Kershaw - 8CR13MoV

nutz_about_knives said:
8cr13mov steel? They're just trying to lower themselves to SOG's standard. But I think SOG has moved on already!
Click to expand...

You make no sense whatsoever. Please re-read the thread.

This is Kershaw's value line that is meant to offer people a choice instead of the "Taylor cutlery" and "Gerber" options that plague most sporting goods stores.
 
knivesandguns said:
You make no sense whatsoever. Please re-read the thread.

This is Kershaw's value line that is meant to offer people a choice instead of the "Taylor cutlery" and "Gerber" options that plague most sporting goods stores.
Click to expand...

And God bless'em for it. Makes me happy to know I can walk into Academy or Walmart and grab an affordable knife with very decent steel and great fit/finish. I'd prefer it to be made in the USA (who wouldn't), but them's the realities of global sourcing trends and consumer demand for low-cost products. Good job Kershaw for rolling with the changes without compromising product quality.:thumbup:
 
nutz_about_knives said:
8cr13mov steel? They're just trying to lower themselves to SOG's standard. But I think SOG has moved on already!
Click to expand...
I'm unsure if you're slamming us, SOG, or both, or neither, but in any case, if you could have an actual point with your future posts I'm sure the community would appreciate it.
 
i have never had any problems with kershaws 8cr13, like other have said it compares very well to aus-8.
 
rororo64 said:
For me, I found that it was harder to put a good edge on my Aus 8 Twitch 2, compared to my Kershaw Chill or Spyderco Tenacious
Click to expand...

The SOGs that I have in AUS8 seem to hold a better edge and be harder to sharpen, than the Byrds. Does Cryo treatment really work on AUS8? I have Kershaw Sapphire in AUS8 and it is closer to the SOGs. The Kershaws and Byrds in 8CR13MOV both get wicked sharp very quickly.

I like Kershaws 14c28n more than either AUS8 or 8CR13MOV, so that's what I buy. And it keeps people in the USA working.:thumbup:
 
I will not buy knives with this steel. I do not see anything in it for me.
This economy line is probably designed by Kershaw as affordable working tools for general public - not the knife-nut like myself. I have got already quite a few working knives, and with a better steel than AUS8 or this chinese one. And as for collecting - I do not think these knives are fun to collect.
So simply pass. I do not doubt the steel properties, or Kershaw quality control - I am just not in the target group for that product. ;)
 
This topic got me wandering - why conpanies get into that steel at all? I doubt that the savings are that significant compared to the good old D2 for example. Spyderco Tenacious would be so much better a knife with D2 and a bit stronger blade. Is that the heat-treatment creating problems for chinese manufacturer? Steel shortages? Or what?

P.S. Or at least they could do some sprint runs or limited series of economy knives but with "high-end" steels - for us, collectors. ;)
 
Last edited:
Been carrying a Spydie Tenacious for a few months now, and while it doesn't get very much use its still on the almost factory edge (couple swipes on the SM Fine stones before I started carrying, just to set a light micro bevel).
 
Its cheap, good steel like Spyderco uses in the Tenacious, not AUS 8a quality, thats laughable, more like 440B but still good enough for the "value" line knives.
 
I'm not a steel expert by any stretch of the imagination, but my recently aquired Kershaw Scamp is quickly becoming my favorite edc knife. The steel isn't the reason I bought the knife, but its plenty good enough for me. It does sharpen up quickly to a razor edge and holds that edge for a reasonable amount of time.

I agree that Kershaw is really putting out some great knife designs from their import line, and I wouldn't let the steel stop me from trying them at all.

Brandon
 
Poez said:
This topic got me wandering - why conpanies get into that steel at all? I doubt that the savings are that significant compared to the good old D2 for example. Spyderco Tenacious would be so much better a knife with D2 and a bit stronger blade. Is that the heat-treatment creating problems for chinese manufacturer? Steel shortages? Or what?
Click to expand...

I am sure the companies that use these steels understand their own business model. To me, it is a very serviceable steel that provides a great value in a work knife.

For them, I am sure that the abundance of this steel helps keep the cost down, and as a guess, it has probably been developed for its machining properties in manufacture as a consideration as well.

Personally, I like having access to affordable, good quality knives that use a good steel. As a blue collar guy, I don't collect knives to look at (although I have some nice ones!) but prize their actual value as a tool more than their "credentials". Since I use my knives pretty hard sometimes, I am more interested in what the knives actually do (as a user) compared to what they are reputed to be able to do as a collector.

The 8Cr13Mov is an excellent value, as is AUS8 when done properly. Kershaw, Spyderco, etc., have it down solid.

Poez said:
P.S. Or at least they could do some sprint runs or limited series of economy knives but with "high-end" steels - for us, collectors. ;)
Click to expand...

Winky aside, I am not sure what you want. You want a cheap knife with a high end steel? A sprint run of an economy folder shell housing ZDP or S90?

Or are you saying you just want a cheap knife that has an outstanding, premium cutlery steel? If this is the case, I think everyone across the board here would go for that.

As far as an excellent value on excellent steels put in affordable knives, take a look longer at Kershaw. The upper end knives they offer use some some excellent steels, and while they are not cheap, they are terrific values. I have a two combo steel blades blades (JYDII, Tyrade G10) and they are not only excellent user knives, but the blade steel laminates they chose are outstanding choices. Their D2 treatment is second to none. And NO ONE has more innovative designs.

And if you are really wanting something yet even more esoteric in an affordable high end steel knife, find a Kershaw Shallot in S110V. While it wasn't an "economy knife" it was a great value and actually didn't cost that much. A small run production knife, this one is incredible. It gets really sharp, then dulls a tiny bit with the first few uses after sharpening. Then it just stays really sharp for months. If you find one of these, you will be the only one on your block to have one! I know I am.

Look around, there are plenty of choices out there to suit the most discerning palate that won't break the bank.

Robert
 
Zombie Zeke said:
Its cheap, good steel like Spyderco uses in the Tenacious, not AUS 8a quality, thats laughable, more like 440B but still good enough for the "value" line knives.
Click to expand...

My previously owned Sog Trident with AUS 8 did not perform as well as 8CR13MOV from Kershaw's import models.
 
midnight flyer said:
Winky aside, I am not sure what you want. You want a cheap knife with a high end steel? A sprint run of an economy folder shell housing ZDP or S90?

Or are you saying you just want a cheap knife that has an outstanding, premium cutlery steel? If this is the case, I think everyone across the board here would go for that.
Click to expand...

Sorry, you misunderstood the idea. I am not looking for a cheap knife - that is not an issue. I just regret sometimes that a good design is not available in a better steel. That is all.

I am absolutely happy with comments from Thomas W. I suspected somehow that it could not be just all about these few dollars in the steel cost - the technological capability and availability of the material are there at play... Thanks!
 
I just wish Kershaw would make some value-priced folders in the <2.5" category with 14C28N. I'd like to see a 14C28N OD-2 and I'd like to see a 2 3/8" or 2.5" blade version of the Skyline or Zing.

The fact that the Baby Boa seems to be the only 14C28N Kershaw that can be carried legally in <2.5" jurisdictions is a serious miss, I think.
 
Just to chime in on the quality issue..i just received the Kershaw Nerve, and am at least as impressed as i was with the Spyderco Tenacious. Same steel of course, and the fit and finish are outstanding, considering the price point, $25.
Seems like the revolution is happening, American quality standards are being met in Chinese production facitilities. Can only mean good news for budget minded knife collectors.
 
gomipile said:
I just wish Kershaw would make some value-priced folders in the <2.5" category with 14C28N. I'd like to see a 14C28N OD-2 and I'd like to see a 2 3/8" or 2.5" blade version of the Skyline or Zing.

The fact that the Baby Boa seems to be the only 14C28N Kershaw that can be carried legally in <2.5" jurisdictions is a serious miss, I think.
Click to expand...


Tiny knives don't sell as well as what most would consider EDC knives (around the 3" category or more). I don't see how it's a serious miss--you can buy two knives for the price of 1 14C28N knife so you get to try out two designs :thumbup: You could also just have somebody here grind down the blade profile to 2.5 inches.


emach1967 said:
Just to chime in on the quality issue..i just received the Kershaw Nerve, and am at least as impressed as i was with the Spyderco Tenacious. Same steel of course, and the fit and finish are outstanding, considering the price point, $25.
Seems like the revolution is happening, American quality standards are being met in Chinese production facitilities. Can only mean good news for budget minded knife collectors.
Click to expand...

The Nerve was (and is) my favorite among Kershaw's value-line series. The blade had perfect F&F, felt great in the hand, performed excellently, and was wavable due to the disk (and also being very smooth)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top