Kershaw Black Out--What do people think?

Hello everyone! I am knew to this forum and am excited to have found it. Hopefully you folks can help a newcomer with a couple of questions. I really like the Kershaw Black Out and would like to get one, but I have would like to know what people think of it. My biggest concern is with the choice of 440a for the blade steel. What can people tell me about this as a steel? Is it pretty good? I know it's inexpensive (which is nice), but how does it compare to, say, ATS-34 or 440v, which is used in some of the other Kershaw Ken Onion designs?

Any information at all would be much appreciated, as would testimonials from those who've actually owned one. What do you folks think about the knife overall--as far as design goes, I love it, I'm just concerned about its edge holding abilities and and overall "goodness."

Thanks so much for your help!
 
U

UW Mitch

Joined
Nov 2, 1999
Messages
1,437
I just got my mini-task, and I love it. I'm assuming you (unlike me) are right handed, and that's part of why the blackout will work for you. For the price the blackout is a very good knife.

It comes with Ken Onion's speed-safe mechanism, but at a lower price point than the mini-task, random-task, or ricochet. It's cheaper because it uses polymide handles and 440a for the blade steel. While it is made from cheaper materials I don't think this will be much of an issue...I haven't heard of anyone having problems with the blackout, but I might be wrong.

However, if you can save up a little more money, you won't be dissapointed by the slightly more expensive knives. That's just my opinion.

~Mitch
 
I have one and love it. i was going home on my motorcycle one day, however, and i had it attached to my bag through heavy rain. I thought the stainless liners would be fine but the next day they had a good bit of rust on them. despite that it still works great and is holding a good edge.
 
i personally don't really like it. the grip is good, but i don't care for the speed safe. as far as the blade steel, it's the lowest steel i would even consider buying. it won't hold an edge forever, but when it does get dull, it sharpen up really easy. i agree with UW mitch. save up and get a better blade steel. you'll appreciate it more down the road. and as far as quality, it's a kershaw and they put out good stuff. i have three myself and am very pleased with them.
 
Anyone know how to take one apart? That rear screw has me stumped

------------------
Drac Noroc

"But if I ran the zoo,"
Said young Gerald McGrew,
"I'd make a few changes.
That's just what I'd do..." Seuss

AKTI # BA00013


 
Well I have not really tested it but I like it so far.

I looked at 12 and all worked fine. All edges where razor sharp. The design fits my hand very well and the knife is comfortable. The Speed safe is as close to street legal auto as you can get and it is addicting to play with. For the money it is a great buy IMHO.



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Hey, thanks for the responses everyone! I do appreciate the input. The comment was made that I might want to consider saving up for ricochet, random task, or mini task, for the better steel. I'd like to, except that I've handled the Black Out several times and am supremely satisfied with the blade and handle designs, and, though I haven't handled the others mentioned above, I don't really like the blade designs and I'm not too sure about the handles.

Anyhow, I posted a similar message on another board, and got a number of similar responses. The theme so far seems to be that, though it isn't the best steel available, it's ok & sharpens up nice. They seemed to feel that, as long as I like other aspects, I shouldn't let the steel stand in my way too much.

Anyway, I'm too long winded (sorry).
smile.gif

Thanks for the tips and I'm excited to use this forum to further expand my knowledge. Thanks again!

---Grendel
 
Grendel,

Just so you understand, the Random Task, Richochet etc. use the same opening mechanism but aren't the same knife. They have blades of high tech 440V steel, full liners and polished G-10 scales. The Blackout has a 440A blade and Zytel handle. Those are the things that make up the price difference.

All of these knives are very popular. I don't believe we've ever had one returned. My partner was going through the inventory the other day saying he needed a pocket knife. He could have picked nearly any knife in the industry. I thought he'd take a Sebenza. Guess what he chose? A Blackout. He flicked it open and said "cool." Take care.

------------------
Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com


 
I have owned a new version Random Task and Ricochet and sold them both. Although I loved the steel, they were too hard to get started opening, and yes, I loosed up the pivot screw some. On the other hand, checked out a black out and it was much easier to open. I believe they have redesigned the Speed Safe ramps so that on the blackout they are not as steep as the RT and Richochet and that is why it is a much easier opener. Ken Onion hangs out here, is my suspicion correct? If not, why are the blackouts so much easier to open?
 
I own a Black Out and I must say I was very impressed with the factory edge. Very sharp, I cut myself the first day I had it. It feels good in your hand and I like the way it opens. If I had my druthers I'd druther It had a larger thumb stud. My opinion, it has that "neat" factor and is a very good knife for the money.

------------------
For the Weapons of our warfare are not of this world but mighty through God to demolish strongholds
 
Chief,

Is it possible that you had the older version of Task? Mine are always easy to open. I used to have the earlier Tasks (with the slanted thumbstuds), and they were slightly difficult to open. I returned them to Kershaw and they replaced mine with newer models.

Ken Onion, if you ever read this: how many incarnation has the Kershaw Random Task gone through?

------------------
Reynaert
Fayetteville, AR


 
In addition to all the above-mentioned
positives, I'm impressed that my Black-out
has 0 blade-play....even after several
hundred openings and light cutting chores.
Also, it's very light and just the right
size for every-day carry and utility jobs.
 
Frantium,
I have had both slanted and flat thumb studded models. I felt both were significantly harder to open than the new black out version. I like the black out version and just wish it had the CPM440V blade as I am a huge fan of CPM440V. In fact, my Starmate is waiting at the Post Office for me to pick it up. The main reason I bought it is the CPM440V blade.
 
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