Kershaw JunkYard Dog Review

Vivi said:
Looking at the photos with the Leek and JYD in hand, it seems like it would be a tight fit to get all four fingers on the JYD's handle. Is that true for you?
Click to expand...

It is true for me for sure, although I have average hands. That's the reason I will buy the JYD II.
 
Anyway the JYD is surprisingly wellmade knife considering it's price. The quality is on par with Benchmades and Spydercos that cost over 100 dollars.

Congratulations Kershaw.:thumbup:
 
Vivi said:
Looking at the photos with the Leek and JYD in hand, it seems like it would be a tight fit to get all four fingers on the JYD's handle. Is that true for you?
Click to expand...

Hand fit is dependent (obviously) on one's hand (DoH!)

I find the Kershaw Leek just about the right size -
all four fingers fit and the butt can be easily "palmed" -
very important for me for safety for any pushing (eg: thrusting).

The JYD feels a bit smaller, so not as comfortable - but all my four fingers still fit.

Vivi said:
With the Groove I found if I push the flipper straight into the handle, instead of downwards like I used to do with flippers, it opens a lot faster and with more reliability. Does this not work for the JYD?
Click to expand...

Yes, anything one can do to "pre-load" finger tension/pressure helps to open the knife more positively.

With both the JYD2 and the Groove I have very little problems opening them with "authority" - it took a little practice, but once I got it - I got it.

With the JYD - which is still my at home EDC BTW - although I did put the black boron Leek back for a day -
I still have problems opening if I am not paying attention - or say in an awkward position like lying on my back - of course a small flick will open the knife fully - but I am still talking about opening fully using only the finger.

The hint I was given was not to just push down on the flipper -
but what seems to be counter-intuitive -
to press down but pushing forward - then snap the finger back.
That seems to work well for me -
but I do still have to remember to pay attention :o

--
Vincent
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Got mine today, not too bad, I took the knife apart, cleaned the pivot area
lubed it up a little, but before that, I rubbed the tang on spyderco ultrafine
ceramic stone, also did that with the bronze washers too, doesn't remove
much material but makes it highly polished and opens a bit smoother over all
still, you have to flick with the wrist to get it to open, can't do it by finger
pressure at all, but that's okG2
 
UnknownVT said:
...
As long as I pay conscious attention then I don't have any problems opening the JYD, and the wrist movement is minimal - almost not there.....

My disappointment stems simply from the fact the JYD2 opens so easily - that it's astounding, the Groove's opening is not quite as stunning - but I have not had problems - and it took only a little practice.

The JYD I have had over 10 days' worth of practice and I still can't get it to open like the JYD2 or even Groove - and I don't think I ever will...
it's just physics and perhaps my over-expectation......
Click to expand...

Awesome review and pics Vincent.... :thumbup: :cool:
I bought all 3 flippers too.... I came to the exact same conclusions RE: ease of opening .... All 3 are great knives.....I love the JYD2 the most.... :thumbup:
 
I think if the JYD had G10 scales, like it's bigger brother JYDII it would be
an even nicer knife, the G10 provides a bit better grip.

The polishing of the bronze washers and blade seem to help, it flips open
a bit easier than before.

G2
 
Gary W. Graley said:
you have to flick with the wrist to get it to open, can't do it by finger pressure at all, but that's ok,
G2
Click to expand...
Gary, come on now, there ain't a JYD that can't be flipped without a wrist flick. Even though some may be slicker than another, they all can be fipped. The JYD is a bit tougher because of its smaller size, but you put in 100 flips with your new knife, you won't need no wrist flick. Folk's just need to perfect technique.

I'm looking for you to retract your above statement Gary...soon ;)
 
Hehe, well sir, we shall see!, possibly if the flipper was ever so much longer
to give some advantage, but right now, I don't see it happenin' but I'll keep
at it and be assured, if I can do it, consistently, I'll be more than happy to
type in a retraction :)
G2

(and you're saying that you can do it, with the pivot screw tightened properly?) Wow!
 
Gary W. Graley said:
Hehe, well sir, we shall see!, possibly if the flipper was ever so much longer
to give some advantage, but right now, I don't see it happenin'...

(and you're saying that you can do it, with the pivot screw tightened properly?)...
Click to expand...
I can see it now, your JYD blade goes halfway, maybe 3/4 ways if you really try hard. I've seen it a hundred times. Quit doing what your doing, and change it up. Keep away from that pivot...your just looking for an excuse. Get under the bottom side of that flipper a bit, and make it happen! It will flip perfectly G2, promise
 
After Jujigatame and Thomas W teased me about it, I buckled down and learned. If I can learn to flip 'em open with no extra wrist, everyone else can, too. Even dudes without fingers.
 
thombrogan said:
After Jujigatame and Thomas W teased me about it, I buckled down and learned. If I can learn to flip 'em open with no extra wrist, everyone else can, too. Even dudes without fingers.
Click to expand...

Thom, always admired ya, but try as I might, it ain't happening, I'll just stick
to the lightly flipping motion as that does work, for me.

And I just glued down a piece of leather along the solid side scale, to help
thicken the overall size of the handle, feels good, first time trying that,
of course some G10 would have worked better, but use what ya have and see
how it feels for now, have it going up to just before the pivot screw, it covers
the other two screws, so I'd have to tear things apart in order to unassemble
the knife, but I'll worry about that when it presents it's self!

Sorry Thomas, no retraction in my near future, while I love the blade size
of this, the JYDII just plain works so much easier and when you need to open
a knife, you need easy and quick.

G2
 
Gary W. Graley said:
try as I might, it ain't happening, I'll just stick to the lightly flipping motion as that does work, for me.
Sorry Thomas, no retraction in my near future, while I love the blade size
of this, the JYDII just plain works so much easier and when you need to open a knife, you need easy and quick.
Click to expand...

Gary - I agree that the JYD2 is just so much easier to open than the smaller JYD.

However try this -
Press down on the JYD flipper on the ribbed area with the tip of the finger - now nudge your finger forward - yes, the opposite and seemingly counter-productive direction - just when you feel your finger slipping forward - don't relieve the pressure - now snap it back.

I can get the JYD to open "with authority" like this -
even when I hold and immobilize my wrist with the other hand.

The secret here is building up as much pre-tension in the finger as possible.

This may still have some imperceptible wrist flip -
but probably it's been replaced by slight movement by the hand/fingers combination -
but it "looks" like just the finger working.

My problem is not in being UNable to open the knife -
it's the fact I have to pay attention to opening JYD fully reliably -
and that is a BIG issue for me.....

Hope that helps a little.

--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2007
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uh...whadduyaknow, I did it, ok Thomas, I enter a retraction here and now! :) it's still not easy or intutitive but I will admit, it can be done!

Here are a couple of shots of the leather I glued into place on my JYD

jyd_leather1.jpg


jyd_leather.jpg


would love the JYD to also have the G10 scales, that would be excellent!
G2
 
I also think the extra thickness of the leather side plate allows the thumb
to get a better purchase on the knife and now I CAN flip it open with just
the flipper tab and no flick, nice,

A sprint run with G10 scales like the JYDII would be MOST appreciated by
a lot of people I'm sure!
G2
 
nice leatherwork on your JYD Gary!:thumbup:
I appreciate the advice Unknown VT ..... on How to pre-tension the index finger prior to flipping.....
I've been practicing....and can now flip it sans wrist about 50% of the time....I guess I'll keep working on it.... :)
 
Thanks, the leather side really adds a lot to the knife, it's more secure in the
hand now and, I'm able to easily snap the blade open and the JYD II, screams
open now!

The 'trick' if there is one is to press in towards the pivot, I was pushing the
flipper forward and then trying to snap it back, failing every time but with
the finger pushing more directly towards the pivot pin with a slightly forward
movement and then a quick thrust downward, you get it every time.

Tricks, not always easy to learn, especially if you are not with the person
trying to teach it!
G2
 
Back down in Clearwater FL for a week, here's a few more shots of the
leather scale, still hanging on there tightly! :) and really adds to the
grip for the knife, much nicer, wasn't too keen when it first arrived but
with the added thickness, it's my edc while here, didn't want to chance
bringing along the JYDII and losing it in the check luggage ;)

jyd_leather-1.jpg


jyd_leather3.jpg


jyd_leather2.jpg


I REALLY wish Kershaw would do a run with G10 scales!
G2
 
I'll try to keep this on topic... but I really think this is a nice knife as well. I have bought and sold hundreds of knives before even trying a flipper... and am able to open any reasonable manual with any thumbstud fast and without any wrist. It just came with an unhealthy amount of practice. By the time I got to a flipper, i had all that finger pressure and speed already figured out and second nature. I really can't even carry an assisted or an auto (including benchmades which I've had about 100) because I can still open faster manually. NOW despite that... I just really like flippers. I'm not sure why... I just think there is a lot that goes into making a good one. The JYD is really not a very good flipper and I think know why. It DOES help to have a bigger blade... but in this case I'm convinced the hidden groove which holds the stopping pin (not visible, really without taking it apart) inhibits the motion or momentum of the pivot action. The pin either touches the edges of that groove on rotation, or the oil/grease within the groove slows it down because it isn't clear enough. Even so, I can open it everytime without wrist... it's just not fast, nor has that magic quick flick everyone loves in a flipper. The Groove on the otherhand is as good a flipper as I've ever held. If not THE best production flipper available. The CRKT M16 is also got that magic... just not as stylish. I have a Boguszewski custom mini cobra and both those are on par or better action. On another day we can discuss why we spend the kind of cash demanded of a custom Bogi opposed to the rapidly improving production knife. Lately, I just won't pay for a custom unless the blade is forged by a master or journey level smith or as good a quality. Otherwise it's getting hard to justify the costs of some basic model customs. And that's taking into consideration the joy of having a knife tailored to me, or knowing the maker. I'm just having trouble buying custom, stock removal method folders. Hey, if you want to know a great flipper... try an Aloha Cowgirl Flipper from Audra Draper MS in forged damascus. Talk about the best of ALL worlds!
 
Hey, I wanted to elaborate about my groove theory... how I think the internal groove and stopping pin might touch or inhibit motion. I want to do that by using an example of another knife (not a flipper). Some out there who are familiar with the incredible tolerances achieved in CNC manufacturing will say that the pin and the groove can't touch because the fit of the knife is so accurate that it's not possible. Well... let's look at one of my favorite production folders... the mini skirmish 635 by Benchmade. I have handled about 20 of these and most had the same problem. Benchmade made this knife very precise due to the handle/blade size ratio. When closed, the blade edge does NOT touch the spacers along the spine of the knife. Plus there is no wobble or loose parts. YET, the edge of the blade almost always appears nicked in the exact spot of the corresponding spacer in the handle. The blade SHOULDN"T ever touch the spacer... but it DOES whenever the knife is closed. the blade actually overextends a tiny fraction before drawing back away from the spacer. It even leaves a mark on the spacer. Not an issue after a few light sharpenings... but it does happen.... despite the Benchmade tolerances and laser cut parts and near flawless fit and finish.
 
OregonEdge said:
Hey, I wanted to elaborate about my groove theory... how I think the internal groove and stopping pin might touch or inhibit motion.
Click to expand...

The Kershaw/RJ Martin Groove uses a conventional stop-pin so the possible touching of a hidden stop-pin does not apply to it.

Between my samples the JYD2 opens easier than the Groove -
the JYD2 opens so well that it's astounding -
I almost believed that it was spring assisted.

My sample of the JYD is adjusted so that when unlocked the blade will fall by itself under gravity - so there is not enough resistance to really inhibit the blade from opening to speak of.

When I manage to open the JYF with virtually no wrist motion (which is the majority these days) - it also can look astounding.

BUT I still have to pay some attention to opening the JYD fully - any inattention or from an awkward position (like lying on my back) and the JYD may fail to open fully.

Whereas I don't have that kind of problems with either the JYD2 or the Groove.

Although touching of the hidden stop-pin may come into play -
I still think it's simply the blade size/weight and the inertia that makes the bigger knives open (substantially) easier than the smaller JYD....
and I've had more or less daily practice with the JYD for almost 2 1/2 months now......

--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2007
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2006
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2005
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2004
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
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