Kershaw and Gerber both suck?

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I own both Kershaw and Gerber. Are there better out there?? Certainly, that can be said about almost anything. Do they suck??, I don't think so. I usually carry them in pairs!
 
charlieridge said:
Nick,
What you are going to run into with the Case is the same problem that everyone is having with the Gerbers and Kershaws, and that is edge retention. I had to take public transportation for a trip a few weeks ago. After arrival, I purchased a kershaw model 1640 Vapor designed by Ken Onion. Awsome design, and I have carried it for a while. Edge is easy to bring up to razor, but doesn't stay long. Steel in the prodution knives just doesn't compare to what can be built. Your best bet would be a custom folder from a good builder, but you will pay more... Good luck!

Ridge
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You get what you pay for...
Check ZDP189 of SG2 blades.

Kershaw now is the best knife manufacturer in the market, offering full line of knives from cheap to topest - no one else have.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
I think the small Kershaw knives like the scallions,leeks,chives are some of the best little production knives ever put out. I know a ton of firefighters,EMTs,rescue folks and cops who own them. I dare say they may be the most commonly carried knife right now. I own several. My Leek is the knife I have on me when I dont need a knife.... which is never. My sweetheart and her two girls (9 and 12)have them. Just used a chive to remove a splinter just the other day.
 
That sure is true Vassili! Kershaw offers the widest range of steels these days. I especially like their 13C26 on my Needs Work. It's an amazing steel since I can get it sharper than many other knives I own.
 
I collect Bucks, Spyderco and Kershaw, and can confidently say that Kershaw produce knives that are every bit as good as the other makers. In fact, I have yet to get an off-centered Kershaw. But for proof, I would challenge anyone to get a JYD II or an SG2 Blur and see for themselves.
 
I'm not masochistic enough to read this whole thread, so sorry if this has been said, but, I heard some old saying along the lines of:

If someone buys a toaster and it doesn't work well, they're going to be vocal about how bad it is. But if someone buys a toaster and it works fine, they're just going to toast.
 
I used to be a steel snob. Then I learned how to sharpen my knives.

You don't have to fork over hundreds and hundreds-or even one hundred- dollars for a good production knife. As long as the knife is structurally sound and will suit the task at hand, that is all you need. You do not need the latest and greatest whiz-bang steel that is being shoved down your throat by the knife rags.

Maurice
 
omaha-beenglockin said:
Own some older Gerbers that aren't going anywhere----no way will I ever buy a newer one.

Own a few Kershaw's---won't be buying any more of those either.

There's just better knives out there to be wasting your money on either of these brands.
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ZDP189 steel, titanium frame lock, AO, tip-up option...where can I get one for $ 150? Oh, and add excellent customer service, if needed...




Other than Kershaw?
 
I've been reading this thread and have never posted before, but I felt this topic hits close to home for most of us. So many of the great products we love to buy that were quality made right here in the USA now are being made overseas by poorly trained workers and by companies that have little to no Quality Assurance programs. I deal with this every day with my company. So it was to my surprise when my local ACE hardware store decided to stop selling knives. The good news is that I was able to buy about a dozen Gerber and Buck USA made knives at 50% off! It is true, the U.S. Gerber knives are better. I have many of both. My GATOR I bought years ago is still my main knife. I love it and was happy to buy another one (made in portland) and put it in the safe. Kershaw will always be a favorite for me. When you can finish skinning your deer, and the other two guys you are with ask to use your knife because its still sharp, that says a lot!
 
Thomas W said:
sbl, come check out the Kershaw sub forum, and you will get confirmation on whether we suck or not.

BTW, we don't suck, far from it.
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Yeah. Hey, actually I own lots of Shuns and ZT's and I'm saving up for some Kaji's...

Maybe the Kershaws really DO suck! ;):eek::D
 
I want to be careful about what I say... I have been critical of Kershaw in the past. I have been buyng and selling for only about 3-4 years, and have experienced everything from low cost production up to customs in the $1500 range, including Onion, Bogi, shadley etc. Being the Oregon native that I am, I have had a lot of access to the local makers. Benchmade alone I have owned over a hundred. Kershaw is not the same company it was 4 years ago, or even 2-3 years ago. I'm not going to address the major transformation that occured with the Onion collaboration because that was before. I liked the Onion stuff to that point, but I was more into tacticals and the only thing I had been exposed to was the Boa spec which is still produced. Otherwise, all I really saw from them was the chives, leeks, scallions etc. I was also getting caught up in the steels and so I really wasn't believing at the time that Kershaw was all that interesting (to me). BUT, have you REALLY been to Kershaw LATELY. Until you have, your opinion is out of date. As mine would be if It was still based on prior experience. In this small amount of time, they have added a number of top designers, the ZT line of tacticals which redefined their position to the top of the heap of production knives in that category. The Technology at Kershaw is WAY ahead of the competition. I used to kneel at the Benchmade alter, hell they are just down the street from me. But put 1 knife that's the best Kershaw has to offer amongst a room full everything BM has... and basically you have a marathon runner in a geriatric ward. All I'm saying is check out the stuff, it's second to none. Sure, they have product in many price points... but I challenge you to fairly compare like knives in all catergories. And their customer service is fantastic.
 
The shift to 13C26 is great.

Now quality knives with a steel in them to match.
For me, it makes a much better package, and well worth the money.

Thomas,
Will the shift to 13C26 be on all knives?
 
I'm not a huge gerber fan. The same applys to CRKT. Not because they suck but beacause they don't have a design that appeals to me. Kershaw is producing some of the best factory knives right now, bar none. BM and Kershaw are my favs.
 
Kershaw and Gerber are not the equal of a good Spyderco or Benchmade.

Step into the world of really good knives and get yourself a Benchmade Axis lock and see what you have been missing. I suggest the 941 but the 921, 940 and 960 are just as good.

If you want to save some money but still get premium steel, go with a Spyderco. Here are a few of my favorite lesser priced models: Centofante 3 or 4, Delica 4, Rescue, D'allera DP, Calypso Jr.
 
oh please... I've had 30 axis locks. You obviously haven't held any of Kershaws ZT knives or any of their premium items. I like both Benchmades and Spyderco, but your statement is biased

kgriggs8 said:
Kershaw and Gerber are not the equal of a good Spyderco or Benchmade.

Step into the world of really good knives and get yourself a Benchmade Axis lock and see what you have been missing. I suggest the 941 but the 921, 940 and 960 are just as good.

If you want to save some money but still get premium steel, go with a Spyderco. Here are a few of my favorite lesser priced models: Centofante 3 or 4, Delica 4, Rescue, D'allera DP, Calypso Jr.
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GronK said:
Must be doing something right. Ya got haters and fan-boys duking it out over Kershaw and not that long ago no one would have bothered. Good job!!
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Hadn't thought about it like that GronK, but you may be on to something. We'll keep doing our thing, and trust our offerings will be accepted into the market. I believe our high end Kershaw's, ZT blades and Shun's are right up there in today's upper tier market.

I understand brand loyalty, and think that's great. Most of the time the "my brand is better than your brand" gets a bit silly, but I believe folks read the fanboys posts like we've seen here with grain of salt.
 
Thomas W said:
"my brand is better than your brand" gets a bit silly, but I believe folks read the fanboys posts like we've seen here with grain of salt.
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"fanboys"? I'm comparing products not brands. Brands are names/identities like Benchmade, ZT, Shun etc. If Kershaw didn't have a quality product, I wouldn't have anything to debate (endorse). I think ALL posts on here should be read with more than a grain of salt. I know Thomas appreciates the feedback he recieves from constructive, direct product comparisons. Speaking of which, I would love to know which specific model of Benchmade compares to ZT0301? I'm familiar with just about every model Benchmade has produced since it opened here in Oregon City around 1991. Let's not compare the butterfly brand to the ZT brand (or logo). ??? This fanboy needs to hear specific features, materials, performance, ergonomics.
 
I don't think Thomas was talking about your post OregonEdge.
 
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