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Kershaw Speed Safe vs. Timberline VDL
- Thread starter ErikD
- Start date
Ken Onion is the inventor of the Speed-Safe mechanism. His collaboration with Kershaw brought that nifty mechanism to the average consumer like you or I. I own 4 knives with Speed-Safe and love every one. I have taken my Random Task apart to see how exactly it works.
This year at Eugene, I was able to finally play with the Timberline assisted opener. It was nice that they even had a cut-out model so that I could see the internals! But what was very concerning to me was how much their mechanism resembled Speed-Safe.
It's basically the same thing, but rather than a torsion bar they use an actual curly shaped spring. 
I personally like the Kershaw knives better.
But as you can see I am now biased (and probably rightfully so). I don't think Timberline has anything in their knife that makes it any better than Kershaws knives...and the fact remains, it has been my observation that in general Kershaw puts together better knives than Timberline.
Alright, I guess now I'm going to catch hell from the Timberline advocates.
~Mitch
This year at Eugene, I was able to finally play with the Timberline assisted opener. It was nice that they even had a cut-out model so that I could see the internals! But what was very concerning to me was how much their mechanism resembled Speed-Safe.
It's basically the same thing, but rather than a torsion bar they use an actual curly shaped spring. I personally like the Kershaw knives better.
But as you can see I am now biased (and probably rightfully so). I don't think Timberline has anything in their knife that makes it any better than Kershaws knives...and the fact remains, it has been my observation that in general Kershaw puts together better knives than Timberline.Alright, I guess now I'm going to catch hell from the Timberline advocates.
~Mitch
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2001
- Messages
- 398
I carry a Timberline daily . I have used it to hack and wack on about any and everything you could imaginne. The knife has held up well . I do like the speedsafe as well , several of my friends have them and swear by them . I don't think you would go wrong with either model .
The VDL I have is very fast opening and has a solid lock .
Jerry
The VDL I have is very fast opening and has a solid lock .
Jerry