Kershaw Atmos

R

Rich S

Joined
Sep 23, 2005
Messages
3,781
The Atmos is a homerun for Kershaw. Great general carry flipper. The KVT bearings are smooth as silk; opens with a finger touch. Blade perfectly centered and passes the phonebook paper test out of the box. Lockup is 100%. For me this is a very good general carry knife; around the house, office, out for dinner, etc. However, IMHO it is not a deep woods, long haul, heavy duty backpacking knife. I usually carry a 4 inch puukko. But at only 2 oz. I would easily put this in my backpack as a back up knife.

Knifecenter service was outstanding as usual. Next day delivery! Great folks at KC!
 
Not sure about a homerun, but there are some things to like about it, for a $32 knife.

Pros:
-- no SpeedSafe! thank you Kershaw for non-assisted knives!
-- versatile carry configs - tip up/down and right/left
-- deep carry clip
-- very light weight (under two ounces, wow)

Cons:
-- when graded on a bell curve for price and taking in the above features, the 8Cr13Mov blade steel isn't too much of a con, but it's not great

It almost looks like a gentlemen's folder with that CF overlay.

To say "it is not a deep woods, long haul, heavy duty backpacking knife" it an understatement in my opinion, but it could be a decent economy urban folder - wouldn't necessarily want it as a last resort self-defense tool, though. Which is all a knife is for self-defense in my personal opinion, an absolute last resort.
 
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This seems like a really solid knife for 32 bucks. Ill probably buy it just because its a non speed safe kershaw that looks pretty cool.
 
Really like the blade shape..reminds me of my ZT0450. On that note..I like Sinkevich designed knives. 8Cr? What do you expect in a $31 knife though. The KVT bb system is a huge plus. All in all, looks like a great backup knife :thumbsup:

Oh yeah, KnifeCenter. They are awesome! I'm on the opposite coast. Had my knife in 2 days!
 
Like the design and look of the knife, it is a shame that Canada doesnt allow the import of flipper/assisted opening knives in Canada :(
 
I like it. A home run? I dunno about that, but it does have some great features...

Unassisted for one. Lots of folk don't cotton to the speedsafe. Price is another. Nice design.

I'll get one.
 
I had to go see the picture - good looking knife -

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I like that Kai is putting the bearing pivots on the lower priced blades.

Thanks for the review.

best

mqqn
 
I just really like this knife. It is a really smooth flipper and light weight. The 8cr... steel is a standard for this class, but I would like for Kershaw to up their steel. I personally prefer D2 or VG10. Wouldn't that be nice! :)
Rich
 
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Rich S said:
I just really like this knife. It is a really smooth flipper and light weight. The 8cr... steel is a standard for this class, but I would like for Kershaw to up their steel. I personally prefer D2 or VG10. Wouldn't that be nice! :)
Rich
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I do like VG-10 and D2 a lot. And they wouldn't have to break the bank to offer them.
 
I got mine yesterday and while there is a lot to like, I have a few questions/concerns.

After playing around with it (flipping it open about 30 times or so), the pivot screw loosened up. I also noticed the blade centering was a little off. I tightened up just enough to recenter the blade, but it loosens up again after flipping about 20 times. I have never had a pivot screw loosen up that easily.

If you have one, what side is your torx screw on at the pivot? Mine is on the side with the Kershaw label on the blade.

Also, the jimping on the flipper has roughed up my finger tip a bit. This is my first flipper from Kershaw. I'm not sure how impressed I am so far.
 
My pivot screw is on the pocket clip side (just what is shown in the pic above). Might try a bit of Loctite once you get the blade centered and the flipper adjusted to where you like it. A little rubbing with emory might dull down the jimping if it's to sharp for you. It doesn't bother me.
Rich
 
rje58 said:
Cons:
-- when graded on a bell curve for price and taking in the above features, the 8Cr13Mov blade steel isn't too much of a con, but it's not great
Click to expand...

I agree, and a better blade steel would be nice, but there isn't a whole lot wrong with the 8Cr stuff. I have a couple of Kershaws with that steel and I like two things about it on a general work knife that has to do more than just slice.

If I use it to cut something "questionable" like cutting dirty, gritty fiberglass strapping, or cutting into boxing that might have a hidden staple or so, the blade isn't damaged. A little edge roll that would happen with any steel is easily corrected with a few swipes on the diamond rods. I like better steels, but I this one has its place as an acceptable utility steel.

Robert
 
I'm enamored by this one. I've got to pick one up, it looks super dressy and it's deep carry. I'm not sure where all the steel hate comes from, I like my higher end steels and better steel would be nice, but there's something about 8cr13mov that is just great in itself aside from low cost. I find edge holding isn't THAT bad, and I know that if something happens and I hit something hard during a cut I can resharpen it quickly and without a diamond sharpener if needed, and it can take a razor edge really easily. It wasn't too long ago that AUS-8, which 8cr13mov is a chinese clone of, was considered fairly good. Now even VG-10 is becoming kinda "meh" in a lot of people's eyes.

It's easy to get too caught up in steel choice and not notice how good the rest of the knife is. Might not be perfect, but for $30 it's great.
 
REV98 -

I think (?) I know the problem. The pivot screw was put in backwards such that it unscrews due to slight friction a bit each time you open the knife. It should work like a lock screw on a pulley or wheel, it should have the threads reverse of the direction of motion of the blade hence acting to tighten it. IMHO, I'd return it for a replacement or if you're comfortable doing it, try to remove and reverse them yourself.
Rich
 
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Rich S said:
REV98 -

I think (?) I know the problem. The pivot screw was put in backwards such that it unscrews due to slight friction a bit each time you open the knife. It should work like a lock screw on a pulley or wheel, it should have the threads reverse of the direction of motion of the blade hence acting to tighten it. IMHO, I'd return it for a replacement or if you're comfortable doing it, try to remove and reverse them yourself.
Rich
Click to expand...

Rich,

Yep, I think you are right. I was able to reverse the pivot screws and I applied a little blue loctite to the threads. So far so good.
 
I was about to order a second Fraxion when the Atmos showed up at dealers. Both share a crucial attribute-- no assisted-opening.

I ordered the Atmos for my dog-walking rotation when wearing running pants or shorts.

If it's as decent a $30 folder as the Fraxion I'll be happy.

I've given away all but a few of my assisted folders and won't be buying more.
Light-weight and manual is a good combination. A better steel would make these knives hard to resist.
 
You know what's great about KVT in their China models in the last 3 years? No crap Teflon washers.
 
I like their knives , like the Decimus. I just don't dig supporting the PLA.
 
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