daizee
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2009
- Messages
- 11,085
Just picked up my new Kershaw Camber from the PO.
I wanted this knife since it was shown at BLADE because I wanted a 3" EDC flipper in a modern steel. This really seemed to fit the bill.
Fit and finish is good for its price point. I won't complain. The track-tech (sp?) inserts are ok when new. We'll see how they wear. The flipper and A/O works fine, and the blade is centered. The pocket clip is tip-up-only, which bothers me, but is common so I'll get used to it (I carry IWB, not pocket).
So the big question is: Can it be de-assisted?
Answer: YES!
This is a brilliant 'manual' flipper. It takes only a slight rotation of the wrist to snap the blade out neatly with the torsion bar removed. I do NOT like A/O, and this would have been a deal-breaker if it were made like the Leek without a detent. THANK YOU, Kershaw.
The blade finish is very good, very smooth. The edge is a bit obtuse - I need to figure out what edge angles are good for S30V. It came acceptably sharp, but I quickly passed it over my fine diamond stone to improve it some.
The bad news: This is NOT a 3" knife, Kershaw!! BAD BAD BAD. This blade is 3.125" long, measured handles-to-tip, which is how the ABS measures and how my state police measure by law. This knife is illegal in 3" locales. Man, it really frosts me when a manufacturer claims they're selling a 3" knife and it's not true. I've had to modify several blades over the years, but why... WHY?!?!? Since knives are so often regulated on blade length, why would you violate your stated sizes right on the inch boundaries (for the US market)? Buying a 3" knife and getting 'a littl extra' is NOT a bonus! Give me 2.95" instead.
Two other offenders come to mind: CRKT M16 (the little one), Ka-bar Phat Bob (the Phat Bob turned into a SWEET rigging profile, better than the original)
Good news: the blade shape lends itself nicely to shortening. (see picture)
Also, the flipper/guard area turns a nice big handle into a barely-4-finger handle with the blade really far away. Not as bad as the Benchmade Mini-Grip, tho. That stinks. Boy, I'd sure like a Spyderco 50/50 choil on this one. Hmmm.... already have to modify the blade... Hmmmm....
I'll update this thread when I have more time with it and after the mods are done.
I wanted this knife since it was shown at BLADE because I wanted a 3" EDC flipper in a modern steel. This really seemed to fit the bill.
Fit and finish is good for its price point. I won't complain. The track-tech (sp?) inserts are ok when new. We'll see how they wear. The flipper and A/O works fine, and the blade is centered. The pocket clip is tip-up-only, which bothers me, but is common so I'll get used to it (I carry IWB, not pocket).
So the big question is: Can it be de-assisted?
Answer: YES!
This is a brilliant 'manual' flipper. It takes only a slight rotation of the wrist to snap the blade out neatly with the torsion bar removed. I do NOT like A/O, and this would have been a deal-breaker if it were made like the Leek without a detent. THANK YOU, Kershaw.
The blade finish is very good, very smooth. The edge is a bit obtuse - I need to figure out what edge angles are good for S30V. It came acceptably sharp, but I quickly passed it over my fine diamond stone to improve it some.
The bad news: This is NOT a 3" knife, Kershaw!! BAD BAD BAD. This blade is 3.125" long, measured handles-to-tip, which is how the ABS measures and how my state police measure by law. This knife is illegal in 3" locales. Man, it really frosts me when a manufacturer claims they're selling a 3" knife and it's not true. I've had to modify several blades over the years, but why... WHY?!?!? Since knives are so often regulated on blade length, why would you violate your stated sizes right on the inch boundaries (for the US market)? Buying a 3" knife and getting 'a littl extra' is NOT a bonus! Give me 2.95" instead.
Two other offenders come to mind: CRKT M16 (the little one), Ka-bar Phat Bob (the Phat Bob turned into a SWEET rigging profile, better than the original)
Good news: the blade shape lends itself nicely to shortening. (see picture)
Also, the flipper/guard area turns a nice big handle into a barely-4-finger handle with the blade really far away. Not as bad as the Benchmade Mini-Grip, tho. That stinks. Boy, I'd sure like a Spyderco 50/50 choil on this one. Hmmm.... already have to modify the blade... Hmmmm....
I'll update this thread when I have more time with it and after the mods are done.
