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- Jan 28, 2001
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- 3,709
Just bought myself "yet another knife" as my wife puts it. This time it's a Kershaw model 1680 Seagal folder.
It's a very attractive full sized folder designed by none other than the Master of assisted opening technology, Ken Onion himself and is produced by Kershaw Knives. Unlike most of Kershaw's Onions, this folder does not have the "SpeedSafe" assisted opening feature. It is basically a folding version of the Kershaw Echo which in turn is based on Ken Onion's Aqua model. Compared to other Kershaw Onions, this folder is unique in that it bears the signature of film actor Steven Seagal.
Steel: AUS8A Stainless Steel
Handle: Aluminum with stingray leather inserts
Blade: 3-5/8" (9.4cm)
Closed: 5" (12.6cm)
Weight: 5.5oz.
Made in Japan
The aluminum handle is beefy and fits very well in the hand and the stingray inserts provide an excellent grip. The inserts are probably something you either like or don't like. They do not sit flush with the handle and you'll find a few gaps between the inlay and the knife handle. This is normal and is not a defect as stated by Kershaw Knives. I've read about some folks getting samples where there were large uneven gaps between the inlay and handle and in some cases the adhesive had oozed out from underneath, so you may want to examine the folder to make sure it's to your liking before you buy or perhaps request your online dealer to inspect it for you for proper fit and finish.
The blade is extremely sharp. It's got a toothy grabby edge that shears practically anything it's put against and has a nice satin sheen to it. Seagal's signature is featured under the Kershaw/Onion logo on the left side of the blade. On the opposite side, Seagal's signature appears in Japanese script under the Kai 1680 Japan stamp.
The action on this folder is very smooth and the lock up is tight with no blade wobble in any direction. Dual thumbstuds are present to provide easy oping with either hand, however, this knife is definately for righthanders.
The black pocketclip is skeletonized and does a good job of retaining the knife to the pocket and can be removed and reversed for your choice of tip up or tip down carry. The downside is you have to find some very small micro-Torx screwdrivers in order to remove the clip. The smallest Torx screwdriver I have is a # 6, so for the moment tip up carry is out of the question.
Right out of the box there were some minor fit and finish issues which I had to remedy. Aside from the gaps between the stingray inlays and the handle (considered normal), there are some rough machining marks around one of the stumbstuds which had to be sanded down, and the blade was almost rubbing against one of the liners. Tightening the pivot screw centered the blade perfectly and eliminated the wobble. Minor details, but one would think this knife would have been inspected a bit more carefully before being boxed.
Aside from that, the only concern some knife users may have is with the coating on the pivot screw and handle screws which have already begun to show wear after less than 24 hours of handling. This bothers some people who like to preserve the look of a knife, but you can always polish the screws and pivot to match the blade, or use some sort of permanent marker or touch up paint to keep it black.
So, why is this knife called the Kershaw Seagal folder when it could just as easily been called the Kershaw Aqua? I have no idea just how much input Mr. Seagal had with Ken's design, but it's a great design and a well built folder. It's a pricey for a knife with an AUS-8 blade, but this knife grows on you. Once you pick one up you may want to take it home with you.
It's a very attractive full sized folder designed by none other than the Master of assisted opening technology, Ken Onion himself and is produced by Kershaw Knives. Unlike most of Kershaw's Onions, this folder does not have the "SpeedSafe" assisted opening feature. It is basically a folding version of the Kershaw Echo which in turn is based on Ken Onion's Aqua model. Compared to other Kershaw Onions, this folder is unique in that it bears the signature of film actor Steven Seagal.
Steel: AUS8A Stainless Steel
Handle: Aluminum with stingray leather inserts
Blade: 3-5/8" (9.4cm)
Closed: 5" (12.6cm)
Weight: 5.5oz.
Made in Japan
The aluminum handle is beefy and fits very well in the hand and the stingray inserts provide an excellent grip. The inserts are probably something you either like or don't like. They do not sit flush with the handle and you'll find a few gaps between the inlay and the knife handle. This is normal and is not a defect as stated by Kershaw Knives. I've read about some folks getting samples where there were large uneven gaps between the inlay and handle and in some cases the adhesive had oozed out from underneath, so you may want to examine the folder to make sure it's to your liking before you buy or perhaps request your online dealer to inspect it for you for proper fit and finish.
The blade is extremely sharp. It's got a toothy grabby edge that shears practically anything it's put against and has a nice satin sheen to it. Seagal's signature is featured under the Kershaw/Onion logo on the left side of the blade. On the opposite side, Seagal's signature appears in Japanese script under the Kai 1680 Japan stamp.
The action on this folder is very smooth and the lock up is tight with no blade wobble in any direction. Dual thumbstuds are present to provide easy oping with either hand, however, this knife is definately for righthanders.
The black pocketclip is skeletonized and does a good job of retaining the knife to the pocket and can be removed and reversed for your choice of tip up or tip down carry. The downside is you have to find some very small micro-Torx screwdrivers in order to remove the clip. The smallest Torx screwdriver I have is a # 6, so for the moment tip up carry is out of the question.
Right out of the box there were some minor fit and finish issues which I had to remedy. Aside from the gaps between the stingray inlays and the handle (considered normal), there are some rough machining marks around one of the stumbstuds which had to be sanded down, and the blade was almost rubbing against one of the liners. Tightening the pivot screw centered the blade perfectly and eliminated the wobble. Minor details, but one would think this knife would have been inspected a bit more carefully before being boxed.
Aside from that, the only concern some knife users may have is with the coating on the pivot screw and handle screws which have already begun to show wear after less than 24 hours of handling. This bothers some people who like to preserve the look of a knife, but you can always polish the screws and pivot to match the blade, or use some sort of permanent marker or touch up paint to keep it black.
So, why is this knife called the Kershaw Seagal folder when it could just as easily been called the Kershaw Aqua? I have no idea just how much input Mr. Seagal had with Ken's design, but it's a great design and a well built folder. It's a pricey for a knife with an AUS-8 blade, but this knife grows on you. Once you pick one up you may want to take it home with you.
Good thing about inlays is they can always be redone 
), and a precision regarding the blade's thickness.