Kershaw vs Schrade 8CR13MOV

JupiterPaladin

JupiterPaladin

Joined
May 4, 2016
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I was at my local AutoZone getting a flare tool for a blown out brake line and saw a bunch of S&W, Schrade, and Snap-On knives by the checkout counter. When I mentioned the knife selection to the clerk, he whipped out a Kershaw Kuro and it was a sweet blade. He said it was 15 years old and EDC regularly. This made me wonder if there is a difference in the steel quality as the Schrade offering that was similar was a bit cheaper. Anybody got experience with these knives?
 
This is kind of like asking which is better, McDonald's or Burger King. They're both okay, but not great, for a few dollars more you can get something much better, or if you shop around you might find a better burger for the same price. Kershaw has a better warranty and customer support, all other factors really depend on how lucky you are when you pick a knife off the rack.
 
Umm...I don't think the Kuro is 15 years old...but anyway, it's entirely possible that a $20 Kershaw or Schrade or other brand knife will meet your needs as a knife. Sometimes the need for certain aesthetics will trump functional value, hence $400 mid-techs ;).
 
I've several Schrades and Kershaws with 8Cr12MOV blades and find them all excellent. Sharpens well, holds a good edge, never had an issue with either the Schrades or Kershaws.
Rich
 
8Cr13MoV is a budget steel, good for normal use, probably not ideal if you're using your knife to regularly cut large amounts of cardboard or chop trees and stuff. I've had a Kuro(pretty sure Kershaw hasn't been making Kuros for 15 years though) for a few years, it's a fine $20 knife, same as all of Kershaw's other 8Cr13MoV folders, which I carry regularly. Only Schrade I have in that steel is a fixed blade, which I haven't tested since I don't really have a need to carry a big fixed blade.
 
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