My Ken Onion Chive thoughts...

K

kbog

Joined
Apr 11, 2004
Messages
540
I own the SS version of the Chive and have posted negatively about it in the past because I could not get it sharp.

I have new opinions...especially after hadling some Spydercos today (other thread)

I like this knife more and more. I am new to knives and when I bought this, it was the size and wow factor of the assisted opening that attracted me to it. At first, I LOVED this knife. Came sharp. Opened quickly and was enough of a gentlemans folder that I felt comfortable carrying it without feeling like it threatened others.

Then I started to learn more about knives. I learned that the steel is not great. I noticed it was dulling quickly and I did not get it sharp again on my stone (I now know this was my fault). That recurved blade was the devil! I dulled it more when I sharpened it. Pissed me right off.

Then I got the sharpmaker. Still didn't work because I was new to the sharpmaker. In fact, I posted a negative thought or 2 on the knife because I was to ignorant to see that the problem was my own - not the knife.

Anyhow, now I can get it sharp enough to make me happy (not quite perfection, but I'm still learning). The Sharpmaker does a GREAT job with the recurved blade. I'm happy again.

Now that I have compared some knives in my hand, I can say that the SS Chive is growing on me more and more. It is a very solid knife. There is NO play in the blade in any direction. It has a solid clip that works great (though I wish the knife sat lower on my belt) It still had that wow factor when I open it. Very cool.

I will say that the blade needs touch ups quite often, but I like to do it now so that is less of an issue.
 
would you be willing to pay more for the chive if we used a much better steel? They all go dull and sooner or later your gonna have to sharpen them .I agree that it needs better steel but thats cuz I'm a knife junky and am accustomed to great steels . The average customer would rather the knife be afordable than made with the best materials . We (Kershaw and I) tried to make the best product we could for 29.95 . This is in the price range of the regular guy who wants a new pocketknife and where the most volume is done ,it's the demographic chosen for this product . I would love to see Kershaw do an upscale chive . Better yet wait till Blade show and check out our new knives .
 
That's a great question Ken. I think now that I can sharpen the knife, the steel means much less to me. When I was struggling with the sharpening I thought that a better steel would be much nicer because I wouldn't have to go through this so often.

So I guess that within this price point I am very pleased with the product. I would not find the need for a more expensive, better steel product because I actually enjoy (never thought I would say that) touching the knife up. Fit and finish on this knife is exceptional for this price point.

I think you have achieved a great success at this price point. Especially after looking at afew other knives from some other very reputable companies that were even priced higher.
 
I'd love to see the Leek in better steel. I know there was the Random Leek in S30V, but I'd rather have it without the coating. Specifically, I'd like a Rainbow Leek in at least 440C...154CM or S30V would be great. Don't get me wrong, I love my Rainbow Leek. I love the handle shape, the blade style, the sleek profile, and I especially love the rainbow coating. But the soft steel wasn't up to my EDC tasks. The other larger Speedsafe knives are too bulky for my tastes.

But I don't expect anyone other than a custom maker to make me the perfect knive. ;)

One question that's been nagging me is why all the rainbow Titanium coatings offered by various companies are all on soft, low end steels? Do the harder steels not take the coating properly?

Also, can this coating be outsourced? I'd love to have a Benchmade 42 Balisong with the same beautiful coating as my Rainbow Leek.
 
A bit off topic but I would LOVE to see an "upscale" boa closer to Ken's custom pieces. if a new boa with CF scales and Ti bolsters came out, I'd buy one right away! also S30V in a satin finish please!

i was also disappointed in the steel used in the chive but decided to get one anyway cuz its such a cool knife. would it be too costly to make BOTH a cheap version and a High-end version? some of the specially finished chives are quite expensive for the average joe, so why not some better steel for us knuts?
 
I would love to see a Leek in a premium steel. I like relatively inexpensive knives with hi-quality blade steel. They make IMHO some of the best real wold work knives. The are hi-quality without being to expencive to use hard or risk loosing. I is a great way to put great knives in the hands of people with a smaler budget.

So, I hope that in the future there will be more Kershaw/Onions with top blade steels in reletively inexpesive handles.

JD
 
My Wife has a BC1 coated Chive that I get to use occasionally and I know that I would pay more for a premium steel. M2, D2, S30v or perhaps VG10? :D
 
Thanks for the input . I am studying how to process a higher grade steel for a reasonable price . Very difficult concidering the process.Allthe fine blanking companies i've talked to won't risk dammaging a $30,000 tool .So I have been calling steel companies about mfg an alloy that will have enhanced performance and still be fine blankable for volume .
 
I love the design of the Ken Onion assisted opening folders but the only thing keeping me from buying one is the steel. I'd much rather pay $40 or $50 to get a Ken Onion with a better steel. Doesn't have to be a super steel like S30V (although I wouldn't complain!) something like 154CM or D2 would be great. I appreciate you and Kershaw trying to keep your prices in reach of the average knife buyer but having upgraded versions for those of us willing to spend a little more would be great. I know one would surely be added to my EDC rotation.
 
I am new here and I must admit that I am not a very serious collector, but I do have about 20 or so various knives either handed down or casually purchased. (My dad is a gun/knife collector.)

I want to make a comment to Ken Onion about his Rainbow Chive that I recieved about a week ago. I really, really love it ! And, it's my new favorite "pocket" knife. I am a 42 yr old grandmother and have carried a knife or two on me since early childhood, so I can appreciate a good carry knife.

I must say that I was attracted to the lovely rainbow finish and the ease of opening the knife.

I have advanced rhuematoid arthritis and my hands are somewhat constricted. The purchase of an assisted knife appealed to me and I must say that I was surprised how quickly I learned how to open this knife and the smoothness of it! I open it a little differently from the conventional way, but it works for me. I use the blade extension (?) with my middle finger in a "backwards" way and a gentle flick is all it takes! My co-workers, (who are all men) get a real kick out of it when I take it out for use. Friends and family also kid me about carrying a knife and my 'conceal carry' 38 revolver! I am very petite and somewhat of the southern-lady type, which adds to the shock and humor.;-)

I have been reading where the others have commented on the steel quality. I would certainly pay more for a steel with a longer lasting edge. My chive is still new and very sharp and I would like to keep it that way, so any advice on sharpening would be appreciated. Sharpening has never been one of my talents with past knives. I'm sure it's in the tecnique. I use a standard stone that I oil before using and still don't get the edge that I want. Any advice ?

Sorry about the length of this post. I wanted you guys to see that there are a few "ladies" that appreciate knives and your advice.

Toodles!
Mommabird
 
Hi, Mommabird, and welcome to BladeForums! I have a perfect mental picture of you whipping out that little blade in the office. You sound like my sis!

Yes, that Chive is a cute and useful little knife. Sounds like the perfect knife for a cute little thing like you ;). Wait till Ken Onion gets word of how his Speed Safe mechanism is making life better for someone with a disability. It'll make him swell with pride :D.

Now about this sharpening business....... You have certainly come to the right place. It sure is about technique. Do you know anything about Zen? If not it's time to start. Sharpening can truly be a form of meditation.

Here are a couple of links to get you started:

BladeForums Sharpening FAQ by Joe Talmage
http://www.bladeforums.com/features/faqsharp.shtml

Knife Maintenance and Sharpening by Chad Ward
http://forums.egullet.com/index.php?showtopic=26036

Don't expect to absorb and understand all this information in one read. It will take some study. Think Zen!

As for an actual sharpening device, I would recommend the Spyderco Sharpmaker which is mentioned in Chad's article. It will work especially well with your Chive's recurve blade. Many of us use it and it is about the most foolproof device for a novice and convenient for a seasoned veteren. It comes with excellent written instructions and a video which I understand is also excellent but I wouldn't know. My VCR ate mine :grumpy:.

Don't expect the sharpest results right away. Sharpening is all about technique and good technique takes time to learn. I'm still searching for that "perfect" edge myself.

Be patient and feel free to post back here with questions and comments.

Now go chase down that elusive burr!

............. and bring more ladies :D
 
mommabird, your post warms my heart.

A standard wet stone probably isn't the best for the Chive, considering the recurve of the blade. A Spyderco Sharpmaker works good for recurves, or for cheaper, a 2 pronged ceramic V-type sharpener will do the job. Lansky makes a good small one.
 
Ya'll have helped a bunch! :D

I will certainly check into the sharpeners that you have suggested and the links are very helpful.

I forgot to add in my earlier post that along with my hand limitations, I have to wear hard customized splints almost 24/7. (Eccept in situations when splints have to be removed :rolleyes: )

The daytime splints make my entire thumb joints (except for the last digit) and part of the wrist completely immobile. So, if anyone out there has hand problems or just wants an easy opening knife, seriously consider the Onion designs. "Where there's a will there's a way!"

I also have a SOG Flash l combo that I use for tougher tasks when I don't want to submit the Rainbow Chive to "abuse". Though I can get it opened one handed, it is not nearly as smooth as the Onion. I may just give that one to my husband and find something similar that works as smoothly as the chive, with a combo blade.

Thanks again guys, ya'll made my day!

Mommabird :cool:
 
In reply to Ken Onion's post,

The blade steel is probably the thing keeping me from buying a chive, and the recurve on the blade. I would love to see it in a format without the recurve, maybe wharncliff or a standard drop/clip point, like seen on the Benchmade griptillian (as well as countless others). It's just as useful IMO, and easier to sharpen.

I'd love to see it in a semi-premum blade steel like 440C, 154CM, or something like this. Any idea what it would cost to put out a model like that? Would it be an increase of 20%, or more like 120%?
 
What makes the Chive a winner is it's price, size and features. It's possibly the least expensive quality assisted opener you can find. Sure, there's the inexpensive crap from Meyerco, but it's not even in the same league Kershaws stuff. Let's face it, these little Onions sell like candy and while all of us knife addicts would appreciate higher quality steels, many of us find the Chive a bit on the small size for serious knife use that would require a high degree of edge retention.

The Chive excels at opening envelopes, cutting some string or zipping through a package or two and the best part is that it's easy to sharpen. It's small enough to attach to your keyring, it's looks are sheeple friendly and the Speed Safe mechanism is slick. Even non-knife people who've seen my Chive ask where they can get one. 420HC won't hold an edge forever, but it would take a lifetime of use and sharpening to wear out the blade to the point of uselessness.

All the variations of the Chive are neat (boron carbide, high glossy finish, etc..), but what I would like to see is the Boa brought back with satin finish blades. I'd also like to see the Avalanche brought back with an uncoated blade. Black Ti-Ni coatings look cool and all, but I'd take satin finished blade anyday over a black coated one.
 
In reference to the earlier suggestions that some of you gave me about the Spyderco sharpener. I've gotten one, and I am very pleased with it. Not only is it "fool" proof :rolleyes: , I have gotten my kitchen knives, scissors and older pocket knives up to par and very sharp. It did take a bit of work with some of the older and very dull, but it was worth the time.

It is definately worth a little extra $ in comparison to the old way that I was trying to keep things sharpened. Which didn't work too well.

I would definately recommend this sharpener. Very easy to use and productive.

Thanks again guys :D
(I know this is a little off topic here, but since this is where ya'll referred me, it was the best place to show my appreciation.)

Mommabird :cool:
 
I love my Rainbow Chive, but I would be more than happy to shell out some more of my hard-earned money for one with a better blade steel. It's a great little design and, as much as I'd love to see a higher-end version, I think it did hit the right price point. I've given away three of them to friend, and two of those friends went out and bought additional ones to give their loved ones. It seems to be catching. :)

And while a higher-end Boa would be neat, I don't honestly feel that there's much left to improve on. The current materials, particularly the blade, are good enough that a titanium version would mostly just be different rather than better. I'm just glad I got one of the colored ones while they were still available, since I'm not a fan of black blades.

--Bob Q
 
NEW QUESTION ABOUT YOUR CHIVES:

Yesterday I was opening my chive and noticed that with just a bit of effort I could push the frame lock farther onto the blade. In other words, when I open the chive normally, the lock would engage about half the thickness of the metal locking bar, but with very little effort I could push the locking bar farther accross the blade and it would snap into place. It is sort of like a built in safety for hard use.

My question is whether or not this is designed this way or am I over stressing the locking mechanism?

Anybody else do this?

Just a note that when I put the lock in this extended position, it is very hard to disengage. In fact, I needed both hands to do it. That fact leads me to believe it is not designed or intended, but it sure does work!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top