Opinions from Kershaw / Ken Onion knife lovers

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Now that I have come to understand I may never own a Ken Onion Mid-Tech and will cease even thinking about it, I started to look at the Kershaw knives he designed. I love the look of the Blackout, but don’t like the plastic scales. As far as metal handled versions, The Boa attacted my eye, as did the Bump and Steven Seagal knife. Are there any folks experienced with these who can mention any pros or cons within the ones I have noted here? This is just for general cutting chores. I like a fast opening knife that has a nice locking mechanism; handsome grinds on the blade and also a somewhat hefty feel (being used to large tactical customs). Thanks for any assistance.
 
Take a look at the Blur. I have the black model. It has aluminum handles and a nice but not too heavy weight to it. The thumbstuds are a little sharp but about 3 minutes with a stone takes care of that. I really like mine alot.

John Crites
 
Wow, I was just looking at these, thinking about the Bump, Seagal, and Whisper.

I've had problems with the liner locks on 7 different Speedsafe knives, but I'd take another look at the Bump. Dexter Ewing did a review.
 
Kershaw has made some huge leaps and bounds in their knives over the last several years !

Have owned/currently own a Boa, Blackout, Ricochet, Avalanche, Blur and Random Task. I've sold all (only due to other knife interests) but the Avalanche and the Random Task. . .and enjoyed them all ! Workmanship and quality is very impressive. And razor sharp !

If you're not keen on the scales of the Blackout. . .check out the Avalanche. It has G-10.

I've been eye-ballin' the Bump but haven't had the opportunity to handle one yet. I like it :) especially with a 3.5" blade. Not too keen on them limiting the scales to only 2 colors (blue or green) and it's a flat grind.

Does come with a S30V blade. :)

Dexter did a review on the Bump recently in the "Knife Review and Testing" Forum.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=284951
 
I have Analanche and Boa (last one from Santa this Christmas). I love Avalanche - super great knife, well underpriced.
cons - single thumb stud
pros - S60V, TiNi, G10, steel liners, back spacer, SpeedSafe, grippy handle, hollow grind, razor sharp
see photoes here:
http://playground.sun.com/~nozh2002/Kershaw-Avalance.html

I love Boa too. It is top on the line bit bigger then Avalanche and has almost same drop point blade but with nice looking belly. Quite underpriced too.
cons - metal handle not too good for winter and wonurable for scratchesand single thumb stud (not too important with flipper), holes in the blade for no reason.
pros - S60V, TiNi, G10, steel liners (410), back spacer, SpeedSafe, very grippy handle, flipper, flipper lock, flipper also serve as a guard, hollow grind, razor sharp, S-type blade,
see photoes here:
http://playground.sun.com/~nozh2002/Kershaw-Boa.html

Both are great cutter, just today cut some bush on my backyard - still able to shave. Not too many S60V on the market today - everybody turn to S30V, which is good for big knives, but 5 times less wear resistant then S60V. Hope they'll comtinue to use it for Boa and Avalanche.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
As for the Boa, what is the TiNi and the Flipper lock?

Does the Bump come in a left-handed variant?
 
TiNi - Titanium Nitride, one of the best blade coating - way better then BT (black teflon). May be BC (boron carbide) only same or better.
Flipper lock (my term) - thing which locks blade in closed position, little slider which close flipper. Chive lock locks blade tip, Boa's lock much more convinient, because it is on same side of the handle as the flipper.
Thanks, Vassili.
 
For a using knife, the only LH version Kershaw made was of the 4 Random Task variants. They have been out of production for over 2 years, but occaisionly pop up on eBay or here in the Exchange. The LH Random Task is a true LH knife, down to the liner lock, and it is VERY well executed. I think the steel is S60, but I'm not sure. The Boa is pretty big for EDC, and the recurve blade is a royal pain to sharpen. The Speed safe is noticably slower on this model due to blade inertia (HEAVY blade). If you are not skinning deer or beating the bejeezus out of the knife, I recommend the Chesapeake Knife and Tool Random Leek, particularly for a Southpaw (I should know). It's got all the goodies at a very reasonable price of $100. The best "goodie" being S30V blade steel. This is a reverse tanto blade with TiNi coating, and a flipper as well as ambi thumbstuds (I use the flipper). The only drawback for a Southpaw is the clip and the framelock are dedicated for RH use. But you gain a framelock over the linerlock of the origional Random Task series. If your heart is set on a LH Random Task, e-mail me I know of at least one source.
 
Yeah, kind of a sore spot with me. I like the products, and I've owned many, but the Random Task was one of those knives that came and went before I could get one. I envisioned it as a great ride-along knife when I took my truck out for errands in who-knows-what weather conditions.

Like most collectors, as the months passed, I got de-railed into other projects, and finally bought another knife to take the place of that Kershaw I could never find. Still bothers me.
 
The Random Leek looks like a nice, sensible knife with the flipper and double studs as an added incentive. The link does not say what the handle scales are made of. Are they aluminum or titanium? What coating comes on the handles and what colors? What type of grind does the blade have? Does it only come in partially serrated?

Thanks for all the help, by the way.
 
I own 2 rainbow leeks, 2 blackouts, and have a bump on back-order. You asked about "pro's and con's". I say, "All pro's".

I have had correspondance with Ken Onion on his forum and here in BF. He pays attention to the wants and needs of us.

My wife likes the blackouts for the fatter handle. So do I. However, we both like the leeks for the "sheeple" times, like xmas.

Never any failure of the speedsafe, lock-up, etc. The leeks, especially, feel like they are made of chrystal, instead of steel, they are that form&fit solid!

WayLander
 
I've gone through a Ricochet, Whirlwind, Boa, Chive and Leek. The Whirlwind I didn't like because of the plastic handle and the lack of a flipper so I sold it off. The Ricochet was great despite not having a flipper (smooth thumbstud allowed me to just slide my thumbnail under it to open it) and the blade shape was a great EDC blade. Ricochet was my primary EDC for well over a year--really liked that polished G10 handle as well. The Boa bumped my Ricochet from its role as primary EDC and that lasted for a year and a half to two years. The Boa's CPM440V blade has great edge-holding but if you let that sucker get dull it's going to take a helluva long time to get it back. The Boa's heavier blade makes for less "snap," but I never found it to be a problem. I was never too fond of the black coated blade, but I really didn't want the multi-colored handle. The black wore off in some spots on the handle, but not a problem. I love the "snap" on the Chive (BC coated) and the Leek. They're both great for backup carry--Chive is very low-profile. I did handle the Seagal knife and it's a little on the larger/heavier side but it felt comfortable. No speedsafe, but it does have a flipper. The flipper didn't seem like it was large enough so it was a little more difficult for me to open. Just my preference. I am looking at that Random Leek, looks like a great knife and the Bump really has my attention.
 
I too am very interested in the Kershaw/Onion stuff. I was planning on getting a Whirlwind, but then I found the Bump. But then I heard that at SHOT show 2004 (begining of Feb.?) there will be some "large and cool" folders coming out of the Kershaw/Onion collaboration, so I am waiting for those! I prefer a 4" blade, am looking for a frame lock and good steel. The Bump fits that criteria, but I want to wait until Feb. to see if there is anythign new that will be a little more to my liking. But hey, I'd take a Bump in a heartbeat!
 
Leeks are slim gentleman's knives, not hand-filling tactical folders. the Avalanche is a really solid knife, hefty with good ergos and a strong "snap!" to the speed-safe, a great working knife in the 3.5" blade range. That is the best Kershaw/Onion IMHO. The Seagal knife is ok but no speed-safe, the eelskin inserts never seem to fit right and the whole thing felt odd to me, YMMV. Ken did say he was working with Kershaw on some bigger folders!
 
My Avalanche spring just got broken :( What a confuse! Right after I posted all this replays.
Well, I toke it away and it is still great knife! I am not sure yet about do I want it back or not. I belive this is just happen to me only. I have no problems with my Chive and Boa.
Thanks, Vassili.
 
I'm new to Bladeforums.com and just had to provide some feedback on this one...

I'm sorta a knife finatic & have been collecting knives since I was 8 or 9. Most of the knives purchased over the years would probably be considered 'average' quality by most forum members here; they included Buck, Schrade, Parker, etc.

The last few months I seemed to just have gone Kershaw/Onion crazy...
I purchased a Red (partially serrated) Blur from an eBay merchant for $38 and am truly amazed at the quality of this piece. If you've never held or tried one, I would highly recommend it. Everything about this knive is appealing and functional to me...right down to the trac-tec scale inserts. After a few minutes of getting used to the speed safe opening mechanism you'll see why this was named the Blur. I mean it opens 'scary' fast.

So, After getting the Blur, I purchased a "Sample - Not Sharp" Blackout display model on eBay. This, not long after being removed from the mailbox hit my DMT aligner and was shaving sharp...best $20 I've spent in a long time. My only somplaint is the grip-panels, or lack there of. I'm currently in the process of sanding the faux (diamond checker) scale inserts and adding my own 'trac-tec' panels. The zytel handle is a little wider than the Blur but is oh so comfortable. I'm adding my own trac-tec inserts to improve grip if wet and will be like adding icing to the cake.

For Xmas, a Red T-6 handled Scallion and 1450 Sapphire was purchased for my Dad. The Scallion IMHO is also a fantastic, excellent quality knife. I didn't think he was ever going to set it aside and finish opening the rest of his presents. The Sapphire, while not an Onion design, is really a thing of beauty...probably too nice to be used beyond opening letters and such knowing my Dad.
While browsing eBay (big mistake!) a Vapor II cought my eye and days later ended up in the mailbox. While not 'speed assisted' it's smooth opening K/Onion thats very slim.

So the moral to my winded story is I've spent far more on knives in the past that are not even close in comparison to the Kershaw/Onion quality and craftsmanship. I'm definitely considering an Avalanche and Boa in '04. As for the Avalanche, where else can you find a knive w/ TiNi S60V steel, G-10 scales, and speed-assisted opening for $60 or less?
I Hope this was helpful...
 
#1 avalanche, #2bump, #3 Boa, #4Blur, #5 rainbow leek, #6 leek, #7 scallion, #8 chive, #9 whilrwind/blackout (just my oder of what I like, my opinion).
For overall utiltiy the avalanche.
 
Vassili, Sorry to hear your Avalanche tortion bar broke . Just send it to Kershaw and they will fix it and send it right back to you .There warranty dept is the best.Or if you would like to tackle the job your self call Kershaw and have them send you a new mechanism.All you'll neen is a T-6 and a T-10 torx wrench to do the job.Sears sells the wrenches for like 2-3 bucks a piece.Besides it's always nice to have the wrenches if for nothing more than adjusting your whole fleet of knives.
There phone # (800)325-2891 ask for Doug or the warranty dept.
Thanks for all of these kind reviews of my knives . I must say that I am a bit embarassed of this knife failure. It is not a very common occurance.I am trying to eliminate this problem with some difficulty but am confident it can be done .
 
Ken,
I think its a fluke, this is only the 2nd, maybe 3rd time Ive ever heard that happen. Ive been using 8 speed safe knives for the last 3+ years and have never had one fail on me yet.

The avalanche has been my edc this entire time and has never caused me any problems. The only thing ive ever dome is changed the pockets clips (they do get pretty worn, scratched, etc.
 
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