very good.

Right on Jeff. Ken is a top designer an a innovator. I think it would be honest to say that Ken really put Kershaw back on the map. I believe that someone told me once that Kens designs made up the majority of their sales.
BB

 

[crapgame]

Well it was a fantastic run for Kershaw and Ken. They will both continue to be leaders in their fields I'm sure.

They should memorialize the epic partnership by putting out a commemorative knife.

That knife should be a Blue G10 Tyrade.

 

[Lock1454]

I shall preface this with my saying that I know KO designs great knives - as is clearly evidenced by the number of fans and supporters.

That being said... I really didn't liked any of KO's designs for Kershaw :\ The most they get out of me is a "Eh, it's alright." Just don't find his designs all that attractive and not a huge fan of AO nor the recurve. And for the models that I was a bit more fond of, were destroyed in my eyes by the batman clip (yes I'm looking at you Tirade)

So naturally I'll be the first in line to get his new CRKT knives. Ya know, since they are so famous for featuring a 54-56 RC Aus-4 or 420J chisel ground blades at a price that is at least $30 too high

I actually kind of like this new knife, depending on the F&F and street price I may consider getting one down the road.

 

[houtex]

I for one have always been happy with my KO Kershaws. I think that it was the KO design that caught my eye,but the Kershaw build and quality that keeps me coming back. Also, kershaw's customer service has been second to NONE! if CRKT can match Kershaw's quality with these new KO deisgns,they will see some of my business,but I am a Kershaw fanboy and will not turn my back on them as they have not on me. Now ,we're just talking knives here,but Kershaw has earned my loyality 10x's over with all their CS informative and quick respones. Hell,I even tried to pay for something I MESSED UP and the still sent it to me FREE! I wish them both much sucess.

 

[curtor]

[QUOTE = houtex; 7485000] io per primo sono sempre stato soddisfatto del mio KO Kershaws. Penso che sia stato il design KO che ha catturato la mia attenzione, ma il Kershaw costruire e di qualità che mi tiene a tornare. Inoltre, il servizio clienti di Kershaw è stato secondo a nessuno! se CRKT può eguagliare la qualità Kershaw con questi nuovi deisgns KO, che vedrà alcuni dei miei affari, ma io sono un fanboy Kershaw e non voltare le spalle su di loro, poiché non sono su di me. Ora, stiamo parlando solo coltelli qui, ma Kershaw ha guadagnato la mia lealtà 10x finita con tutte le loro CS informativo e veloce respones. Inferno, ho anche provato a pagare per qualcosa che perturbato e l'ancora inviato a me GRATIS! Auguro a entrambi molto successo. [/ QUOTE]I designe sono cose secondarie in un colyello.l'importante sono i materiali,e sopprattutto gli acciai,e l'ergonomia della punta.

 

[Gmountain]

As long as CRKT knives are foreign made I will not buy one. Plenty of good USA made knives to choose from. That's just me.

Me too!