Kershaw E.T.?

[musashipug]

While getting the action of the knife down, I did cut my index and middle fingers. Not really bad. I cut the hell out of my leg, but that was of no fault of the knife. But it can be tricky, especially when you are 5-6 beers deep sitting in front of the TV playing with it.

I should mention that i never cut myself using the one handed toggle method, just being drunk and careless.

I found one at a gun/knife show, solid black with the combo edge. The action is fun to work with in a "tricky" way. I managed to get my first cut while driving home from the show, not bad. Later doing the TV/Beer drill mentioned by Colog I got cut doing the one hand close move, once again not enough for stiches but this knife has some unique dangers that I wouldn't recommend for EDC, driving, and watching T.V. while doing the "12 ounce curls". :{)

 

[pythondrummer]

thanks for all the replies. the E.T. sounds cool, but i think i might hold off on it for now and get a more traditional knife. maybe i'll get an E.T. later.

for now, i'm looking at the Kershaw: Large Cyclone, Spec Bump, Speed Bump (not so sure what the difference between the two is), and the Spyderco Endura 4 Wave. any others like these i should know about?

i would prefer an assisted open and i also like the wave.

 

[samhain73]

The kershaw leek is a 3" blade, is that big enough? Camillus makes some larger assisted blades for cheap. Personally I'd pay for better materials than assisted opening. I stand by my original list and would add the endura 4 waved ($53, a kind of assist blade) and Camillus Heat ($50, cheaper steel, assist). Some of the knives I suggested are on the smaller side, but all those companies offer large blades.

Check here: http://newgraham.com/ and here: http://www.gpknives.com/ for prices.

The heat has better blade steel than the leek. AUS8(440B) vs 440A. Unless you mean only the S30V one, if so, than you must compare that to the Dominator.

 

[diversionmary]

The heat has better blade steel than the leek. AUS8(440B) vs 440A. Unless you mean only the S30V one, if so, than you must compare that to the Dominator.

I was thinking that it was cheaper in materials compared to other brands (bm/spyderco), but I didn't realize the leek was such poor steel. I suppose for a gentlemen's/light duty knife 440* would hold up.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Kershaw is moving up fast with higher-end steels on new models, so you have to be careful with the older models. Still, the Leek is more of a gentleman's knife or an office EDC, and 440A isn't bad for light use.

All the Bumps are big knives with extreme recurves. Very nice quality, too.

If you'd like to try a big Kershaw for a bargain price, check out the Storm or the slightly larger Storm II. Once you get it broken in, that tiny flipper works as slick as their assisted openers.

 

[nelsonmc]

I can't help but to think CRKT when I see the ET... Looks like something they would put out, not Kershaw.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I can't help but to think CRKT when I see the ET

Grant & Gavin Hawk did get started in production models with CRKT.

 

[Jnak]

I have 2 ETs one combo edge and a rainbow blade. Once you play around with it the spring will be looser and will allow for a more fluid motion of the action. My combo edge is a edc but the rainbow stays in the box. The ET is bulky but I hardly notice it when I carry it.

 

[Andrew Taylor]

Another vote for the Kershaw Cyclone. I have one in my back pocket right now. It is a passaround knife and I have to give it back tomorrow. The blade is Sandvik 13C26. The scales are black anodised aluminium. It is a great knife, shaving sharp, retains the edge, Assisted Opening by flipper or thumbstud and if you so desire, you can turn the AO off.

http://www.kershawknives.com/knivesTools/images/cycloneRO.jpg

 

[pythondrummer]

cool. i think i've pretty much narrowed it down to:

Kershaw Cyclone (large) - looks like an awesome knife. i loved the youtube video. it has a real nice sized blade and looks like it can be used for some serious applications. I'm just not sure if i should get serrated or plain. at my job, i cut a lot of boxes, tape, rope, and plastic tubing.

Spyderco Endura 4 Wave - again, looks like an awesome knife with a good sized blade. i think the wave feature is amazing. the only thing i dont like about this one is the lock. it seems to me that it would be difficult to quickly close with one hand. Can anyone with this knife please tell me how they like the lock?

Kershaw ZDP-189 Titanium Leek - originally, i didnt really like the look of this knife. it seems kind of small to me and a little weak looking, however, lurking on the forums, i have read so many good things about this model. the advantage to this knife would probably be a very quick AO, a super sharp blade, and a great quality blade. the disadvantage is that the blade is ok sized and again, the weak factor.


If i could, i would get all of them, but for now, i'll just get one. please help me figure out which knife is for me and what type of blade.

thanks so much for the help.

 

[diversionmary]

One handed closing:
The two kershaws are liner/mono locks, where you use your thumb to move the lock out of the way, then your forefinger to bring the blade in past the lock, then close it all the way on your hip.

The spyderco is a spine lock, you press in with your thumb, then swivel close on your hip.

All three can be closed quickly and safely with one hand with practice. Personally I'd opt for serrations. I generally like them if I can get them, even if they are more difficult to sharpen.

My vote would be between the endura and the cyclone. I've had several enduras (pre wave and pre liner) and they've been excellent. VG-10 is a great steel as well.

The cyclone is no slouch. I've never owned or handled that model though.
I suppose your choice is between AO and the wave feature, which requires that you wear it in your front pocket, or in something with the wave knob up against a seam to get caught on to activate. Have you seen these wave quick draw sleeve/sheaths? They are kydex molded so that when you pull the endura from it, the kydex opens it for you.

 

[KFLEISIG]

I would recommend against the E.T. I liked the unusual flare of it myself when I first discovered it. I bought it and have been disappointed. It is really all show and no go. It is awkward to operate, can be uncomfortable where the ribbing rubs against your finger, and is likely to cut you. This is by no means a criticism of Kershaw as a whole though. With the exception of the E.T., I love Kershaws. Just stick with the Ken Onion line.

The Cyclone seems to be a good mid-grade knife. It has a solid design with good quality components, and is an assisted opener. On thing to be aware of is that the toggle for turning the assist on and off has a tendency to fail.
Another knife in this class, that I have not seen mentioned, is the Kershaw Blur. It is also assisted, about the same size, and has a very usable design. My only criticism of the Blur is that the Trac-Tec inserts are overly abrasive, like grip tape on a skateboard.

I have an Endura 4 Wave on the way right now, so that tells you what I think of it. It has a high grade blade steel, full steel liners for strength, FRN scales for grip, that great Wave feature, Spyderco quality, and a great price. You can't go wrong.

The Ti-ZDP Leek is very popular, it is made of top of the line materials, and has a frame lock, which is the best available in my opinion. I understand that they are not easy to come by though, and if you do find one, NOT cheap. They are also a rather small knife. The leek is a popular model, so you should be able to find one in a store. If you think this might be the one you want, I would recommend handling one in a store just to get a feel for its size, but buy online, you will spend much less.
If you do like the leek, but can't find or afford a Ti-ZDP, there are other trim packages available. The base model has a 440A blade which is just fine for the level of use that a knife that size is intended for. If you want something better, there is the S30V blade. S30V is a high grade steel and will retain an edge better, but remember, it will be harder to sharpen as well.

One other knife in this class that you might want to consider is the Benchmade Griptillian line. High quality blade steel, and available in two different blade designs, one with a thumb stud, and one with a thumb hole. They also have the axis lock which is very strong and easy to operate one handed.

Sorry for the long post, hope you find what you are looking for.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Normally, I wouldn't buy serrated and especially not combo edges anymore. But considering what you cut, I'd say get a combo edge. I used to have the same kind of work to do in the post office, and a combo edge is made for that sort of coarse material.

My only AO is a plain edge S30V Leek. I like the looks of the Cyclone, but can't speak from experience.

The Endura Wave, now ... that's a great knife. Very fast since it opens itself, and the blade is long and strong. diversionmary is referring to the Speed Dialer by Normark, that pops the blade open from the sheath, which you can get for a belt or a shoulder harness. I like the idea but in an office or work floor, opening it from a pocket is no problem, either.

 

[diversionmary]

The Endura Wave, now ... that's a great knife. Very fast since it opens itself, and the blade is long and strong. diversionmary is referring to the Speed Dialer by Normark, that pops the blade open from the sheath, which you can get for a belt or a shoulder harness. I like the idea but in an office or work floor, opening it from a pocket is no problem, either.

Thanks yeah, that's the one. Normark is a user here on bladeforums too, seems to know his stuff.

I have an Endura 4 Wave on the way right now, so that tells you what I think of it. It has a high grade blade steel, full steel liners for strength, FRN scales for grip, that great Wave feature, Spyderco quality, and a great price. You can't go wrong.
...
One other knife in this class that you might want to consider is the Benchmade Griptillian line. High quality blade steel, and available in two different blade designs, one with a thumb stud, and one with a thumb hole. They also have the axis lock which is very strong and easy to operate one handed.

Wow, benchmade with axis lock... or wave... or both!

 

[slotstik]

thanks for all the replies. the E.T. sounds cool, but i think i might hold off on it for now and get a more traditional knife. maybe i'll get an E.T. later.

for now, i'm looking at the Kershaw: Large Cyclone, Spec Bump, Speed Bump (not so sure what the difference between the two is), and the Spyderco Endura 4 Wave. any others like these i should know about?

i would prefer an assisted open and i also like the wave.

a few words:

i get that you're kind of looking for a knife with a 'neat' opening. definately check out benchmade's line of axis locks. high quality knives, and the axis locking mechanism is beautiful. you can start by checking out the 707 (perfect EDC size, IMO) and 710 (significantly larger, but very popular), fun to play with too. benchmade griptillians are available in various styles if you budget is smaller. there are plenty of other benchmades to choose from depending on your style. the 670 and 672 are benchmade's assisted openers, also worth a look.

if you want a knife to play around with and flip around at home, get a balisong.

large cyclone is pretty friggin big. i have one, maybe it's just bigger than what I'm used to. but keep in mind it's a pretty large looking knife. i'm actually wondering if the cyclone in the review on youtube is actually the large version, or really the mini cyclone. now that i have the large version, the youtube video looks smaller. i could be wrong. that being said, i like the knife, it's just a bigger than what i'd feel comfortable carrying as an EDC. of course, some people just like big knives.

 

[Kaizen1]

I would go for either the Endura Wave or the zdp Leek. I'm not sure which one I would choose.

 

[pythondrummer]

awesome replies everyone. thanks again.

my god! there are so many freakin choices! I still like the cyclone and the endura wave, and i'm a little iffy on the leek. still seems like the leek is on the small side for me, but i found some for under $60, so i dunno if i'll get that or not.

Thanks for the link to the wave sheath thats pretty cool.

i like the BM griptilian. it looks awesome. now, i have heard tons of good things about BM's Axis Lock, but i fail to see why these are so amazing. What makes the axis lock so fun and great?

i like the wave too, but i'm still a little concerned with closing it quickly. i'm sure with a little practice, i'll be able to close it well.

so please elaborate on BM's Axis lock, if you could. what is special about it. can you open really quickly and close quickly too?

thanks again.

 

[Kaizen1]

Before I handled one, I couldn't figure out what the hell was so special about the axis or the griptilians either. Initially, the griptilians didn't even appeal to me aesthetically. The axis is incredibly smooth. Yes you can probably open and close it faster than most knives out there. The griptilians are great because you get the axis, above average to very good steels, an very wide assortment of models, colors, blade steel, sizes and blade shapes and they're relatively cheap prices for it's quality. You have to go to a store and play with one before making a decision.

Big complaints from most are the handle material. I have no problem with it at all.

 

[Andrew Taylor]

cool. i think i've pretty much narrowed it down to:

Kershaw Cyclone (large) - looks like an awesome knife. i loved the youtube video. it has a real nice sized blade and looks like it can be used for some serious applications. I'm just not sure if i should get serrated or plain. at my job, i cut a lot of boxes, tape, rope, and plastic tubing.

That is and ideal knife for that job. Personally, I find that serrated edges are little used, whereas the tip and sweet spot are. However, if you cut a lot of plastic tube, a serrated section is a good thing.

Kershaw ZDP-189 Titanium Leek - originally, i didnt really like the look of this knife. it seems kind of small to me and a little weak looking, however, lurking on the forums, i have read so many good things about this model. the advantage to this knife would probably be a very quick AO, a super sharp blade, and a great quality blade. the disadvantage is that the blade is ok sized and again, the weak factor.

I also have a Kershaw ZDP-189 Titanium Leek. There is sharp, and there is scary sharp. I properly sharpened Kershaw ZDP-189 Titanium Leek is just that. It has been pointed out though that it is a cutting knife and not to be abused for fear of breaking the tip. The tip is very thin and narrow, but just like a scalpel.

In your situation, I think the big heavy, full grip Cyclone is a good choice.

 

[Stephan]

wow guys thanks a lot for all the great replies. yeah the E.T. does seem kind of like a gadget type thing, so i'd definitely have to try it out before i buy it.

i was actually just looking for a folder with some sort of assisted opening mechanism. i was hoping to get a decent sized blade. 8-10 cm. and not too expensive, and then i cam across the E.T. and it looked pretty cool.

i'm not really sure if i want partially serrated or not. i'm thinking yes, because i cut a lot of rope, or would a plain blade be be better?

i saw that video some guy made on the large kershaw cyclone and it looks pretty cool. any other knives u guys know about with pretty big blades, and a quick assisted opening mech at a good price (hopefully less than $70).

thanks again for the help.

Spec Bump all the way . .you'll love it. Although I am getting interested in the E.T. for it's origanlity.