My first high end (?) traditional folder...

K

KennyB

Joined
Jan 19, 2010
Messages
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So I got a Kershaw Wild Turkey this weekend. I know a made a different thread asking about the steel, but I kind of wanted to make a different thread in general but related to this folder. This is the highest quality traditional-pattern folder that I've owned. It retails for $120 though can be got a good bit cheaper now, but in any case was wondering if this is what might qualify as being a "high end" knife in the world of traditionals?

I'm not sure I would spend $120 retail for a knife of this quality. I mean it's really nice, there's virtually nothing wrong with it... The blade does get a little off center and rub the liner, but that's not an issue to me at all since I'm planning on actually using it and will probably get use scratches anyway. The backlock is breaking in nicely, was a little stiff at first. This might sound weird, but if I hadn't got such a good deal on the knife I might be a little disappointed.

Is this representative of the knives that would be found in this price range? Seems like just a personal thing for me where there's a "diminishing return" on the amount of extra quality you get per extra dollar you spend. I mean there's really nothing I don't like about the knife, I got a great deal on it, but for some reason I keep thinking "Wow if I had paid full price, I'd be really disappointed."
 
Kersaw is not known for this type of knife, and is not representative of that price range. If you want nice fit and finish in a traditional pattern look at the knives that GEC offer. They are at or near the top of production traditional knives.
 
I've thought about getting that knife lately. $120 is pretty steep, would you say it's a good value at $50?
 
Kansas Mike said:
I've thought about getting that knife lately. $120 is pretty steep, would you say it's a good value at $50?
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Yeah, I think so. I'm pleased with it for sure, but like I said just with wondering if it was representative of other traditional knives that retail around $120.

Also, here's what I mean about the blade... If I push it over, it kind of sits angled, but doesn't touch the liner. There are just some light scratch marks on the area near that liner so I can tell it has made contact in my pocket or somewhere along the line. But if I push it back over, it rests centered. This is without having to "hold" it one way or the other or having my finger kept on the blade, it seems almost "loose" in the way that it doesn't take much pressure to push it over like that either. But when opened there is 0 play, tight lockup, etc.

My pictures suck, but the blade doesn't actually quite touch the liner in this pic...

 
I understand how stuff like that can bug you. I usually get over it as soon as I put a few miles on the knife. I don't really have any "safe queens" per se. The only knives I have and don't carry are ones I collect not so much for their value, but because I like different things about them. The Wild Turkey I have been looking has a damascus blade. Was that the only blade available? What is yours?
 
Kansas Mike said:
I understand how stuff like that can bug you. I usually get over it as soon as I put a few miles on the knife. I don't really have any "safe queens" per se. The only knives I have and don't carry are ones I collect not so much for their value, but because I like different things about them. The Wild Turkey I have been looking has a damascus blade. Was that the only blade available? What is yours?
Click to expand...

Yeah, totally. For $50 I couldn't care less, but if I had paid full retail over even over $100 I wouldn't be too happy about it but would still get over it. I like to use the knives I buy otherwise they seem kind of unfulfilling to me, so it's bound to get use marks--already put a little scuff on the bolster's nice satin finish. I tend to just try to get that stuff over with to begin with.

I got the damascus one as well. Though apparently it's more appropriately referred to "San Mai", either way I think it's fantastic. It comes very sharp with a nicely polished edge too.

They have a different model that just has regular stainless blade, and orange handles--they're some type of wood, not sure what. I'm not sure of the build quality comparison, I've meant to get one of the regular ones for a while but this one just came about at the right time and is kind of one of my "grail" knives. This particular style of knife--I don't know if you'd call it a barlow or what--was my dad's favorite kind. He had a Dan Gwynn designed one that's somewhat simila with a bone handle that I don't carry because I don't want to use it, so I like this one as a nice gentlmen's folder.

 
I think you've convinced me. I'll probably have to order one pretty soon. In my experience, Kershaw always delivers for the price you pay (usually below retail). I'm not sure what style/pattern it is either, but can see how it is Barlowesque with the single, oversized bolster. I collect Barlows (mostly old advertising ones) and would love to see more modern takes on the style. I think it would be neat to see g10 or micarta scales on a traditional two blade, or maybe even carbon fiber! I still have hope Case might do one in CF, I really like the Sodbuster Jr I have from that series.
 
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