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- Oct 5, 2006
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Kershaw Salvo Review
I recently received a Kershaw Salvo Damascus as part of a pass around here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/826994-Passaround-Zero-Tolerance-ZT-0551. Thomas W. and the fine folks at Kershaw made the knife available and Morrowj_98 organized the pass around.
The Salvo is still in production with bead-blasted Sandvik blade steel in plain or partially serrated edges. The pass around knife has a Damascus blade that appears to have been discontinued. It had an MSRP of $84.95. Sandvik versions are about $20 less.
The US made Salvo really seems to be a Kershaw Leek 2.0, taking some of the classic folder’s weak points and improving upon them. Where the Leek handles can be slippery, for example, the Salvo adds rubber Trac-Tec inserts like those used in the Blur. Where some Leek models have a relatively thin liner lock, the Salvo uses a steel frame lock. Where the Leek's pointy blade tip doesn't make for the best prybar, the 3 1/4” Salvo blade is a bit stouter. And finally, where the Leek handle can be a little narrow for some larger hands, the 4 3/8” Salvo has a bit more length, girth, and about an ounce more weight.
Another key difference between the Leek and Salvo is its opening system. Where all Leeks use SpeedSafe for assisted opening, the Salvo is manual, depending on two thumb studs for one handed opening. It opens smoothly, but I found the placement of the studs to be a little too close to the frame for my fingers. I don’t think I could open the knife with gloves on.
This is the first Kershaw Damascus knife I’ve handled, other then a Shun kitchen knife, and I like the way the steel is rendered. The pattern is fairly random, but I think it might help with some of the rusting I’ve seen in the typical Kershaw bead blasted finish. Thanks again to Kershaw and J. Morrow for putting the pass-around together and for www.BladeForums.com for giving us a place to make it happen.
I recently received a Kershaw Salvo Damascus as part of a pass around here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/826994-Passaround-Zero-Tolerance-ZT-0551. Thomas W. and the fine folks at Kershaw made the knife available and Morrowj_98 organized the pass around.
The Salvo is still in production with bead-blasted Sandvik blade steel in plain or partially serrated edges. The pass around knife has a Damascus blade that appears to have been discontinued. It had an MSRP of $84.95. Sandvik versions are about $20 less.
The US made Salvo really seems to be a Kershaw Leek 2.0, taking some of the classic folder’s weak points and improving upon them. Where the Leek handles can be slippery, for example, the Salvo adds rubber Trac-Tec inserts like those used in the Blur. Where some Leek models have a relatively thin liner lock, the Salvo uses a steel frame lock. Where the Leek's pointy blade tip doesn't make for the best prybar, the 3 1/4” Salvo blade is a bit stouter. And finally, where the Leek handle can be a little narrow for some larger hands, the 4 3/8” Salvo has a bit more length, girth, and about an ounce more weight.
Another key difference between the Leek and Salvo is its opening system. Where all Leeks use SpeedSafe for assisted opening, the Salvo is manual, depending on two thumb studs for one handed opening. It opens smoothly, but I found the placement of the studs to be a little too close to the frame for my fingers. I don’t think I could open the knife with gloves on.
This is the first Kershaw Damascus knife I’ve handled, other then a Shun kitchen knife, and I like the way the steel is rendered. The pattern is fairly random, but I think it might help with some of the rusting I’ve seen in the typical Kershaw bead blasted finish. Thanks again to Kershaw and J. Morrow for putting the pass-around together and for www.BladeForums.com for giving us a place to make it happen.
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