Kershaw ascendant?

SPXTrader said:
Kershaw is already there, and has been for a while.

If you're looking for sophistication, detail and polish, try to find the recently released Volt. Designed by RJ Martin, this is one of the best production folders made. I'd rather carry it than my classic Sebenza. It's that good, and the materials are top shelf. The soon-to-be-released Speedform will also fit into that category. As did the Galyean Ti/SG2 JYD and Ken Onion's Ti Tyrade.
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SPX,

I haven't had the opportunity to handle these two in person yet, but if they're half as good in person as they look in the pics I've seen, I won't say I'm turning my back on BM, but I do believe I feel a sea change coming on.:D

Best,
heekma
 
IMHO, Ken Onion and Tim Galeyan brought great designs to Kershaw that really elevated the whole company in terms of looks and different mechanisms. KO is my all time favorite designer.
 
For utilitain knives, I think Benchmade and Kershaw are neck and neck. I love the axis lock on Benchmades and the Speed Safe and flippers on Kershaws/ZT. Benchmade is alone in the upscale collectables with the Gold Class knives. I would really like to see a Benchmade/Kershaw collaboration. A Speed Safe flipper with an Axis Lock would be sweet.
 
In the past couple months, I've picked up a Volt, a ZT 0301, a ZT 0350CB, and my Speedform is on the way as I type.

Talk about a 4-pack!
 
I'm relatively new to knife collecting but have a number of working knives. I saw a Kershaw Ken Onion Echo @ $20 and snapped it up last fall before deer season and haven't been able to put it down. Butchered deer, BWCA camping, every day use and it seems to fit my hand better each day while staying very sharp. I love it's simple yet usable design. I guess I'll have to get some Benchmades now for comparison.
 
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axtalan0 said:
Well, in my opinion, when it comes to folders, Kershaw is the most interesting of the major knife companies out there. The wide variety of styles, materials, price range, etc. They are already #1 in my book!
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said it all! my first few knives were kershaws and i've never stopped (and will not stop) buying their products. out of the "big three", kershaw is by far the first, followed by spyderco, benchmade is third...not a big BM fan though.
 
SPXTrader said:
Kershaw is already there, and has been for a while.

There are a world of excellent knives made by Kershaw that can match and most times beat the Gold Class BMs. Welcome aboard. It's going to be an expensive trip! :thumbup:
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Ok, I've owned and tried out a couple hundred benchmades of all classes and many kershaws (but not as many as BM.)

BM has a sweet spot in mid/high quality folders ($100-$200). Lots of choices, blah blah blah. Very consistent quality. The gold class stuff is nice but mostly just flashy (tricked out), over priced versions with comparable fit/finish to the higher end blue class.

Kershaw offers a much more varied and affordable (and practical) range that tends to be their sweet spot in the $50-$100 range. I don't know my head from my butt, but I'd bet a mint that's their bread and butter. They also have the ultra tough ZT for appropriate fields and of course excel at kitchen knives. blah blah.

BUT, when Kershaw decides to pull out the stops on a knife like the Volt or Tyrade etc, then there is no comparison at $300. I've never seen anything as clean and technically advanced as those knives. Also, the Offset with it's MIM blade tech. They have been pioneering technology and doing it so well for some time. The rest follow. I have NEVER held a better executed production knife than the Volt. period.

Yes, Spyderco had some early industry setting innovations... and yes, BM had the axis lock... but Kershaw (when it wants to) is by far the best maker out there. (currently).

imho :) Every factory has it's sweet spot. William Henry can't be compared to Kershae, BM, etc.
 
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