Kershaw Bareknuckle OD

BellaBlades

BellaBlades

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Jul 12, 2013
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I had to order one of these things today. Had to sell my high $edc, but needed something quality and american made for well under $100. That's when the bareknuckle comes to mind. Especially with this color concept.

Excellent design . Sub frame lock, and steel washers for the bearings (the way bearings should come) . Made in the USA for less than $80.

Anybody else find this an amazing option. I'd appreciate feedback and photos.

Thanks
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The Bareknuckle is my favorite Kershaw knife to come out in a few years. I think you made a great choice in that OD green version. Nothing at all wrong with Kershaw's 14C28N, so it will perform just fine. Couple that with the warranty and you're set with a great American made flipper.

 
grownstar said:
The Bareknuckle is my favorite Kershaw knife to come out in a few years. I think you made a great choice in that OD green version. Nothing at all wrong with Kershaw's 14C28N, so it will perform just fine. Couple that with the warranty and you're set with a great American made flipper.

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Thanks for sharing! That's how I feel about the steel as well. It's always performed alot like 154cm for me. But a little more stable under a fine edge.
 
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I think 14c28n is even better than 154cm - it's tougher and seems to hold the edge just as well

Kershaw uses it in the leek, which is my lightweight/minimal edc

ps - I would LOVE this bareknuckle to have green micarta - it would be amazing

pps - I would also love the 'blackwash' to be actual TiN or TiCN, they do a great job with it
 
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lieferung said:
It looks like a Natrix with more blade length. Very practical to the eye.
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Same knife family, based on the zt 0777. :thumbsup:

I have a natrix cf, Natrix xl cf, standard Bareknuckle, 2 20cv Bareknuckles, 0770cf, and aluminum 0770. I really want a 777, but good luck finding one... Lol
 
My son's favorite color is green, looks like a nice quality knife. This is going on the list as a Scout rank reward for him when he hits Life Scout.
 
JBC6650 said:
My son's favorite color is green, looks like a nice quality knife. This is going on the list as a Scout rank reward for him when he hits Life Scout.
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The Bareknuckle is probably the best knife Kershaw makes at the moment. Slim and light, 3.5 inch blade with lots of cutting edge and thin stock. It's not a super heavy duty knife, but it can handle daily tasks just fine.

You should have seen the mountain of cardboard I cut up with my 14c28n model. It never flinched, just kept cutting. Then I hit the tip on the kitchen floor tile :eek: easily fixed. The 14c28n is a great steel.

Also have the 20cv model. Patiently waiting for a black/blue one, or carbon fiber. :D
 
soc_monki said:
The Bareknuckle is probably the best knife Kershaw makes at the moment. Slim and light, 3.5 inch blade with lots of cutting edge and thin stock. It's not a super heavy duty knife, but it can handle daily tasks just fine.

You should have seen the mountain of cardboard I cut up with my 14c28n model. It never flinched, just kept cutting. Then I hit the tip on the kitchen floor tile :eek: easily fixed. The 14c28n is a great steel.

Also have the 20cv model. Patiently waiting for a black/blue one, or carbon fiber. :D
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It kind of appears to be in the weight class of the PM2 regarding slicing and durability . Another one of my favorites. But this thing is considerably less $ The 3.5 oz is nice too.
 
I have owned a few Bareknuckles and had an OD one. There is a lot to like about the knife - especially the blade shape and grind. 14c28n is a solid steel that performs really well. Flippers generally don't stick with me though.
 
I have a 14c28n standard grey version. great knife for the money. like to see one in a copper like the natrix, but made in usa.
 
Well should have mine around Saturday. I will share an update with an honest evaluation which should be positive based on what I see.
 
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Kershaw was even nice enough to mill a slot into the sub-framelock, which is a perfect spot to rest your middle finger when flipping the knife open.
 
It's a cool design, but $70-80 seems steep for 14C28N and aluminum handles, even if it's American made. 14C28N usually slots in below VG10 and is mainly found on knives in the $30-40 range. Civivi uses that steel for it's cheapest models, and they sell for $42.50, with better fit and finish than you'll get from Kershaw. At $55, or even $60) it'd be competitive, but almost double the price of the Civivis is tough to justify.

Meanwhile, the $100 20CV version of the Bareknuckle is a screaming deal. It's one of the least expensive 20CV knives you can buy, regardless of country of origin.
 
OrangeBlueOrangeBlue said:
It's a cool design, but $70-80 seems steep for 14C28N and aluminum handles, even if it's American made. 14C28N usually slots in below VG10 and is mainly found on knives in the $30-40 range. Civivi uses that steel for it's cheapest models, and they sell for $42.50, with better fit and finish than you'll get from Kershaw. At $55, or even $60) it'd be competitive, but almost double the price of the Civivis is tough to justify.

Meanwhile, the $100 20CV version of the Bareknuckle is a screaming deal. It's one of the least expensive 20CV knives you can buy, regardless of country of origin.
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Civivi uses 9cr18mov on its 40 dollar models, and 9cr based Damascus on its 100 dollar Damascus models. It is a good steel, I have it on a Baklash, but 14c28n is great. I cut a mountain of cardboard with my Bareknuckle and it barely flinched, until the tip contacted the kitchen tile. Easy to touch up too.

65 bucks for a standard Bareknuckle is a steal imo, especially with the warranty. Sure you can get a ruike in 14c28n for what, 30 bucks? But Kershaws warranty will be there if you have a problem. Civivi makes good knives, I imagine their warranty is good but can't say for sure. They don't use 14c28n though.
 
OrangeBlueOrangeBlue said:
It's a cool design, but $70-80 seems steep for 14C28N and aluminum handles, even if it's American made. 14C28N usually slots in below VG10 and is mainly found on knives in the $30-40 range. Civivi uses that steel for it's cheapest models, and they sell for $42.50, with better fit and finish than you'll get from Kershaw. At $55, or even $60) it'd be competitive, but almost double the price of the Civivis is tough to justify.

Meanwhile, the $100 20CV version of the Bareknuckle is a screaming deal. It's one of the least expensive 20CV knives you can buy, regardless of country of origin.
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I've actually always enjoyed anodized aluminum 4 handle material I really like how it wears. And I had to choose the Sandvik steel over the 20cv for being well rounded. I've never been a fan of 20cv like I am with m390. I think this came out to $71 and change. I didn't see enough upgrade for the 20cv model.

And I can't help but buy USA made with knives lately. I still like some stuff from Italy and Taiwan that are quite amazing as well.

While I disagree with most of what you said. Thanks for the perspective.
 
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