Kershaw Quality

Yep, I noticed too the Liner Action knife in X-Files, my fave show. Mulder has used more than one knife throughout the series, also including a Gerber Ez out Jr. Seems he's switched to the Kershaw in this last episode and also in the one about the model housing project and the "mud" monster. The Liner Action 2415 was my first quality one-hander and in my opinion one of the toughest and most solid lock up of my liner lock knives. Glad to see we have a "closet" knife Knut in TV land, too! Jim
 
OK guys that makes 3 of us x-file junkys.I wonder if Fox(David D3@&*%$#@)knows about B.F., hmmmmmmm.
Chris www.toptexknives.com

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I just received a hawk and a 1415 Starky ridge from Top of Texas Knives. The quality is top notch on these, the only Kershaw's I have. Initial quality is up there with the high end Spydercos and Benchmades. I cant speak for the speed safe mechanism, but I predict more Kershaw's in my future. Specifically the new Boa.

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Dennis Bible
 
My experience with Kershaw has been very positive. All of my non-speed safe Kershaws are very well made, solid pieces. The speed safe knives I have owned have had some problems. Kershaw probably went into production with the Random Task a month or two too soon and released a lot of knives with bad thumb studs, poor locks, and weak cam systems, however, Kershaw has bent over backwards to satisfy me as a customer. I had three Random Tasks before I was satisfied, but Kershaw replaced these knives with no complaint. Finally, the new speed safe models are truly awesome. The Avalanche is one of the best buys I have ever seen. I think Kershaw is great company that deserves strong consumer support.
 
I bought a mini-task last month. The lock was fairly tight, but is loosening up with use. At first it opened successfully about 30% of the time. Now it's up to 80%. The lockup was marginal so it's back at the factory getting adjusted. The blade was sharp but the angle was around 25 degrees (ballpark guess). I re-profiled it with a sharpmaker 204 to 20 deg. and now it slices very nicely.


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E. Larson
Edmonds, WA


 
I've had early and recent production Random and Mini Task Kershaws and even one of Ken's Random Task knives. The early Kershaws had some of their problems because they didn't want to listen to Ken (the slow action) and because they rushed into production. I still wish they had kept the angled thumb stud, but have found the improvements to be well worth the sacrifice. While not as crisp or nicely fit/finished as Ken's customs the Kershaw Onions are very impressive, especially for the money.

Take care,

Mike
 
An update on my Kershaw service experience. I just opened the UPS package with my mini task back from the service center. They action is now awesome! Lockup is 100%, and the torsion assist is now much smoother. I've opened it about 20 times now and the blade jumps into position once it's past the breakpoint. Total time was 19 days from my trip to the post office to drop it off to tearing open the UPS pack.



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E. Larson
Edmonds, WA


 
I know that there have been more than enough posts to set the record straight, but I had to put in my two cents worth. I have a Kershaw Talon with the Titanium handles and it is definitely on par with Spyderco and Benchmade. The blade was hair-popping sharp and the lock up was superb. I have been using it quite a bit and the edge is holding up very nicely. No complaints whatsoever. I know that I haven't bought my last Keshaw. I really need to get a speed assist knife.

BTW I saw the X-Files episode and recognized the knife too. My wife just looked at me and rolled her eyes. Now, if only they would show Scully wearing a blade and not much else...

Daniel D.
 
Kershaw Talon kicks ass!! I like it much much better than Spyderco Harpy. I love that hefty Titanium feel (they also have G-10 scales) and the curved handle!
I ALWAYS carry two Kershaw Talons on my jeans.

smile.gif
 
I'll second Daniels sentiments about Scully!

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Dennis Bible
 
JW,
My Ricochet has the clip screwed with torx #6 (not allen) screws tapped into steel liner, not into G-10 scale only. I coped with them easily using my Pocket Torx set by Benchmade. I'm completely sure your Mini Task has the same construction.

I have also Ti-Hawk (Hi-Tech series) from Kershaw.
I have no one quality problem with both knives, they are made excellently and perform flawlessly. I'm going to review Ricochet on BladeForums some time later, when I'll learn it better. It's my first knife with opening assist and I must say I'm amazed much more than I could expect. Saying honestly, I don't like any "automatic" opening but Speed Safe mechanism is completely another matter. Now I'm trying to learn it closer, when I'll do it I'll share my impressions here.
One minor reservation so far - I would like more if both knives would have an ambidextrous thumb studs.

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Sergiusz Mitin
gunwriter
Lodz, Poland
 
I bought a Random Task when they first were released after reading an article in one of the knife rags about Ken Onion. I had bought other Kershaws previously with good success. However, the Random Task was a problem from the start. For the assisted opening to work, the pivot screw had to be loosened to the extent that the blade wobbled. If I tightened the blade up, the assisted opening did not work. I put the knife away and chalked it up as a "novelty" knife that serves no real useful purpose.
 
I have to say that after being a Spyderco fan for many years, that I am now a fully converted Kershaw fan. My first Kershaw was the Talon 1521ST with the Bottle Opener thumb slot(so cool!). It was my knife of such quality. Talk about smooth opening and solid feel and long lasting edge. I now own the Avalanche and Whirlwind. I have to admit that the blade on the Avalanche did loosen at first and with a little tightening of the piviot screw fixed it, I did have to play a little with it to get it right, there was a spot where the blade tightend and all was back to normal. It hasn't happened again. When I got the Avalanche I compared it to the Random Task, I really liked that blade, I just felt that the chequered pattern on the Avalanche made the G10 feel dry and grippy in my hand and the Random Task felt a little too smooth and potentially slippery in my often sweaty hands. I ended up getting a Whilwind as well for everyday carry cause I'm afraid something could happen to my Avalanche. I don't care much for the blade shape on the Whirlwind, too much belly and tip too high for my taste. But I do love the Speed Safe action!!!! My most concern is how do I explain to a cop that this isn't a "Switch Blade". What is the catch that allows this to sold to us civies?
Alan.

PS
My buddy who was never into knives took one look at my Avalanche and said "I've got to have one of those!" I got him one and within 45min he managed to totally cut his thumb after I told him not to remove the safty liner on the blade till he was completely comfortable with the action, but of course he was too cool for that....
 
I've had a Talon with the titanium liners for the past few weeks now, and I've got to say that I'm impressed. It's my first foray into Kershaw knives, and it's a quality one. And it's incredibly smooth to open. (Question: does the Talon model have any torsion assist on it? it really is too easy otherwise). And I remember when I got slit pretty good with my first knife. Note to self: Never cut without knowing where the blade tip is.

pfain

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"I dreamt I was a butterfly. I couldn't tell if I was dreaming. But when I woke, I was I and not a butterfly. Was I dreaming that I was the butterfly, or was the butterfly dreaming that it was me?"
-- Soshi, Chinese philosopher
 
Just got a a Starkey Ridge G10, and like everything about it. Good blade shape, heft and grind, nice opening feel, no looseness. Especially considering the price, (they're on special at KnifeCenter of the Internet - about $37), this is an awesome value. Haven't had it long enough to know if it'll hold up though.
Am also an X-files fan and will be looking real closely at blades there from now on.
 
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