New Kershaw Finishes and Designs for 2014.

[CJZ]

After seeing the new models for 2014 I was a bit confused about the 'Lifter 1302BW' considering it looks strikingly if not nearly identical to a knife called the 'District 9 knife' that from as far as I could tell when it surfaced was an original design. After KAI having designs imitated and ripped from them I'm interested to know if they bought the design plans for this knife as well.

Also, this Schrade:




But I wouldn't be surprised if the Schrade was a copy of the District 9.

 

[1robinhood]

I'm really looking forward to seeing how the Thistle works.

Right with you there - I would like to handle it to see how that 'button' lock works. I very much enjoy my hogue ex03 button lock but that is in a whole other class of knife.

 

[1robinhood]

So, Kershaw isn't making full sized, USA made (aside from the Leek) folding knives any more?...

I'd like to see more models that are using better steel than 8cr at least.

Yeah... I like the starter and the Manifold and perhaps the thistle looks-wise but that steel is a poor option compared to the other options out there....

I have been quite happy with Kershaw's Sandvick steel (14...) but apparently it's the choice of the company to appeal by price point and not by quality by offering a knife that actually can cut things and stay sharp for a respectable amount of time....

Disappointing. Their company and they need to keep their employees paid - if it's by selling low price chinese made knives - that's their business right - but I will not be spending money on knives that are not quality and are not USA made. That was kershaw's whole selling point... USA made quality knives - that appears to be changing.

Oh and that "LIFTER" blade is going to be a pain in the monkey to sharpen with that recurve blade on it and with that steel.... there is going to need to be a lot of sharpening.

Practical use grade = POOR ...

"tactical mall ninja grade = MUST HAVE" - so kershaw has wandered into cold steel/SOG territory :grumpy:

 

[jac_solar]

Those stonewash finish knives look awesome, especially the "Lifter" one.

 

[keroscene]

I agree w/ czechmate regarding steel choice. I looked at a knife, thought to myself "that looks pretty sweet", then looked at steel and was immediately disappointed. I mean, of course they're gonna make the majority of their blades with that steel, but all of them?!? I'm sure they're built well, and at a very appealing price point. Guess you have to cut somewhere to keep price down.....just wish the cut wasn't done on the part that cuts

 

[G. Scott H.]

Right with you there - I would like to handle it to see how that 'button' lock works. I very much enjoy my hogue ex03 button lock but that is in a whole other class of knife.

This isn't your standard button lock knife (i.e., with the spring loaded button engaging the tang directly). It looks like the Thistle has the same kind of set up as the Ken Warner BGG I just picked up. Basically, you have a standard liner lock on one side, and then on the other liner there's another spring cut out of the liner material to which the button is affixed through the scale. When you press the button, it moves this other spring across the tang of the blade and pushes the liner lock out of the way. :thumbup:

 

[DShiflet]

Strobe is a definite, Thistle and Starter are possibilities, the Emerson CQC 2, 4, and 6 all interest me as well. Pretty likely to get the Teal Leek, maybe a blackwash Cryo too.

 

[Czechmate]

Czech, the ZT side of the yard delivers plenty O' goodies.

You're right Rev, Zt's are fantastic imo. :thumbup:

I've had three 0350's, a 0551, 0550, 0561, 0560, two 0200's, and still have two 0300's as well as one of the 0350's.

Also traded into a 0121 and 0100 and still have those. All of them are fantastic.

 

[1robinhood]

This isn't your standard button lock knife (i.e., with the spring loaded button engaging the tang directly). It looks like the Thistle has the same kind of set up as the Ken Warner BGG I just picked up. Basically, you have a standard liner lock on one side, and then on the other liner there's another spring cut out of the liner material to which the button is affixed through the scale. When you press the button, it moves this other spring across the tang of the blade and pushes the liner lock out of the way. :thumbup:

I shall have to lay hands on that Thistle.

 

[KnifeyMcStab]

I love kershaw but I think they're having way too much china made stuff now.

 

[Moxy]

Yep, more and more Chinese imports.
*sigh

Well there was a time when I would have been all over these. I don't want to come across as a snob but nowadays (for me) Chinese made knives with Chinese steels, even from Kershaw, just don't cut it. ZT is still hogging up the US factory floor space. It's a shame that you only see Kershaw use really highend materials in sprint runs. I really like the Ruby. I'm hoping they'll develop that into a production knife without all the bling and lettering. There are some nice designs here though.

 

[chester22]

ZT Hogging? They still make the Chive, scallion, leek, blur, shallot, skyline, JYD and a few others I'm sure I'm forgetting.