My New Favorite Beater EDC.. Made in USA for $35!!

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GlockandBalls

Joined
Jul 30, 2013
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I know some steel snobs scoff at the 420HC found on this Kershaw Link 1776, but lets not forget that your old Buck 110 is still kickin and will easily process a deer or 2 if you so choose to put it to work. The refined heat treat is great IMO, and I find it more than serviceable as a utility/EDC steel. It's easy to sharpen and holds an edge better than 8cr13 and on par with AUS8A (just to compare with others at that price point). Due to the low price, I wasn't the least bit apprehensive to freehand some jimping with my dremel. Is it perfect, no.. but close enough and it certainly improved the grip and purchase on this knife. I personally like the feel of the black GRN handles more than the aluminum version, and the stonewashed finish is nice. The blade geometry makes this thing slice like a beast and it's great for all EDC tasks I have tried. The grind is such that I can't tell much difference compared to a FFG when slicing. The handle fits my hand perfect (large sz gloves). The blade centering is perfect. The assisted flipper makes it fun. The pocket clip is reversible which for some reason is rare on USA made Kershaws.. Its a winner! The Aluminum version is almost a spitting image of the ZT 0770 (minus the jimping and ELMAX), but now mine has good jimping :D I personally have trouble beating on expensive knives when there are other options in my drawer that won't leave me upset if I chip/damage the blade during use, so for anyone that doesnt want to thrash their 0770, this ones for you. Lastly, the made in USA aspect is what really drove this one home for me. I love the Rat 1 and old AUS8 Mini Recon 1 as beaters in that price range.. but as a US citizen, I figure why not support workers here in the US with a knife that is every bit as capable for normal EDC tasks. Go get one for yourself or as a gift. I am going to order the Tanto soon just to have both.. and I am not a huge tanto fan.. but for the price, why not?






 
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I also really like the blade shape and grind and I don't see why they couldn't just toss a 14c28N blade in one, or whatever for a future "upgrade" version. I can also add that I took mine apart and it doesn't flip well de-assisted. Seems to have enough detent to keep it closed though. It does have both the ball on the liner and detent in the blade.
 
cityofthesouth said:
I don't see why they couldn't just toss a 14c28N blade in one, or whatever for a future "upgrade" version. .
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I believe they want to keep the knife 100% American (Sandvik being originally from Sweden). Hence the 1776 model number for Independence Day. Also I think "Link" is attributed to the link between USA made and Value.. That said, I wouldn't mind some American made Crucible S30V for $49.95... :)
 
Its a nice knife. I picked up the Wal-Mart version (plastic scales with blackwashed blade) and its become my EDC.
 
Per a previous thread I had started, asking for knife with these dimensions, I plan on getting a Link as my next knife.

I would really really super duper love Kershaw and they would be my best friend for ever and ever amen if they would release a CPM-D2 composite version of the Link, similar to the Leek and Junk Yard Dog. I'll take mine in blackwash, please.

The other composite are CPM-D2 with Sandvik. I would be very happy with a CPM-D2/420HC (or some other American steel) composite if they want to keep the whole thing 'Murican.
 
19-3ben said:
Per a previous thread I had started, asking for knife with these dimensions, I plan on getting a Link as my next knife.

I would really really super duper love Kershaw and they would be my best friend for ever and ever amen if they would release a CPM-D2 composite version of the Link, similar to the Leek and Junk Yard Dog. I'll take mine in blackwash, please.

The other composite are CPM-D2 with Sandvik. I would be very happy with a CPM-D2/420HC (or some other American steel) composite if they want to keep the whole thing 'Murican.
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Well, I send Kershaw an email asking if something like this was possibly in the works, and here was the response I got:

Hi Ben,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We appreciate your interest in our product! At this time, we do not have any plans to change the design of the 1776, but I'll forward on your request to our Research and Design team and we'll see what they come up with for future designs.

Thank you again and have a wonderful holiday season!

Kind regards,

Customer Service
Lauren Hanson
KAI USA Ltd
Kershaw, Zero Tolerance, and Shun Knives
18600 SW Teton Avenue
Tualatin, OR 97062
Phone: 800-325-2891
Fax: 503-682-7168
info@Kai-USA.com
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Darn...

P.S.- I sent the message at 4:00 on a Friday afternoon and had an email back an hour later... color me impressed.
 
GlockandBalls said:
I know some steel snobs scoff at the 420HC found on this Kershaw Link 1776, but lets not forget that your old Buck 110 is still kickin and will easily process a deer or 2 if you so choose to put it to work. The refined heat treat is great IMO,
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I say what ever you like and don't worry about steel snobs or anyone else. Truth is that not many people know much more about knife steels than what they've read here in threads. Yes some of the folks on here are very knowledgeable but they are usually the nice ones that will only want to be informative and would never turn their nose down at someone for a knife they own. So enjoy your Kershaw and if someone don't like it who cares.

@
 
r redden said:
I say what ever you like and don't worry about steel snobs or anyone else. Truth is that not many people know much more about knife steels than what they've read here in threads. Yes some of the folks on here are very knowledgeable but they are usually the nice ones that will only want to be informative and would never turn their nose down at someone for a knife they own. So enjoy your Kershaw and if someone don't like it who cares.

@
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Yep. Well said. I have the same knife and I think it is a great deal of a knife. I DO wish the handle was about a half inch longer, but other than that, it is a easy on the wallet, quality cutting tool. I have recommended it to many.
 
r redden said:
I say what ever you like and don't worry about steel snobs or anyone else. Truth is that not many people know much more about knife steels than what they've read here in threads. Yes some of the folks on here are very knowledgeable but they are usually the nice ones that will only want to be informative and would never turn their nose down at someone for a knife they own. So enjoy your Kershaw and if someone don't like it who cares.

@
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I don't care what people think about something as trivial in the scheme of life as knife steel.. As long as its sharp when I use it who cares? Some people like touching up a blade at the end of the week and it's actually nice to sharpen something that takes an edge quickly. I was more so taking a little jab at those who turn their noses up. I bought a kershaw crown for my buddy for the holidays because it was $9.75 and I couldn't pass it up. China I know but still quite serviceable.. probably the best value folder in the world. It looks like a gentleman's folder. Nice micarta and stainless bolster. Fit and finish is decent.. some people stand on their soap box and say that nothing good is so inexpensive. Oh well.. to each his own.
 
I fondled one a week or so back and was really impressed. I ended coming home with an Esse Izula but I will be going back for that Al blackwash version
 
My only complaint about KAI is that they have so many awesome knives that are only offered with Speedsafe. Some can be successfully de-assisted while others can't. I just try to find the manual openers and stick with them. Seems like the majority though has Speedsafe. Oh well.
 
Picked up one of the aluminum handled ones for $39 and color me impressed. My only real complaint is that the tip of the pocket clip can rub my ring finger wrong sometimes. Outside of that it looks great, flips open with authority, locks up tight with no wiggle, and works great for my cutting needs. Sure it might need to be sharpened sooner than some of my fancier steel knives, but that's why I own sharpening stones. Not like it will take me long to restore a shaving sharp edge on it either.

Now I will admit the GRN version feels a bit better in-hand due to the rounded contours and checkering. While the aluminum version inspires a feeling of tank toughness, the GRN version is more pocket carry friendly being lighter in weight. Just means I might have to pick up a GRN version :D I might try and find someone that can engrave aluminum handles to my aluminum Link. It would add a little bit of grippiness besides just looking cool.

Of course I'd love to see Kershaw use the Link as a platform to offer other steels like they do with the Blur. Of course that would up the price, and might limit the US made idea.
 

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GlockandBalls said:
I believe they want to keep the knife 100% American (Sandvik being originally from Sweden). Hence the 1776 model number for Independence Day. Also I think "Link" is attributed to the link between USA made and Value.. That said, I wouldn't mind some American made Crucible S30V for $49.95... :)
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That's a fair point. So what could we get between 420HC and S30V and still be US made? .... S30V for $50 would be sweet of course. :P The Knockout is about $70/80 I want to say, with 14C28N. I think the Link design is worthy of variants and sprint run action.

Mine with other EDC stuff.
kershaw_link_edc by city_ofthe_south, on Flickr
 
cityofthesouth said:
That's a fair point. So what could we get between 420HC and S30V and still be US made? .... S30V for $50 would be sweet of course. :P The Knockout is about $70/80 I want to say, with 14C28N. I think the Link design is worthy of variants and sprint run action.

Mine with other EDC stuff.
kershaw_link_edc by city_ofthe_south, on Flickr
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Awesome pic man! The Aluminum version is sexy as hell.. Its like a grey/purple. I may have to get the whole line of Links.
 
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