i found these knives attractive so just out of curiousity i sent an e-mail to Kershaw asking how many lbs. it would take to defeat the lock on the Random Task and also on the mini. i got a short brief e-mail back today from a Tara stating the answer to my question is "25 lbs." i guess i expected a bit more, both from the response and from the knife...any thoughts here? Ken himself cordially responded to me and said that the new ones he tested passed the spine whack test. but i'm not so sure about that 25 lbs; think there's a chance that she left out a zero??
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Kershaw-Random Task Shocker...
- Thread starter Kelt
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 21, 1999
- Messages
- 1,819
Kelt, I don't know if she left off a zer or not, but I can guarantee you that it takes a lot more than 25 pounds to defeat the lock.
I'm a big puppy and placed quite a bit of my weight on the lock and it held fast. I don't do the lock tests that others do because I don't want any of the knives to crap out on me and I have a broken knife.
For what it's worth, I really like the knife. It's a bit small for my tastes, but I'm still happy to own it.
In short, don't worry about the 25 pound deal. It's definitely wrong.
Hope that helps,
VG
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Vampire Gerbil: Nosferatus Rodentus Moderatus; similar to a domestic gerbil, except for the odd accent and little black cape.
I'm a big puppy and placed quite a bit of my weight on the lock and it held fast. I don't do the lock tests that others do because I don't want any of the knives to crap out on me and I have a broken knife.
For what it's worth, I really like the knife. It's a bit small for my tastes, but I'm still happy to own it.
In short, don't worry about the 25 pound deal. It's definitely wrong.
Hope that helps,
VG
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Vampire Gerbil: Nosferatus Rodentus Moderatus; similar to a domestic gerbil, except for the odd accent and little black cape.
- Joined
- Apr 21, 1999
- Messages
- 739
Kelt, I honestly don't know the right answer and neither does Kershaw. The lock was tested to hold fast and it does a good job. I'm not gonna lie to you .We never hung weights on the tip and add till defeat , we instead locked the blade in a vise and yanked and cranked the hell out of them.
As I told you in the mail . check out one of our new locks in january they kick ass!The random has a good lock but if your a wanting a monster lock that debuts in jan.
Aloha!!! Ken Onion
As I told you in the mail . check out one of our new locks in january they kick ass!The random has a good lock but if your a wanting a monster lock that debuts in jan.
Aloha!!! Ken Onion
Ken,
Maybe you should give Spyderco a call on this one. They have a machine set up to test lock strength under controlled pressure and determine the inch/pounds necesary to defeat it. They've provided test info to other companies before. If you ask, they may be willing to test the Task series - quite possibly they already have.
-Drew
Maybe you should give Spyderco a call on this one. They have a machine set up to test lock strength under controlled pressure and determine the inch/pounds necesary to defeat it. They've provided test info to other companies before. If you ask, they may be willing to test the Task series - quite possibly they already have.
-Drew
The Baby Boa is really neat esp. w/that new lock Ken has on it. The lock is really solid and is fun to play w/too. Wow, a speedsafe + a new lock on one knife. Looks like the best way to get some of the really new neat stuff is to go to the Vegas classic and check Ken out there. Here is something you might not have seen yet, Ken will probably have some at the Vegas show.
O
Ogre
Ooooh - that blue one... NICE!
I don't know about Random T but Mini Task that I got today is wery solid as a small linerlock. If Random T is about the same construction but size scaled up it shoud be strong enough for linerlock.
Random T (or Mini) do not look like figters and I actually can't see why somebody can(always somebody can I know you) think that someting is going to hit Hard on the spine???
My new Mini Task is better than I thought even I had great expectations. Speed safe mechanism makes such a wonderful 'Flock'. I hope that it is made for repeated openings. Fit and finish are great.
I must have random task as well!
Ken: What steel are you and Kershaw going to use in Boa series?
Random T (or Mini) do not look like figters and I actually can't see why somebody can(always somebody can I know you) think that someting is going to hit Hard on the spine???
My new Mini Task is better than I thought even I had great expectations. Speed safe mechanism makes such a wonderful 'Flock'. I hope that it is made for repeated openings. Fit and finish are great.
I must have random task as well!
Ken: What steel are you and Kershaw going to use in Boa series?
The Random Task is quite a knife. Fit and finish are more than acceptable. I bought this one over the mini because of the blade steel--cpm 440v (much preferred over ats-34). I haven't found any problem with the liner lock, but then I'm not going to hang a weight room off the handle either. I'm really looking for the baby Boa--new look, new lock, maybe NEW STEEL (other than ATS-34). Personally, I think the Random is a great addition to my bevy of blades! Well done Ken!
Gary W. Graley
“Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Mar 2, 1999
- Messages
- 27,991
I find it peculiar the on going interest of lock strength, unless we are talking about a blade failing in a fighting sequence I seldom ever put much weight on the back of the blade when cutting something, usually holding the handle and the pressure is pushing the blade away from closing.
I remember reading something about Mr. Ogg, in that he wouldn't make a lock back because he felt if a person didn't feel safe enough using a slipjoint he/she shouldn't own a knife, please note that this is highly paraphrased but it went something like that.
My Kershaw Random Task, the newer style has a good lockup. Previous ones, the liner felt that it didn't have much spring to it and could be pushed back very easy, not so the newer style. If you happen to have one of the older style and feel it's a problem, I'd contact Kershaw, they stand behind their product are very good with their service and really want people to be happy with their product. Smart business practice!
G2
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My mind is made up,
So don't confuse me with the facts!
www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/7306/blades.html
I remember reading something about Mr. Ogg, in that he wouldn't make a lock back because he felt if a person didn't feel safe enough using a slipjoint he/she shouldn't own a knife, please note that this is highly paraphrased but it went something like that.
My Kershaw Random Task, the newer style has a good lockup. Previous ones, the liner felt that it didn't have much spring to it and could be pushed back very easy, not so the newer style. If you happen to have one of the older style and feel it's a problem, I'd contact Kershaw, they stand behind their product are very good with their service and really want people to be happy with their product. Smart business practice!
G2
------------------
My mind is made up,
So don't confuse me with the facts!
www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/7306/blades.html
- Joined
- Nov 8, 1998
- Messages
- 770
I had the opportunity, recently, to examine a knife made by an Australian ..buggered if I can remember his name..but it was a dead-ringer for the Random Task except for the Onion opening device.
The owner (another Australian maker) claims it is a couple of years old and predates the RT. The owner also says the maker sold a few at a Blade Show a couple of years back.
Wadda they say : "nothing new under the sun".
But.....gotta say : I will get my hands on one when I can come up with a decent trade..cash is a huge problem, these days
------------------
BrianWE
ICQ #21525343
I think :therefore, I am......I think
The owner (another Australian maker) claims it is a couple of years old and predates the RT. The owner also says the maker sold a few at a Blade Show a couple of years back.
Wadda they say : "nothing new under the sun".
But.....gotta say : I will get my hands on one when I can come up with a decent trade..cash is a huge problem, these days
------------------
BrianWE
ICQ #21525343
I think :therefore, I am......I think
Kelt,
I haven't seen the Random Task yet. Does it look any better than the big bellied blue Baby Boa? Sorry I can't help, but since those pictures were posted, I'm afraid that your thread might be turning into a boa thread?
What's the price?
I wonder if Ken would be willing to trade one of those Baby Boas for a reeeal baby boa? Paper trained, obeys commands to lie down, stay, and doesn't keep you up at night barking.
Robert
PS: I take that back. I HAVE seen the Random Task before. Needed a picture to jog the memory. Great looking blade. Very versitile by the looks of it. I'm just sweet on the big swept points, recurves, and certain reptiles though. What about that pet boa, Ken???!!
[This message has been edited by EQUALIZER (edited 29 October 1999).]
I haven't seen the Random Task yet. Does it look any better than the big bellied blue Baby Boa? Sorry I can't help, but since those pictures were posted, I'm afraid that your thread might be turning into a boa thread?
What's the price?
I wonder if Ken would be willing to trade one of those Baby Boas for a reeeal baby boa? Paper trained, obeys commands to lie down, stay, and doesn't keep you up at night barking.
Robert
PS: I take that back. I HAVE seen the Random Task before. Needed a picture to jog the memory. Great looking blade. Very versitile by the looks of it. I'm just sweet on the big swept points, recurves, and certain reptiles though. What about that pet boa, Ken???!!
[This message has been edited by EQUALIZER (edited 29 October 1999).]
- Joined
- Jul 7, 1999
- Messages
- 112
This Baby Boa is the first so called tactical knife that has appealed to me. That probably says more about me than it does tactical knives. I hope they offer other handle colors as I would prefer hunter green.
Dave
Dave
imp-I`m not sure those are Baby Boas in that picture. The BB is a much smaller knife. The handle length is shorter and blade doesn`t have the dramatic recurve of the knives that pic. There is am image of the BB on Ken`s website.
[This message has been edited by Steve B. (edited 31 October 1999).]
[This message has been edited by Steve B. (edited 31 October 1999).]
