Kershaw Link

Don't ever buy 8Cr13MOV. Ever. Just don't do it.
Take a knife with a blade made out of bread first.
The bread will probably hold an edge longer.
 
RevDevil said:
I disagree. For a knife made in the US, it is a very reasonable price which is subjective. Remember those stores that let you fondle their knives have employees that gotta eat. The weight is also subjective at best, not everyone is put off by something that may weigh just over 4oz. I'd imagine this knife is a huge step up from the Starter series, both in terms of quality and performance. For less than $40 at its current price most places, it is a good deal.



Okay, now define "better", without being vague. A "better" steel can be anything that is priced less, cost less to machine, machines better, hS better longevity for its intended application, etc.
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Simple, "better" for $40 is a well rounded steel, its not the strongest, most edge holding, toughest steel. But the beauty is that its has the greatest atributes across the board and doesn't cost an arm and a leg for someone that just needs a knife not a hobby.
No strengths or weakness. Yet in the right hands and with proper heat treatment takes an insane edge.

If something is needed for a specific task then pay more to get that performance. Otherwise save the cash or join the rest of us and get down with the sickness
 
DeadboxHero said:
Simple, "better" for $40 is a well rounded steel, its not the strongest, most edge holding, toughest steel. But the beauty is that its has the greatest atributes across the board and doesn't cost an arm and a leg for someone that just needs a knife not a hobby.
No strengths or weakness. Yet in the right hands and with proper heat treatment takes an insane edge.

If something is needed for a specific task then pay more to get that performance. Otherwise save the cash or join the rest of us and get down with the sickness
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That is vague, by definition ;). Too many variables, just like with firearms. Some folks love their Glocks, others prefer a 1911, then you have the guys that say P'shawww to both and prefer revolvers. What makes a great well rounded knife for one, makes a PITA for someone else. Laws, budget, knowledge, sharpening ability, needs, and general lifestyle are a few things that make it impossible to nail it down across the board for everyone. That is what I've seen from the years of reading here and seeing various perspectives being repeated, almost like people fall into categories. Nothing wrong with that at all. I have a friend that has a Kershaw Select Fire, he doesn't need anything else. He likes the knives I show him. As an end line user, he doesn't comprehend metallurgy, care about edge geometry, or worry about performance. It's something irrelevant to his lifestyle (he is a firefighter 16+ years). He has something that he cuts with, when it gets dull he sharpens it and continues. When he gets to the point where the knife is no longer serviceable, he is off to buy another one.
 
bladeboss said:
Don't ever buy 8Cr13MOV. Ever. Just don't do it.
Take a knife with a blade made out of bread first.
The bread will probably hold an edge longer.
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I have and have had plenty of knives in 8Cr, and had no issues. A little spotting issues on my Byrd Raven, I had a Cryo that chipped a little, but I have had nothing but good performance all around, and this is across plenty of makers. Not all 8Cr is made equally, though. Kershaw and Spyderco make theirs to exacting standards (obviously lemons get through). Sanrenmu is generally good on their heat treat. Enlan and Bee are kind of hit or miss depending on the model. No experience with any of the Taylor brands.

When it comes to knives, almost nothing can be given sweeping generalizations. M390 is great, but at a hardness of 54 it would be pretty junk.
 
RevDevil said:
That is vague, by definition ;). Too many variables, just like with firearms. Some folks love their Glocks, others prefer a 1911, then you have the guys that say P'shawww to both and prefer revolvers. What makes a great well rounded knife for one, makes a PITA for someone else. Laws, budget, knowledge, sharpening ability, needs, and general lifestyle are a few things that make it impossible to nail it down across the board for everyone. That is what I've seen from the years of reading here and seeing various perspectives being repeated, almost like people fall into categories. Nothing wrong with that at all. I have a friend that has a Kershaw Select Fire, he doesn't need anything else. He likes the knives I show him. As an end line user, he doesn't comprehend metallurgy, care about edge geometry, or worry about performance. It's something irrelevant to his lifestyle (he is a firefighter 16+ years). He has something that he cuts with, when it gets dull he sharpens it and continues. When he gets to the point where the knife is no longer serviceable, he is off to buy another one.
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Yeah it was a trick question,
Haha yah got me.
But if average Joe asks me vague questions about what the best is I won't let him get stuck with a Caracal Pistol ;)
 
To me the Link is one of the best knives out there for the full 40.00. Even if it is a little heavy. It's one of the most carry friendly knives I own. Mine takes a razor sharp edge and even if it doesn't last as long as higher end steels it sharpens back very easily. Fit and finish are better than on the 200.00 Emerson I just bought. I'd like to ask dkb45 what better knives are out there for 40.00. Not steels but what better knives.

Mike

dkb45 said:
Don't let the Link for the praise sell you on it without knowing the downsides. Don't get me wrong, I like the knife, but it is far from perfect. Kind of expensive for the steel used, very chunky, and quite heavy. The aluminum handles provide next to no traction.

Those all said, the knife holds well and comfortably, all edges are nice and smooth. The aluminum handles feel very nice and high quality (kind of like a super over built SOG Twitch). The assist has a nice hard kick, but not enough to fling it with a weak grip (you know it will open easily every time). The lock is quite sturdy, and pretty stout for a liner lock.

If you can get it for around what I did ($25), it is a killer deal. For the normal brick and mortal price of over $40? Pass. I would say $40 is the point of greatly diminished value.
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As a lefty, this is 1 of VERY few USA made Kershaws with a reversible pocket clip. I am so sick of 8Cr13Mov (Most of their China knives have the reversible clip option). This makes it a true winner for me. "Hey Kershaw.. Start drilling holes on Leeks, Blurs, etc.."
 
dkb45 said:
I have and have had plenty of knives in 8Cr, and had no issues. A little spotting issues on my Byrd Raven, I had a Cryo that chipped a little, but I have had nothing but good performance all around, and this is across plenty of makers. Not all 8Cr is made equally, though. Kershaw and Spyderco make theirs to exacting standards (obviously lemons get through). Sanrenmu is generally good on their heat treat. Enlan and Bee are kind of hit or miss depending on the model. No experience with any of the Taylor brands.

When it comes to knives, almost nothing can be given sweeping generalizations. M390 is great, but at a hardness of 54 it would be pretty junk.
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You have a point.
But I will never forget my 2 bad experiences with 8Cr.
One Kershaw
One Spyderco.
The Kershaw was an OD-2, and the secondary bevel was constantly staining.
And the bigger issue, the Spyderco. A Tenacious. Partially serrated.
I let my Uncle use it to cut up a cardboard box that a smoker came in.
The plain edge dulled about a quarter through, and then the serrations dulled about halfway. He couldn't even use it to finish the box. After that I decided I was done with that butter-steel.
I've been hesitant to try it since then.
I DO like 420HC though, which is weird because I'm told it's so similar.
I left my Buck 110 wet once, and closed it wet. And put it away wet.
No rust, and I can usually cut up 90% of my Deer before it gets dull.
 
I've had my aluminium-scaled link for a while.



Just picked up one with glass-filled nylon scales at a local Wal-Mart with a blackwash blade. Believe it or not, I like the feel of the glass-filled nylon version over the grey aluminium one. Amazing knife for the cost. American made, smooth action, solid lockup, perfectly centred blade when closed, perfectly even grinds and a sharp tip (unlike most China made knives in the same price range that tend to have their tips rounded off a bit). Can't go wrong with the Kershaw Link.

 
8cr13mov is actually almost identical to aus8 in composition... The issue isn't the steel itself in as much as the factory making the steel to spec and the final heat treat... When done well, it actually performs quite well, and is MUCH closer to 440a then 440cin performance (considering 440c has has a minimum of 19% more carbon)... 9cr17mov and aus10 are typically considered more the 440c equivalents.

Anyways, that said, heat treat as mentioned time again is key... Many Chinese factories are less exact and/or detail oriented, it is more of a focus on quantity then quality, and as such you do see more "lemons" with that steel nomenclature attached. As someone else mentioned, m390 (or any steel) is worthless for a knife steel if the heat treat is poor... Just like grandma's famous cupcakes are junk if taken out of the oven too early, too late, or baked at the wrong temp. I personally have had good experiences with Kershaw, and even CRKT in recent years, with their Chinese 8cr models, and most issues I have heard stem from previous (older) experiences, which i get it, "fool me once shame on you", but I can only imagine either I'm lucky in my purchases, or they both stepped up their game and switched factories, or implemented their own stricter QC standards in lieu of many customer complaints? Idk... Cheaper, lower end brands are still hit or miss, (Taylor, Frost, etc), but evrn their good ones hold their own in my experiences...

Anyway, take it or leave it for what it's worth; regarding 420hc, it makes a fine knife steel when heat treated right, esp. For a lower carbon steel, it takes a fine edge (even though it doesn't hold it the longest), and it is pretty tough and corrosion resistant... Buck built a legacy on the back of the stuff, and I've heard Kershaw has been doing it justice though I haven't used it myself yet...
 
Any chance I can get a pic of the liner with the blade open on it? This is a tempting choice as a Christmas gift for one of my boys.

Thanks - Pat
 
GaryC said:
Sorry. my bad, keep thinking the Link is 440c, which it is 420HC. Thanks guys, for the price I'll give it a shot. Gary
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I have had the frn handled version for over a month now. Nice knife. I am enjoying it. Sharpened easily with my worksharp field sharpener. The steel seems to retain edge well. Blade shape and hadle ergonomics mostly best it seems for downward slicing in my experience so far. I did use it to cut cardboard, linoleum, shave some wood off of a 2x4, open boxes and clamshell packaging, twine, zip ties, etc. I do wish the handle was a half inch longer. Worth the $$$.
 
Halfneck said:
Any chance I can get a pic of the liner with the blade open on it? This is a tempting choice as a Christmas gift for one of my boys.

Thanks - Pat
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I have no pic abilities, but it is a very good knife for the $$. No lock issues as of yet. My 13 yr old likes it.
 
As an aside, if you notice a similarity between the FRN handle pattern and Magpul products, it is because a Magpul designer moved to Kai last year.

I really like the design of the FRN handle on the Link, it is very nice in hand.

I have my aluminum bw tanto Link with me today -

Great knife at a great price.

best

mqqn
 
GaryC said:
Hello, anyone carry & use a Link? Any issues too look for, may be picking one up for cheap price & 440c blade. Gary
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Can't help with a Kershaw, used to have a leak and liked it, but for folders I've switched over to Spyderco's like them much better.
 
Yes, the nylon scales are thicker than the aluminium ones, but doesn't feel all that different clipped to the pocket. Not enough to take note of anyway. In the hand, however, the thicker nylon scales give you better texture and fills the hand a little more. At least to me it feels more comfortable than the slick metal feel of the aluminium version. Otherwise, the blades are identical in thickness as are the liners. Now that I own both versions, I'd have to say that I'm liking the nylon scaled version more. The blackwash finish on the blade compliments the black scales and overall aesthetics of the knife. A nice departure from the typical black handle/satin or stonewash blade combination. Incidentally, you can only get the glass-filled nylon version with the blackwash blade at Wal-Mart. Regular versions have an uncoated stonewash finish.
 
Thanks for the comparison Superchunk. I'll probably try one. I find I can carry some pretty thick knives no problem if the scales are smooth.

Thanks again
Mike
 
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