Kershaw External Toggle Lock

My opinion is that it's reliable, entertaining, and comes with a great blade. 13C26 in a deeply hollow ground pointy blade is good enough as it is, but add in the Toggle Lock and you've got a lock that survives spine whacks, twists, and contamination better than most other locks out there. Then add in all of the fun flicking it closed and open and a design that lets you do so without seriously fatiguing the lock, frame, or blade without the limited-area legality of a butterfly knife and it's just gravy.

The carabiner clip is handy, too, as is the bottle opener. You can get a more expensive folder with a less reliable lock and no bottle opener or you can get a Kershaw ET1900 External Toggle Lock and have a highly useful folder, money left over for a beverage, and a built in bottle-opener.
 
Smiles! That pretty much sums it up for me was well. However, I've not found a really good use for the blade shape as yet. Yup, I've flipped, piddled, used a box of bandaids, and enjoyed mine a bunch. As a gadget lover it's tops! However, I carry a "using" knife daily, and it isn't my ET. Bottle opener....you betcha! Works great on Mr. Adam's best!

Good point on the "limited-area" liability, I hadn't thought of that one as our laws around here are more liberal.
 
Fun factor: 10/10
Technological interest: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Actual usefulness: 5/10

Just depends what you're looking for. I was interested in the mechanical operations and was not disappointed at all! If I had been shopping for a pocketknife to actually carry and use, it would have not been a good choice.

The local rip-off sporting goods store was selling the E.T. for $100. With a 10% coupon from AG Russell, I paid about $65.
 
thombrogan said:
My opinion is that it's reliable, entertaining, and comes with a great blade. 13C26 in a deeply hollow ground pointy blade is good enough as it is, but add in the Toggle Lock and you've got a lock that survives spine whacks, twists, and contamination better than most other locks out there. Then add in all of the fun flicking it closed and open and a design that lets you do so without seriously fatiguing the lock, frame, or blade without the limited-area legality of a butterfly knife and it's just gravy.

The carabiner clip is handy, too, as is the bottle opener. You can get a more expensive folder with a less reliable lock and no bottle opener or you can get a Kershaw ET1900 External Toggle Lock and have a highly useful folder, money left over for a beverage, and a built in bottle-opener.
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Glad to read some positive reviews about this model. It's one of my favorite Kershaw designs. It doesn't get much credit around these forums though.
 
I edc it often and here is why:
It's a very slim knife that is light weight, you can't even feel it in the pocket. It has the BEST in my humble opinion pocket clip. It's completely stealth because it looks like a pen in your pocket, I don't like advertising i'm carrying a knife. It has a great hollow ground blade i've used for cooking, making easy work of cutting up large boxes, trimming invasive creeper vines in my back yard and just about all other cutting duties. For such an open design with many pivots it's pretty rigid. The bottle opener is so-so but better than nothing and I clip it to my camelbak when i'm out riding. Sure it's gimmicky but in a functional way that outweighs its strange looks. I have carried/used it extensively since last Christmas and it has suffered no damage other than a slight bit of wobble in the blade pivot.
 
Its actually a worthwhile little folder. I talked with Thom some time ago about it and got one shortly afterwards. I suspect it will end up down the road as one of those sleepers in the industry that becomes somewhat of a cult classic much like the Q did from Spyderco. Its got that same thing going for it I think.

Funny thing too because I just ordered one of the 'urban camo' models for myself before seeing this thread.

STR
 
It's a very slim knife that is light weight, you can't even feel it in the pocket. It has the BEST in my humble opinion pocket clip. It's completely stealth because it looks like a pen in your pocket
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Hmm... I would find it too large for pocket carry. It is a slender design, but it's over 5" long and almost 2" wide. It's also much heavier than a standard pocketknife.

So the blade pivot is fixed without adjustment potential? Are all of the pivots fixed as well?
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There are a couple of fixed pins holding the frame halves together, but all of the pivet pins are either small adjustable nuts or hex screws.
 
that becomes somewhat of a cult classic much like the Q did from Spyderco.
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If Kershaw eventually stops production, I agree that the E.T. will have a very high collector interest. But as for comparing the Q to the E.T. otherwise, the Kershaw is ~much~ higher quality. Better materials, better build quality, and a more interesting and complex design.

You should also be aware, if you're considering buying an E.T., that it comes with an instruction video. :)
 
Funny comparison as I just traded a Q to a guy for a Subcom and a SOG Twitch 2 and you are right about the ET's quality over the Spyderco. Bob, what type of standard pocket knife are you comparing it to for weight? I sometimes carry a Buck 110 and that's a heck of a lot heavier. I also EDC an older Delta Z tanto linerlock and it's a good bit heavier as well with near the same overall dimensions.

'So the blade pivot is fixed without adjustment potential? Are all of the pivots fixed as well? Thank you."

-I'm leary of tightening any of the pivots for fear it will impede the fast opening feature.
 
I looked at my ET and it appears the blade pivot will tighten to some degree. I've found on most it only takes a tweek! Too much definitely will impede the opening speed. The other pivots have lock nuts on them and shouldn't need tightening. My buddy is left handed and he has one. He took the flipper/pocket clip and turned it over so he could carry it in his left pocket. He hasn't had a minutes problem with his left or right. Personally it's the most fun knife I've ever owned and good steel to boot!
 
Bob, what type of standard pocket knife are you comparing it to for weight?
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I think it's heavier than just about anything I would use for pocket carry: barlow, small SAK, Opinel, Delica, sodbuster, Mini-Griptilian, mid-size stockman, etc.

I know lots of people don't mind carrying heavy knives, but it would bug the crap out of me. My own EDC is 0.8 oz. :)

I sometimes carry a Buck 110 and that's a heck of a lot heavier.
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The Buck 110 is ~very~ heavy for sure, and large too. That's why it comes with a sheath. ;)

I'm not trying to invalidate anyone elses' post or thoughts. Just adding my own to the mix so that Oldscrimmer gets a balanced variety of ideas and opinions.

Best Wishes,
-Bob
 
I was thinking standard in a figurative sense. As in the "standard" for pocket knives is the Buck 110. But you are right. I also edc a Sod buster JR and it is a good bit smaller/lighter than the ET.
 
My opinion, having never held one and only seeing it in pictures online, is that it's a freaky, startrek looking kind of knife. Never even saw one until I looked it up after reading this thread. Some above seem quite smitten though, so it must be a good knife.

On second look, it also has a kind of 'rock climbing gear' (think, cams) look to it.

With all those hinged, movey parts though, it's definitely original. Now I want to see one.
 
It's out-of-the-ordinary, that's for sure! Part of its appeal is that it's not for everyone and another part is that it starts out very handy, but becomes handier when you put the time into fiddling with opening and closing methods. Lightning quick opening knives are a dime a dozen (at least on the home shopping show...), but knives that can intentionally be closed just as fast (versus accidentally finding home in your fingerbones) are rare.
 
interesting piece that I've never handled....
Why flip when you can Toggle? :p
I've got plenty of NGK bandaids lying around ... :D
hey thombrogan... How's about a video demo? :)
 
jaislandboy said:
...I've got plenty of NGK bandaids lying around ... :D
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Sorry for the temporary threadjack, but do you mean the fridge magnet/band aid dispenser that they send out with a knife order? I just got my first NGK order the other day and was very impressed with this cheap little, but thoughtful, throw-in that they included in the box. Very good marketing, and a great idea. I really appreciated that 'gift'. It's on my fridge now.
 
dulleddown said:
Sorry for the temporary threadjack, but do you mean the fridge magnet/band aid dispenser that they send out with a knife order? I just got my first NGK order the other day and was very impressed with this cheap little, but thoughtful, throw-in that they included in the box. Very good marketing, and a great idea. I really appreciated that 'gift'. It's on my fridge now.
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yep that's it dulleddown... ;)
thom: thanx for your candid review(s) on the E.T. .... I was kidding 'bout the video btw...there are many on youtube.... :)
 
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