Kershaw Ener-G folder

Joined
Jun 15, 2004
Messages
1,434
I've been meaning to buy one of these knives for a while now, and I finally managed to get my hands on this one recently. This is the Kershaw Ener-G flipper, and it is one of the best production folder designs that I have ever seen or handled.

Designed by the highly respected Lee Williams, the Ener-G features a 2 7/8" swedged drop point blade of Sandvik 13C26 stainless steel and textured gray G-10 handles with black Trac-Tec inserts for added grip. The knife is sized perfectly for maximum versatility; it is large enough to accomplish the overwhelming majority of cutting tasks yet small enough to be carried just about anywhere without fear of scaring others around you. The ergonomics of the handle are exemplary in both standard and reverse grip positions. The blade shape, as one would expect with a drop point, breezes though just about any knife chore that you can throw at it.

What really sets the Ener-G apart from other production folders, though, is how easily and quickly it can be opened by the user. The non-spring-assisted folder features Lee's patented Kick Stop, which is a flipper tab separate from the blade that doubles as a stop pin.

The benefit of the Kick Stop is twofold. First, the mechanism allows the flipper tab to be made any shape or size in any location on the knife and still not stick out the bottom of the handle when the knife is open. On the Ener-G, this benefit is utilized in that the flipper tab is in a more ergonomically sound position on the handle for me than would be possible without the Kick Stop. Second, the Kick Stop creates a longer flip stroke in the action, making the flipper even faster and easier to open, especially for novices and for those who have struggled with flipper openers in the past.

I am happy to report that from my experience, the Kick Stop is a huge success. To me, it is the easiest non-spring-assisted opening mechanism for a knife in existence, and in locales where spring assist is illegal to carry, the Kick Stop makes a great alternative.

As a fan of the Ener-G, I would really like to see a limited run of these made with some Japanese or Crucible super-steel blades and titanium framelock handles, but the current offerings of this model make great EDCs, and I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone interested in a great, low-cost production folder.

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Thanks for the review. Nice pics. Nice link to video. I would love a titanium frame lock model.
 
Great pics and a video to boot. Nicely done. That high flat grind looks like quite the slicer.
 
Nice writeup Ken. I've got the large version and couldn't agree with you more on the kick stop. It is definitely the best production manual flipper I've ever used. The ENER-G has some tough competition in that area from fellow Kershaw knives like the Groove and JYD, so it's got to be that good to set itself apart. Also, I imagine the chances of seeing a sprint run with upgraded handle and blade materials are pretty fair considering what they've recently done with the Leek, JYD and Blur.
 
great review and pix.....I have one and agree it's one of the easiest flippers to deploy, well.... maybe the JYD2 is as easy (if not easier) :thumbup:
 
Very good write-up. I just got one this week on a trade. Mine's the same model & it was a pleasant surprise. The execution of the knife & the opeing mechanism is excellent. However, I question some of what they did with the knife. To me, the "skateboard tape" (Trac tape, or whatever it's called), doesn't look that good with G-10 & the fient white outline on the shapes that run along the handle aren't that attractive, IMHO.

However, the execution of the knife is great. One of my complaints with Kershaw's other small manual flipper (The JYD I), is that the blade appears too small to utilize inertia & the JYD I doesn't flip open as easily/quickly as the JYD II. I don't have a NRG-2 to compare the smaller NRG to, but it opens well. Maybe not 100%, but it seemed much better than the JYD I.

All in all, I think the NRG will make a very good traveling folder. It's quick to get into action, but is not "scary" looking, so it appears to be a great folder to take anywhere.

Thanks again, for the write-up.
 
I just scored one on friday.

By the way thanks for the review.

I am liking mine more and more but I still dig on my Groove moreso.

I agree , the traction tape stuff is horrid , I do not like it at all and am thinking on ways to replace it with something else.
I would have preferred full G10.

What I like most about it is how thick the liners are , this is a really solid knife , I do wish it had just a bit more point to the blade though.

All in all I'm pleased with my purchase.
 
Good review. How do you find opening it if you get a little debris in there? Does it block it or slow it down?
 
Thanks for the kind words and comments, everyone!

Good review. How do you find opening it if you get a little debris in there? Does it block it or slow it down?

I've gotten some pocket lint and dirt into the pivot area before, and it doesn't block or slow down the action at all. The knife's action doesn't really rely on smoothness, because when you flip the Kick Stop tab, it puts so much force on the blade that it just flies open.
 
nice review. I just got one too and its quite the knife for the price. Only mine doesnt "fly" open like that one in the vid.
 
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