Kershaw MiniCyclone- knife purchase story

[FLYBYU44]

I've owned several assisted opening knives, including a Kershaw Chive, Boa, and a Leek, also a Buck Sirus. I lost the Buck at work, but really never shed a tear for losing it, when I first got it the blade flew out with impressive speed, after a while it lost speed and often wouldn't open. I took it apart thinking it was gummed up and found that two small coil springs assist the opening, apparently they lose power after a while. When I lost it I bought a Kershaw MiniCyclone. I was torn between it and a Benchmade MiniGriptillion. I think the store owner thought I was a mall ninja or something because he kept showing me these huge tactical folders with outlandish designs, even after I mentioned that I wanted something small and discreet. The Benchmade had the Axis lock which is really cool and almost made me buy it, also it opened super smooth, just fell open. The reason I didn't buy it was the handle, the plastic handle felt really cheap, especially for a knife that was over $80Can. I went with the Cyclone because it seemed to be really well made, had aluminum handle pieces and opened really fast as well. I pretty happy with it, keeps a good edge and is durable. Few things I don't like are the holes in the handles, make it look cheap and stupid, I know it is a Ken Onion design trait, but he really needs to stop with the hole business, makes the knife look really cheap. Also the blade seems to rust very easy, I know your not supposed to mistreat stainless either, but if I leave my pants in the bathroom and it's in the pocket while I'm showering the blade gets small rust stains on it from condensation. The other thing is the speedsafe on and off button, what's the point behind this? Just a gimmick, who would want to take it out of speedsafe mode anyway? And the dial is really annoying because it rattles while you are holding the knife. One more thing, the pocket clip is situated on the bolster (you can move it) so that it is carried in the pocket with the bolster up, that is fine but it keeps a good portion of the handle out of the pocket, the bolster is huge so it looks like you are carrying around a giant folding knife in you pocket, I don't like the Rambo image so I usually put the knife in my pocket in public, only use the pocket clip at work. Overall a good knife, well worth the money.

 

[drano]

kinda confusing.

holes arent Onion traits. curvy-flowing lines are.

the cyclone dosent have bolsters.

your knife rusts after a few minutes in the bathroom???

 

[KFLEISIG]

Actually, the holes do seem to be characteristic of Ken Onion designs. Look at the Vapor, Storm and the Spec Bump as some other examples.

 

[hardheart]

Descending three hole design on the KOs is trademarked, it's why the BM Skirmish has an extra fourth hole. Plus lots of other holes on many of them, as mentioned.

By bolsters he means the pivot end, the knife is set up for tip down carry.

Been a few mentions of rust spots on a few of the Kershaws. I had a Vapor that did it, but that is a different steel. I think the finish they apply has a lot to do with it.

I really like the looks of the Cyclones, I just hate aluminum scales and liner locks, and have no desire for AO. Bring on the JYD framelock.

 

[Brutus013]

I am thinking of buying myself a full size Cyclone for Christmas.