Kershaw and the 1K (or Chinese models)

[dkb45]

I have been fighting with the 1K now for over a month, back and forth to and from Kershaw. 3 total 1K's... I am posting in feedback because this is not a review, it is a pattern. All of them have had the same 3 issues. Blade felt like the washers were way too thick (smooth as a pivot screw that was cranked down), the pivot screw is always either seized or because of the flawed design cannot be backed out without cutting a slot on the back, and the clip screw at the end is always annealed or entirely too soft to remove, on top of obscene amounts of threadlock.

I actually called in and talked to a Warranty rep yesterday, and he told me that Kershaw is having a lot of QC issues with their Chinese models, and he wouldn't be caught dead owning one. The Emerson models seem to be hit especially hard.

After looking around, it seems I am definitely not the only person getting issues with the Chinese models. It seems that I am also not the only one with major issues with the Emerson models.

I want to see what other people think of this.

 

[RevDevil]

I have been fighting with the 1K now for over a month, back and forth to and from Kershaw. 3 total 1K's... I am posting in feedback because this is not a review, it is a pattern. All of them have had the same 3 issues. Blade felt like the washers were way too thick (smooth as a pivot screw that was cranked down), the pivot screw is always either seized or because of the flawed design cannot be backed out without cutting a slot on the back, and the clip screw at the end is always annealed or entirely too soft to remove, on top of obscene amounts of threadlock.

I actually called in and talked to a Warranty rep yesterday, and he told me that Kershaw is having a lot of QC issues with their Chinese models, and he wouldn't be caught dead owning one. The Emerson models seem to be hit especially hard.

After looking around, it seems I am definitely not the only person getting issues with the Chinese models. It seems that I am also not the only one with major issues with the Emerson models.

I want to see what other people think of this.

That sounds to me a like a person that doesn't care at all about their job or their company. On the flipside, it could be a lie; either way it's a likely scenario.

 

[dkb45]

We talked at great length about ZT and the US models, but he hates the Chinese models. Based on my experience, I can't disagree too much. It seems like Kershaw needs to get their factory up to snuff if they want to keep the good reputation. It may be Chinese made, but it is still Kershaw branded.

 

[craytab]

I agree with Rev, that is odd that a person would bag on a huge amount of their company's lineup.

I have limited experience with Chinese Kershaws. I had a couple Free Falls. I didn't own them long but I had no problems with them. I do have a Thermite that gets lots of use opening packages and other junk drawer tasks. The knife seems just about flawless. There was one issue from the factory though. It is well known by now. The pocket clip screws were too short to be able to swap the clip to the G10 side. Contacted Kershaw and they sent a set out right away. From what I have read they send the screws with the knife now.

Any knife company can make any knife a quality knife no matter where it is made. It is up to the company to hold the maker to the standards the company has requested. Of course higher standards cost more. We see this in the Taiwanese Spydercos. Fantastic knives foreign made but they do cost. It seems to be a delicate balance.

If these issues are more widespread hopefully Kershaw will get these issues ironed out as their Chinese models get a lot of run here. It would suck if we are recommending bad knives unbenounced to us.

 

[RevDevil]

This thread just reeks a bit too much of guessery.