Ken Onion Whirlwind - Aluminum

Thundergroover · Jun 24, 2003

I really like my Kershaw Whirlwind and am now considering buying one I found that has aluminum scales with rubber inserts. I've never seen a Whirlwind that wasnn't black or green plastic. Does anyone know if this was an early model? Did it have any problems and/or why Kershaw quit manufacturing it? Here's a picture. Thanks for any info you can provide.

ZENGHOST · Jun 24, 2003

Originally posted by Thundergroover
I really like my Kershaw Whirlwind and am now considering buying one I found that has aluminum scales with rubber inserts. I've never seen a Whirlwind that wasnn't black or green plastic. Does anyone know if this was an early model? Did it have any problems and/or why Kershaw quit manufacturing it? Here's a picture. Thanks for any info you can provide.

Welcome to the forums, Thundergroover.

I don't recall there ever being an aluminum Whirlwind. Do you have a link to the source? Could it be a knock-off?

Thundergroover · Jun 24, 2003

I don't think it's a knockoff; the guy claims it's a Kershaw. It certainly looks exactly like my Whirlwind except for being aluminum and having the rubber inserts where the textured area on my black plastic scales are. I'm thinking it may have been a prototype or perhaps an early model. Thanks.

Cyblade · Jun 24, 2003

Does it have kershaw stamped or etched on the tang, if not I'd say it was a knockoff, another route you can take is to call kershaw and ask them about it.

ZENGHOST · Jun 24, 2003

Originally posted by Thundergroover
I don't think it's a knockoff; the guy claims it's a Kershaw. It certainly looks exactly like my Whirlwind except for being aluminum and having the rubber inserts where the textured area on my black plastic scales are. I'm thinking it may have been a prototype or perhaps an early model. Thanks.

Knockoffs come pretty close to the originals (in looks anyway). Is the price indicative of a special run/prototype? Considering that the Whirlwind goes for around $50 average, I would think that a special run/proto should go for at least double that. You can follow Cyblade's suggestion and call Kershaw, or you can also go over to Ken Onion's Forum and ask around over there.

Thundergroover · Jun 24, 2003

Thanks. Good idea. I just emailed Kershaw with a picture and a question.

ZENGHOST · Jun 24, 2003

Let us know how what happens--I'm curious to know if there was a special run.

Thundergroover · Jun 24, 2003

Thanks. Good idea. I just emailed Kershaw with a picture and a question.

Thundergroover · Jun 24, 2003

It's a knockoff, just got a reply from Kershaw. (see below)
___________________________________

Reply from Kershaw Knives:

No, buyer beware this is a knock off never produced by us.
-Teresa, Kershaw Knives

ZENGHOST · Jun 24, 2003

Originally posted by Thundergroover
It's a knockoff, just got a reply from Kershaw. (see below)
___________________________________

Reply from Kershaw Knives:

No, buyer beware this is a knock off never produced by us.
-Teresa, Kershaw Knives

Thanks for the update--good thing you checked it out or you might've gotten stuck with a POS knockoff.