As I've said in an earlier thread, I'm not a knife knut by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm miles ahead of your average dude with a knife clipped in his pocket.
My EDC is a Kershaw Whirlwind. I've had three in the last few years. I get them functionally for free, which is why I got the first one to begin with. I absolutely LOVE the form of the knife; the size, the auto-assist, but I've always had an issue with the steel. It chipped and lost its edge quickly, although I've just alway run it across my kitchen steel and returned it to adequate sharpness. Keep in mind that I sit in a cube for a living. These knives have by no means subject to abuse by any stretch of the imagination. I usually use one of these knives for a two years or so, and then give it away to a friend who needs it more than I do and then get another.
So in reading this forum, I find out that the reason I hate the steel is that it's made out of basically inferior steel, 440A, that I probably wouldn't have bought if I knew that's what it was made out of. That's why it loses it edge quickly and chips under light use.
But I LOVE the form. What is a guy to do? Can anyone suggest a Kershaw Ken Onion auto assist that is similar in size to the whirlwind but made of better steel? Their catalog is very confusing. The reason I have to ask here is that the store where I get these knives has a limited selection of cheaper knives, so I'd have to have them order a better knife.
I'm open to suggestions of better brands.
Thanks,
-John
My EDC is a Kershaw Whirlwind. I've had three in the last few years. I get them functionally for free, which is why I got the first one to begin with. I absolutely LOVE the form of the knife; the size, the auto-assist, but I've always had an issue with the steel. It chipped and lost its edge quickly, although I've just alway run it across my kitchen steel and returned it to adequate sharpness. Keep in mind that I sit in a cube for a living. These knives have by no means subject to abuse by any stretch of the imagination. I usually use one of these knives for a two years or so, and then give it away to a friend who needs it more than I do and then get another.
So in reading this forum, I find out that the reason I hate the steel is that it's made out of basically inferior steel, 440A, that I probably wouldn't have bought if I knew that's what it was made out of. That's why it loses it edge quickly and chips under light use.
But I LOVE the form. What is a guy to do? Can anyone suggest a Kershaw Ken Onion auto assist that is similar in size to the whirlwind but made of better steel? Their catalog is very confusing. The reason I have to ask here is that the store where I get these knives has a limited selection of cheaper knives, so I'd have to have them order a better knife.
I'm open to suggestions of better brands.
Thanks,
-John
?