Kershaw Zing First Impressions

[Steely_Gunz]

Well after a quick search, I have not been able to come across a review (abbreviated or detailed) regarding the new(ish) Kershaw Zing.

I initially stumbled across this model while searching for an new EDC for my friend who has not stumbled down the rabbit hole as deeply as I have when it comes to sharp-n-pointies. He ended up settling on the Packrat. A fine choice

The wife has booked us on a cruise for this late summer. The cruise line has a policy of not allowing folders over 4" on board. I'm fine with that. What I decided to shop for was a knife that I could pack around while on board that wouldn't get any stares, wouldn't break the bank if I lost it/had it stolen, yet would be something I would actually enjoy carrying.

Upon learning there the dreaded Walmart was picking up a few new models from Kershaw, I thought they at least deserved a look for my purpose. I was familiar with the Skyline, but I have several lighter duty knives in the drawer collecting dust as it is I also checked out the OD-1. VERY nice, but I like a little more of a finger stop/guard than it had to offer. To be honest, I wasn't even thinking about the Zing when I stopped in to look.

After handling it, i knew it was what I was looking for. Small, thin, stout, pointy, secure in hand, not going to scare the pants off anyone that isn't big on knives. It sports polymer scales with three point pocket clip attachment options. The scales feel very G-10y. If that makes any sense. I actually wanted plastic over G-10 as I find that my grimy mitts embed dirt into my other G-10 folders. This is going to be primarily my on-the-boat carry, but it might see some on shore use if the adventure warrants it the knife is allowed.
I find that the handle, while smallish is very adequate for a gentlemanly folder. The 3" blade is pointy and the new 14series steel that they are using seems to have a bit more density to it. This is pure speculation based on "feeling" the blade. As most know, the blade has a series of wavy grooves machined into it like its big brother the Groove. It gives the Zing a neat look in a rather plane-jane niche.

Where I think the Zing really shines is in its vault-like build and lock up. No blade play at all. Also, the liners are really beefy for a 3 ozish knife. Upon comparing them to my at hand Needs Work, the liners are quite a bit thicker. Actually the blade is a bit longer as well, but the NW seems to dwarf the Zing. This makes the Zing a bit of a super-sneaky pocket battleship of smallish EDC folders, IMHO.

The Zing is not a fast opener. Its low blade weight and short pull make it kinda slow out of the blocks. Not a turtle by any means, but not as fast as the OD-1. Also, it sticks a bit, but I'm sure that can be fixed after a little break in period. It's not my IDEAL carry as I prefer a nice beefy blade, but it fits the bill as an affordable friendly-looking (dare I say cute) tool that will comply with the guidelines of the ship.

Not a bad knife at all for $40:thumbup:

 

[lazerboy2000]

Nice review and my friend has one coming in the mail i hope to play with...

I did check out a Zing a few weeks ago at Walmart, and it opened very fast for me. I'd suggest that you take it all apart and polish the pivot and apply some lube. I have the Groove, the Zing's big brother, and its one of my favorite flippers. I think if you just clean and lube the Zing a bit, and give it some time to break in...it'll become much faster. Also adjust the pivot tension to the sweet spot.

Steely Guns,I assume that you'd already know how to do this being that you're a Mod and 5000+ posts...but it will help others.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

LB, I am always open to suggestions, my friend You were right Once I got home, I gave the knife a good scrubbing and it opens much better.

I was hoping just oiling it would do it, but there was a bit of gunk in there. Not the fastest of the bunch still, but much smoother. Thanks for your help:thumbup:

 

[supasuprab0b]

great preliminary reveiw!

I love my Zing so far! ive had it for about a month now.

 

[thombrogan]

Jake,

The more you flip that knife, the smoother it will get.

 

[senoBDEC]

Frankly, I've come to much prefer my Zing and Skyline over the OD-1 - the detent is just SO MUCH better.

The OD-1 is rougher on the index finger due to the texturing on the flipper, and basically has no detent. Simply turning your hand fast will cause it to open, though I suppose that's what you get when you design it for smoothness (which it is). Otherwise, it would probably be an ideal EDC. Nice lines to it, and a fairly sturdy blade with a very narrow tip.

One thing I've become concerned about is the very small area of contact for the liner-lock and tang. Tends to wear much faster than a larger area...

 

[barrabas74]

My G/F bought me a Zing for christmas and I have rotated it in and out for a while now. Great little knife and its very stout for its size your right steely. Mine came smooth and fast, but I cleaned and polished it anyway and its a tad faster. Not as fast as my polished groove cuz of the blade weight or the OD-1 (more pressure is built up on the flipper) but its still quick enough.

I do like that this has thumb studs, the reason being is you want to open it slowly and not scare sheeple its much easier than with the OD1 or Groove where there are no studs. The studs arent big or ugly and suite the knife well anyway.

I have used mine alot and for 40 dollars its a great little knife, I got mine in orange but I think i need a black one from wally world now too just to keep around.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

I have had no problem getting it to flip out pretty fast now that it cleaned up a bit. I think a lot of my speed issues revolve around me EDCing a JYD2. That heavy blade just rockets open. However, I will say that my JYD2 has more blade play regardless of how much i tighten it. The lil' Zing has absolutely none. I was fine with it before, but now I'm very keen on this baby beaut

I do like that this has thumb studs, the reason being is you want to open it slowly and not scare sheeple its much easier than with the OD1 or Groove where there are no studs. The studs arent big or ugly and suite the knife well anyway.

You bring up a point that i was going to make...but forgot
When my buddy was shopping for his office EDC I tried to steer him toward flippers over AO. He works around a lot of people that might be a little leery around a "switch blade". Flippers are as fast as you want them to be. AO's are all or nothin' unless you sort of catch the blade. He said he didn't care as most people in the office think he's a little nuts anyway...that's my boy He's enjoying his packrat.

For me and my intended use, functional non-ugly thumb studs were a real plus. Sure I could two-hand the knife open like a slippie, but I feel that I'm meeting the sheeple half way with my non-scary little knife as it is The Zing's thumb studs are very functional and fit the look of the knife. My favorite part about them, they aren't the blade stop. Man, I hate that:barf: The Zing has the solid steel of the blade tang resting squarely against the bar. Compound that with the thick tight fitting liners, and you have a pocket dynamo:thumbup:

 

[Flashpoint]

The wife has booked us on a cruise for this late summer. The cruise line has a policy of not allowing folders over 4" on board.

What cruise line are you taking. As I was reading your thread I was on hold waiting to talk to some people on Carnival. When the guy got on line, I asked him about a pocket knife and the dude FREAKED OUT.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

What cruise line are you taking. As I was reading your thread I was on hold waiting to talk to some people on Carnival. When the guy got on line, I asked him about a pocket knife and the dude FREAKED OUT.

Believe it or not, it's carnival If you go online to their prohibited items section, it clearly states knives with blades over 4". My goal with the Zing was buying something would not freak out the crew or passengers. It's a cute lil guy. the only thing I might consider picking up is the new Spyderco Ladybug with H-1 Steel. Tiny, sharp, cute, and rust proof. It would be perfect:thumbup: It's due out in June, so might snag one before Mid July when we're going.

I plan on bringing a printed out "restricted items" list and a small tape measure with me just in case

 

[James Y]

I've been wondering, do the grooves on the blade create more maintenance concerns, or improve or affect cutting performance in any way? I was thinking about moisture or some substances getting caught in there.
Thanks.
Jim

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Jim from what I have found with the little cutting that I have done, tape does not get stuck in the grooves . I would also imagine that cutting food with the knife would mean less sticking to the blade. The grooves are deep enough to get a "washboard" sound when you rake your nail across them, but really aren't deep enough to be an issue to keep clean. firm pressure with a rag would clean them right out. I don't know about moisture yet. I guess time will tell. I work in a heavily chlorinated environment and the air around here tends to mimic moisture damage pretty rapidly

One more thing that I forgot to point out that I had not noticed before. In addition to the grooves, the blade has three horizontal areas that give it another dynamic. If you're familiar with hand made khukuris, these lines really remind me of the fullers they forge into the blades. Nice look

 

[knivesandguns]

Jake,

The more you flip that knife, the smoother it will get.

+1 :thumbup:

Mine is just too fast now.

Great review Steely--I love my zing.

And to James:

From RJ himself, he designed the grooves to make for less wear on the actual edge, since when you cut an object such as cardboard, the sides of the cardboard will come into contact mostly on the grooves. It makes for a longer lasting edge, while the knife looks cool too. Another user said that he loves the zing as his kitchen knife--absolutely nothing sticks to it.

The striations and the 3 horizontal patterning makes a unique stepped hollow grind.

 

[supasuprab0b]

the grooves on the zing do make is slice through food like butter.

i cut up some cheese with it and it sliced right through, no stick.

 

[CrialJLA]

What cruise line are you going on? I was on a norwegian cruise line, I took a kershaw money clip.. I wasnt sure of the knife rules, I contacted them, but got no response..

 

[Steely_Gunz]

We're going on a Carnival cruise. It was pretty easy to find what is allowed on the web site. I just used the search box on their site for "knives", and found a link to restricted items.

 

[jlfletcher83]

I think the Zing is a great knife, good choice for a cruise. Very nice review, I am glad Wal-mart is starting to carry a larger selection of US made knives. I wish they had kept the Spyderco native too.

 

[Flashpoint]

We're going on a Carnival cruise. It was pretty easy to find what is allowed on the web site. I just used the search box on their site for "knives", and found a link to restricted items.

I hope it works out for you but I bet they'll say that it's not a dive knife and not let you on with it. I would bet the 4" rule regards dive knives under 4". My JYD2 is under 4" and that is a big honking pocket knife. I don't see it happening.

Back on topic. Does the Zing have a gritty feel to it. I just got a Tanto Groove and even after taking it apart, cleaning, and lubing it still feels gritty. Nowhere near as smooth as my NRG2 OR JYD2.

 

[senoBDEC]

I hope it works out for you but I bet they'll say that it's not a dive knife and not let you on with it. I would bet the 4" rule regards dive knives under 4". My JYD2 is under 4" and that is a big honking pocket knife. I don't see it happening.

Back on topic. Does the Zing have a gritty feel to it. I just got a Tanto Groove and even after taking it apart, cleaning, and lubing it still feels gritty. Nowhere near as smooth as my NRG2 OR JYD2.

The Zing has Teflon washers, and no, it does not feel gritty (even though mine was used for a few months when I first got it).

It's a great knife, and it locks up quite well, decent detent, and FAST flipping action.


re: gritty feeling.

Rinse with tap water, soap and toothbrush, then I usually have a small 70% ispropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) bath to dip all the metal pieces in individually to remove bits and pieces of metal from machining, etc. After that I use WD-40 to clean the synthetic pieces, followed by a toothbrush dipped in alcohol.

If that doesn't solve it:

Might I suggest rubbing the washers (if PB) flat on a alcohol prep pad. If htat doesn't work, on a very fine grit (3000 grit?) piece of sand paper on a flat/non-textured surface. Small circular motions for a few seconds should do it.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

I hope it works out for you but I bet they'll say that it's not a dive knife and not let you on with it. I would bet the 4" rule regards dive knives under 4". My JYD2 is under 4" and that is a big honking pocket knife. I don't see it happening.

While it does not mention folders, there is a specific paragraph in the same section regarding dive knives. All dive knives are to be locked up and checked out before a diving excursion and then returned to lock up upon return. I'm actually surprised that they allow 4" knives on board at all.

What I'm thinking is that the guy that you talked to on the phone just does not know official policy. Most of the people that take these trips are the same people that rip packaging open with their teeth and call to ask about what kind of khaki shorts to wear to dinner. It's official black and white policy on paper, and if it comes down to it I'll take it up with the captain I'm paying good money for this trip, and I certainly think that any question of what I pack and why can be cleared up in a 2 minute conversation. Nothing that I'm going to pack is going to be tacticool or offensively defensive in nature. A zing for on board pocket carry, maybe a new Salt Ladybug for a beach knife, and my Gerber Artifact. For God's sake they have to allow the Artifact. The thing is little more than a bottle opener with a philips tip on one end and a tiny 1/2" xacto blade that folds out. I think it really depends on the perception of what you pack. I would never try to pack my JYD2 or my Endura...or even a Delica. Like I said, the Zing is very deceiving in what it brings to the table. The blade length is on par with the Needs Work. However, the NW is this wide bladed chunky folder with AO. I'm sure that would get taken away. The Zing is just so darn cute

The zing will be sitting right on top of my unmentionables in plain view in my suitcase. The ladybug (if I get one) will be on my dummy keychain with Artifact. I always carry a ring of keys in my baggage that don't go to anything and stick little tools on them. It goes in my checked luggage, and no one pays them much attention. At the very least, if they for some reason they take the Zing, the LB, and the Artifact....I bet they miss the Utili-Key

Back to the Zing, after about 500 flips, the washers have broken in nicely. It flips very well. I gave it a good stropping on a piece of loaded leather and the edge has really popped out. The more I mess around with it, the more I like it:thumbup: