Kershaw RJ Martin Groove

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UnknownVT

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Feb 15, 2003
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The Kershaw RJ Martin designed Groove is one of the first 3 New Kershaw Flippers (link)

GrooveBk.jpg
Groove.jpg


The first thing noticed with the knife open is pretty obvioulsy that "groovy" blade. I would guess it is really more for looks and it certainly looks very impressive - however those grooves probably work like kullens on Granton edged knives, where the lower surface area would help to lessen the possibilty of things sticking to the blade face.

Compared to the other new Kerhsaw flippers for size -
JYDs_GrooveSz.jpg
JYDs_GrooveSzBk.jpg


For me the most prominent difference other than that "groovy" blade is the flipper -
JYDs_GrooveCls.jpg
JYDs_GrooveClsBk.jpg

the Groove has a more conventional looking flipper more like a post or "trigger" - I personally prefer the rounded ones on the JYD and JYD2 - as they look less likely to catch on clothing etc.

I am so impressed with these new Kershaw (Tim Galyean designed) flippers
- they are like an "unassisted assist" - once one gets it, the knife can be opened with just the pre-loaded tension of the index finger and the knife opens fully with "authority".

The Groove is not quite as astonishing as the Kershaw JunkYard Dog II I reviewed earlier.

The trick for me is to start by pressing down on the flipper first (to pre-load finger pressure) then pull back and down - the blade then more or less flies out.

I think the reason why I can't quite get the same opening with the Groove as the JYD2 - is simply due to the blade size/weight and the amount of interia/momentum of the blade when flipped.

- but I can still get the Groove to open fully quite reliably without having to flip (or move) my wrist.

The Groove is a frame-lock -
JYDs_GrooveLcks.jpg

although there is the decorative scale that covers the lock bar partially.

Unlike the JYD2 (and JYD) the Groove does have a conventional (back) stop-pin -
JYDs_GrooveSpn.jpg


Markings -
Groove_mk.jpg


Compare for size -
GrooveSz2C.jpg

strangely enough the Groove kind of reminded me of the CRKT My Tighe.

All-in-all this is another great knife in the new innovative Kerhsaw (Galyean) flipper range.....
and that blade sure looks groovy.

--
Vincent
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I've been wanting one since I first saw them in a knife mag a while back. Thanks for the post!
 
How the Groove rides in the pocket -
a comparison with the other new Kershaw flippers -

GroovePcktClip.jpg
JYD2pcktClip.jpg
JYD_PcktClip.jpg


The Groove rides lower/deeper in the pocket than either of the JYD's -
however the flipper is also straighter more like a trigger - so there may be a possibility of it catching on things -
the rounded flippers and higher ride of the JYD's may help reduce that.

--
Vincent
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Wonderful pictures as always, have you used the groozy blade yet. Considering the alignment I would guess that there could be a friction issue.

-Cliff
 
Amazing pics, thanks for the post!

_____________________________

I really still don't feel comfortable buying a knife with only a flipper
to open it. I'm guess I'm in the minority on this, though...

I'd buy one in a minute if it had thumbstuds or a thumbdisc.
 
Cliff Stamp said:
Wonderful pictures as always, have you used the groozy blade yet. Considering the alignment I would guess that there could be a friction issue.
Click to expand...

Good question -

That's what I thought too -
I've never really been impressed with the Granton (kullens) edge -
however with the Groove those grooves don't seem to be much detriment.

I consider this knife for general use, and not really "fine" cutting -
it obviously has no problems cutting hanging paper as that's really only using the cutting edge -
however cutting through cardboard - although I think I feel those grooves - the knife cut through quite well - not as well as the JYD2 - but still good - I think the recurve edge probably accounts for its cut-through ability (I used draw cut)

So although I don't think the grooves give any advantage -
I don't think it is detrimental either -
it may help stop things sticking to the face - like thinly slicing potatoes - I don't have one at hand to test - but since I usually use my kitchen knives to do that as they are purpose designed for the job - why would one really want to use a folder? ;)

--
Vincent
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rifon2 said:
Amazing pics, thanks for the post!
I really still don't feel comfortable buying a knife with only a flipper
to open it. I'm guess I'm in the minority on this, though...
I'd buy one in a minute if it had thumbstuds or a thumbdisc.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the kind words.

One of my favorite knives is the Kershaw/Ken Onion Leek - I like it so much I have 4 (ok, different versions) -
that has both flipper and thumb-studs - although I have and can open the knife with the thumb-studs - in practice I just don't use them simply because the flipper (more correctly index open) is so much better/easier for me. (However one should not remove those thumb-studs as they actually are used as the stop-pin.)

Kershaw/Ken Onion LEEK (pics)

Kershaw Rainbow Leek - a pictorial review

Black "boron" Leek

polished G10 S30V Leek

G-10 S30V Leek (matte version)

Other BFC members have modified their JYD2 to have a nick/cut-out to open the knife

Post #71 in thread Kershaw JunkYard Dog II pics
not sure if the Groove has enough room to do that.

An easier solution is to use one of those bolt/screw-on one-arm/hand bandit openers.

this page shows two of them -
http://www.discountcutlery.net/en-us/dept_22315.html

--
Vincent
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UnknownVT said:
So although I don't think the grooves give any advantage -
I don't think it is detrimental either -
it may help stop things sticking to the face - like thinly slicing potatoes - I don't have one at hand to test - but since I usually use my kitchen knives to do that as they are purpose designed for the job - why would one really want to use a folder? ;)
Click to expand...

Just as a follow-up I did try out the Groove in the kitchen -
not on potatoes, but one some Cheddar cheese -

Just under 1/4" slices off a block - straight push-cut, no pulling/slicing -
and guess what?
the cheese did not stick to the face.

To check I also used the bigger Kershaw JunkYard Dog II and the cheese did stick to its blade face.

--
Vincent
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beautiful pix and great review Vincent..... :)
I blame you and this particular thread for my current Kershaw manual flipper "fetish" ... :p
I was so impressed by my Groove that I had to order the Tanto Groove.... :thumbup:
the weight of the Tanto Groove is listed as 4.2 ounces (at Knivesplus's website) while the Groove is listed as 5.2 ounces...
http://www.knivesplus.com/kershawknifeke-1730tblk.html

The black tungsten DLC coating covers the blade and the handles.... the G10 slabs on mine appears black (same as the ones on my Groove)....
I believe the Tanto Groove is hollow ground and the Groove is flat ground...
Because of less blade mass, the Tanto Groove is slightly more difficult to flip open than the Groove....and I need to use a little wrist snap to consistently open the blade....however the knife is brand new and if this knife behaves like my Junkyard Dog, the pivot action should smoothen out / become easier to flip with some time.... the bushings appear to be phosphor bronze...
The factory sharpness was very keen and push cutting paper is much easier with the hollow ground Tanto Groove than the Groove....
The framelock on both my Grooves function flawlessly...with solid lockups and zero bladeplay.... I've been way impressed by all my Kershaw liner/frame-locks ... some of the best IMHO at their pricepoint.... :thumbup:
Compared to Vincent's excellent photos, here are my "amateur" ones.... :o :)
btw I removed one G10 scale from my Groove to decrease pocket "consumption" ... :yawn: other than that minor gripe, both these R.J. Martin designs are highly recommended.... :thumbup:
 
jaislandboy said:
Because of less blade mass, the Tanto Groove is slightly more difficult to flip open than the Groove....and I need to use a little wrist snap to consistently open the blade....however the knife is brand new and if this knife behaves like my Junkyard Dog, the pivot action should smoothen out / become easier to flip with some time.... the bushings appear to be phosphor bronze...
Click to expand...

Many thanks for your bump, kind comments and for your pix.

Interesting that the Tanto Groove is hollow ground and therefore a fraction lighter - good observation and information.

Funnily I now find I can open the smaller JunkYard Dog more easily than the initially more intuitive and easier larger JunkYard Dog 2.

This is due to sheer amount of use, as it is my at home EDC - so it gets reached for a lot.

I also remain very impressed with these Galyean designed manual flippers -
they have become my choice (just marginally) over the assisted opening Speed-Safe
- I like the idea of the blade opening so easily without any spring assistance.

--
Vincent
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