Review - Kershaw Rake

KnottyEagle

KnottyEagle

Joined
Aug 10, 2012
Messages
6,586
Kershaw Rake​

Specifications:

• Overall Length – 8.12”
• Blade Length – 3.5”
• Blade Thickness – 0.12”
• Weight – 4.80 oz.
• Handle Thickness – 0.54”
• Handle Length – 4.625”
• Liner Lock
• Clip Point blade shape
• Flat ground
• Four-Way positionable pocket clip

Materials:
• Black G-10
• Bead Blasted CPM-D2 Cutting Edge
• Bead Blasted 14C28N Spine
• Stainless steel liners
• Stainless steel clip

Blade Centering:

The blade centering on this example was perfect. Right down the middle.



Lock-Up:

The lock-up on this example was just like the blade centering, perfect. I couldn’t detect any movement in any direction.





Construction:

I didn't take it apart, but the pivot uses a T8 torx bit. The body and pocketclip screws use a T6 torx bit. The Rake also has a backspacer.



Blade Shape:

I really liked the blade shape of the Rake. The tip was very pointy and was very easy to use in delicate cutting tasks. The rest of the blade was also very useful and proved adequate in cutting materials like wood.







Pocket Clip:

I found the pocket clip on the Rake to be normal. It wasn't a funky shaped pocket clip that made the knife sit weird in the pocket, although the natural shape of the Rake does make it sit "odder" than most knives. The pocket clip didn't protrude out of the handle far enough for me to feel it during cutting, which is a good thing. I didn't find any pocket shredding either. Overall, It's a nice standard pocket clip.



Ergonomics:

The ergonomics of the Rake were very good IMO. The combination of the blade shape and handle shape made the knife feel like an extension to your hand. Because of the handle shape though, it made the knife sit funny in your pocket.

Blade Steel:

The Rake sports Kershaw's patented composite blade. The spine is Bead Blasted 14C28N, and the cutting edge itself is CPM-D2. The CPM-D2 performed phenomenally! I could've cut and whittled branches for days. I also cut through a few shingles and it still sliced through phonebook paper afterwards.

Deployment:

Deployment of the Rake is easy with the SpeedSafe. A light push of the flipper propels the blade forward in a nice positive locking position. I did however, find the thumbstuds hard to access. They're tucked up against the handle, which makes it difficult to get your thumb in a position to push on the thumbstud. I think a little chamfer in that area would solve that issue, and also improve handle comfort when gripping the knife.

[video=youtube_share;NQuO0Q98p7c]http://youtu.be/NQuO0Q98p7c[/video]

Other Notes:

I honestly didn't care much for the composite blade design. It's sort of a combination of dulled saw teeth and puzzle pieces.





Any questions or feedback is greatly welcomed! Thanks for reading!

Check out my other reviews here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1130150-Review-Kershaw-Knockout
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1130139-Review-Kershaw-Piston
 
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I picked up a Rake yesterday and it is a nice knife, and I could see EDC'ing this. I do feel that the composite blade is more of a gimmick than a strong point. I cannot see that a full D2 blade would cost more than a composite. Overall the Rake has really nice ergos, fit and finish is flawless. The blade is imho a little thin for the weight.....liners could of been milled better to reduce weight. I would give it a 7.5/10.
 
Screwdriver said:
I picked up a Rake yesterday and it is a nice knife, and I could see EDC'ing this. I do feel that the composite blade is more of a gimmick than a strong point. I cannot see that a full D2 blade would cost more than a composite. Overall the Rake has really nice ergos, fit and finish is flawless. The blade is imho a little thin for the weight.....liners could of been milled better to reduce weight. I would give it a 7.5/10.
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For regular D2 yes, for CPM-D2, maybe.

Honestly though, I think there's going to be some issues with a full CPM-D2 blade with that beadblasted finish.
 
Good stuff, Mr. Eagle. You make me want the knife, and to me that's a sign of a very good review. The only thing you might want to add is the price, which looks to be in the $75 range more or less. Rock on.
 
Screwdriver said:
Sucks that Crucible does not make powdered metal D2 anymore....
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Hmm, they don't? Even if they didn't, I would think CTS-XHP is a suitable substitute, though perhaps higher on cost(better performance too by some accounts).
 
Noctis3880 said:
Hmm, they don't? Even if they didn't, I would think CTS-XHP is a suitable substitute, though perhaps higher on cost(better performance too by some accounts).
Click to expand...

Maybe so....but that is a whole other story. But how about an L6 edge?
 
I don't like the composite design either, but I do really like the overall blade shape or design. I don't personally own one, though -- just basing my opinion on the pictures I've seen of it around the web.

I do think that it would have been more popular without the "composite" design; it detracts from the overall blade shape, and, indeed, makes the knife seem gimmicky. Without the composite design, maybe more people would have paid attention to the somewhat unique and interesting blade shape (Bowie like.).
 
Went in to buy a Spyderco and walked out with a Rake. For me this is a very comfortable knife, well built and well worth the 80 bucks.
 
Thread resurrection time, anyone whos still subbed to this thread can hopefully steer me in the right direction

My googlness brought me here (I am a member here btw), can someone tell me what the washer specs are for this knife? Or point me to the place where I can either find replacements? Im also considering doing an IKBS conversion on my Rake if I can find a set thats within tolerance of the stock pivot washers..

TIA
 
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