Kershaw Chive and Scallion owners....

KBR

KBR

Joined
Feb 12, 2002
Messages
1,525
What do you Chive and Scallion owners think of these knives? I recently noticed them at the local Wallymart and can't make up my mind on which to choose. Although the reasonable prices on each might convince me to just get both.:rolleyes: I also had my eye on the Vapor and Vapor II. (The size and weight is just about right for EDC.)

Your opinions and feedback are appreciated.
 
Right now pretty much the only Kershaw speedsafe I like is the Chive. Very functional blade design for such a small knife. I have a friend who abuses the edge on hers and has no problem putting a hair shaving edge back on the blade. It's design is small and tame enough so it doesn't scare non-knife people out there. A nice complement to my bigger edc.

Don't like any of the Vapors. I don't like the handle. Not thick or contoured enough for a secure grip.
 
I bought my Chive sight unseen (well ok there was a picture)for $27.99 from Botach Tactical (yea I know). I didn't want a knive-honest-I was only there to buy a flashlight.

Initial observations: Even though I READ the description before I bought it, I still thought it was tiny; it is also very FLAT (a great feature imho). Well-finished, good weight for a small knife (I like to know it's there), sharp as a tac out of the box. Too small for me to trust it riding on its clip in my pocket though-it FEELS like it could work its way out. I usually carry mine loose IN my pocket.

I'd read about but never had seen the 'assisted opening' feature. I was surprised by how much torque this little sucker puts out. I confess to not paying much attention once after I had removed the clip, I 'activated' it right out of my hand (luckily on carpet)! Suffice to say the clip is back on. When a knife is this small there is little scale to get a good purchase on when 'firing' it.

More on the 'Speedsafe' feature: One thing I'd really like to mention is the lock. In my opinion, the lock IS necessary because the action of this knife is pretty sensitive. It takes little force on the small hump of the blade that protrudes out the back of the frame to get the blade to fire out. Although I have not carried this knive in my pocket (clipped or otherwise) UNLOCKED to really see if it would fire, I feel it is too easy to open to leave it unlocked. So basically, you have a really neat feature on a knife you have to 'unlock' to use the feature. Kind of defeats the purpose for having the feature in the first place. I can open my Co-Pilot faster, because it doe not need to be unlocked first. If the darn blade was not so GOOD, I might try carrying it unlocked, but it would be like carrying an unsheathed scapel in your pocket if it were to open. Understand that if it were to open in your pocket, it would NOT 'explode' out of the scales and tear into you! It could however open just enough to leave the tip exposed. This is the only caveat I have against this knife.

Overall, it is a well made, very sharp handy little blade. Also the slight recurve allows it to cut much more efficiently than if the blade were of a traditional design. Except for the above warning on the speed safe it is a decent little knife-more gimmicky and less practical than a small Spyderco.

Mongrel
 
Get used to putting it on safety - if you value your hands or your pockets. They like to come open at the darnedest times...

I have a Chive and it stays at home in a box. shoot me an email dan@pendentive.biz
 
I have both, the chive is the shiny black boron coated one & the scallion is black plastic-y handled.

I like the size better on the scallion, but prefer the frame lock on the chive as well as the metal handle.

I saw somewhere that they are coming out with coloered metal handles on the scallion, but thing they are staying with the liner lock.

My wish is that they would make a "scallion-sized" Chive, metal handle, frame lock & matte finished black boron handle & blade.

Overall both are nice, but if only getting one, I would get the scallion because of the size.

Hope this helps.
 
I have the 50/50 edge Scallion and it has become one of favorite knives.
It does'nt have a high-performance steel but the blade shape and design is outstanding. I especially like the very thin tip for delicate work and the serrations are great for thick tough stuff.

My everyday carry is a 50/50 VG-10 Spyderco Endura (purchased only 3 weeks ago) but at work I carry the Scallion. I think the Endura would be alittle too much for my patients at the hospital.
But the Scallion is'nt really that big and looks less threatening.
It cuts very well and can handle big jobs for such a small knife.

Before I got the Scallion, I carried a Meerkat at work but the Scallion seems more sturdy and I like the blade design better. And I really like the pocket-clip on the Scallion MUCH MUCH more than the wire clip on the Meerkat.
I don't mind the safety either and I think it's a feature that more liner-locks should offer (a knife once opened in my pocket--no cut but it scared me). It's also hard for me to imagine any situation where the time needed to remove the safety would make any difference.

Another thing about the Scallion:
Playing with it becomes an addiction!
It's just so cool.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
I bought a Chive at Wally weird about three weeks ago.

I haven't carried it as about 5 weeks ago I got a Schrade Green Bruin for my pocket (actually had a smaller Schrade LB - but Dad got it!).

It is fun to play with! And the other reason I don't carry it is my Bruin rides in my left front pocket mixed with change, Mag micro light and a Chapstick. I can stand the Bruin looking old, but not that purty Chive!

Joe Shmoe
 
Thanks for all the info. I like the weight of them both, however, I really had not paid attention to the locks, too busy playing with the blades, (man they're small compared to what I usually carry). I can see where that frame lock would be better than the linerlock, but I still can't make up my mind, so I guess that I'll just have to get them both. :rolleyes: :D :rolleyes:

:eek: :rolleyes: Father's Day IS coming around you know...:rolleyes: :eek:
 
One more thang about my Chive. (I went by the house and got it - it's at the back edge of my right front pocket for now.)

The frame lock on this little critter is the stuff!!! If this is what a Sebenza uses, I'm going to go crazy until I can own one! This thing gets bank vault tight!

OH! has anyone mentioned how sharp these Kershaws are out of the box???

I'm going to Wallyweird later for some other stuff... I'm gonna grab a Vapor while I'm there! (And maybe a Scalion as well - heck it's just a credit card!)

Joe Shmoe
 
I work primarily in office environments and have carried a "pocket knife" since I was a kid.

I picked up a chive when it was first introduced because it was not only "neat", but it was sharp and well made. It was also "cute" enough to get by around people who preceive pointed letter openers a weapon. The Chive's flat profile hides well in the bottom my pocket.

I like the lock but didn't like the hassle of unlocking it each time I needed to use it. I solved the problem by making a form fitting sleeve out of 2-3 oz. leather. Looks kind of classy and eliminates the possibility of the Chive accidently firing in my pocket.

I takes an edge easily and holds it very well. Lock up is consistent, it never fails.

Price point is great. If were to lose it I wouldn't feel bad for very long...I would simply replace it.

For me, the Chive is the perfect EDC.
 
Yesterday, I broke down and went and bought the Chive at Wallyworld (I'll get the Scallion next week.;)) It's an excellent little knife, and that Speed-Safe mechanism is awesome. I was also impressed with the razor sharpness of the blade out of the box, it's a miracle that I haven't cut myself yet. :rolleyes:

I think that my regular EDC (Spyderco Military PE) would be a little too "big" and scare the sheeple for smaller cutting jobs, so the Chive will be excellent for those situations. (Not that I give a darn about being PC with my EDC, I HATE political correctness :mad:!!)

Thanks for all of your input and feedback.
 
I love the Chive, it's earned an almost-permanent spot in the watch pocket of my jeans. That's one of its many huge advantages, that it is flat and small and can fit in a watch pocket so I never even notice it's on my until I need it. I also love the fact that even though the knife is tiny, the ergonomics are surprisingly good. The Chive ends up the knife I reach for first for a whole array of uses, and the speed safe is pretty fun. Coating staying on well, too.

Joe
 
I should note that in all my gushing about the Chive, it's important to keep in mind that in the end, it is a $30 knife with a 2" blade made from, what, 6A? It's important to set your expectations correctly. If you're expecting a Sebenza, or even a Delica, you'll be disappointed. If you set your expectations according to the materials and price, you'll be pleasantly surprised about how easy the knife is to carry, how fun it is to open, and how well such a small knife can actually fit in the hand for use.

Joe
 
I brought a chive for my Dad and a scallion for me. I love both knives, but like the size of the scallion a little better, though am interested in the new metal handled scallion. The speed safe is excellent, and I agree that the safety is necessary. I have not found it a problem however, as I have learned to release it with my little finger while activating the speed safe.

The handle and blade shape are excellent, and as a "pocket" knife it is an excellent value, keeping in mind as a previous member indicated you don't expect a custom knife. For a inexpensive production knife it is a real winner.
 
Joe,

I was wondering about that in another thread.

I have a Vapor (made in China). I can't seem to find a reference to its blade steel -- is it 420/440A or possibly as you suggest AUS-6?

Thanks!

-Jon
 
biogon,
I believe that the blade steel is AUS-6A on the Vapor.

You can check out more info on the Vapor at the Kershaw website at www.kershawknives.com under new products.

;)
 
KBR,

Ah ha! That's where it is!

:)

Thanks. I went to the site, but under the Ken Onion section I couldn't find the Vapor/Vapor II. New products, yep.

AUS-6 is surprisingly good steel for this price range, especially considering that some of the competition is using "Special Surgical Steel" ;)

Thanks for the help.

-Jon
 
the chive is a pretty decent knife i guess, kinda small though, the framelock on it seems to be pretty strong, i'd get the boron one, and i've seen the colord handle one, it's a rainbow anodized color metal handle, not sure if it's titanium heated or just regular stainless with anodized color.
 
I like the Chive better than the Scallion. It's one of the neatest tool/toy you'll find for the price. I like the precise feel and sound of the Chive when its blade is deployed better than the effect I receive with the larger Scallion.

On releasing the locking pin try this method: (1)pinch the handles near the flipper with your thumb and middle finger then (2) slide the locking pin (button) to "off" with you pinkie and finally, (3) flick the flipper with your index finger. Yeah, not the easiest thing to do but it's fun to practice when you don't have anything better to do. ;)

Another suggestion I have is to look for one of those cheap SAK imitation "Classic" folders (the tiniest model)--it sometimes come with a "genuine imitation" leather (i.e., cheap plastic) sheath. The Chive fits perfectly into that sheath--ala Wm Henry knives--for those who don't mind pocket sheath carry. The Chive is not a tactical knife so rapid deployment should not be an issue.
 
I bought my girlfriend a Chive for Christmas and she loves it; she's carried it every day since.

She's an Art teacher at a local high school and she uses it at work almost every day. (We Canadians aren't quite as insane as you Americans when it comes to "knives" at school.) She told me just yesterday "This knife rocks".

Good edge holding for what she uses it for, small enough not to scare anyone, and obviously very useful to her.

Pierre
 
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