- Joined
- Jan 28, 2001
- Messages
- 3,709
I've been toting this little knife for a few days and thought it's about time I posted a mini review of it. I submit to you: the Kershaw Storm:
This little folder (model 1470) consists of a 3 inch matte finished recurved blade of Sandvik 13C26 steel, and a 410 stainless steel handle with what Kershaw refers to as: Trac-Tech inserts. For those familiar with the Kershaw Blur, these textured inserts give the user a no slip grip on the handle (very handy if your hands are wet). There is a lanyard hole present and the knife comes with a sturdy and stylish pocketclip attached for tip down carry, but can be switched around for tip up carry.
Fans of Kershaw/Ken Onion's assisted opening folders will be a bit disappointed as the Storm is a manual opening folder, not torsion-bar assisted. It is however, a frame-lock folder which almost reminds me of the Camillus EDC in size and shape. There is also a larger model called the Storm II (model 1475) a 3.5 inch blade for those who prefer a larger knife.
The dual thumbstuds look very much like those used on the Kershaw Blur, but I personally find them on the smallish side. If the Storm where an assisted opening folder all it would need is a little nudge on the studs and the torsion bar would do the rest, but as a manual opening folder these thumbstuds just don't feel right. As can be seen in the pics above, there is a small flipper that works as a choil and sticks out the end of the handle when closed, but it's too small to make an effective opener. It works much like the flipper on the Kershaw Seagal folder. You can use your forefinger to push the blade out, but you'll have to either use your thumb or flick your wrist to open it all the way.
I've used the knife for the past 3 days to open small parcels, cut fruit, tape and 550 cord and I haven't touched up the blade yet. Still feels plenty sharp. I really like the way the recurved edge bites into whatever you're cutting without the need of serrations. I tend to prefer a plain edge over a serrated edge, but for those who like that sort of thing, the Storms are also available with partially serrated blades.
Ergonomics are good and the "trac-tech" inserts insure that you won't loose your grip on the knife. The texture is a bit aggressive on these inserts, but since they're on one side, they won't wear out your pocket. If you have large hands you may find the larger model 1475 more to your liking, but if you live in an area with 3 inch and under blade length restrictions, just attach a lanyard to have a bit more to hold on to. Lock up is secure with no blade play in any direction and the opening action is smooth.
Here's a size comparision of the Storm with a Camillus Heat and a CRKT Desert Cruiser:
What I like about the knife:
Sturdy framelock mechanism
Reversible pocketclip
Recurved edge
Ergonomic
Decent steel (considering the price of the knife)
Ken Onion design
Made in USA
What I don't like:
Thumbstuds are a bit too small
No SpeedSafe feature
Well, as you can see there's not much I don't like about this knife. I sure wish it was an assisted opener, but I applaude Kershaw for making new "non-assisted" Ken Onion designs available to those who live in jurisdictions that may regard them as switchblades. I like the position and design of the thumbstuds, but I only wish they were a bit larger. Other than that, I think it makes a nice inexpensive EDC folder while the larger Storm II model would probably make a better "work" knife. If you like the Kershaw Vapor and want an upgrade, the Storm is it. It's made in the USA (not China) and best of all, it can be found for just under $30 bucks.
This little folder (model 1470) consists of a 3 inch matte finished recurved blade of Sandvik 13C26 steel, and a 410 stainless steel handle with what Kershaw refers to as: Trac-Tech inserts. For those familiar with the Kershaw Blur, these textured inserts give the user a no slip grip on the handle (very handy if your hands are wet). There is a lanyard hole present and the knife comes with a sturdy and stylish pocketclip attached for tip down carry, but can be switched around for tip up carry.
Fans of Kershaw/Ken Onion's assisted opening folders will be a bit disappointed as the Storm is a manual opening folder, not torsion-bar assisted. It is however, a frame-lock folder which almost reminds me of the Camillus EDC in size and shape. There is also a larger model called the Storm II (model 1475) a 3.5 inch blade for those who prefer a larger knife.
The dual thumbstuds look very much like those used on the Kershaw Blur, but I personally find them on the smallish side. If the Storm where an assisted opening folder all it would need is a little nudge on the studs and the torsion bar would do the rest, but as a manual opening folder these thumbstuds just don't feel right. As can be seen in the pics above, there is a small flipper that works as a choil and sticks out the end of the handle when closed, but it's too small to make an effective opener. It works much like the flipper on the Kershaw Seagal folder. You can use your forefinger to push the blade out, but you'll have to either use your thumb or flick your wrist to open it all the way.
I've used the knife for the past 3 days to open small parcels, cut fruit, tape and 550 cord and I haven't touched up the blade yet. Still feels plenty sharp. I really like the way the recurved edge bites into whatever you're cutting without the need of serrations. I tend to prefer a plain edge over a serrated edge, but for those who like that sort of thing, the Storms are also available with partially serrated blades.
Ergonomics are good and the "trac-tech" inserts insure that you won't loose your grip on the knife. The texture is a bit aggressive on these inserts, but since they're on one side, they won't wear out your pocket. If you have large hands you may find the larger model 1475 more to your liking, but if you live in an area with 3 inch and under blade length restrictions, just attach a lanyard to have a bit more to hold on to. Lock up is secure with no blade play in any direction and the opening action is smooth.
Here's a size comparision of the Storm with a Camillus Heat and a CRKT Desert Cruiser:
What I like about the knife:
Sturdy framelock mechanism
Reversible pocketclip
Recurved edge
Ergonomic
Decent steel (considering the price of the knife)
Ken Onion design
Made in USA
What I don't like:
Thumbstuds are a bit too small
No SpeedSafe feature
Well, as you can see there's not much I don't like about this knife. I sure wish it was an assisted opener, but I applaude Kershaw for making new "non-assisted" Ken Onion designs available to those who live in jurisdictions that may regard them as switchblades. I like the position and design of the thumbstuds, but I only wish they were a bit larger. Other than that, I think it makes a nice inexpensive EDC folder while the larger Storm II model would probably make a better "work" knife. If you like the Kershaw Vapor and want an upgrade, the Storm is it. It's made in the USA (not China) and best of all, it can be found for just under $30 bucks.
