Blue + Blackwash is my all-time favorite color scheme. I really hope Kershaw will do it in the new Bareknuckle. Great looking Knockout there.
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Blue + Blackwash is my all-time favorite color scheme. I really hope Kershaw will do it in the new Bareknuckle. Great looking Knockout there.
Agreed. I decided not to wait for a cf XL and got some VotixEDC cf scales for mine, came out great.So what Limited Edition ZT and Kershaw’s are coming out? Would love to see more color choices on the Bel Air XL (I’m not a Tiger Stripe guy, so that one is out.)
Need a CF or aluminum Bel Air XL and maybe some more Iridium Duralock options. Black Micarta Iridium Duralock?

The 0909 is still one of my favorites!
View attachment 3111949
Stonewash blade. Tiger stripe blade is the “gas station special” IMO. Btw votix makes beautiful scales, my Bel Air XL with their cf scales. Took 30 days from order to my doorstep. Only thing to not is on the Votix scales their is a cut out so the stock pocket clip lies flush with the scales which is a nice touch….if you use the stock clip. I had a LynchNW clip and it won’t fit in the cutout. Just an FYI. Fit and finish on the scales was perfect. I also added skiff bearings and it really improved the action.I would like a hasty, impromptu opinion poll of my fellow Kershaw/ZT enthusiasts!
I've wanted a Bel Air for a while but felt it was just on the small side for my liking, so now that the XL was released I've been considering it more seriously. After discovering Votix EDC scales, now I'm really sold(as far as I've been able to tell, they are the only ones offering them at this time). I think Votix really nailed the design, close to the original with some small, what I would call, optimizations.
I plan to go for the blue micarta as I believe it's a classy but subtle denim look. My question is, do you think that would pair better with the stonewash blade or the tiger stripe? I've yet to have a tiger stripe Kai model in my small collection, I would love to own one but before I decide, I wanted to see what everyones opinion was on pairing it with blue denim micarta. I know the stonewash blade looks fantastic with it, but do we think the tiger stripe would be as pleasing of a pairing? For posterity, here is a picture from Votix of the stonewash and blue denim, I must admit I love the look. However Iam not cool nor a stylist, so I have no concept of whether the tiger stripe would be better/worse/equal.
![]()
![]()
![]()
PSA - In other Kai related news, my Kai grail(well, the compound blade is probably my tippy top grail, but this is a very close second) is on the EB site at the moment. First i've seen for sale since truly falling in love with ZT. Sadly it has over 3 days left and is already over my would-be budget. The indomitable, 0777. I would link but not sure that's allowed, don't want to break any rules. Just thought I would let the Kai nuts group know

This one?PSA - In other Kai related news, my Kai grail(well, the compound blade is probably my tippy top grail, but this is a very close second) is on the EB site at the moment. First i've seen for sale since truly falling in love with ZT. Sadly it has over 3 days left and is already over my would-be budget. The indomitable, 0777. I would link but not sure that's allowed, don't want to break any rules. Just thought I would let the Kai nuts group know

That's my grail, the one on ebay has the m390 blade, and the one above if I'm not mistaken is a composite damascus/Vanax 35. Did you find that on ebay? Just a couple hours ago I did not see that oneThis one?
View attachment 3120628
I tend to agree, i also think the silver crossbar on the stonewash version looks better. A little contrast, I think it looks better on the carbon as well. That's a great looking piece. Good to know about the relief for the pocket clip, I don't find the stock clip offensive so no problem. That's one of my biggest pet peeves, is a decent deep carry clip and no relief and/or with domed screws. My griptilian drives me crazy for that, and I have aftermarket scales too. So that's a great feature on the VotixStonewash blade. Tiger stripe blade is the “gas station special” IMO. Btw votix makes beautiful scales, my Bel Air XL with their cf scales. Took 30 days from order to my doorstep. Only thing to not is on the Votix scales their is a cut out so the stock pocket clip lies flush with the scales which is a nice touch….if you use the stock clip. I had a LynchNW clip and it won’t fit in the cutout. Just an FYI. Fit and finish on the scales was perfect. I also added skiff bearings and it really improved the action.
View attachment 3120589
No, that's one I bought originallyThat's my grail, the one on ebay has the m390 blade, and the one above if I'm not mistaken is a composite damascus/Vanax 35. Did you find that on ebay? Just a couple hours ago I did not see that one
Have you sharpened your Bel Air yet? Kai is absolutely crushing the heat treat on their newer Magnacut models, like 63.5-64 consistently. It's really nuts, small batch custom heat treat numbers on mass production knives. I'm eager to finally experience Magnacut at its full potential. And in a laser beam of a slicer to boot.Stonewash blade. Tiger stripe blade is the “gas station special” IMO. Btw votix makes beautiful scales, my Bel Air XL with their cf scales. Took 30 days from order to my doorstep. Only thing to not is on the Votix scales their is a cut out so the stock pocket clip lies flush with the scales which is a nice touch….if you use the stock clip. I had a LynchNW clip and it won’t fit in the cutout. Just an FYI. Fit and finish on the scales was perfect. I also added skiff bearings and it really improved the action.
View attachment 3120589
Haven’t had to sharpen it yet.Have you sharpened your Bel Air yet? Kai is absolutely crushing the heat treat on their newer Magnacut models, like 63.5-64 consistently. It's really nuts, small batch custom heat treat numbers on mass production knives. I'm eager to finally experience Magnacut at its full potential. And in a laser beam of a slicer to boot.
PSA - In other Kai related news, my Kai grail(well, the compound blade is probably my tippy top grail, but this is a very close second) is on the EB site at the moment. First i've seen for sale since truly falling in love with ZT. Sadly it has over 3 days left and is already over my would-be budget. The indomitable, 0777. I would link but not sure that's allowed, don't want to break any rules. Just thought I would let the Kai nuts group know
yeah i think $650 would be a fair price but I also foresee it going at least a couple hundred more. Then you have to pay uncle sam etc. If I could come across one in good condition for a straight $650 though, I'd be all over it. As I'm sure many of us would.At the current auction price, the satin (or is it stonewashed?) M390 ZT 0777 is still a good price for it but I expect it to go for at least $200-300 more.
We'll see . . .
BTW, I've got one of these already and am also looking for a composite blade 0777 but would be happy to buy a DLC 0777 too, if I could find one.![]()
If you are looking for a dlc version, there's a retired guy on bladebinge selling alot of his collection, and he has one for sale but hasnt listed it anywhere yet. He sent me a picture of it, I was considering making an offer but didn't realize it was the dlc and I think I want to hold out for the satin/stonewash. not sure if you go on there, but I may be able to link you up if interested. I have no idea what he's looking to get for it.
No worries, I'm probably going to end up getting it here shortly.If you had at least a Basic Membership ($10), I could discuss this w/you by DM.
But since you don't, please just give me the "title" of a listing (not a link) for a knife that he's trying to sell there now & I'll contact him myself.
Thanks!
I splurged and treated myself to the basic membershipIf you had at least a Basic Membership ($10), I could discuss this w/you by DM.
But since you don't, please just give me the "title" of a listing (not a link) for a knife that he's trying to sell there now & I'll contact him myself.
Thanks!