New toy arrived today.

[STR]

I am so glad I got this from Gavin before they were all gone. I've wanted one of these since the day I first got one from Kershaw. Just never took the plunge. Now that its discontinued I had to have one.

Of course I didn't have it ten minutes and was making a new clip for it. This is the only knife I carry currently with a tip down clip. Just works so well for the Spyderdrop method of opening that I love it for that. Oh and for what its worth I had Gavin's blessing to put my own clip on my folder from him. Thanks Gavin. :thumbup:

Anyway, a real deal ET is mine! :thumbup:

STR

 

[DelrinFred]

Looks like some sort of robot insect in that second picture

 

[STR]

Yeah they are high tech. Its the ET (external toggle). I've had an Urban Camo model from Kershaw for quite a while and gave my son and April both one of their own too. We really like them. It works on the same principle as a vice grip pliers basically and the lock is probably among the most reliable made, not to mention its quite strong also. I had a bunch of pics of it but those two are the only ones that were not blurry. The sun is all but gone now or I'd have snapped a few more for this thread. Maybe tomorrow.

STR

 

[Lycosa]

Nice!
'OW bout a blade open shot?

 

[STR]

Nice!
'OW bout a blade open shot?

I'll get one of it open tomorrow. I don't think the moon light will show it too well. My flat bed scanner A/C adapter burned up on me. Second time so I have not bought a new one. I am thinking its time for a new scanner instead. Guess this one is used up. Right now I'm digital only so it will have to be tomorrow.

I will get one to show it off somemore though. I really like these ET lock mechanisms. Wish I'd thought of it.

STR

 

[STR]

Ok here ya go. Nice shots of both my Kershaw Urban Camo model and the ET Custom.

Custom is 3.8 ounces.
Kershaw is 3.7 ounces

Custom is 7075 T6 aluminum alloy
Kershaw is 6061 T6 aluminum alloy

Custom is a solid piece of the alloy milled and machined out.
Kershaw is a three piece design to keep it easier to mass produce I imagine.

Shown you can also see that the Custom S30V blade is slightly thicker than the 13C26 blade in the Kershaw.

Note also that the Custom has that neat little wrench in the back of the handle that pops out to allow you to take the recessed nuts out and break the folder down. Kershaw did not do that part of the design. If you can't find it in the custom take another gander at the close up shot from yesterday and look at the lanyard. That gray sleeve is the wrench which fits precisely in there and pops in place. Its knurled so you can grip it to turn the nuts of the folder assembly screws.

Its also noteworth that the Kershaw has a smaller diameter pivot with a screw on one side only. Also, Kershaw seems to have incorporated an additional bend in the lock bar part of the folder that you wrap your fingers around when you grip. Its funny because until setting them together I never noticed it.

Anyway, I've enjoyed my Kershaw a whole lot even if it did bite me quite a few times getting the hang of using it. They sent this folder with a neat little CD you play to see all the various ways to open and close it. None of which was the Spyderdrop which in my opinion is the easiest one of all of them shown. Leave it to me to find another way to do it. Now that I've got it down though I'm efficient enough to upgrade I guess.

STR

 

[Gritter]

Oh and for what its worth I had Gavin's blessing to put my own clip on my folder from him. Thanks Gavin. :thumbup:

Anyway, a real deal ET is mine! :thumbup:

STR

Now that shows good character! I won't touch the Titanium Slab you made for me, unless I get your okay - really, I'd never want to - it's perfect the way it is.