Kershaw 1304BW blackwash gift set

celtic11

celtic11

Joined
Dec 28, 2012
Messages
611
Picked this up this weekend. I'm assuming I'm not allowed to say where but it should be easy enough to find. It includes a 1304BW knife (starter series), a keychain tool, a dog tag, and cheapo flashlight for $20.

I didn't previously own any knives from the starter series (Starter, Lifter..etc) but this one appears to be a new design specific to this gift pack. It has the Lifter scales but with a nice looking Tanto almost spanto blade. It doesn't have a weight listed but the other knives in this series are around 5.5 oz. It doesn't have a steel listed, but again I'm assuming 3Cr13mov like its brethren. Its a framelock, tip-down only, assisted folder. F&F is worse than my other Chinese Kershaw folders but not by much and IMO acceptable for the price. It did come covered in oil and very gritty. I took it apart and cleaned it really well and deassisted it (there is a detent hole) and it actually works pretty well as a manual flipper. I cannot comment on the edge retention of this steel but it did come nice and sharp.

Going to try and EDC this one for a while and get a better feel for this steel as I know its been a topic of discussion around here..

Without further ado...

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Looks like the Freefall blade. You know, Kershaw has taken a lot of flak for their use of 3Cr in these Starter series knives, but I think they're all right. I like how they do these holiday packs. They make pretty cool stocking stuffers.
 
Honestly not a bad deal for the holiday season. Knife Knuts can give them to their friends for Christmas and maybe it will start them off in the knife hobby.
 
grownstar said:
Looks like the Freefall blade. You know, Kershaw has taken a lot of flak for their use of 3Cr in these Starter series knives, but I think they're all right. I like how they do these holiday packs. They make pretty cool stocking stuffers.
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Silvanus said:
Honestly not a bad deal for the holiday season. Knife Knuts can give them to their friends for Christmas and maybe it will start them off in the knife hobby.
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Couldn't agree more with both posts. I gave (last year's?) Kershaw special from the Big Blue W to a couple of guys that absolutely use the snot out of them. Rarely used as knives they haves seen a lot of work. No more flashlights (I think it came with something else, too...) nothing left but the knife, and they still lock up tight and work great. One is a plumber, the other a recently graduated college student, neither know what it is to own a "good knife", or how to sharpen.

They are thrilled with the knives and consider them a prized piece of gear. BTW, the plumber's is down to about 25% less blade as he sharpens it on anything he can get his hands on. Both were really pleased with the gift knife, and both are still pleased with them.

My hope was that someday they would appreciate a fine piece of cutlery and ask for a better knife, but they see no need for one as they are both still quite pleased with what they have. An expensive knife would have been a waste for either of them.

Robert
 
midnight flyer said:
Couldn't agree more with both posts. I gave (last year's?) Kershaw special from the Big Blue W to a couple of guys that absolutely use the snot out of them. Rarely used as knives they haves seen a lot of work. No more flashlights (I think it came with something else, too...) nothing left but the knife, and they still lock up tight and work great. One is a plumber, the other a recently graduated college student, neither know what it is to own a "good knife", or how to sharpen.

They are thrilled with the knives and consider them a prized piece of gear. BTW, the plumber's is down to about 25% less blade as he sharpens it on anything he can get his hands on. Both were really pleased with the gift knife, and both are still pleased with them.

My hope was that someday they would appreciate a fine piece of cutlery and ask for a better knife, but they see no need for one as they are both still quite pleased with what they have. An expensive knife would have been a waste for either of them.

Robert
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Yep they'd make great gifts. I might pick up a couple more for Christmas gifts but this one is for me. I think its a pretty neat knife and I'm going to try and tinker with it some and see about getting the weight down and drilling/tapping for tip up carry.
 
I bought a set the other day and finally opened it today.

Pro's-
- frame lock
-assisted flipper
-nice deep pocket clip
-open pillar design
-no blade play even with the plastic washers
-nice "spanto' type grind.
-The flashlight came with batteries!
-The keychain tool is kind of nice

Con's
-3cr steel
-worthless thumb studs-The detent is so strong I can't use the thumb studs to open the knife at all
-Teflon washers (although thin)
-only drilled for RH tip down
-heavy
-Why bother with a dog tag?

This knife isn't as cheaply made as most of the other gift set knives offered by Kershaw. It is a pretty cool knife at this price. Mine came perfectly centered- I didn't have to mess with the pivot at all! :thumbup: I stropped mine before use and had a near mirror edge on it. I cut about 30 plastic straps and a pile of plastic wrap at work and it's still nice and sharp. I'll let you know how it holds up.
 
Monofletch said:
-3cr steel
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Since that's what last years were, it probably is, but does your packaging say that? I never could find a steel listed.

The detent on mine is decent, I can use the thumbstuds on mine, even left handed. REALLY wish the pocket clip was reversible, this is a decent knife for $20.00!
 
Bear Claw Chris Lappe said:
Since that's what last years were, it probably is, but does your packaging say that? I never could find a steel listed.

The detent on mine is decent, I can use the thumbstuds on mine, even left handed. REALLY wish the pocket clip was reversible, this is a decent knife for $20.00!
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Mine didn't say anywhere either. I'm mostly assuming because of last years Christmas pack, as well as the rest of the knives in this "series" are 3Cr.

I really wish this thing was drilled for tip up. That's the only thing keeping me from really loving it for the price. I'll still carry it some, but I really prefer tip up.

About the dog-tag... Yeah its not much but as a huge Kershaw fan I kind of think its a cool thing to have. I wouldn't go out of my way to buy one by itself, but as a kind of free extra I'm fine with it.

I dropped my flashlight in the bottom of a boiler the other day so its gone forever now.
 
Monofletch said:
I bought a set the other day and finally opened it today.

SNIP

This knife isn't as cheaply made as most of the other gift set knives offered by Kershaw. It is a pretty cool knife at this price. Mine came perfectly centered- I didn't have to mess with the pivot at all! :thumbup: I stropped mine before use and had a near mirror edge on it. I cut about 30 plastic straps and a pile of plastic wrap at work and it's still nice and sharp. I'll let you know how it holds up.
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That's good to hear! I have someone in mind for this very set and he will like the flashlight as much as the knife. He is looking for a knife to put in his hiking/trail bag, and for an occasional user this could be a real home run at that price. You put the knife through more than he will in a month!

Kershaw has mastered the art of hardening steel, and I think if anyone could get the last ounce of performance out of that humble steel, it would be them.

I have this thread tagged, so I will keep an eye out for an update on the knife (hint! hint!) should you find the time to post one.

Robert
 
I'd like to pick these up as gifts but my Wally World doesn't carry them oddly enough
 
xICEMANx said:
I'd like to pick these up as gifts but my Wally World doesn't carry them oddly enough
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I saw an excellent deal on the Kershaw Crown that was posted here, too good to pass up. Ten bucks. Went to two big blue W stores, and they had none and one even told me they didn't carry knives as they weren't a big enough store (they didn't have any, either!).

Regrouped, got on the phone and found them in a store a few miles away that I never go to. They had about 200 on blister packs right in the middle of sporting goods. I think you just have to get to the right store where big W feels they should stock them for quick sales.

Good luck!

Robert
 
I buy at least 1 of the gift packs every year and they never disappoint (at least the knives, anyway. Still pissed about my 'tactical pen'). I just got back from WalMart and brought home this year's offering and it's the best so far. The fit and finish does leave a bit to be desired but at this price point, I'm not throwing any stones.
How about that little keychain tool! I stuck it in my pocket and thought "Meh, might come in handy in a pinch..." I've already used it to (SAFELY!) open the clamshell packaging my laser boresighter came in and then used the screwdriver part to zero in the scope on my 10/22.
:thumbup:
 
Hell yeah, I think I need to look around again and pick one of these packs up. No such thing as too many Kershaws!
 
Glad you guys like them, and I appreciate all feedback and comments on this year's Kershaw set. I've introduced myself in a few other threads but I am the knife buyer at "The Big Blue W" as you guys like to say. It makes me happy to know that you like the Own It set, even the dog tags! That part wasn't my idea. Anything you think is missing, let me know and I'll make sure it gets added next year. I'm already thinking about bringing the Kershaw Crown back next year, as it seems to get a lot of love here.
 
Good grief...I went to the big Blue "W" today to get cold medicine for my wife and decided to slip by sporting goods in my never ending quest to find some .22lr ammo and what did I find? This nice Kershaw gift pack with the 1304bw for half off!! Yes, I bought one for 10.00....might go by tomorrow and grab a few more for birthday presents for my 4 sons. Might be worth swinging by the big blue "W" in your home town and see if they are half off still...what a fantastic buy!!
 
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