Kershaw carabiner knife review

[Stelth]

I bought one of these about a year ago. I wish I had my money back. Simply stated it's chinese junk. The reason I bought it is I thought the exposed bottle opener would be cool for barbecues or parties instead of opening a SAK blade. Wrong. The opener is so skinny it mangles the caps off bit by bit. I could do that with a screwdriver too. Speaking of screwdrivers, the included ones are very small and close to the carabiner frame which means accessing recessed screws sometimes isn't possible. The blade is ok, albeit some lateral movement, when it's locked open. The clip is "locked" by a screwing mechanism...problem is, it comes loose easily.

All in all I give this a thumbs down. My first and last Kershaw purchase.

 

[knivesandguns]

Dude, wow, take it easy... calm down and think straight. Just because you possibly got a manufacturer defect you shun the entire kershaw and ZT line? I think the caribiner is also covered by Kershaw's well renown warranty.

You also could have posted a suggestion that the caribiner have a larger opener instead of bashing them like this. Kershaw values their customers very highly and they love feedback, but not stuff like this....

Good luck being Kershaw/ZT-less, it's going to be a hard life.

 

[Stelth]

Yeah it'll be hard to live without kershaw.
I think I'll go cry on my Strider, Emerson, Al Mar, Benchmades, Spydercos, etc.
And it's not a defect; it's just junk. I've looked over a few others and it's the same thing with those.

 

[offsetlover]

Dude, wow, take it easy... calm down and think straight. Just because you possibly got a manufacturer defect you shun the entire kershaw and ZT line? I think the caribiner is also covered by Kershaw's well renown warranty.

You also could have posted a suggestion that the caribiner have a larger opener instead of bashing them like this. Kershaw values their customers very highly and they love feedback, but not stuff like this....

Good luck being Kershaw/ZT-less, it's going to be a hard life.

agreed. Don't be so quick to judge a ENTIER line that covers everything from the low-end to the high-end just based on a product that is closer to the low end than most everything in the production line.

Have you used the ACTUAL knives that Kershaw puts out? If not then go try them. If you still dont like it, then thats fine, but dont base anything on one perchase that left a bad taste in your mouth.

I can guarentee you that it wont be the same as your experience with the carbiner. IF you get a knife that has blade play, or has issues, then it prolly a defect. It happens. Kershaw can help ya out when you have questions or problems.

To give you an example of the actual knife line, the Oso-sweet and the Skyline are cheap, affordable knives for those who dont want to spend good money for a knife. They are well made and covered by a excellent warranty. The blurs and leeks are more middle of the pack knives as they have Kershaw's mid-range steels. There are versions that are at the high-end area (S30V Blur and Leek, and the Damascus Leek to name a few) too. Some of the high end knives would include the Lahar, Composite JYD2 with CPM D2, Tyrade, Offset, the list goes on. Yes most of these are affordable, but they cover a TON of the market. If you think that the Skyline feels cheap for some reason, then for a little more money you can get a s30v leek.

The knives are excellent from the low-end Oso-Sweet or Skyline to the high-end Tyrade or Offset. The ZT line is a military line and is built that way.

So give kershaw another chance. This goes for any company. Don't base an opinion of a company off of one product.

Feel free to ask us alot of questions. there are alot of guys here who are willing to help out.

 

[Stelth]

I've had so many positive experiences with a dozen other companies why bother. I worked in a gun store in the 90's and we carried the kershaw line. I wasn't impressed enough to buy anything then. Unless things have turned around 180 degrees, why look at them now? I didn't mean to offend anyone I'm just telling my experience.

 

[Antihero17]

Sorry about your bad experience. I dont mean to be rude but maybe you should just get a bottle opener keychain and use an actual screw driver. Sometimes those all-in-one tools just arent very well suited for the jobs they are designed.

I think kershaw makes very nice knives at a very good price point. But something like an all-in-one carabiner just seems kinda gimmicky to me, even if a company like Chris Reeve Knives produced it. I am sure those things have their niche market, but I doubt its among many of the knife enthusiasts of these forums.

 

[knivesandguns]

Stelth, Kershaw has definitely changed since the 90's. I ask you to buy just one of their middle/high end knives, since you are used to buying stuff like that. If you don't like it, you can sell it. If you like striders, try the ZT line. If you like Spyderco's/BM or whatever, try the Spec bump, S30V blur, or composite bladed knives.

Sorry if I sounded harsh in my last post, but it's just that your original post was kind of unsettling.

Good luck

 

[Stelth]

The "problem" was solved the minute I realized it didn't work well. I just use my SAK.
I don't mean to bitch so much over $40 but it just stuck in my craw. The fact that it was made in china really iced it for me. A chinese knife like that isn't worth more than $15.

 

[offsetlover]

If you still dont like it, then thats fine.

I've had so many positive experiences with a dozen other companies why bother. I worked in a gun store in the 90's and we carried the kershaw line. I wasn't impressed enough to buy anything then. Unless things have turned around 180 degrees, why look at them now? I didn't mean to offend anyone I'm just telling my experience.

i quote my post because it is my answer. if you dont like Kershaw, then its your choice. Enjoy what you like. I kno that you are not trying to offend anyone. We just get protective around here. The "cry on my Striders, Emersons..." comment was a tad sarcastic though. That is what will annoy most people. Hopefully it wont though. it is the net.

Just a tip of advice, next time something like this happens with w/e knife company, state some background. Honestly, I didnt like the "last purchase" comment. After you said that you had worked in a gun shop, and were not impressed with them (kershaw) then, then my opinion changed, as has most peoples towards the "last purchase" comment. Pardon us regs being on edge. There have been a bunch of people who have been new posters like yourself that have posted things like you did (the original post), someone commented like K&G and myself did, and they flew off the handle. You didnt do that, and thank ya very much for that. Welcome to the forums and enjoy your stay!

 

[offsetlover]

Stelth, Kershaw has definitely changed since the 90's.

Good luck

yes they have, yes they have. second the good luck!

 

[Antihero17]

The "problem" was solved the minute I realized it didn't work well. I just use my SAK.
I don't mean to bitch so much over $40 but it just stuck in my craw. The fact that it was made in china really iced it for me. A chinese knife like that isn't worth more than $15.

Sorry that you are unhappy with the knife. I have never had a bad exerience though with a U.S. made kershaw. If you dont like kershaw thats fine, you are entitled to your opinion, but to come to a kershaw forum and say that all kershaws are crap doesnt really go over well.

 

[Stelth]

Knivesandguns:
The "cry on my Striders, Emersons..." comment was a tad sarcastic though.

My sarcasm was in response to the sarcastic "it's going to be a hard life" comment...I responded in kind.
As for antihero17, I never said all kershaws are crap; that's your spin.

 

[kershawguy]

First of all , this was not a constructive review , it was a vengeful bashing of a great Knife company ! Yes Kershaw has changed since the nineties , but make no mistake , Kershaw was a fine knife company then too ! If stelth had tested some of the 1400 series knives produced in the mid to late nineties, or the Random tasks, Mini tasks and Ricochets, also from the late Nineties, when he worked at the gun shop, he might be singing a different tune. Can't please everyone all the time, and some people you will never please.

Dave

 

[Thomas W]

Stelth, sorry the 1004 didn't work out for you. If you feel it's defective, send her in for warranty. We'll swap it out for something else if that's of interest.

On the flip side, you're coming off like you have a chip on your shoulder and are seemingly looking for arguments with the other members here in the sub-forum. Look to lighten up a bit, and I think you will find your time on BF's much more productive.

 

[3Guardsmen]

Just because you possibly got a manufacturer defect you shun the entire kershaw and ZT line?

I guess he'd have to shun the Shun line as well.

Stelth,
I've had a few bad ones from some of the brands you mentioned being loyal to, as a matter of fact, lots of people have. When you're knifeknuts like we are, once in a while you'll get dud, but just like the brands you mentioned above, Kershaw has an awesome warranty! I whole-heartedly suggest you utilize it. Let 'em (Kershaw) show you how good they really are!:thumbup:

Regards,
3G

 

[dmonay]

Ok so you have some good quality knives already.
Why don't you pick a Kershaw priced the same as one of your Emmerson or Benchmade ect. knives and try it out, I think you will find that Kershaw makes some very good quality knives for the price of one of the above mentioned knives.

However I must warn you ahead of time:
You may even become a Kershaw convert and addict find that you can't stop buying that next new one, the one that's not like any other knife. Designed by Ken Onion or Frank Centofante or Grant and Gavin Hawk or Lee Williams just to name a few.
And Kershaw has some of the best customer service you will ever come across.
Note the above post by Thomas.

Stick around in this sub forum awhile , give Kershaw a chance. You won't be sorry.

Herb

 

[jujigatame]

As for antihero17, I never said all kershaws are crap; that's your spin.

You clearly expressed that you thought the one you did buy was crap and then indicated you have no inclination to give any of their other products a chance. While you didn't explicitly say "All Kershaws are crap" I can't say I think it was unreasonable for someone to get that impression from the totality of your comments.

It's too bad that one experience has soured you so badly. I understand that happens sometimes, though you do come across as pretty bitter. That kind of vibe, so to speak, doesn't show up much in this forum, so with that in mind perhaps you might understand why the regulars reacted rather strongly to it.

 

[3Guardsmen]

I've seen cheap, Chinese copies of Kershaw's Carabiner Knife floating around. As a matter of fact, I don't recall Kershaw's Carabiner being made in China (Stelth mentioned it being Chinese), though I cannot find mine right now. Does anybody know for a fact where they're made. I know they have AUS-6 blade steel, so unless Kershaw's shipping Japanese steel to China, I have to seriously doubt that it is made there.

Regards,
3G

 

[offsetlover]

I've seen cheap, Chinese copies of Kershaw's Carabiner Knife floating around. As a matter of fact, I don't recall Kershaw's Carabiner being made in China (Stelth mentioned it being Chinese), though I cannot find mine right now. Does anybody know for a fact where they're made. I know they have AUS-6 blade steel, so unless Kershaw's shipping Japanese steel to China, I have to seriously doubt that it is made there.

Regards,
3G

excellent question. wonder if we could get a pic or two of it

 

[SPXTrader]

Stelth, sorry the 1004 didn't work out for you. If you feel it's defective, send her in for warranty. We'll swap it out for something else if that's of interest.

Take Thomas up on his offer. Give him a chance to make it right, and see what happens.

On the flip side, you're coming off like you have a chip on your shoulder and are seemingly looking for arguments with the other members here in the sub-forum. Look to lighten up a bit, and I think you will find your time on BF's much more productive.

Well, I'd just add that while I agree, I think I would have addressed this long before now. After all you did say:

I bought one of these about a year ago.

Now, if it took a year of use to have the tool reach this point, that's a different story completely. However, if it was in the condition you described the day you took it out of the box, I think you should have addressed it at that point. I would have.

But in the end, Thomas has made you an offer. I hope you take him up on it.