Kershaw Chill for EDC

K

Killtation

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Apr 3, 2013
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So the EDC I've had for a couple years now (Victorinox Sentinel) has finally given out, The blade snapped.
The lock on this knife was always one of my big concerns, with very very little lateral force the lock would fail and the blade would close so when using it for medium-hard cutting tasks i had to be very careful.

I've decided upon the Kershaw Chill for my next EDC but i've got a couple questions for those out there who may own one.

Is blade centering okay, and does it hold up over time?

Is the lock up early or late and does it hold up over time?

Can this knife be trusted for medium-hard use?

I'm aware it falls into the budget category so you can't trust it for much but from the opinions of owners how does this knife hold up over time?
 
Blade centering and lockup may change knife to knife.

Anything designed by RJ Martin automatically gives me the tingles but as far as how hard you can push it? I dunno, it's a liner lock, not a fixed blade.
 
The chill was the one of the first knives I ever bought. I still carry mine sometimes, it's a great EDC knife. Here are a couple pics of blade centering and lockup.

Chill_Centering.jpg


Chill_Lockup.jpg


Medium use is probably fine, but I'm not sure I would trust this knife for hard use. The liners feel a little too thin to try putting any lateral force on the blade. I still trust the lock though, it feels surprisingly solid. When I started getting nicer knives, I stopped carrying my chill. One of the problems was that it did not flip consistently for me. I modified it a little to flip better, and even with knives worth 15-20x as much I still carry the chill sometimes! For the price, I think it's the best folder you can get.
 
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Yeah, i know it's nothing close to a Fixed blade and honestly i prefer framelocks. I do not like linerlocks and i don't see why they're more common than framelocks and how companies like Spyderco charge well over a hundred dollars for a knife with good steel, good handle scales.... and a thin linerlock. In my perfect world all folders would be framelocks. With this being said I'm on a 20-30 dollar budget for my next EDC and this is the best i've found though i am completely open to suggestions.

Once i get an EDC i like to carry every day of my life and use it mainly until it gives out. I also carry a backup knife, a small folder, and a backup for my backup, a 3 blade Winchester. (It's like a toothpick design but it's not a toothpick, what are these called? I know a lot on the lines of folders and a bit about fixedblades but nothing of old fashioned multi-blade knives)

Let me rephrase my questions.

If i carry this knife for the next two years, every day, using it for mostly light and some medium cutting tasks will the blade hold up? Will the liner lock become way late to the point of bladeplay (My biggest concern, i want 0 bladeplay) and will all the screws just fall out like i've had some knives do in the past?
 
The lockup will change from knife to knife but mine is between early and late and is fairly strong. It is a thin light slim knife that also has a thin liner lock due to just the thin mess of the knife. The lock up is solid for me but I only use it for basic office and light EDC. Cutting cardboard, opening packages, food prep if you want. Basic lightweight tasks, but it might handle some light medium use I have just not put it through that but it will cut cardboard and whittle.
 
I EDC a Chill and have never had any issues with them. I only use them for light to moderate stuff though. No medium to heavy work. For $20 a pop I use and abuse them then grab another one out of my safe.

The lock up on the one I have been carrying for about 4 months is approx. 55% right now and it flips just fine.
 
Been carrying a Chill for about 3 years. Just bought a second one for backup. Perfect size for me, and very fast.
 
Check out Dave (Kershawguy) for the best prices and fastest shipping. He just got back from the warehouse sale so you never know what he might have
 
The Chill is a nice knife. Very thin and light and provides a good length of blade. It's also fun to flip.

You could also send the Sentinel back to Victorinox. They may very well replace it for you.
 
The Kershaw Volt SS is a framelock version of the Chill with a longer blade and handle. It will be heavier being all stainless, but is a framelock and might feel a little more sturdy.

The Cryo 2 is also an option in that same range.

Kershaw has many many knives in the $30 price range to choose from and all of them should hold up just fine.
 
I've actually been looking at the Volt SS for a while now. I'm in love with it, to be honest with you. I completely forgot it was in that price range. For such a quality (and not to mention beautiful) knife i would expect it to cost more. That is the perfect suggestion, thank you.
 
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