- Joined
- Dec 31, 2004
- Messages
- 1,907
** I did a search and found lots of info. on this knife, but want to take a turn at a review. This knife needs more "air-play" and Ken Onion has proven to me that he is willing to take the high road on trademarks and infringements, so I will promote his products.
First, how I arrived at ownership was thru another knife. I stopped by a gun shop and picked up a Gerber "Fast-Draw". This knife was ok but just a small amount of time with it and I was left with a bad taste in my mouth. Lately, Gerber has been unclear about what steel is actually in thier knives. That and a strange grinding/rubbing sound from this assisted opener, led me back to the shop to trade for the Kershaw.
Avalanche: 1-overall; substantial heaft, solid built. I would have guessed 3.0 oz. but is 3.5oz. The blade opens in a sort of controlable maner, but is fast enought for intened purposes.
2-blade; CPM S60V. Razor sharp and a bit toothy. I went ahead and stroped and all I really did was polish up the edge. Still razor sharp. Black coated, plain edge. I measured 3 3/16" Claimed; 3 1/8" Thickness: right at 1/8". As others have posted, the thumb stud is a little small and sharp but I'm getting along with it just fine.
Blade shape seems to be some type of mod. drop point. A good shape for EDC. (IMO) It was also centered and seems to have PB washers. Couldn't really see well because of tight tolorences.
3-handle; 4 1/2" long and 1/2" thick slabs,(g-10 is 1/8") of some damn grippy G-10. Was a little rough for my liking so with the clip off, some 1000grit wet/dry smoothed everything to a favorable texture. This G-10 makes my Spydie's seem slick (UK PEN) and as for my BM's (732) it seems slicker! This knife was shipped tip-down but I opted for tip-up and is right hand only. This knife also has double stainless liners making it very strong but adds weight.
4-clip; 2 3/4" and seems strong and should hold up nicely. Also is held on with three screws and is black coated.
5-lock; liner lock. The liners on this knife are fairly thick (about 1/16") and under normal use should hold up fine. The lock bar mates to the tang of the blade as nicely as I have seen. seems to pass the "test" you all have come up with. i.e. spline whack and I don't think I'll be able to twist it enought to fail. *take with grain of salt, I'm new and have not seen as many as most of you have.
* this seems to be a very well made knife and I will agree with rischne's review posted on 1-21-05 Kevronicus posted 1-07-05, " it would benefit from a thumb scallop near the lock bar" Mine has this, it's small but there.
nozh2002 posted 1-09-05 "the spring broke and he left it manual" I plan on doing the same.
If you are looking for a "4-3" knife, (that's what I call a 4in. handle, 3in. blade knife) this could really be a knife worth looking into.
Walter
**update- I have recurved the blade (sweeeeet!) and removed the single thumb-stud and replaced with with the ones off of a Camillus Blaze. * this requires some simple machining to the mounting hole but you can go back to the original stud if you change your mind. I will go into details if anyone is interested. The new studs look very good on the black blade.
First, how I arrived at ownership was thru another knife. I stopped by a gun shop and picked up a Gerber "Fast-Draw". This knife was ok but just a small amount of time with it and I was left with a bad taste in my mouth. Lately, Gerber has been unclear about what steel is actually in thier knives. That and a strange grinding/rubbing sound from this assisted opener, led me back to the shop to trade for the Kershaw.
Avalanche: 1-overall; substantial heaft, solid built. I would have guessed 3.0 oz. but is 3.5oz. The blade opens in a sort of controlable maner, but is fast enought for intened purposes.
2-blade; CPM S60V. Razor sharp and a bit toothy. I went ahead and stroped and all I really did was polish up the edge. Still razor sharp. Black coated, plain edge. I measured 3 3/16" Claimed; 3 1/8" Thickness: right at 1/8". As others have posted, the thumb stud is a little small and sharp but I'm getting along with it just fine.
Blade shape seems to be some type of mod. drop point. A good shape for EDC. (IMO) It was also centered and seems to have PB washers. Couldn't really see well because of tight tolorences.
3-handle; 4 1/2" long and 1/2" thick slabs,(g-10 is 1/8") of some damn grippy G-10. Was a little rough for my liking so with the clip off, some 1000grit wet/dry smoothed everything to a favorable texture. This G-10 makes my Spydie's seem slick (UK PEN) and as for my BM's (732) it seems slicker! This knife was shipped tip-down but I opted for tip-up and is right hand only. This knife also has double stainless liners making it very strong but adds weight.
4-clip; 2 3/4" and seems strong and should hold up nicely. Also is held on with three screws and is black coated.
5-lock; liner lock. The liners on this knife are fairly thick (about 1/16") and under normal use should hold up fine. The lock bar mates to the tang of the blade as nicely as I have seen. seems to pass the "test" you all have come up with. i.e. spline whack and I don't think I'll be able to twist it enought to fail. *take with grain of salt, I'm new and have not seen as many as most of you have.
* this seems to be a very well made knife and I will agree with rischne's review posted on 1-21-05 Kevronicus posted 1-07-05, " it would benefit from a thumb scallop near the lock bar" Mine has this, it's small but there.
nozh2002 posted 1-09-05 "the spring broke and he left it manual" I plan on doing the same.
If you are looking for a "4-3" knife, (that's what I call a 4in. handle, 3in. blade knife) this could really be a knife worth looking into.
Walter
**update- I have recurved the blade (sweeeeet!) and removed the single thumb-stud and replaced with with the ones off of a Camillus Blaze. * this requires some simple machining to the mounting hole but you can go back to the original stud if you change your mind. I will go into details if anyone is interested. The new studs look very good on the black blade.
