Kershaw Titanium Junkyard Dog II

[elkins45]

I have an opportunity to buy a titanium Junkyard Dog II. Does anybody own one that would like to share their impressions?

I'm especially interested in how well the flipper opener works and how the SG2 steel performs. I have never used another knife with this steel.

 

[MichaelScarn]

I don't have any firsthand experiences with it, but I would suggest buying it as they are very rare these days (at least from what I know).

I have heard that SG2 performs above the level of VG-10. I wouldn't quite say ZDP like, but it is a laminated steel and it is usually HTed to a high Rc. I'm really not a steel expert but I expect that it will perform well.

 

[cbxer55]

The flipper works well, but you have to put your finger on the flipper in a certain way to get it right. There are two different ways, one an unassisted flip, just your finger. The other involves a flick of the wrist at the time of flipping.

To flick it unassisted, you have to place your finger up high, at the apex of the flipper, and flick it real good.

To flick it assisted, you can put your finger further forward on the flipper.

When you get it you will see what I mean. Not a bad knife, really. I have one but have not used it heavily, find it a bit small for my taste, sub 4.0 inch. I prefer bigger, but maybe in your particular jurisdiction you cannot carry 5.0 folders?

Once you have used a five inch or bigger, the "big" JYD just seems little.

 

[blackjackdan08]

How much do one of those bad boys cost?

 

[berzerker]

I've got a pair of them, and they're great. Sort of a mid-tech knife for reasonable money, when you think about it: Ti framelock with an exotic steel.

They flip well, but there is a little bit of technique involved. Opening becomes much easier as the tolerances loosen up (or, you could back the pivot screw off a bit).

They are rare, yet should be much, much cheaper than Tim Galyean's Pro Series

http://www.galyeancustom.com/proSeries.html

Best regards

 

[STR]

This model of the JYDII is my favorite Kershaw folder. Personally I love the SG2 steel and feel its better overall than ZDP steel. Certainly its more corrosion resistant than the ZDP189. The SG2 blade on the JYDII frame lock has a thin grind down to the edge, at least thats how mine is. Its much thinner than my Blurs in the same steel and as a result it may not be as tough for dealing with lateral stress but it does perform and slice very well and it does keep a great edge for a long time. As for the flipper. Mine flips out there like greased lightning and most people that use it think its got that IKBS system in it because it has truly broken in so that its just that silky at this point. If you are rough on your knives the thin edge may not please you but if you want a nice thin grind in a production folder that will slice very well I'd highly recommend it. Kershaw sent me a lot of knives over the years and most of them have come and gone with few exceptions. This is one of them I'll keep and I can't say I've seen or used one with a thinner grind from Kershaw than the current JYDII in this steel that I own.

STR

 

[Jason B.]

I don't have the SG2 but I do have the CB model. I agree with STR once broke-in and with the right oil the flipper is silky smooth. The grind is thin but still very strong, I've put mine through some abuse and it never faltered. Though I have never used any SG2 I have heard its like S30V, personally I would rather have the CPM-D2 but that's just my $.02

 

[Flashpoint]

I really like mine. Get it and if you don't like it I'm sure someone will give you your money back.

 

[Dekz]

The flipper works well, but you have to put your thumb on the flipper in a certain way to get it right. There are two different ways, one an unassisted flip, just your thumb. The other involves a flick of the wrist at the time of flipping.

To flick it unassisted, you have to place your thumb up high, at the apex of the flipper, and flick it real good.

To flick it assisted, you can put your thumb further forward on the flipper.

When you get it you will see what I mean. Not a bad knife, really. I have one but have not used it heavily, find it a bit small for my taste, sub 4.0 inch. I prefer bigger, but maybe in your particular jurisdiction you cannot carry 5.0 folders?

Once you have used a five inch or bigger, the "big" JYD just seems little.

What the heck is all this mumbo jumbo about using your thumb for the flipper!?!?

 

[jonnymac44]

It's a great knife for the money. I have a couple of them and they perform beautifully. I also have the Galyean Pro Series and although it has a few advantages over the Ti JYD II, it's price tag is also MUCH higher. You can't go wrong with this knife. Grab one while you still can.:thumbup:

BTW, it's not small, and I'm with Dekz.....I flip mine with my index finger, not my thumb. The technique is not at all hard to get down either. Just build up pressure on the flipper by pushing against it, almost as if you're pushing the blade closed by firmly pressing up(while holding the knife with pivot at the top), then snap your index finger downward and out she comes, fast as lightning

 

[The Mastiff]

I'm another great admirer of this knife. I'd kind of prefer the flipper be a bit larger due to my hands but that's a preference, not a complaint. I really don't have any complaints about it.

To me the SG2 steel is like an upgraded, powder steel BG42 with a higher carbide fraction. It will take very sharp edges, easily in fact. It doesn't have the pure wear resistance of S90V, or S110V, but IMO, it takes better edges for slices and things you want a thin, sharp edge for. It's not a chopping steel, but it's one of my favorites at what it does. Mine is tied for sharpest out of the box knife from any manufacturer, including customs. I wish I could have afforded a few more when they were available.

 

[2brothers]

I received my first one from a contest in the Kershaw subforum back in 11/07
That SG2 steel is in a class by itself. :thumbup: They flip very smoothly, like butter.
When you get yours, be sure and use your finger on the flipper. You won't have any trouble.

Comparison pic?

 

[cbxer55]

What the heck is all this mumbo jumbo about using your thumb for the flipper!?!?

Booze?

 

[Stainz]

No one seems to want to venture a guess, but I'd say $150 or so LNIB wouldn't be bad. Mine isn't going anywhere - and it is the sharpest knife I've ever bought 'right out of the box'. I carry my G10 CB JYDII more often - but that SG-2 is special. Quite a bargain.

Stainz

 

[SteelSnob]

I have the Galyean pro series mini jyd and I love it. I know that's off topic a little but someone else metioned it.

 

[mr2blue]

It is my favorite Kershaw knife. I have 4. 1 user and 3 NIB that I bought because they are such a great knife.

 

[STR]

I never did care much for the clip on the JYD folders but for me thats a non issue. The thumb stud, or lack of one bothered me too because I rarely enjoy the flipper option or use it. To me it draws too much undue attention to the fact that you just quickly opened up a knife. Just me though.

Here is mine with some slight modifications made to suit me. You'll have to overlook the glare from the lighting though. :thumbup:

STR

 

[midnight flyer]

I never did care much for the clip on the JYD folders but for me thats a non issue. The thumb stud, or lack of one bothered me too because I rarely enjoy the flipper option or use it. To me it draws too much undue attention to the fact that you just quickly opened up a knife. Just me though.
STR

I have the JYDII G10 composite and the clip is the only thing I don't like. It carries fine, but it looks like a clip on a Frost fantasy knife to me. I would love to convert mine to the same config you have, but don't have the talent to do so.

BTW - how's the wrists?

I like the fact it isn't AO as well. It flips open well and easily enough (I am vintage enough to remember when we worked out our Buck 110s until they would do that!) with a tiny wrist effort. It is a better choice for me sometimes as no one sees it as a switchblade.

As opposed to my Kershaw Shallot, Benchmade Apparition, or Kershaw Tyrade. Almost without fail folks think those are switchblades because if their opening sound and distinct lockup.

If i were the OP, I would buy it just because the JYDII is a great knife. With that steel, I don't know how you could go wrong.

Robert

 

[STR]

Wrist is ok so long as all I do is rest it on my lap top and type trying best I can to even keep that shorter than normal. I can work some so long as I only do certain movements with it. Seems to tweak more if I move it to the right but up and down or left doesn't seem to hurt it as much although left can tweak it too if I go too far. Seems I have more movement that way though than I do to go right. At least most of the numb feeling is gone and the tingling in my thumb is no longer like itching. Overall I'm managing and have accepted that I just need to enjoy my time off. Thanks for asking.

STR

 

[STR]

By the way. One of my favorite mods was this and I totally forgot to show it earlier for some reason. Note besides the thumb stud and clip I also installed some new quality made stand offs in the rear of the folder that replaced that plastic looking one from the factory. I think it stepped the folder up a notch. These are available from Jantz Supply 1-800 351-8900

The part number for the stand offs I used which fit every bit as well as the original spacer if not better are SO301 They are $1.95 each and available in two types. I bought the ones that were designer over the $.99 smooth stand offs under part number SO101. Jantz also sells many fancy and plain thumb studs but those require special tools to install. You'll need a carbide drill in number #48 or number #44 to do that if you go that route but I'd get that from MSC in a two flute type which are pretty good and better prices. If you do install a thumb stud yourself I recommend the F16 and just keep it simple. USA knife maker sells some nice low rider clips although they still need some additional smoothing of the edges and the horns from the fold over removed to clean them up IMO but for $7 you can't do too bad with these if you want a lesser expensive alternative to a clip for it. I'd suggest a drill number #47 and a 2-56 thread forming tap from Enco and a good hand wrench for anyone wanting to do that themselves. Or if I can get my wife to clamp it down on my mill I could thread it with my tap matic pretty quick once its mounted down.

STR