Kershaw Ruby goes on sale Nov 13 6pm Pacific

[Jsolo]

That's it genius tell everyone

 

[J_Curd]

So about not releasing how many made...it's done for a business reason...let's see if the sideline quarterback naysayers can channel their negativity into creative thinking and determine why they might do such a thing.

The good news, you have serial numbers that tell you the top end.

I'd assume it's possible that some serials in the middle don't pass QC and get destroyed.

So find the top end...and assume there's less than that.

And unless you are ultra resourceful, count on the number they release stateside being the "number available" in your reality.

Hint: Learn Russian.

 

[RamZar]

Id almost bet that its sub 500 released.... theres no way they could have stockpiled that much ZDP, honestly whats the last time they produced anything with it? The cyclone ti? maybe the zdp cb shallot and mines from 08

The ZT ZDP is killer stuff. Gets extremely sharp. I have it on my 0350CBZDP, 0350CBZDPST and 0350ZDPCKTST. There's another one I don't have which is 0350ZDPCKT.

 

[greeenie]

It's sooooooo hard too, amazing steel, might be my new favorite with the recent purchase of the zdp shallot

 

[RamZar]

I've personally come to somewhat of the opinion at this point that unless a quantity number is released, the term "limited edition" is completely meaningless. While some here have expressed that it doesn't matter to them how many of the "limited edition" Ruby are released, I disagree. While I am not saying they are completely comparable, the BladeHQ Exclusive Kershaw Skyline with carbon fiber scales and S30V steel is supposedly a "limited edition", but appears to be in absolutely NO shortage of supply, so "limited" is nothing but a relative term at best, but IT IS effective at increasing the initial price/demand for a knife...

Lots of truisms therein. KAI is not alone.

You see Unlimited Limited Editions from Benchmade although their Gold Class knives always have a set published count.

Spyderco has increased its Sprint Runs significantly to 1,500 due to meeting demand and reducing overall cost. Of course, then many are complaining that their secondary market pricing is shot!

I believe the BladeHQ Exclusive Kershaw Skyline S30V/CF was not just producing too many but not enough demand at those prices.

ZT 0770 was a Limited Edition but at over 2,000 produced is it really that limited...

 

[JarrodS]

KAI could learn something from the old guard in this dept. IMO, this is how to properly do an LE anniversary knife:

 

[J_Curd]

A Certificate of Authenticity...hrm, interesting idea.



Your gents realize ANY company could hoodwink you, right? Right??

 

[Yalius]

KAI could learn something from the old guard in this dept. IMO, this is how to properly do an LE anniversary knife:

It's funny, but I disagree. That one looks... boring. Like they were surprised and suddenly remembered they had to put out an anniversary knife and some guy in production was told, "Quick, slap something on this knife and call it special! I don't care, nobody will notice!"

 

[miltmaldo]

KAI could learn something from the old guard in this dept. IMO, this is how to properly do an LE anniversary knife:

That's how you suppose to do it . :thumbup:

 

[miltmaldo]

It's funny, but I disagree. That one looks... boring. Like they were surprised and suddenly remembered they had to put out an anniversary knife and some guy in production was told, "Quick, slap something on this knife and call it special! I don't care, nobody will notice!"

I don't think Jarrods is talking about the knife . He is talking about the certificate the number of the knife and how many were made .

 

[RamZar]

The Boker 145th Anniversary Limited Editions (145 pieces of each model) were understated and carried a minor premium in price over the regular production models. What they all had was real nice Grenadill wood scales and highly polished blades. Nothing fancy but nice. Just a different way to approach an anniversary.

My Boker Haddock 145 Anniversary

 

[JarrodS]

It's funny, but I disagree. That one looks... boring. Like they were surprised and suddenly remembered they had to put out an anniversary knife and some guy in production was told, "Quick, slap something on this knife and call it special! I don't care, nobody will notice!"

Let's not critique the knife - no doubt that KAI has put *way* more into the design and materials of the Ruby than what went into this Boker I showed (and the price difference clearly reflects that). Here's what I like about how Boker does their LEs:

1. The branding and anniversary are clearly visible, and tastefully done. A good bit of the "anniversary bling" is written on the box and supporting materials (not pictured).
2. The edition size has some relation to the anniversary that is being commemorated (145 years = 145 knives in this case).
3. The edition size is disclosed. This helps customers assign their own personal value to it being "limited".
4. The serial number and edition size are clearly marked on the knife, and on the hand-signed card. Both are a nice touch, IMO.

And I don't think KAI is trying to hoodwink anybody by not disclosing these things. If I did, I wouldn't participate.

 

[kneedeep]

I'm looking forward to the Ruby myself. I had the good fortune to actually see some of these being assembled, and make no mistake, these are NOT cranked out on a huge assembly line with dozens of people handling them. There is one craftsman sitting there fitting each part by hand and another person sharpening the the blade when he is done. It really is impressive to see the care going into building these LE knives. Between the premium materials and the build time and care that goes into these knives, the price truly is a bargain!

I do like the current billboard on the Ruby. They could certainly have gone way over the top on the presentation side, I think this was a good compromise. You have to remember this knife is a celebration of Kershaw's 40 years, the people at Kershaw (Kai) are proud of it and certainly deserve to shout out about it.

Even if you don't like the looks of the presentation side, any Darksiders out there [that are all about the steel and slicing ability of a blade] would be making a mistake to dismiss this knife. The blade is a relatively rare super steel, and is nice and thin. Since the blade is nice and thin, the handle is slim but very comfortable. The handles are solid, so it has some nice heft (though not heavy). The shade of red that they managed on the back spacers really is a perfect ruby color.

I really think that even if the presentation side bothers you, or if you are concerned about the collectibility, you should look at it as a really amazing carry knife, for actual use. On the other hand if those two points bother you, don't buy it, then there will be a few more around for those of us that truly appreciate what this knife represents (as it is there will not be enough to go around).

 

[mqqn]

Maybe Kai should stop calling them LE's and start calling them Small Batch.

I wonder if the numbers-fixated collectors also call and complain to bourbon manufacturers for not issuing numbers of bottles released to "prove" they are making small batches.

I like the Ruby, it is designed to be a flashy tribute piece. It was planned out that way. I am just happy for the folks at Kershaw for their continued success.

Whatever number of these that were made or are being made, they will sell out quickly without any trouble even if the folks who don't care for the styling don't buy themselves one.

Maybe that will open the market up to people who want the knife instead of wanting something to sell on ebay, and that would be a good thing in my opinion.

IF you have not handled this knife and are making your decision based solely on the design imprinted on the blade and or the machined design on the frame, you are missing out, but there is nothing wrong with that either.

I will do my best to get myself a Ruby and carry and use it proudly.

best

mqqn

 

[evilgreg]

I don't know, all this talking about it has me warming up to it a little. Besides, the back side of it is gorgeous enough to make up for the swirly wordy front side.

 

[poolhustler]

Ok let's say they do the ZT 0454 they only made 200+ I manage to get one so I'm very happy . I like the fact that I have something very limited . Having a limited like the Spyderco Native 5 CF that I own I think they made 1500 Ahhh it's not the same . Thats what I was trying to say . If I tell a friend I have a limited kershaw and he ask how many they made and I say 5000 big deal. It's about the pride of the knife . Now if I say I got a ZT that was only for sale over seas that's bragging rights X2 ....

I understand that the more limited a knife is, the more likely it will appreciate more and be more sought after. But that also depends a lot on the knife too. I don't know how many 454's were made, but I haven't seen any numbers over 500. When they released the sale info on them, they never said only 272 were made. They said 272 will be available for sale. Unfortunately many people who don't have reading comprehension took their wording to mean only 272 were made.

Anyhow, it is what it is and we may never know exactly how many were made. I for one will be after a Ruby. I love the look and the fact that its an Anniversary KAI and high end materials make it a winner in my book.

 

[mr_anderson]

Its quite funny how the majority of people here claim the knife is too "blingy" with too much going on, meanwhile most of you have praised other knives in various threads for having mokuti clips and zirc bolsters and flame treated Ti handles...all this stuff meant to actually "bling up" a knife but are pretty critical of what is intended to be a celebratory piece of the 4 decades Kershaw has been producing knives. Its just puzzling...?

But then again, perhaps I should just wait for all the YouTube heavyweights to praise the knife and then y'all can start to appreciate it...

Yeah, like those horrible Brian Tighe knives? WTF is up with all that machining? Dude, just make a knife.

 

[bjh_deals]

Statement retracted.....sorry to those that I have offended.

 

[J_Curd]

This is pure speculation, but I bet this was a run of 500 or less.

 

[presz]

Thomas has stated over in another forum that only 200 will be released in the North American/Canada market, but did not say how many were being released in Kershaw's other markets.

Looks like someone needs to read the "sticky" at the top of that other forum. The one that is locked.

Not cool.:thumbdn: