Kershaw Tension review

As others have stated the handle looks a bit ZT-esque, however I feel that the blade profile is very close to the now discontinued Lahar. All in all it's a nifty knife especially at 20 bucks which is quite a reasonable price as far as I'm concerned.
 
The Tension is larger and heavier than I care to pocket-EDC and has no jimping. For those who care, there's no flipper, either, just double thumb studs.

That's all the nits.

The smooth opening and closing of the Tension puts to shame folders at ten times the price. Of course, it is imported and uses Chinese steel. But the workmanship and f&f truly belie its modest price.

Kershaw, can you please give us a 3-inch manual model, with a wide blade, that's this good?
 
flash900 said:
The Tension is larger and heavier than I care to pocket-EDC and has no jimping. For those who care, there's no flipper, either, just double thumb studs.

That's all the nits.

The smooth opening and closing of the Tension puts to shame folders at ten times the price. Of course, it is imported and uses Chinese steel. But the workmanship and f&f truly belie its modest price.

Kershaw, can you please give us a 3-inch manual model, with a wide blade, that's this good?
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I agree, a slightly smaller version with a 3' blade and say a 4 oz. weight, would be great!
 
The blade shape looks more like the Rake than the Lahar to me. Either way, it really brings a great design down to the budget level.
 
That looks like it would be a great user! I'm going to have to put that on my lllloooonnnngggg wish list of Kershaws!
 
they have one thats called zero tension Item: IK-531158 and one thats called tension Item: IK-530559 whats the difference.
 
Handle really looks like it was meant to be a flipper. Or maybe i've just been looking at the JYD too much. Kershaw does a great job on these affordable folders. I have a Nerve that I was going to gift to a coworker, I might have to pick up a new one for myself.
 
bertosknives said:
they have one thats called zero tension Item: IK-531158 and one thats called tension Item: IK-530559 whats the difference.
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I looked at that as well.. and ordered the IK-531158. It's the exact same thing, but at a cheaper price for some reason.
 
Mine looks to have bronze bushings. Got mine today. Nice little folder. A little hefty for it's size. Reminds me of a mini ZT. Nice blade on it. Will be a good user.
 
bertosknives said:
they have one thats called zero tension Item: IK-531158 and one thats called tension Item: IK-530559 whats the difference.
Click to expand...

I asked their customer service rep yesterday and he said the only thing he could figure out was that they were different year models- might as well save a few bucks and get the same knife! Only thing is that you will probably spend at least $20 getting the cheaper one shipped. Might as well get the new model in stores unless you aren't within driving distance. My store didn't stock the older model.
 
hammeron said:
I asked their customer service rep yesterday and he said the only thing he could figure out was that they were different year models- might as well save a few bucks and get the same knife! Only thing is that you will probably spend at least $20 getting the cheaper one shipped. Might as well get the new model in stores unless you aren't within driving distance. My store didn't stock the older model.
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It was three dollars cheaper than the 1490X Tension and I paid about three dollars for shipping. It all worked out to be a pretty good deal.


bertosknives said:
Awesome I thought one mabee was serrated . ta2warrior does yours have bronze bushings
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Yep, mine has the bronze bushings.

Oh.. and by the way.. this 1490 Zero Tension (notice the lack of an "X" at the end of the numbers) came in a box and not a clamshell. A plus to me.
 
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A friend if mine has a Tension & I was so struck by it that he bought me one for Christmas (actually he got me the Zero Tension). It's no secret because he told me he had gotten it to prevent me from getting it myself & thus spoiling the gift? It's a good friend who buys you a knife! :)

And I suspect the change to the name Zero Tension was for markering purposes because of its similarity to the Zero Tolerance 0350...Zero Tension/Zero Tolerance. Get it? :)

Anyway, can't wait to get it!
 
I bought some of these and they are like the zt 0350s little brother the liner lock is thinner but not too thin. Its almost as smooth as my utilitac thanks to its thick bronze bushings the utilitack has a more solid lock up but it costs twice as much. I am glad its a manual speedsafe is cool but I would rather have a smoth manual especially since the speed safe knives dont have the detent drilled.kershaw we need more manual knives with bronze bushings and a flipper would be nice.
 
Sweet I just got one of these at Cabelas today great LiL tank for 20$. Will defiantly be good user I'm to file some light gimping on the handle and it's rolling.
 
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