Need advice re: Kershaw Black Chive

C

c_meisenzahl

Joined
Dec 27, 2001
Messages
51
the Kershaw Ken Onion Black Chive 1600BLK:
http://www.kershawknives.com/web2/p5.htm

I stop by occasionally but am still a bit of a newbie. I've had an SOG in the past and EDC a Spyderco Meerkat now that I really like. If anyone can help me with this quest I would really appreciate it. :-)

1. Does it really look as shiny black as it seems in some of the pics I've seen?

2. How does the knife, and the finish, hold up with regular use?


3. Any other general comments about the knife? Any comments about the opening or locking mechanism? I've never owned a Kershaw before.

4. Whom has the best prices on this knife?


Thanks very much in advance guys and have a great weekend!

Christopher Meisenzahl
 
1. It has great finnish same as on pictures, because of BC
2. I did not use it too much - too small for me, but BC is same as I bought it.
3. Lock on the tip is kind of inconvinient - on the other side of handle opposite to flipper. And mine intends to open in my pocket if not locked.
Knife is very well done.
I still do not know the magic they use to make it open itself - mistery!
Stell should be better for such a great knife (CPM S90V?).
4. Search the web on yahho shopping - I bought mine for less then 50.
see pics here:
http://playground.sun.com/~nozh2002/Kershaw-Chive.html

Thanks, Vassili
 
I have the Rainbow version, but the two are very similar. Both finishes have the reputation for being nearly indestructable. Mine certainly looks like the day I got it, despite months of regular carry and use.

I wish it was available with a better steel too, although the 420HC holds an edge better than I expected.

I have never had my Chive open unexpectedly on me. I think the risk there depends a lot on how and where you carry it. My advice: make sure that the blade is up against a pocket seam and avoid pulling items in and out past it. If you wear jeans with a "key" pocket that makes a perfect place to carry a Chive.

These are great little knives! Three of my friends carry them too and they all love 'em. :)

--Bob Q
 
The Chive is what I like to call "cute", it's nice to cut string, clean your nails or dig out a splinter. And that's about it. I should know, I own 5 of 'em. Kershaw created the Leek because the market wanted all of the features of the Chive and Scallion only in a bigger, more usable package. But the package had to be Sheeple friendly with a blade no greater than 3 inches. The Leek is a decent knife, but the steel isn't so great, and the modified Wharncliffe blade is O.K., but could be better. Also the finish on the standard Leek is prone to wear and SCREAMS knife. Enter Chesapeake Knife and Tool, a large chain retailer in the Baltimore area. They ask for a Leek with a TiNi coated handle and blade (black) in S30V steel (blade) with a reverse tanto blade shape (which was what the origional Random Task Onion/Kershaw knife was) and they create the Random Leek, sold exclusively by them (they sell online). Now that is the best VALUE knife for an EDC anyone could ask for! The intro price was $70, they now sell for $100, but it's still a bargain. TiNi coating, S30V, Speedsafe with a flipper, dual thumstuds, in a framelock, with the most usable, easily sharpened bladeshape you can get:cool: ! Best $100 knife there is IMHO. I own 2 of those.
 
Some Pics I made:
Kershav-Chive-A.jpg

Kershav-Chive-C.jpg

Thanks,
Vassili.
 
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