Kershaw Piston vs Skyline?

[Poopsticker]

Debating between these two knives, currently a stalemate and I cannot decide for myself.

Piston - $60
Skyline - $40

What do you guys think?
Is the Piston worth the extra $20? (Amazon prices)
If so, why? What are the differences between the two?

Thanks in advance.

 

[A-MAC]

Take all of this with a grain of salt because you know what they say about opinions. The Piston is deceivingly large. It doesn't look like it in pictures but it is a beast. I have owned both and the Skyline is one of the best knives you can own in my opinion. But, I also think you are talking about two different classes or intended uses for knives. I would call the Piston more of a "tactical"/survival knife and I consider the Skyline an EDC/Gentlemans knife. The Knockout and Manix 2 are both better alternatives to the Piston I think.

 

[TravisH]

Honestly, can't see how it can be a 'stalemate'. They're not even close.

The Piston is big and heavy. The Skyline is smaller and lighter.

For me, the Skyline, at 3.125" and 2.5oz, is the largest knife I care to EDC. The Piston's 3.5" and 4.0oz simply make it too bulky.

So the choice is easy.
• Want small and light, get the Skyline.
• Want big and heavy, get the Piston.

 

[flarp]

Both are nice knives, but pretty different. I like the Skyline more for my EDC purposes mainly because it is so slim and compact. The Piston is quite a bit larger, but it is actually quite thin and lightweight for its size. It's actually only a small fraction of an inch thicker than the Skyline. What other knives do you have experience with, and what did you like (or dislike) about them?

Here are some side-by-sides that include a Piston, Knockout, and Skyline:

 

[vba]

oops double....

 

[vba]

I have both the Piston and Skyline and much prefer the former. Yes, the Piston is a larger knife but that's what I like about it. Both knives can be made razor sharp with the 14C28n steel.

I like the extra reach and hand filling grip of the Piston. The Skyline feels cramped in my XL hand.

Between the Knockout and Piston again the Piston wins for me.

 

[darthrya]

As a small guy, I prefer a smaller knife, hence my collection of Skylines. Plus, I like a knife that is lightweight so I can wear it even when I'm wearing a pair of shorts on the beach. The Skyline is the one of the best designed slim knives I've come across.

 

[Pioneer Valley]

My knife budget is not as great as some and I find myself with more Kershaws than any other brand. I have a Skyline and a Piston. I find the skyline to be a great office knife. I find I use the Piston for everything else. The Piston rides in the pocket great for a larger knife. I always liked 14c28n steel. I like it better than Kershaws S30v. For how big the Piston is I find it very light but solid. I have no complaints about either but I feel I can do more with the Piston. I highly reccomend the Piston. I feel like you could carry it for a year and not need to switch. I do not baton with knives I use an axe or hatchet. I have done food prep,whittling,box cutting,clam shell cutting, zip tie cutting, twine cutting, nylon rope cutting and many other things with the Piston. It has never failed me. The only thing I wouldnt do with the Piston is baton. Again the most interesting thing I found about the Piston is that it is a larger knife that is not a pain in the butt to carry. I do not like knives that do not ride in the pocket well. It can completley turn me off a knife. The Piston rides great in the pocket for me. I am not a large guy. I have medium hands and it is just perfect. I could carry the Piston for the rest of my life and not need another blade. It can do most any task. I love the Skyline but it feels a lot more flimsy than the Piston for certain tasks. The Piston can do everything the Skyline can and more.

 

[Ecchi-Spud]

Two differences that haven't been mentioned yet: 1) the Piston has the SpeedSafe open-assist; the Skyline doesn't. 2) the Piston has a pocket clip and locations for tip-up, or tip-down carry, either side; the Skyline's clip can be done tip-up or tip-down, but it's "right-hand" side only. May or may not make a huge difference in your decision, but . . .

And just to clarify: I don't have either yet (STRESS YET -- waiting for the Skyline to be delivered, and the Piston is LITERALLY at the top of my Wish List, next to the Knockout and the Leek). I'm still new to all of this.

 

[Wavester]

Ive had the Skyline for a while and the Piston is on its way - so I will be able to make an informed opinion soon

Debating between these two knives, currently a stalemate and I cannot decide for myself.

Piston - $60
Skyline - $40

What do you guys think?
Is the Piston worth the extra $20? (Amazon prices)
If so, why? What are the differences between the two?

Thanks in advance.

 

[vanslem6]

Delica.

I just gave away my Skyline. I like the knife, but I never used it. Would be better without the flipper, without the bead-blast and with thumb studs you can actually use. For lightweight I have found other options I like much better - the Delica for example.

 

[drrickso]

my friend wanted me to find him a US made flipper that was at least 3.5" and had decent steel... the kicker was it couldn't be more than $70... I pointed him to the Piston and he is very happy with. Basically it comes down to the size you are comfortable with.