Kershaw ECHO sprint run or re-release possibility?

[chiral.grolim]

Greetings Kershaw fans.

I currently own only one Kershaw knife, a 1740BLK (nice little scalpel with the best flipper-design I have come across), but I have had my eye on the Kershw ECHO for years. Ever since handling the Echo, I've felt that every other knife falls short in handle design. The light-weight and excellent blade geometry & design further enhance my respect for this knife.

HOWEVER, the Echo is made in China and only offered with a terrible sheath and very soft 8Cr13MoV (reported to be ~54Rc). Even if the steel is on par with Sandvik 13C26, that hardness is far below what is attainable or at all recommended for a hunting/skinning knife where edge-retention should supersede toughness. I have experienced 8Cr13MoV at that hardness before, and the edge seems unwilling to remain intact, continually rolling/flattening and then cracking away. I cannot justify spending even $30 on a knife which would require that much maintenance to keep a sharp edge.


So my question is, would anyone else like to see this knife re-released as a Made in USA model with 13C26 or 14C28N steel hardened to at least 60 Rc, and perhaps packaged with a decent sheath? I would consider such a knife to be a significant upgrade, but I am not sure what the pricing would end up at, perhaps ~$60. I have read that a previous version included a quality leather sheath and used Aus-8 steel though I have not heard what hardness they were tempered to. Can Kershaw enlighten me/us regarding this knife?

 

[KnottyEagle]

I've handled an earlier version of the Echo and I have to agree that the handle is very comfortable and ergonomic. I can't stand to the sharpness of the AUS-8 or anything about it for that matter as I didn't cut anything with it. The sheath was decent as well. I wouldn't mind an updated run of them.

You could also look into a couple of other offerings of fixed blades that Kershaw/ZT have to offer. The Skyline Fixed Blade is great IMO.

 

[chiral.grolim]

I've handled an earlier version of the Echo and I have to agree that the handle is very comfortable and ergonomic. I can't stand to the sharpness of the AUS-8 or anything about it for that matter as I didn't cut anything with it. The sheath was decent as well. I wouldn't mind an updated run of them.

You could also look into a couple of other offerings of fixed blades that Kershaw/ZT have to offer. The Skyline Fixed Blade is great IMO.

The Skyline FB offers me hope that this Echo re-release could be accomplished for a very reasonable price. However, the Skyline, both folder and fixed, features among the WORST ergonomics of any knife of that size that I have ever handled, which I think is reason enough to push the Echo forward. I truly cannot understand the popularity of the skyline series.

 

[JuJu-]

The Skyline FB offers me hope that this Echo re-release could be accomplished for a very reasonable price. However, the Skyline, both folder and fixed, features among the WORST ergonomics of any knife of that size that I have ever handled, which I think is reason enough to push the Echo forward. I truly cannot understand the popularity of the skyline series.

To each their own! I wouldn't go as far as saying the worst ergonomics of any knife I have ever held though. It is comfortable enough in my hand. The Echo I got my father was pretty comfortable though. The only thing it lacked was a ton of grip. Change the texturing slightly and its taken care of, or just make a set of scales.

He has been happy with his and the edge retention seems to be a bit better than you are describing. He skinned and quarted 4 or 5 deer this past December with one touch up. Thats good enough in my book. I think it has to be a touch bit higher rockwell than what you described. Probably 57-58.

 

[KnottyEagle]

The Skyline FB offers me hope that this Echo re-release could be accomplished for a very reasonable price. However, the Skyline, both folder and fixed, features among the WORST ergonomics of any knife of that size that I have ever handled, which I think is reason enough to push the Echo forward. I truly cannot understand the popularity of the skyline series.

I don't understand how you could say It's the worst, but ok.

 

[chiral.grolim]

I could go into detail about ergonomics and objective analysis, but suffice it to say that the overall design of the ECHO knife, apart from steel type and what I've read about the HT, is FAR superior to that of the skyline.


I would pay more than double it's current price for an Echo made with the steels listed above and of confirmed hardness @ at least 60 Rc, and a decent sheath. I would pre-order such a knife in a heart-beat. But is this unlikely to ever happen?

Are there any Echo-owners out there who can comment on performance of the current model?

 

[Kai Corp.]

The Echo has been disco'd for a few years now. There are no plans for a re-release. As far as US Made, other than the 108X series (which is currently set for end of life in 2014) there is really nothing from the factory here in Tualatin that is scheduled as far as a fixed blade in that genre.

As to the HT on 8CR, I'm unsure where the 54 Rc reported figure came from, but itis incorrect. As it is 57-59 Rc would be the norm.

Took out an old orange handled Echo to show the point.

 

[KnottyEagle]

I could go into detail about ergonomics and objective analysis, but suffice it to say that the overall design of the ECHO knife, apart from steel type and what I've read about the HT, is FAR superior to that of the skyline.


I would pay more than double it's current price for an Echo made with the steels listed above and of confirmed hardness @ at least 60 Rc, and a decent sheath. I would pre-order such a knife in a heart-beat. But is this unlikely to ever happen?

Are there any Echo-owners out there who can comment on performance of the current model?

To each his own I guess.

 

[JuJu-]

And here I thought I did comment on its performance...huh

 

[chiral.grolim]

And here I thought I did comment on its performance...huh

You reported on its performance second-hand, not as a personal owner/user. But thank you for it, as that has been the only use-response so far!

The Echo has been disco'd for a few years now. There are no plans for a re-release. As far as US Made, other than the 108X series (which is currently set for end of life in 2014) there is really nothing from the factory here in Tualatin that is scheduled as far as a fixed blade in that genre.

As to the HT on 8CR, I'm unsure where the 54 Rc reported figure came from, but itis incorrect. As it is 57-59 Rc would be the norm.

Took out an old orange handled Echo to show the point.

^ THIS is a post beyond what I'd expect from most manufacturers! Not only a statement of reassurance regarding the hardness but also pictures to confirm! Wow.

Am I too easily impressed? From this response, I am going out to find/purchase a Kershaw Echo TODAY, despite the sheath and non-US manufacture, confident at least that the reported hardness truly was low (perhaps the result of a user over-heating the edge during machine-sharpening). I am sorry to hear that there isn't any plan to re-release the model as US-made, but I am continually glad that US-manufacture of Kershaw knives continues! I am a former resident of Portland and have driven past the Tualatin site on more than one occasion as my wife used to work at a "birth center" in Tualatin.

Thank you, Kershaw, for your dedication to customer service! :thumbup: