Kershaw Shallot

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WTForce

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Jun 12, 2007
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I'm thinking of getting the Kershaw Shallot with the ZDP-189/14CZN composite blade

I'm getting to replace my S&W folder as an EDC and just want some opinions on the knife

Anyone have any complaints or praise about the Shallot, it would be great to hear more about it?
 
The only complaint I have heard was that the blade is a little too thin. The CPM-S110V is a bit thicker and may be a better choice (if you can find it).
 
I have heard that the blade is a little thin so it I were to get one it would be my dress up knife I guess.
 
I've got both knives, the ZDP and S110V. The ZDP knife isn't any different from the usage standpoint. It's plenty strong enough to do the things I do with folders, and slices very well. To be honest, this is the first time I've heard this as a complaint. I have heard the opposite, that the S110V could have been made thinner and still been strong enough.

As far as the complaints of it being too thin, was there some kind of failure related problem I didn't hear about?

No matter what you do design wise someone will find something to complain about. The majority of the time it has nothing to do with function, just somebodies preference.

I typically like thin slicing folding knives, not pocket folding pry bars that don't do either job very well IMO. Typically too thick a knife is frowned on, though I didn't see the S110V blade as being too thick to make it less of a slicing type knife.

I also don't see my ZDP composite shallot as being too thin, or unable to do anything I need it to do.
 
I just pulled mine out of the box to look at. I don't think the blade is too thin. It is a little narrower than most of my Benchmade knives but it looks like it is plenty strong and will make a good slicer. The tip is as thick or thicker than my full flat grind Spydercos. I don't think there is anything to worry about if you are going to be using the knife as a knife and cutting things. If you try to use it as a screwdriver or to pry open a can of paint you will have problems but so will 95% of the knives out there. That is not what they are made for.

That being said, I really like ZDP steel and it is why I bought the knife. The only thing I don't like is the all metal handle. I just don't like metal handles and that is personal preference. If you don't mind that fact it is a nice thin knife that should disappear in your pocket, yet is big enough to get a good grip on and be a useful tool.

Also, be aware that ZDP holds an edge for a long time. This is good but also means it is going to take a longer time to sharpen. Diamond coated sharpeners are the fastest way to work the steel.
 
I don't understand the "too thin" thing. The blade is a little too thin for what? Cutting? I've not seen any review or reports of edge or blade damage due to weakness from being too thin.

I have a few ZDP-189 knives ground much thinner than what the CB Shallot is ground.

I have a ZDP-189 Shallot and it's a great knife. I think you'd be happy with it.
 
morrowj_98 said:
I don't understand the "too thin" thing. The blade is a little too thin for what? Cutting?
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The only thing I see that is too thin about the ZDP Shallot is the handle. I like the blade and think it works great. The problem is that the handle thinner then the other Shallots because the blade is thinner. I'm not saying it's unusably thin. It's just thinner then I would want for a all-day-hard-use folder. On the other hand it practically disappears in your pocket. I've been kicking around the idea of making some linerless carbon fiber scales to go on the non-locking side to beef up the thickness and reduce weight a bit. If for no other reason then I like tinkering with things. :D
 
Flashpoint said:
The only thing I see that is too thin about the ZDP Shallot is the handle. I like the blade and think it works great. The problem is that the handle thinner then the other Shallots because the blade is thinner. I'm not saying it's unusably thin. It's just thinner then I would want for a all-day-hard-use folder. On the other hand it practically disappears in your pocket. I've been kicking around the idea of making some linerless carbon fiber scales to go on the non-locking side to beef up the thickness and reduce weight a bit. If for no other reason then I like tinkering with things. :D
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I could see someone thinking the handle is too thin for their liking. I was commenting on the statement that the blade was too thin.

I have a Shallot ready for a beefier handle as well. Phillip Dobson has done some fantastic looking mods to some Kershaw and ZT knives. I talked to him recently about doing the work and just haven't sent the knife to him yet. You should check out his work....super nice.
 
morrowj_98 said:
I could see someone thinking the handle is too thin for their liking. I was commenting on the statement that the blade was too thin.

I have a Shallot ready for a beefier handle as well. Phillip Dobson has done some fantastic looking mods to some Kershaw and ZT knives. I talked to him recently about doing the work and just haven't sent the knife to him yet. You should check out his work....super nice.
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Oh, I'm well aware of Phillips work. Top Notch. He did some RAM scales for me a while back. I can't remember who's knife he did the work on but he ground down the left scale and made a wood (?Ironwood?) scale to cover it. Turned out great.
 
Dobson redid my ZDP Shallot, rounded verawood handles, it's very hand filling now. The scale covers the framelock side entirely.
 
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Ok...

dobsonshallotfront.jpg


dobsonshallotback.jpg
 
the shallot and the leek, are some of my favorite EDC options. Excellent "torsion bar" system in play here, with a good EDC steel in the blade...

if you are looking for something less shiny and pretty but with all the function...try the kershaw leek G10 handle....i believe they also use s30v steel...when im on duty, i wont carry anything else.
 
OMG j curd...that is soo awesome....im leaving to go by a brick of redwood, maaad props for such a great innovation to an awesome blade!.
 
Sorry the pics arent better, I'm not very handy with my little point and click :(
 
The Leek is a great little knife and there's hardly anything my S30V won't cut. But the Shallot is the perfect size for EDC, just that little bit larger than the Leek. The handle shape removes any problem with metal scales being slippery.

Of course, Kershaw can't settle for good enough, so they throw different blade steels at the problem to drive me to distraction. :D
 
morrowj_98 said:
Great looking knife Joe....I'm jealous.
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Thanks Jason. I really enjoy it, but Phillip said it was pretty labor intensive. What you cant see is that the steel slabs were thinned a bit to make everything mesh properly. I got the slabs installed for the very reasons mentioned above...it was just too thin in my hand during use as it came stock. The ZDP Shallot would be an excellent test bed for a G-10 front side slab...(Thomas, hint hint).

:)
 
Yeah I'm also thinking about the leek in s30v as well but I'm leaning towards the shallot more because of the slight recurved blade

I wouldn't mind a thin blade because all I would be doing with the knife would be cutting or slicing
 
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