That's not even close to being accurate...
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
New Kershaw models for 2016
- Thread starter ivanhoe
- Start date
That's not even close to being accurate...
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2003
- Messages
- 5,789
Hopefuly Kershaw will release some new US-made products in June at Blade Show this year. Because, quite frankly, I have zero interest in any of these Chinese knives that they are showing off at Shot Show 2016..
hunterjrg
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2012
- Messages
- 2,254
I echo these same words. I like the designs though
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2012
- Messages
- 1,238
New products are going to be aimed at either enticing existing Kershaw buyers to buy new models, to hook first-time customers or to lure fans of other brands over to Kershaw's side. If assisted opening is the way to do that, then you can be that's where the focus will be. As much as I'd prefer more US-made models, Kershaw has pretty well nailed down a mass-produced AO system that works as it should. SpeedSafe AO holds up a lot better than the crap from MTech and TacForce for not much more money, and - in my experience - is also superior to much of what SOG and CRKT have to offer at higher prices. No idea about Gerber. All I know is that I do own several Kershaw AO models and none arrived with deployment or lock issues, or with the various rattles and wobbles of SOG and CRKT knives I've bought.
Still, there's nothing new I'm inclined to buy.
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2009
- Messages
- 13,583
@rje -
I saw that faux G-10 and had the same thought until I gave it time to sink in a little.
The faux G-10 is a glass filled nylon with a texture made to simulate the texture of g-10.
The Link is USA made and it now comes with partially serrated blades.
I like the Induction as well.
best
mqqn
I saw that faux G-10 and had the same thought until I gave it time to sink in a little.
The faux G-10 is a glass filled nylon with a texture made to simulate the texture of g-10.
The Link is USA made and it now comes with partially serrated blades.
I like the Induction as well.
best
mqqn
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2000
- Messages
- 3,278
I have a crush on Kershaw. Can't lie. I've been a fan for a long time, and I really like the new Emerson collabs. I've snagged several cheap Kershaws just out of curiosity, and they are well made for what they are. I usually give them to friends after a little bit. I don't recall the model, but I picked up a BW model on Black Friday in 2014, gave it to a buddy, and a year later he was still carrying it. He normally EDCs a SERE 2000. I am with you guys, though. I'd like to see more stuff that was on par with their older stuff, like the Random Task, Blur, and others. That said, I will probably get the new Emersons, and some of the ZTs. I've got a 0560 on order and a 0452CF is on deck.
rje58
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2013
- Messages
- 2,799
I am not trashing Kershaw, I have always really liked Kershaw, especially at the price point! I'm just stating my observations on where they appear to be headed, and hoping I am wrong.
Regarding the "faux G-10", it's as much the mindset as it is the materials. It would come across better to me if they would say something like "the GFN scales are lightweight and offer grip and texture similar to G-10" than ""the faux G-10 scales are lightweight and offer good grip and texture".
Regarding the "faux G-10", it's as much the mindset as it is the materials. It would come across better to me if they would say something like "the GFN scales are lightweight and offer grip and texture similar to G-10" than ""the faux G-10 scales are lightweight and offer good grip and texture".
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2009
- Messages
- 13,583
Kershaw makes a good budget knife, and their 8Cr13MoV blades are about as good as you can get for the price. As for the new lineup, eh...a lot I like okay, but none that scream "I must have this!", either, beyond maybe the Launch 5.
"Faux G10" sounds goofy to me, as well, though.
"Faux G10" sounds goofy to me, as well, though.
- Joined
- Dec 29, 1999
- Messages
- 796
My thoughts exactly. 115Italian said that Kershaw is the new Gerber. While that may be extreme, in my opinion they are diluting their brand with all of the Chinese knives. Spyderco brought out the Byrd line, but continues to make nice knives, with quality materials, in the U.S. and Japan. Kershaw should do the same.
- Joined
- Dec 29, 1999
- Messages
- 796
You may be correct. I like ZT and will probably buy more in the future. However, I'm holding out for now until they find some designers that don't think they're making props for cheap Syfy channel movies.
rje58
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2013
- Messages
- 2,799
I have gotten good use from several of their budget knives with 8Cr13Mov blade steel as well. It's the new knives with 4Cr14 and 3Cr13 blade steel that I hope aren't going to be the trend for Kershaw. I guess it's better than using those blade steels and leaving them as "mystery steel" like they did on some previous knifes where the blade steel designation was simply: Stainless.
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2014
- Messages
- 6,390
I've always been a Kershaw fan. The 21 different Skylines in my collection bear witness to that fact! My initial reaction to the 2016 lineup was "WOW, cool stuff" but then as I looked at the offerings as a whole, I felt kind of "Meh".
As others have already mentioned, there are only a few offerings made in the USA, only a few offerings that aren't Assisted Open (which, in my opinion, usually hides a knife that's not made well enough to open manually) and a parade of designs that look OK individually but as a group they tend to blend into a messy fusion of everything that seems popular in knife design today. There's not really a single unique or innovative design in the bunch. And...OMG...3CR steel?!?
It's clear what Kershaw is doing, and from a business sense it's probably very smart. These new designs will look great in the Big Box stores where they can catch a shoppers eye. When Joe Public cruises WallyWorld on Saturday afternoon to pick up drill bits and chlorine for the pool, these knives will really "pop" on an endcap! They're designed to land in shopping carts along with other purchases, rather than be sought out on their own by a knife knut. It seems to me that Kershaw is looking to increase business from casual knife buyers. Better to sell 100 knives at $19.88 than to sell 10 at $79.99.
That bodes well for those who own Kershaw stock, but to us knife enthusiasts its ultimately a let down. Where are the new iterations of classic, great Kershaws like Leeks, Blurs and Skylines? Where are the upgraded Links and Cryos? Where's the innovation in design from the company that bought us knives like the Speed Bump? Where's the return of rare but sought after knives like the Volt?
It's kind of sad when the only new designs made in the USA are less desirable versions of the Link and a couple of cool autos that unfortunately have a limited consumer base.
Here's hoping that Kershaw will bring enthusiasts something to get excited over at Blade 2016
As others have already mentioned, there are only a few offerings made in the USA, only a few offerings that aren't Assisted Open (which, in my opinion, usually hides a knife that's not made well enough to open manually) and a parade of designs that look OK individually but as a group they tend to blend into a messy fusion of everything that seems popular in knife design today. There's not really a single unique or innovative design in the bunch. And...OMG...3CR steel?!?
It's clear what Kershaw is doing, and from a business sense it's probably very smart. These new designs will look great in the Big Box stores where they can catch a shoppers eye. When Joe Public cruises WallyWorld on Saturday afternoon to pick up drill bits and chlorine for the pool, these knives will really "pop" on an endcap! They're designed to land in shopping carts along with other purchases, rather than be sought out on their own by a knife knut. It seems to me that Kershaw is looking to increase business from casual knife buyers. Better to sell 100 knives at $19.88 than to sell 10 at $79.99.
That bodes well for those who own Kershaw stock, but to us knife enthusiasts its ultimately a let down. Where are the new iterations of classic, great Kershaws like Leeks, Blurs and Skylines? Where are the upgraded Links and Cryos? Where's the innovation in design from the company that bought us knives like the Speed Bump? Where's the return of rare but sought after knives like the Volt?
It's kind of sad when the only new designs made in the USA are less desirable versions of the Link and a couple of cool autos that unfortunately have a limited consumer base.
Here's hoping that Kershaw will bring enthusiasts something to get excited over at Blade 2016
I'm not defending the whole "faux G10" thing, but it should be pointed out that Cold Steel has done that before. Albeit those were fixed blades, like the Mini Tac line.
The same knife has AUS-8, a common budget steel.
Note that I am not attacking Cold Steel. Both Cold Steel and Kershaw have built a reputation over the years for high-value, low-priced, and yes, foreign-made knives. I fail to see how Kershaw is diluting their brand with more of the same.
I will say that Cold Steel has introduced higher end knives, which Kershaw hasn't done except for the Launch line, which aren't even legal in many states.
I don't think it's really fair to Kershaw to compare them to Gerber. Gerber's knives have taken a drastic nosedive in terms of quality. Kershaw's quality has stayed mostly the same as far as I know. Not the best but certainly not the worst.
The same knife has AUS-8, a common budget steel.
Note that I am not attacking Cold Steel. Both Cold Steel and Kershaw have built a reputation over the years for high-value, low-priced, and yes, foreign-made knives. I fail to see how Kershaw is diluting their brand with more of the same.
I will say that Cold Steel has introduced higher end knives, which Kershaw hasn't done except for the Launch line, which aren't even legal in many states.
I don't think it's really fair to Kershaw to compare them to Gerber. Gerber's knives have taken a drastic nosedive in terms of quality. Kershaw's quality has stayed mostly the same as far as I know. Not the best but certainly not the worst.
It was goofy when they did it, too. People aren't talking about them now cause those designs are years old, not new ones. If one of Cold Steel's new 2016 lineup comes out featuring "faux G10" or something similar I'm sure they'll be mocked for it too.
Sigsog226
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2013
- Messages
- 1,983
Kershaw is such an aggravating company to me. So many of their models i want and have wanted are Chinese and with cheaper steels. And not a big fan of there USA designs. I do like the launch 5 though. Especially the raven looking handles on it.
Rival1314
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2012
- Messages
- 1,425
funny how people like to complain about Kershaw's Chinese offerings, while many of the same have several Chinese Kershaws, Benchmades, Esee's and more (Using the exact same steel). I would love for all the new offerings to be USA made, but the buying public is made of cheapskates looking for a deal. The trend over the past several years has been Chinese Kershaw offerings and USA made ZT offerings. To say Kershaw is diluting their brand is to be ignorant to not only how business trends lean, but to your own place in the chain. Forumites are the minority, whine all you want...its true. Frankly I think this years crop of Kershaws represent one of the biggest steps forward they have taken in years. Unique designs, established designers, industry leading warranty and service in a wide range of prices. They are trying new concepts....integrated prybar (due to the amount of dumbasses sending in broken blades I'm certain), more USA made autos to match the trend of stated repealing switchblade laws, and all shapes and sizes. The other companies are still spewing out more of the same...not taking many chances (though not taking heat either). If your criticism of the company is based in a move to Chinese production...take a look aroud your house and see how few things are US made, why holdKershaw accountable when the trend is the fault of the consumer?
Of course the haters are just gonna call me a KAI fanboy (Guilty), and that's fine....but you wont likely see me on another thread meant to discuss enthusiasm over their new releases taking a crap on their products.
BTW, the refrence Faux g10 simply refers to the texturing on the handle being similar to the g10 "factory" textures (as stated in Shot show videos). The handles are still FRN/Zytel...same as has been used by most every company for years.
Of course the haters are just gonna call me a KAI fanboy (Guilty), and that's fine....but you wont likely see me on another thread meant to discuss enthusiasm over their new releases taking a crap on their products.
BTW, the refrence Faux g10 simply refers to the texturing on the handle being similar to the g10 "factory" textures (as stated in Shot show videos). The handles are still FRN/Zytel...same as has been used by most every company for years.
Last edited: