Kershaw Double Cross

Gary W. Graley

“Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Mar 2, 1999
Messages
27,468
I've had this knife for a few months now and wanted to report with a small review of how it has performed.

Excellent...

Well maybe I should expound a little more...;)

The main blade has a 2-11/16” clip and a very handy 2-1/8” wharncliff with a needle point. The handle measures 3-1/2”, and weighs in at only 2.2 oz.

I've used this on a variety of things to date, boxes, plastic straps around paper containers, leather trimming the wharncliff excells at! You have a lot of control with the blade being that short, full use of the point, use it to trim hangnails with ease.

Both blades arrived with typical Kershaw Sharpness, they have that down to a real science as I've not seen any of their knives arrive less than hair shaving sharp.

Now for those steel snobs, of which I was one and still am to a certain extent, this knife boasts of AUS 6A steel that takes a very good edge and I've not had to sharpen it much if any at all, some stropping is about it so far. Not bad for such a steel and in a small pocket knife you probably don't need expensive steel to do chores!

It rides in the bottom of my pocket with not too much problem. Both blades are locked in place via a neat trick Kershaw accomplished, they took the middle liner and cut into each end and made a Liner Lock to lock the blades into place, each blade has a thumb stud so you have the best of both worlds. The larger blade cuts so very well, each blade has a fairly thin edge so they really slice quick and deeply.

Point of complaint, well not with this knife per se, but the first one I had the lock was just a tad off on each blade, the blades had some front to back blade play, just enough to drive me crazy, short drive I know, but a quick call to Kershaw, send the knife in and they replaced it with another that has very good lock up, so complaints are nil after that.

Suggestion, Pick one up and put her to use, you'll be glad you did!

G2
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I agree. The Double Cross rocks!!!! It's handy and practical enough that it could very well be the evolution of the traditional slipjoint. It's one of the handiest knives in my collection, and one of the most stylish as well. Everybody who sees or tries it, loves it.

I'd also prefer something better than AUS-6, but I won't cry or anything. My Double Cross has done a lot of whittling, and has held a very good edge. It seems that Kershaw does a hell of a job with their AUS-6.
 
Yep, It's sure a beauty but it's (darn) not really lefty friendly.

I bought one hoping I could adapt to using it and.......nah,
no way for me mate. Sad to say one of my sons will probably
wind up carring it. Oh well...........
 
I've been thinking about one of these for a while as well. I'm also an alloy addict of the worst kind :rolleyes: but when I'm honest with myself, I can almost come to admit that AUS-6 isn't a slouch :)

I notice that there is a cutout for the main blade for one-handed opening. Is there a similar cutout for the wharncliff? How easy is it to open these blades with the thumbstud?

Nice review!

Matthew

P.S. Does the "W" in Gary W. Graley stand for "Wharncliff"? ;) :p :D
 
Originally posted by Starfish
Is there a similar cutout for the wharncliff? How easy is it to open these blades with the thumbstud?

Nice review!

Matthew

P.S. Does the "W" in Gary W. Graley stand for "Wharncliff"? ;) :p :D

Yes Matthew, the wharncliff side has an almost exact cutout for the thumbstud and no...the "W" is for Wayne...I think? ;)

G2
 
I fell in love with a knife design by Murray Sterling back in 1998, I was just amazed at how clever the design was.
http://www.sterlingcustomknives.com/knife1.html
I even contacted Murray about doing one in stag for me, but I never did get around to ordering it. It's still on My Wish List.
Then I saw the Kershaw knife and I said, "Wow, what a neat knife". But, I never got around to ordering one. :(
The Sterling is the one that belongs in my collection, but it sounds like there's nothing wrong with the Double Cross. I'm not surprised Kershaw does a great job.
 
Thanks for the great review! That looks like a really handy design. Anybody know the maximum thickness of the handle? I'm always interested in that since it is a big factor in how comfortable a knife is in the pocket. Hard to tell from the picture, too.

Thanks!
 
Knife is just a smidgen over 1/2" thick, not too bulky to carry...
G2
 
I have one and the quality, fit and finish are outstanding. My one reservation is that when closed, the thumbstuds stick out enough to where I suspect (not proven) that sitting in a pocket, the studs can really wear the pocket material. Therefore I happily own it but rarely carry it. I feel Kershaw and some other companies like SOG and SPyderco, for example, really get the most out of AUS-6, so much so that common complaints against the steel really do not hold much water.
Jim
 
I just picked one of these up and it seems really nice. The finish on the wood and bolsters is impressive. The blades are flat ground with visible but attractive grind lines. The washers are on the small side and there is just a bit of blade-play in the Warncliff on my sample. The knife seems sturdy, but falls short of feeling really solid (not as solid as a Buck 112). A good value for the price.

Not to be a stickler for detail, but I wanted to post different blade length measurements. The ones posted above by Gary agree with those posted on the A.G.Russell website and by my measure seem to be a little short, maybe the length of the cutting edge only.

If anyone is interested in total blade length as measured from blade-tip to the end of the handle, I got 2-11/16" for the clip-point and 2-1/8" for the Warncliff on my sample.

This difference probably won't mean much to most people, but just for complete accuracy, here it is. Also, if you are trying to stay below a 2.5" legal limit somewhere such as in Boston or a federal building, it would make a difference.

Is there any special maintenance needed on the wood scales?
 
Originally posted by Lurker
...Not to be a stickler for detail, but I wanted to post different blade length measurements. The ones posted above by Gary agree with those posted on the A.G.Russell website and by my measure seem to be a little short, maybe the length of the cutting edge only.

If anyone is interested in total blade length as measured from blade-tip to the end of the handle, I got 2-11/16" for the clip-point and 2-1/8" for the Warncliff on my sample.

This difference probably won't mean much to most people, but just for complete accuracy, here it is. Also, if you are trying to stay below a 2.5" legal limit somewhere such as in Boston or a federal building, it would make a difference....

Guilty! I ~Borrowed~ the specs straight from AG Russel's page, as I was missing my scale at my desk when I wrote that up, sorry for any confusion! My kids! what's a parent to do...:D

But I just measured mine as well and it is in line with your measurement of bolster to tip 2 11/16" and the flat grind is what appealed to me the most on this knife, cuts so well !

Thanks Lurker, appreciate that heads up!
As to the wood, not sure on what to do with it, sorry..
G2
 
I got curious about the wood on this knife, so I did some looking. Some of you may be familiar with Stamina Wood, but for those who are not, it is:

"another wood laminate, utilizing wood veneers that have been dyed, than impregnated with phenolic resin and compressed under high pressure and heat. The result is a material that can be worked with woodworking tools, then sanded and polished to a high luster." (AJH Custom Knives)

I didn't see anything on maintenance tips, but it sounds pretty tough to me and shouldn't need any special care like you might need to do on other finished wood.
 
Gary: I agree with your analysis of the Double Cross. I also have one and it seems to be very useful. I find that I carry it in my pocket when I have a larger knife on my belt. Sometimes it is simply not very socially correct to pull out a fixed blade in public. In those situations, the Double Cross comes in handy.

It makes a great pocket knife when I wear that big Tops Magnum in the belt sheath you made for me. As you know, I cannot pull the Magnum out in many situations.
 
Thanks Gary.., nice review! I got one too.., and agree it's a great little guy to have around!

Buzz: I was also skeptical about the Aus-6.., but have been pretty amazed.., so I think you're right about their treamtment of the bladesteel. I also do lots of whittling.., and I'm not particularly kind to this type knife. I think it's a great knife for the $$$$...


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
Well---You guys did it. I had waivered around for a while over this knife, but now I did it. I had to have it.:rolleyes: Should get it in a few days. I'll jump back here and give my impressions.;)
 
Got my Double Cross today, and my initial impressions are very positive. QC, fit and finish are all top rate. I chose this model rather than the larger Double Duty, since I wanted the small wharncliff blade rather than the spey blade on the larger knife. Looks like this one will see a reasonable amount of pocket time.

Thanks to all here for the input. Now I'm off to cut something.;) :) Hopefully not myself:eek:
 
Now ya'all got me thinking again about this little knife. When it first came out, I was seriously considering it for my first slipjoint. I especially liked the locking feature, it's lines, and especially the wharncliff blade. I could take or leave the thumbstuds. The biggest drawback for me was the AUS-6. I have the Kershaw scallion and I can't remember the steel in that for the life of me, but I do know that it is something stainless. I have had no problems with that knife, although it is near the bottom of the drawer since I fell in love with stockmans.:rolleyes:
I guess I'll have to look into this little beauty now.
 
I did not like the Double Cross. I thought it was too wide for two blades, the thumbstuds too hard to use. I was afraid it would open in my pocket. Now everyone raves about it! I start thinking, "maybe I should get another, just to make sure". I am amazed at this forums powers of persuasion. Almost mak8ing me buy a knife I already know I don't like. :eek:

BTW, the qualuity on the DC was first rate, Kershaw is fine, I just did not like this design.
 
Mongo: It's not a slipjoint. It's a liner lock. Both blades operate off the same centrally-located liner.
 
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