New Collector Seeking Lonely, Single (Bladed) Kershaw... for Companionship & EDC!

timberweasel

timberweasel

Joined
Jan 5, 2011
Messages
6,194
Hello to all! I'm an aspiring enthusiast looking to enhance my meagre collection with my first Kershaw. “What?!?” you may ask, “No Kershaw??” That’s right. I don’t have one, but it’s a condition I hope to remedy soon. I’m hoping for a little advice and some recommendations before I buy…

Now, I’m not a huge fan of assisted-openers and would prefer to avoid them. I don’t much care for flashy, crazy-looking pocket-clips. I already have a few G10 scaled knives, so something *else* would be very appealing. I’m open to any serviceable steels and grinds (not too picky there) and I tend to lean towards more ‘gentlemanly’ designs. I’m convinced that somewhere in amongst Kershaw’s extensive catalogue, there exists a folder that at least comes close to what I want.

The Leek? No thanks. I like the Skyline (it’s a real contender with a solid reputation.) I dig the Junkyard Dog 1 (except for the clip--anyone else think that the clip would have been way cooler if it was shaped more like an airplane wing?) The Chill is nice enough. There are others I like as well, but so far, the Salvo 2445 leads the pack by a large margin. :thumbup:

A little help? :)
 
First piece of advice... Never buy a Kershaw with a bead blasted finish, they rust in a matter of days. Make sure the blade has a satin or stonewashed finish.

Second piece of advice... Never buy a knife with a frame lock ( The salvo has a frame lock by the way). Never buy a frame lock, not at least if your planning on using it, frame locks are ok for collections, but not for use, I have had a few frame locks fail before... buy liner locks or lock backs

If I were you I would buy a chill because they are cheap, 8cr13mov is great steel, and they are lightweight!!!
 
Haha...I love the thread title! :thumbup:

As for what to get, my suggestions would be the OD-1 or Zing. Both are great small-ish knives with manual flippers (although the OD has a gear mechanism that makes it fly open like an AO). I'd also give serious consideration to the Groove. I'm not a fan of the recurve, but it's an extremely slick-looking knife and very comfortable in the hand.
 
verisharp said:
First piece of advice... Never buy a Kershaw with a bead blasted finish, they rust in a matter of days. Make sure the blade has a satin or stonewashed finish.

Second piece of advice... Never buy a knife with a frame lock ( The salvo has a frame lock by the way). Never buy a frame lock, not at least if your planning on using it, frame locks are ok for collections, but not for use, I have had a few frame locks fail before... buy liner locks or lock backs

If I were you I would buy a chill because they are cheap, 8cr13mov is great steel, and they are lightweight!!!
Click to expand...

First a piece of advice, don't listen to this guy.

Bead blasted finishes rust faster in some conditions. This isn't "a matter of days" some conditions.

Framelocks are fine from a reputable maker (like Kershaw). To proclaim otherwise is nonsense.
 
Josh K said:
First a piece of advice, don't listen to this guy.

Bead blasted finishes rust faster in some conditions. This isn't "a matter of days" some conditions.

Framelocks are fine from a reputable maker (like Kershaw). To proclaim otherwise is nonsense.
Click to expand...

My zing rusted in 4 days

My kershaw barrage liner failed, it's a frame lock... almost cut my finger off
 
verisharp said:
My zing rusted in 4 days

My kershaw barrage liner failed, it's a frame lock... almost cut my finger off
Click to expand...

Just like all my Sebenza's came with off center blades. :rolleyes: Not saying you're lying, just that I don't believe you.
 
neuron said:
As for what to get, my suggestions would be the OD-1 or Zing. Both are great small-ish knives with manual flippers (although the OD has a gear mechanism that makes it fly open like an AO)
Click to expand...

The Zing has that cool scalloped blade does it not? I have been giving it the 'come-hither' eyeball. I'm surprised by the OverDrive... thought it was an AO/SpeedSafe. I shall have to take another look!
 
verisharp said:
My zing rusted in 4 days

My kershaw barrage liner failed, it's a frame lock... almost cut my finger off
Click to expand...
Without any sort of background on how you were using the knives or what sort of care you took of them, this information is next to useless. And in any case, to condemn an entire class of finishes and locking mechanisms on the basis of such a small sample size is a massive inferential leap.

I agree with Josh K -- bead-blast finishes are perfectly fine if you take care of them (a coat of Tuf-Glide or oil will do the trick), and a well-made framelock is an excellent lock as long as you're not doing anything silly with it.
 
verisharp said:
(...) Never buy a knife with a frame lock (...)

8cr13mov is great steel(...)
Click to expand...

I don't mind frame-locks, even though I've heard the stories of failure. I think any lock design will have some instances of failure. I like slip-joints well enough, so the way I see it, *any* lock is better than *no* lock ;)

And I agree with your take on 8Cr13MoV. Very good steel; simple to maintain! Thanks for your input! :)
 
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timberweasel said:
The Zing has that cool scalloped blade does it not? I have been giving it the 'come-hither' eyeball. I'm surprised by the OverDrive... thought it was an AO/SpeedSafe. I shall have to take another look!
Click to expand...
Yep, the Zing is one of a couple Kershaw models with CNC machined grooves in its blade. (The other, not surprisingly, is the Groove. :p )

I'd be hard-pressed to choose between the Zing and the OD-1. They're my go-to knives when I feel like carrying a smaller (3" or less) knife -- my Leek and Mini-Grip see almost no pocket time thanks to them. If you can, I'd suggest handling each before you buy to see how they feel in the hand and to try out the opening mechanisms. (Both are technically manual flippers, but as mentioned before, the OD-1 opens more like an AO.)
 
Josh K said:
First a piece of advice, don't listen to this guy.

Bead blasted finishes rust faster in some conditions. This isn't "a matter of days" some conditions.

Framelocks are fine from a reputable maker (like Kershaw). To proclaim otherwise is nonsense.
Click to expand...

+1 :thumbup:

Not sure what that verisharp dude is smoking, but do the exact opposite of everything he recommended and you'll be good to go. :D

No, seriously. Pretty much any framelock Kershaw with a bead blasted finish in any steel except 8cr13MoV would be a sound choice. :thumbup:

EDIT: You may want to have a look at the Kershaw 'Gentleman's folder'. I'm not sure if it's still made, but it would seem to fit your description perfectly. Micarta handle, VG-10 blade, not assisted, gentlemanly, no funky pocket clip, and a nice subdued design.

K19932.jpg
 
Josh K said:
Bead blasted finishes rust faster in some conditions. This isn't "a matter of days" some conditions.
Click to expand...

Even so, I get what Verisharp is saying. Surface rust is far easier to clean off of a smooth blade, as I'm sure you already know. If the condition is left untreated/unchecked, the owner is not only a filthy heathen, but will have to work a lot harder to remove it on a bead-blasted blade. If you have to scrub harder to get at the corrosion, you risk ruining the finish. Of course, I could be completely wrong here...

Nevertheless, you are correct. Rust isn't a major concern for me, and I wouldn't exclude a bead-blasted finish for that reason alone. :)
 
Dorito Monk said:
You may want to have a look at the Kershaw 'Gentleman's folder'. I'm not sure if it's still made, but it would seem to fit your description perfectly. Micarta handle, VG-10 blade, not assisted, gentlemanly, no funky pocket clip, and a nice subdued design.
Click to expand...

I like it! Why have I not seen it before?? An excellent suggestion and a serious forerunner! :thumbup:
 
Frame lock fail and cut your fingers? maybe you meant liner lock? Either way don't buy knives from the gas station they are not good.

OP, volt II
 
I have a Gerber something-or-other I could get you into pretty cheap. Oh, you're in Canada, nevermind... ;)
 
Dorito Monk said:
+1 :thumbup:

Not sure what that verisharp dude is smoking, but do the exact opposite of everything he recommended and you'll be good to go. :D

No, seriously. Pretty much any framelock Kershaw with a bead blasted finish in any steel except 8cr13MoV would be a sound choice. :thumbup:

EDIT: You may want to have a look at the Kershaw 'Gentleman's folder'. I'm not sure if it's still made, but it would seem to fit your description perfectly. Micarta handle, VG-10 blade, not assisted, gentlemanly, no funky pocket clip, and a nice subdued design.

K19932.jpg
Click to expand...

8cr13mov is a great steel for the price point. Much better IMO than 14c28n. My zing in 14c28n rusted yes in 4 days, and yes it's probably because I live on the coast. But I also own a chill in 8cr13mov and that has yet to rust!!

BTW here is proof, not my video either found it on youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RD094v1-1U
 
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