This review has been sitting in My Documents for four months!
I don't like wasting space with stats when afore mentioned stats can be found with Google. But in this case I want to make an exception since it is my first review. So the stats according to Kershaw:
Steel: Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel
Handle: Machined G-10
Blade Length: 3 1/2-in. (8.9 cm)
Closed Length: 5 in. (12.7 cm)
Overall Length: 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm)
Weight: 4 oz
Junkyard Dog at the top of the pic, Piston in the middle, and a Blur at the bottom. This photo was taken with the tip of the Piston's blade at the 1" mark instead of the start of the measuring tape. Any variance between the factory overall length stat and this picture should be disregarded as a photographic illusion. I did my best to place the knives so that the start of the sharpened edges lined up. For me, this way of photographing helps with size comparison.
Picture of the Piston closed with a Junkyard Dog:
Piston vs Kershaw Leek
Open with Knockout
Closed with Blur, Knockout, and Echelon
Ok, with the picture show over let's talk about the knife!
As you can see from the pictures this is a large knife. I was surprised when I opened the box, but it was a pleasant surprise. I like my knives to be copious and hand filling. The G10 gives a firm, almost enjoyable grip.
The Piston is very light for its size but not so light that the knife feels cheap. It achieve this lightness by not having steel liners behind the G10 scale. Actually, it does have liners but they are only partial. Between 50 and 60% on the lock side and 40-50% on the speedsafe side. I had already decided to order the knife when I discovered that it had partial liners. But there was a pleasant surprise in store for me! One really can't tell that the knife lacks full liners! I haven't found flex in the scales without A LOT of force. The pocket clip can be mounted left or right tip up or down. Taking into consideration the flipper and dual thumb studs, this knife could be lefty friendly. An interesting fact about the clip mountings, there are metal inserts in the G10 for the pocket clip screws.
The blade!
It is beautiful with no play whatsoever. The lockup is strong and I have a feeling it will take a many openings for bladeplay to develop. (Still no play after on and off EDC for about four months!) am used to the beadblast finish that Kershaw uses regularly but the stonewashed finish is a nice change. The belly starts almost half way up the edge and comes to a very nice point. It is a cutter, not a slicer like the Knockout. The knife came very sharp, as is normal with Kershaw. I did oil and work the piviot same as any other new knife. The blade opens very smoothly with the speedsafe. It isn't fast opening like a Blur but it is still quite fast for such a large blade.
Overall, a very, very nice knife. Kershaw has surpassed themselves!
If you have and questions or picture request, please, let me know and I will do my best to help you. Also, constructive criticism is welcome! If you see something that I could improve please tell me.
I don't like wasting space with stats when afore mentioned stats can be found with Google. But in this case I want to make an exception since it is my first review. So the stats according to Kershaw:
Steel: Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel
Handle: Machined G-10
Blade Length: 3 1/2-in. (8.9 cm)
Closed Length: 5 in. (12.7 cm)
Overall Length: 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm)
Weight: 4 oz
Junkyard Dog at the top of the pic, Piston in the middle, and a Blur at the bottom. This photo was taken with the tip of the Piston's blade at the 1" mark instead of the start of the measuring tape. Any variance between the factory overall length stat and this picture should be disregarded as a photographic illusion. I did my best to place the knives so that the start of the sharpened edges lined up. For me, this way of photographing helps with size comparison.
Picture of the Piston closed with a Junkyard Dog:
Piston vs Kershaw Leek
Open with Knockout
Closed with Blur, Knockout, and Echelon
Ok, with the picture show over let's talk about the knife!
As you can see from the pictures this is a large knife. I was surprised when I opened the box, but it was a pleasant surprise. I like my knives to be copious and hand filling. The G10 gives a firm, almost enjoyable grip.
The Piston is very light for its size but not so light that the knife feels cheap. It achieve this lightness by not having steel liners behind the G10 scale. Actually, it does have liners but they are only partial. Between 50 and 60% on the lock side and 40-50% on the speedsafe side. I had already decided to order the knife when I discovered that it had partial liners. But there was a pleasant surprise in store for me! One really can't tell that the knife lacks full liners! I haven't found flex in the scales without A LOT of force. The pocket clip can be mounted left or right tip up or down. Taking into consideration the flipper and dual thumb studs, this knife could be lefty friendly. An interesting fact about the clip mountings, there are metal inserts in the G10 for the pocket clip screws.
The blade!
It is beautiful with no play whatsoever. The lockup is strong and I have a feeling it will take a many openings for bladeplay to develop. (Still no play after on and off EDC for about four months!) am used to the beadblast finish that Kershaw uses regularly but the stonewashed finish is a nice change. The belly starts almost half way up the edge and comes to a very nice point. It is a cutter, not a slicer like the Knockout. The knife came very sharp, as is normal with Kershaw. I did oil and work the piviot same as any other new knife. The blade opens very smoothly with the speedsafe. It isn't fast opening like a Blur but it is still quite fast for such a large blade.
Overall, a very, very nice knife. Kershaw has surpassed themselves!
If you have and questions or picture request, please, let me know and I will do my best to help you. Also, constructive criticism is welcome! If you see something that I could improve please tell me.
