Kershaw whiplash? any thoughts?

newknife · Jul 13, 2009

Anyone checked out this knife? Any reviews?

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=KS4355

Do you think the narrow handle would fmake it prone to break? How is the blade steel? thanks!

newknife · Jul 13, 2009

one more question... what is the purpose of the top of the knife above the word "kershaw"? They are not serrations so what is the purpose of the space metal?

Chameleonbear · Jul 13, 2009

newknife said:
one more question... what is the purpose of the top of the knife above the word "kershaw"? They are not serrations so what is the purpose of the space metal?

I was just looking at it too... maybe it's the over-sized thumb notches? Seems like it might hurt though,

Badhammer · Jul 13, 2009

Chameleonbear said:
I was just looking at it too... maybe it's the over-sized thumb notches? Seems like it might hurt though,

That's what the ad copy says,

"For an even more secure grip, the Whiplash features extra-large thumb notches and an oversized index-finger notch."

I'd like it much better with a more conventional handle. Can't help but think the tang is the weak spot in the design.

dawsonbob · Jul 13, 2009

The entire knife is the weak spot: the thinness of the tang just happens to be the weakest spot. It looks like a knife made by Mattel for 13 year old mall ninjas ... at best.

Thomas W · Jul 13, 2009

Grant & Gavin's designs have always been polarizing and visually not for everyone. I personally like the knife, it handles well and has held up in limited use to date.

dawsonbob · Jul 13, 2009

Thomas W said:
Grant & Gavin's designs have always been polarizing and visually not for everyone. I personally like the knife, it handles well and has held up in limited use to date.

Visually? If all you want a knife for is to keep it protected under glass, then enjoy. Personally, if I have to depend on a knife to keep me alive, then I want something that will stand up to hard use: this one won't.

Tony8179 · Jul 13, 2009

dawsonbob said:
Visually? If all you want a knife for is to keep it protected under glass, then enjoy. Personally, if I have to depend on a knife to keep me alive, then I want something that will stand up to hard use: this one won't.

Dawsonbob have you tested, used, and abused this knife until it was useless? If not, I wouldn't go throwing around two cents when you have nothing but lint in your pocket. Kershaw makes some of the best knives for the money and they don't skimp on the QC and designs. Besides, Grant and Gavin Hawk are excellent and innovative designers. I'm sure they're not producing a blade that is going to fall apart in your hand. If you're into more expensive and robust fixed blades well then that is great, but there is no reason to "flame on" when you see something that may not fit the bill for you. If you don't like what you see then simply move on.

Thomas W · Jul 13, 2009

dawsonbob said:
Personally, if I have to depend on a knife to keep me alive, then I want something that will stand up to hard use: this one won't.

I would hope if you were buying a knife and using that blade specifically to save your life, you would spend more than $35...then again I don't really know you.

spiralarchitect · Jul 13, 2009

Thomas W said:
I would hope if you were buying a knife and using that blade specifically to save your life, you would spend more than $35...then again I don't really know you.

Priceless.

Tony8179 said:
Dawsonbob have you tested, used, and abused this knife until it was useless? If not, I wouldn't go throwing around two cents when you have nothing but lint in your pocket. Kershaw makes some of the best knives for the money and they don't skimp on the QC and designs. Besides, Grant and Gavin Hawk are excellent and innovative designers. I'm sure they're not producing a blade that is going to fall apart in your hand. If you're into more expensive and robust fixed blades well then that is great, but there is no reason to "flame on" when you see something that may not fit the bill for you. If you don't like what you see then simply move on.

Tony8179 is exactly right on with his post. Kershaw is a manufacturer of quality goods with one of the best warranty and CS departments in the business. So, there is little to worry about. It isn't likely to break and in the off chance it does they will fix you up.

On to the look, Thomas said it. The Hawk's designs are polarizing. Heck, I love what the Hawks do and many of their designs don't work for me. It's all about what you are into.

Finally, this knife should make for a nice entry level, mid-size, fixed blade knife, a segment of the knife industry with few players. I know I will pick one up just to check out the "Hawk-Tech" content.

goatariba · Jul 13, 2009

Price is not the point when it comes to a knife you'd bet your life on. i would take a buck 110 and 119 into any scenario over 90% of knives that cost 10X what they do.
All my knives are hard use. i'm an accumulator not a collector. day-in-day-out i use my knives as hard as anyone else i''m willing to bet.
It's conceivable that i could use this knife all day everyday for my entire life and it may never break.
the truth remains, however, that losing that much steel from that part of the knife can't make it stronger. Maybe it's not weaker in a way that will ever affect me, maybe, but i'd rather not tempt fate, and so i would stay away from this design.

2brothers · Jul 13, 2009

dawsonbob said:
The entire knife is the weak spot: the thinness of the tang just happens to be the weakest spot. It looks like a knife made by Mattel for 13 year old mall ninjas ... at best.

dawsonbob said:
For that price I can pick up a Becker BK-2 that'll actually keep me alive. That thing looks like it's made by Mattel to impress 13 year old mall ninjas.

dawsonbob said:
Somewhere it must be stamped "You can tell it's Mattel -- it's swell."

Do you work for Mattel or are you just trolling the Whiplash posts?

mike

Dekz · Jul 13, 2009

Lol, people that joined in 08 and 09 arguing with Thomas ,of all people, about knife quality.

Todd A · Jul 13, 2009

Dekz said:
Lol, people that joined in 08 and 09 arguing with Thomas ,of all people, about knife quality.

LOL...your join date gives you the ability to decide if a knife design is worthwhile?

Gee mine is Oct 2007,same as you,is that OK?

Look ...for everyday use in a urban enviornment, sure the knife appears to be solid enough. But for hard outdoors use the relief cut in the tang seems to be way to much.It defeats the purpose of a full tang in my opinion.

I would hope if you were buying a knife and using that blade specifically to save your life, you would spend more than $35...then again I don't really know you.

I'll stick to my custom fixed blades if my life is on the line, or for real hiking/camping use

.....BUT...I am strangely drawn to buy a Whiplash to beat on.

alaskanmonte · Jul 13, 2009

Looks unique, I like to see manufacturers willing to try different designs, and Kershaw should be commended for it. I like most of the Hawk's designs, and while I won't be getting this one, its because I have to many fixed blade knives at home to choose from. I have to say it priced right.

Josh K · Jul 13, 2009

alaskanmonte said:
Looks unique, I like to see manufacturers willing to try different designs, and Kershaw should be commended for it. I like most of the Hawk's designs, and while I won't be getting this one, its because I have to many fixed blade knives at home to choose from. I have to say it priced right.

Commended for producing a knife designed around a stow away lanyard? A design that will produce an inherently weaker knife? Add in a blackened blade and a hair comb on top and you've got a knife that is not only visually disgusting, but also marketed as a "bold, military-style fixed-blade knife."

I cannot agree with the design, I thought it was an ill conceived joke at fist. I'm no one to tell you how to run your company, but that knife scares me.

hunter s thompson · Jul 13, 2009

dawsonbob said:
Visually? If all you want a knife for is to keep it protected under glass, then enjoy. Personally, if I have to depend on a knife to keep me alive, then I want something that will stand up to hard use: this one won't.

When was the last time you had to depend on your knife to keep you alive? If your tools are the only thing between you and eternity your planning and tactics really suck. If the whiplash was the only tool you had available and you decided to baton it, and it broke don't blame the whiplash. You should know the limitations of your tools, once you exceed these limitations don't blame the tools for the failure, its all operator error beyond that point. The reason they make a variety of knives is because people like diffrent things. If not we would all carry Busses, and Sebbies and we wouldn't really need a forum at all. Sounds pretty boring to me. If you don't like something move on there will be something out there that will tickle your fancy.

dawsonbob · Jul 13, 2009

Sorry I wasn't here to answer for awhile (I had an appointment at the VA Hospital).

No, I have nothing whatsoever against Kershaw. Kershaw is a good company and they've produced some good knives over the years but, IMHO, this isn't one of them. No, I haven't tested this particular knife, nor would I. I don't have to have putrid meat tested to know that it's putrid meat. One look at this thing tells me that it wouldn't stand up to the things I require of a knife. If I go out in the woods with a knife I very well may be depending on that knife to keep me alive. I wouldn't trust this thing to clean my fingernails with, let alone not fold up when I needed it most. I don't know what you're requirements may be -- perhaps you're only attracted by the oddity of the design -- but it's not for me. I would never tell anyone else what they should or should not use: that's a personal decision. But I am expressing my .02 worth. That's not trolling, that's expressing a personal opinion. Yours may be different, and more power to you.

Sep · Jul 13, 2009

Interesting design. If knives with rat tail tang can work just fine, I don't see why the Whiplash would be any different. I wish Grant & Gavin would explain the philosophy behind the design, because the marketing paragraph doesn't make it obvious.

Todd A · Jul 13, 2009

If your tools are the only thing between you and eternity your planning and tactics really suck.

One slip,one fall, or a sudden weather change can throw all your planning and tactics out the window.

Look...I like Kershaw. They make fine knives,I do own a Zing, Storm 2,and Leek.

BUT......

military-style fixed-blade knife

For hardness and strength, the blade is 8CR14 stainless steel with matte-black PVD coating

....such hype does wonders for sales.

Hardness and strength compaired to what? I have a "cheap" Becker/Kabar BK11 that I have batoned through logs in 10 degree weather. It held up fine....and I would trust that knife with my life....as much as my knives costing much more.

I guess I'll have to pick up a Whiplash and see if it will perform as well as the same priced BK11.