Kershaw Vapor

RyanMalpiede

RyanMalpiede

Joined
Oct 5, 1998
Messages
5,400
K1640.jpg


Specs:
  • 410 Stainless steel handles provide strength for the frame Lock. Blade made out of AUS 6A. 3.0 in. blade length. Plain edge.
It's been said before, but I am saying it again...

Go to your local Wal Mart, Plunk down $19.96 + Tax, and walk out with the finest production knife I have seen for that price range.

Go now!!! Hurry before I buy them all!

rYan
 
I got its' bigger brother for $24.95 at Smoky Mountain Knife Works, and I have to agree that this thing is sex on wheels (especially considering the price). It's currently in very heavy rotation in my carry lineup. If it had ambi thumbstuds rather than a reversable one, I'd probably keep it in my left pocket all the time.

731vapor1s.jpg
 
I think it's a great deal! You get a lot of knife for the money. I hate that the box is stamped "Made In China" but to look at the knife and feel the action you would not know it unless told.

I work part time at the local Super Center in the Sporting Goods Dept.
and have been impressed with several of the knives we have switched over too. The Gerber Harsey Air Ranger has been a big hit even at the $44.98 ( I think ) price tag.

They won't replace my edc of a large Classic Sebbie w/wood inlays:D but I could see carrying one in my off pocket and rotate it with my Camillus edc.

GREAT VALUE'S! Hey, if Wal-Mart ain't got it.......you don't need it! Unless it's a Sebenza:) :) :eek:
 
It gives my Sebenza a day off every now & again, with the Chive in the left pocket (on those Kershaw days...) ;)
 
Tamara = nice avatar - yikes!:eek:

Welcome to bladeforums.


Ryan = nice vapor. I don't know about you, but I really hate the black versions of that kershaw makes. just me, I guess.

By the way, I've ditched my vapor as an EDC, and moved to this: :eek:

564515_b.jpg


(maybe that's why I got so many holes in my pockets now...hmmm...:D:D )
 
I bought a vapor at my local walmart about two weeks ago,but it has one problem.The screw next to the lanyard hole has workes its way loose and I am having trouble finding something to tighten it with.great knife though.
 
Guys - I just handled this knife at Walmart yesterday...the larger of the two. I could not get the knife open with one hand. The stud seemed very pointy and actually hurt my thumb. The pivot was not two tight, as I could easily open the knife using two hands. What is the secret to opening this thing? I tried for over a minute to use the stud to open it with no success. Other than that, the knife seemed very well made.
 
Hi from a fellow TFLer! Guess we have good taste. :)

Originally posted by Tamara
It gives my Sebenza a day off every now & again, with the Chive in the left pocket (on those Kershaw days...) ;)
Click to expand...
 
Zombie,

I did the same thing today and had the same problem.

I noticed that my 4th finger was holding the lock scale in a manner such that it was directly pushing closed on the lockbar while I was trying to open it.

This is because it's a pretty small knife, and the clip doesn't stand in the way of the lockbar sufficiently.

I moved that 4th finger out of the way, and pushed up (i.e. toward the open blade direction, away from the butt) rather than out, and it opens a LOT easier.

Try that?

-Jon
 
I have had a vapor for some time and like it. The thumbstud is small and pointy like a Sebenza. I like to just catch the tip and flick it out with my thumb. At under $20 and available at Wal mart, I can't worry about damage. PS, I don't carry it anymore, but still like to flick it!
 
I was at one of the several local Wallyworlds last night meaning to buy among other things a Vapor.

Wouldn't ya know they had the old style display. I got to handle a KKO 'Blackout' however and here is what I have to say about it.

I haven't met a recent Kershaw that wasn't hurt yourself bad sharp. I don't trust the Speedsafe system. Also that handle is a big fat sucker which I don't think would carry real well. AND I AIN'T HAVING ANY MORE BLACK BLADES!!!

I've played more with my Chive, and I can see adding Scalion, Vapor, and VaporII to my collection (Even though Scalion is Speedsafe I believe it has a safety like Chive.)

I will probably have a Vapor before the day is out.

Joe Shmoe
 
I picked up a partially serrated Vapor II at wal-mart earlier this week... and I've been carrying it daily since.
My Commander needs to go in for repairs soon, and until I get that taken care of, the Vapor works very nicely for that.
For like $23 this knife is a hell of a buy... smooth... solid lock up... tight, but not too tight clip... great looks... feels great in the hand...
My only concerns are these: The serrations are cut really deep... and I would worry about them snagging on clothing in a defensive situation. And, I usually dont like all metal handled knives, because of the issues of slippage when covered in blood/sweat. There are some nicely done traction grooves toward the butt... however I dont totally trust these.
But next time I am in town, just pick up a little some skate-tape/stair-tred tape, and cut to fit, and I'll be ready to rock. :)

Great knife, especially for under $25... probably the best buy I;ve made in a long time... wouldnt mind picking up another one, or two, maybe a small and another large, both PE.
 
I told ya I would probably have one before the day was out!

My box reads "made in Japan?!?!?" "printed in USA" ... Japan? Far OUT!

The blade couldn't be more centered. It locks up bank vault tight. I can not detect a bit of blade play. It is shaving sharp.

It has as much blade as my BM 350, with a sweet smaller handle.

$19.96

I'm going to buy a couple more!

Only reason I didn't get a Scalion, and/or a VaporII is all they have those in is serrated. I don't have any use for serrated.

I also handled a Gerber Air Ranger. Sweet textured aluminum scales, tight lock up, good size. Only reason again - serrated. Also check out the Gerber LST II... it's pretty sweet for a flexy plastic framed lockback.

Anyhow, if you are sitting on the fence about getting a Vapor.... JUMP ON IT BABY!!!

Joe Shmoe
 
Mine was an absolute bizatch to open. For a tip-down carrier, I couldn't get it open easily with one hand without making my thumb all red.

So I looked at the ball holding it shut and the detent hole into which it rode ... man. Powerful stuff.

Stripped the guy down, took out an hammer and pinged the ball into the lock scale until just a tiny bit showed. I also pulled the lockbar over toward the opposite scale so the lock is even tighter.

Now it keeps lock shut, but opens really easily, even with my 4th finger on the lockbar.

For $19.95, you can't beat it. Pretty good stuff.

It's no Sebenza, but my wife, who's pretty good at this sort of thing, pegged it for a $50-75 knife.

Does anyone know what kind of steel it is? 420? 440a? AUS6? Sharpens a lot easier than 154cm or BG-42. (Not that I thought it was either of those two... ;) )

-Jon
 
Unfortunately, the boys at Kershaw forgot to tell the boys in China to apply LocTite Metal Screw Adhesive to the screws on the Vapor. Found a lose screw today as well above the lanyard. It was a quick fix though. Pretty much with a little LocTite, or Pivot Screw Adjustment, or Model Airplane Fine Sandpaper to the thumbstud ... this knife still is the best buy around.

*To unloosen the screws for readjustment after LocTite has been applied & set ... heat up screws with Hair Dryer and then unscrew.
 
I'd gone to Wal-Mart hours before intially reading this thread to pick up a smallish beater knife for use at work. I was absolutely astonished at their current superb selection of very high quality blades. I ended up bringing home a Kershaw Chive for the purpose stated above, and a Gerber Harsey Air Ranger just because I liked it so much. For the prices these knives are being offered at, they're just too good to be passed up. Next trip to WalMart will probably result in a Vapor riding back home, too.

Mike
 
I went to both Syracuse, NY area WalMarts today to pick up a Vapor. Both stores indicated that over the past two days they've completely sold out of Vapors, Vapor IIs, Chives, and Gerber Harsey Air Rangers. "Strange" they said. LMAO. I could only think of the "lurkers."

Mike
 
This is weird to read this today since I bought this knife yesterday. I liked the look, the thin feel in the pocket and blade design. No serration for me either - thank you. I had a little trouble trying to open the blade with my thumb and was opening and closing and hate to admit this on forum but I was trying to one hand close it fast with my thumb and it touched the blade. Damn thing is sharp. I cut the thumb right were you would apply pressure to the thumb stud - so no more practicing the open and close sequence. I had to modify my method. Now I take the thumb nail and flick my thumb, out like shooting marbles, and it opens fast and smooth. I still need a BM 705 with axis lock but this handle is much thinner. The lock is (don't get all out of shape) similar to a sebenez. It rides in my pocket great, but the tip down is taking some getting use to. I bought mine on the 9th in a Superstore in Richland Center, Wis (pop 5,018).
 
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