Kershaw Skyline

s.c. said:
It's a great knife for the money. My only gripe is how much handle is exposed when cipped in the pocket tip up.
Click to expand...

I was also somewhat disappointed in that. So much so that I changed it back to tip down.
 
you can use the thumb stud to open the blade, you just need to start it by pressing on the flipper.

it's nice because it gives you the option to open the knife fast when you want to, and slowly when you don't want to draw a lot of attention.
 
Your story sounds familiar, I bought a Tenacious, then wanted a Skyline due to all the wonderful reviews. I guess if you want something really light, it's a good choice. Thing is, for the price and size/weight I have found I'd much rather carry an alox SAK. They can handle the same cutting tasks, and the SAK will have tools to do things the Skyline can't. My Skyline just sits in a drawer now. If I'm going to carry a knife large enough to be clipped to a pocket, it's going to be one that is larger and can handle heavier duty. Just a thought.:)
 
Thanks for all the advice. I have a Volt flipper which I am not all that crazy about, but do like the flipping action. I also have a ZT 350CB which has a flipper and thumbstud, but I
always use the flipper. Kershaw has impressed me with customer service. I sent a 10 year old Blackout to them for sharpening and they replaced the blade at no charge. The blade on the ZT was not centered and was rubbing the liner. They fixed it and returned it with no issues. What is interesting to me are the differences in opinions regarding flippers. From everyone's replies I think I will pay the $30 and give it a shot.
 
The skyline is a great knife I have one in 13c28n and one in Alabama Damascus (totally amazing) it's my favorite kershaw ! And as far as the thumb stud if u push up instead of out it pops out like an AO!
 
flash900 said:
Puzzling why a designer would intentionally make thumb studs that are ineffective or hard to use for opening.
Click to expand...
Sometimes designs are conducive for such a scenario, others not so much. The primary category for the Skyline was to be a flipper, not a knife to be a thumb stud opener. We were establishing flippers during the time of its release (OD-1, Skyline, JYD's, ENER-G's, etc...) The designer accomplished exactly what the goal was. Hopefully that helps with you being puzzled.

If one is looking for a knife that primarily opens with a thumb stud, the Skyline is not your knife.
If you're after a dual threat (flipper/thumbstud) then the Skyline can work as SaMX describes.
As a flipper, that's it's sweet spot. :thumbup:
 
Thomas W said:
Sometimes designs are conducive for such a scenario, others not so much. The primary category for the Skyline was to be a flipper, not a knife to be a thumb stud opener. We were establishing flippers during the time of its release (OD-1, Skyline, JYD's, ENER-G's, etc...) The designer accomplished exactly what the goal was. Hopefully that helps with you being puzzled.

If one is looking for a knife that primarily opens with a thumb stud, the Skyline is not your knife.
If you're after a dual threat (flipper/thumbstud) then the Skyline can work as SaMX describes.
As a flipper, that's it's sweet spot. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Thanks, Thomas.
Even some Skyline owners are confused so it really doesn't make much sense for consumers -- unless you clue in prospective buyers with a warning: Caution: Will NOT open with thumb studs.

Do you have any new, 2.5- 3 inch manual models that open with thumb studs in the 2011 lineup? I would be eager to give them a try.
 
flash900 said:
Caution: Will NOT open with thumb studs.
Click to expand...

With a little practice, it can and will open the blade.

Why you’d want to when the flipper works as good as it does is beyond me. As has been said above, the knife was designed as a flipper (and what a flipper) the “studs” are blade stops.
 
J.Mattson said:
With a little practice, it can and will open the blade.

Why you’d want to when the flipper works as good as it does is beyond me. As has been said above, the knife was designed as a flipper (and what a flipper) the “studs” are blade stops.
Click to expand...

Thanks. To answer your question, I'm not into flippers or A/O. YMMV.
 
Caution? Why would consumers need a caution? I think that if they can't figure out how to open a kershaw skyline without using the thumbstuds they probably shouldn't own a knife in the first place. :rolleyes:

The skyline is a great knife. If you can't look past the flipper then don't buy one. Pretty simple.


flash900 said:
Thanks, Thomas.
Even some Skyline owners are confused so it really doesn't make much sense for consumers -- unless you clue in prospective buyers with a warning: Caution: Will NOT open with thumb studs.

Do you have any new, 2.5- 3 inch manual models that open with thumb studs in the 2011 lineup? I would be eager to give them a try.
Click to expand...
 
it isnt hard to figure out when studs are for stops. you look, small studs + notch in the top part of handle + alternate opening mech = you get the picture
 
flash900 said:
Thanks. To answer your question, I'm not into flippers or A/O. YMMV.
Click to expand...

I never used to like AO or flippers, then I learned to like them (flippers) then I learned to love them. Still don’t care for AO though.

You might be able to use the blade stops as thumb studs easier if you sand away some of the G10.
 
Even some Skyline owners are confused so it really doesn't make much sense for consumers -- unless you clue in prospective buyers with a warning: Caution: Will NOT open with thumb studs.

Comments like this are the reason that electric appliances such as hair dryers have warnings on them like "DO NOT USE WHILE BATHING." :rolleyes:
 
I'll put it this way: I bought the Skyline as an EDC blade I wouldn't mine using/breaking/losing because of the price point. I've put it through its paces, opening boxes and packaging at work, digging holes and slicing branches in the garden, opening mail, etc. I even used it as scraper/pry tool (yeah, yeah, I know, not the intended use) while dismantling set pieces at the local community theater. It was up to every task every time.

I've since bought a second one (the first was the original 13C26 blade steel, and I apparently sweat too much to carry a 13C26 knife in my pocket for an extended period of time without rust), and am still as in love with it as ever.
 
Seanifred said:
it isnt hard to figure out when studs are for stops. you look, small studs + notch in the top part of handle + alternate opening mech = you get the picture
Click to expand...

It shouldn't be necessary to "figure out" that the studs on the ZT 0551 work but those on the 0350 don't for the purpose of opening.

You think there's no confusion? One Kershaw rep said I could remove the torsion bar on my 350 and use it manually with the studs. Another (correctly, I learned) said the exact opposite.
 
What's so hard about applying a slight pressure to the flipper to make the thumbstud more accessible and continue to open with the stud?

I just took mine out of the drawer and it opens seamlessly.
 
I would stay far far away from a skyline, just because it makes purchasing other, more expensive knives very hard to justify. For $30-35 at Walmart or academy, I know I can get a decent length blade in good steel that is very comfortable to carry and use, opens like an A/O with the flipper, is made in the USA, and has a cool factor that comes from an extremely efficient design and slick styling. Everyone should own one.

And as far as judging the knife because the thumbstuds don't open the blade easily? WTF? That's like not dating Mila Kunis because she can't do long division.
 
Last edited:
mlanghornes said:
i would stay far far away from a skyline, just because it makes purchasing other, more expensive knives very hard to justify. For $30-35 at walmart or academy, i know i can get a decent length blade in good steel that is very comfortable to carry and use, opens like an a/o with the flipper, is made in the usa, and has a cool factor that comes from an extremely efficient design and slick styling. Everyone should own one.

And as far as judging the knife because the thumbstuds don't open the blade easily? Wtf? That's like not dating mila kunis because she can't do long division.
Click to expand...

lol!!
 
This would probably be the only Kershaw branded knife I would be at the moment (in damascus) until the 2011 lineup is released. Now those are some nice models, cant wait to grab a couple of them.
 
mlanghornes said:
...And as far as judging the knife because the thumbstuds don't open the blade easily? WTF? That's like not dating Mila Kunis because she can't do long division.
Click to expand...
Me: Mila, what is 3487/2?
Mila: Duh, I don't know.
Me: Sorry babe, I can't go out with you. :D

131_3fb21e61e2b4e8a6659924e28363687e.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top