- Joined
- Jun 16, 2008
- Messages
- 55
Overall, the Kershaw Shallot is an above average everyday carry knife that
performs light cutting chores very well. The Shallot is a spring assisted
modified drop point plain recurved blade design. The pocket clip is reversible
and there is a lanyard hole.
It comes in a variety of different steels that will please hardcore knife
enthusiasts. I own the 1840CBZDP model that has a 14C28N backbone and
ZDP-189 edge. There is a very cool looking wavy line where the two metals
have been bonded together. The ZDP steel sharpens easily on a diamond
sharpener. Sadly, it also stains and discolors very easily...but can be
corrected with polishing.
On the plus side, the Shallot is thin, slim, sharp, and will slip invisibly into
your pocket. Great for desk monkeys who can't carry a full size knife.
I've used it to cut up salad at work, whittle wood, butcher a rack of lamb
into chops, split raw chicken and duck into halves and quarters, gut trout.
It cuts through rope, webbing, cardboard and plastic like butter, although
thicker materials might require two swipes. I've taken very thin layers of skin
off my palm and thumb accidentally, without noticing until hours later. This
is one sharp knife.
The grip does not slip when wet since there is a groove which keeps your
hand from slipping onto the blade.
However, heavier prying and cutting chores are beyond the scope of this
knife. The knife tip is fragile. Mine bent/chipped slightly when doing some
prying, but i was able to sharpen it back into shape. That makes this a
decent camp knife, but it isn't a survival knife by any means.
Sadly, there is no tip safety on the spring assist portion of the knife like
other Kershaws. I've had it open on me twice in my pocket, but since I
carry it downwards, it only opened partially and without much force. You
need to exercise caution while carrying.
I'd also recommend keeping a star screwdriver (torx) available to adjust the
assisted opening spring tension. After moderate use, the knife blade
becomes wobbly, which is easily fixed with a turn of a screwdriver.
A related issue is that the frame lock will not always engage if the tension
screw is not tight enough. This flaw makes the knife dangerous to use on
occasion. I've also had the reverse problem when gripping the knife tightly,
where the frame lock will get stuck and require a lot of pressure to disengage.
Another annoying design flaw is that if you reverse the clip, a small black
metal part of the spring assist device shows, ruining part of the knifes
sleekness of appearance.
In conclusion, this is a great ergonomic EDC knife with some flaws.
performs light cutting chores very well. The Shallot is a spring assisted
modified drop point plain recurved blade design. The pocket clip is reversible
and there is a lanyard hole.
It comes in a variety of different steels that will please hardcore knife
enthusiasts. I own the 1840CBZDP model that has a 14C28N backbone and
ZDP-189 edge. There is a very cool looking wavy line where the two metals
have been bonded together. The ZDP steel sharpens easily on a diamond
sharpener. Sadly, it also stains and discolors very easily...but can be
corrected with polishing.
On the plus side, the Shallot is thin, slim, sharp, and will slip invisibly into
your pocket. Great for desk monkeys who can't carry a full size knife.
I've used it to cut up salad at work, whittle wood, butcher a rack of lamb
into chops, split raw chicken and duck into halves and quarters, gut trout.
It cuts through rope, webbing, cardboard and plastic like butter, although
thicker materials might require two swipes. I've taken very thin layers of skin
off my palm and thumb accidentally, without noticing until hours later. This
is one sharp knife.
The grip does not slip when wet since there is a groove which keeps your
hand from slipping onto the blade.
However, heavier prying and cutting chores are beyond the scope of this
knife. The knife tip is fragile. Mine bent/chipped slightly when doing some
prying, but i was able to sharpen it back into shape. That makes this a
decent camp knife, but it isn't a survival knife by any means.
Sadly, there is no tip safety on the spring assist portion of the knife like
other Kershaws. I've had it open on me twice in my pocket, but since I
carry it downwards, it only opened partially and without much force. You
need to exercise caution while carrying.
I'd also recommend keeping a star screwdriver (torx) available to adjust the
assisted opening spring tension. After moderate use, the knife blade
becomes wobbly, which is easily fixed with a turn of a screwdriver.
A related issue is that the frame lock will not always engage if the tension
screw is not tight enough. This flaw makes the knife dangerous to use on
occasion. I've also had the reverse problem when gripping the knife tightly,
where the frame lock will get stuck and require a lot of pressure to disengage.
Another annoying design flaw is that if you reverse the clip, a small black
metal part of the spring assist device shows, ruining part of the knifes
sleekness of appearance.
In conclusion, this is a great ergonomic EDC knife with some flaws.
