- Joined
- Aug 27, 2007
- Messages
- 54
I recently got a Kershaw Groove and I thought I would share my initial impressions and compare it to my Benchmade 520 Axis Lock, which has been my EDC for the last 2.5 years.
I paid $40 shipped to my door on that infamous auction site that we all know. After getting it and using it a little, I have to say that at this price, it is an awesome little knife. My Benchmade cost three times what the Kershaw did. Even at the price that most knife sites are charging, it's a hell of a knife.
I have to say that I was never really a fan of the grooves in the blade, but I really liked everything else about the design. After using it, I don't find them to be annoying at all. The fact that it is basically a cheap clone of an RJ Martin is a big plus too. It came shaving sharp and I just barely touched up the edge to smooth out what I considered a "rough" factory edge.
The blade on the Kershaw is the same length and thickness as the Benchmade, but not quite as wide. Also, the Kershaw doesn't have a bevel along the spine, so the tip is actually thicker and stronger.
When opened, the flipper acts as a finger guard and I really like the secure feel of the grip. No worries that my finger will ride up and hit the blade. The handle is a little thinner and smaller overall than the BM520. This is both good and bad. I wish that it was a little thicker, but the length and butt are a little nicer than the Benchmade. I especially like the grooved rear on the Kershaw as it gives a little more secure grip.
I've never owned a flipper-type knife before. I've played around with some, but it definitely takes a little getting used to when pulling it out of the pocket. It it still breaking in so the action is stiff even with fresh lube. It should smooth out in time. I hope that gets as smooth as the Benchmade.
The clip on the Kershaw is a little shorter and lacks the scalloped indentation that the Benchmade has which makes it a little harder to draw for me.
The lack of thumbstuds give it a very clean look and I don't really miss them at all except when closing the knife one handed. I think it really just boils down to me getting used to it and changing my technique a little.
The Kershaw is noticeably heavier than the Benchmade. I attribute this to the fact that the Kershaw has a stainless frame, whereas the Benchmade is aluminum with steel liners.
In case it's not obvious, I am very impressed with this knife. Especially at the price I paid for it. It cuts very well and feels great in the hand. Yes, the steel is not quite as nice as the Benchmade (13C26 vs. 154CM), but at this price you wouldn't expect it to be. Up until now, I've been carrying my BM520 almost exclusively. Occasionally I'll carry an old Buck Prince if I'm dressing up and don't want the weight and a clip visible on my pocket. I think the Kershaw will change that though. I'm going to put it in rotation.
On a side note, comparing the Kershaw to my last EDC, which was an Emerson CQC-7 BBTSW, I would pick the Kershaw every day. The Emerson is nice, but the ergonomics of the Kershaw are so much nicer (in my opinion). The frame lock on the Kershaw is also thicker.
I paid $40 shipped to my door on that infamous auction site that we all know. After getting it and using it a little, I have to say that at this price, it is an awesome little knife. My Benchmade cost three times what the Kershaw did. Even at the price that most knife sites are charging, it's a hell of a knife.
I have to say that I was never really a fan of the grooves in the blade, but I really liked everything else about the design. After using it, I don't find them to be annoying at all. The fact that it is basically a cheap clone of an RJ Martin is a big plus too. It came shaving sharp and I just barely touched up the edge to smooth out what I considered a "rough" factory edge.
The blade on the Kershaw is the same length and thickness as the Benchmade, but not quite as wide. Also, the Kershaw doesn't have a bevel along the spine, so the tip is actually thicker and stronger.
When opened, the flipper acts as a finger guard and I really like the secure feel of the grip. No worries that my finger will ride up and hit the blade. The handle is a little thinner and smaller overall than the BM520. This is both good and bad. I wish that it was a little thicker, but the length and butt are a little nicer than the Benchmade. I especially like the grooved rear on the Kershaw as it gives a little more secure grip.
I've never owned a flipper-type knife before. I've played around with some, but it definitely takes a little getting used to when pulling it out of the pocket. It it still breaking in so the action is stiff even with fresh lube. It should smooth out in time. I hope that gets as smooth as the Benchmade.
The clip on the Kershaw is a little shorter and lacks the scalloped indentation that the Benchmade has which makes it a little harder to draw for me.
The lack of thumbstuds give it a very clean look and I don't really miss them at all except when closing the knife one handed. I think it really just boils down to me getting used to it and changing my technique a little.
The Kershaw is noticeably heavier than the Benchmade. I attribute this to the fact that the Kershaw has a stainless frame, whereas the Benchmade is aluminum with steel liners.
In case it's not obvious, I am very impressed with this knife. Especially at the price I paid for it. It cuts very well and feels great in the hand. Yes, the steel is not quite as nice as the Benchmade (13C26 vs. 154CM), but at this price you wouldn't expect it to be. Up until now, I've been carrying my BM520 almost exclusively. Occasionally I'll carry an old Buck Prince if I'm dressing up and don't want the weight and a clip visible on my pocket. I think the Kershaw will change that though. I'm going to put it in rotation.
On a side note, comparing the Kershaw to my last EDC, which was an Emerson CQC-7 BBTSW, I would pick the Kershaw every day. The Emerson is nice, but the ergonomics of the Kershaw are so much nicer (in my opinion). The frame lock on the Kershaw is also thicker.
