Seeking Recommendations: Replacement for Kershaw Nerve

L

LearningEnthusiast

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Jan 5, 2026
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Good afternoon,

I'm looking for some recommendations for options to replace my EDC. I was gifted a Kershaw Nerve probably 17 years ago and loved it. I was in high school at the time with little money, so that was a "high end" knife for me. Unfortunately, I let a friend use it while on a boat a few years ago, and that knife is now at the bottom of a lake. I've been rocking a Boker Strike in AUS-8 since the loss of the Nerve. The Boker has been fine, but I really liked the blade shape of the Nerve for my use. I'm now to a point where I want to upgrade. I tend to get lost doing deep dives for things like this, so instead of spending months doing insane amounts of redundant research I decided to ask for help. For budget I would prefer to stay under $200 unless there's some perfect recommendation that goes over that.

Things I really liked about the Nerve: blade shape, thumb "stud" for opening, tough and grippy handle, weight.

I almost picked up a Kershaw Iridium last year, but I'm not a fan of the smooth handle.

I work partially in an office and partially in the field, so my knife tasks are normally opening boxes, cutting banding straps, cutting hoses/tubing, cutting paper, and other things like that.

I suppose I could just find another Nerve online somewhere, but I'm interested to see if there are similar offerings with a higher grade steel for edge retention. I don't mind sharpening, but I often struggle to find the time to do it.

I'm in Texas, so I can technically get an auto, but I'd prefer it to not be automatic for the few times where I drive to other states.
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Thank you for your insights.
 
Grab yourself a Kershaw Blur in Magnacut. They can by had for about $110, free shipping and no taxes. Thumb stud and grippy. Clip is tight, but you can adjust that. Not the same blade shape, and they are assisted, but at $110 or so for a made in the USA knife, they are a pretty good option.

That said, there are a ton of good options at the $200 level for EDC. That's especially true if buying used...
 
I'm always down for a Kershaw Blur, plenty of steel choices, M-4, Magnacut, BDZ-1, Damascus... assisted opening.

Worksharp RMX, with M390 drop point or CPM-3V reverse tanto, for $150 TYD, smokin' deal on either one! Can be set up as regular flipper or auto opening.

Pinkerton Knives released their G-10 Inversion, ~$100, Nitro V blade, removable finger ring, adjustable pocket clip...

Plenty of choices out there, in your price range. Just depends on what suits your style, needs...
 
Do you want a thumb plate like on the Kershaw or a thumb stud? Plates are more common on European knives since they can remove it in areas that don't allow one handed opening.

General shape and preferences has me immediately think of the Hogue Ritter RSK, classic design and great execution.

If it's more the curvy and flowy design you like, it looks a little like my CKF Echo Trol (although no thumbstud):

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Both are easily within your budget and excellent quality.
 
Tsujigiri said:
Do you want a thumb plate like on the Kershaw or a thumb stud? Plates are more common on European knives since they can remove it in areas that don't allow one handed opening.

General shape and preferences has me immediately think of the Hogue Ritter RSK, classic design and great execution.

If it's more the curvy and flowy design you like, it looks a little like my CKF Echo Trol (although no thumbstud):

View attachment 3068460

Both are easily within your budget and excellent quality.
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I could be happy with either. I liked the plate, but there’s probably a bit of nostalgia along with the fact that I learned one-handed opening on that knife and flipped it open countless times.

I picked up a Civivi Mini Praxis on a whim last year to have something smaller for carrying in shorts, and I have enjoyed the flipper as well. If I’m honest with myself I could probably enjoy anything designed for one-handed (single-handed?) opening.
 
LearningEnthusiast said:
I could be happy with either. I liked the plate, but there’s probably a bit of nostalgia along with the fact that I learned one-handed opening on that knife and flipped it open countless times.

I picked up a Civivi Mini Praxis on a whim last year to have something smaller for carrying in shorts, and I have enjoyed the flipper as well. If I’m honest with myself I could probably enjoy anything designed for one-handed (single-handed?) opening.
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If that's what trips your trigger, I'll pile on the Bel Air recommendations.

Yeah, the dive is deep. But really, you'll be spoiled for choice at sub $200. Also look at some modern Case offerings: Marilla, Longhouse, Kinzua. Scads of other Kershaws - the Leek is pretty close to your favored blade shape. Hogue is another solid choice. You just missed a huge sale on Demko, but there are models that still fall in your budget. Some Spydercos and Bucks can be found at those prices.

Nevermind. Save yourself. Just get the Bel Air.
 
I'm... actually going to recommend a CRKT product.

Huh. Been a while since that happened.

The "Tighe Tac". By Brian Tighe, can be had on the auction site for about 25% of your maximum price. Blade shape and thumb disk are what you're looking for, but the slabs might be a deal-breaker.

This is also assuming you're willing to buy used. I've had decent luck, but I've been looking for something very different.

If you are willing to buy used, there are other locations on the internet where you could pick up a replacement Nerve. Or two. And a Mora that floats, or at least costs small for those "can I borrow your knife?" situations.
 
I wrote a review of the Kershaw collateral on here a while back. A real good knife for the price the handle has nice weight and similar shape to the Nerve. No thumb stud though and way below your budget. With a $200.00 budget your in Magnacut cut range for both CRKT and Kershaw. The Hogue Deka is also a good magnacut knife but to light and flimsy for my tastes.
That said my recommendation is a well bought Spyderco Manix 2 Salt. Can be had for below 200 I just checked.
If you have a knife or gun show or outdoor store near you go check out some first hand, so you can feel the action and handle the knife ahead time. lI have handled some $1000+ knives at shows that seemed like embellished kit knives.
 
I've become a big fan of Magnacut , and as donnord donnord said, the Manix2 in Magnacut would be a good choice.
This is a different blade shape than you're looking for, but an excellent knife, and at $180, well within your budget. It's a Ritter RSK-1 in Magnacut. This one has about a 3 1/2" blade, or if you want something a little smaller, there's the Mini RSK with a 3" blade for $160.
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I would suggest getting your hands on a Bel Air to see if it is too slick for your tastes. It is a stonewash type finish that has been Ceracoated, so it has more texture than it looks like. For normal chores I don't have a problem holding on to mine. The Iridium is a very very similar knife in many respects, but with different materials and some minor spec changes like blade length.

Otherwise a Blur, a Link, one of the magnacut dividend, one of several different Hogue or Ritter designs might appeal. Even Lionsteel or MKM might have something that checks the boxes.

What else are you looking for? Assisted? Blade shape or profile?
 
I've been looking at the recommendations, and I really like the Bel Air with the reverse tanto blade shape. I'm torn between the sub-models now: green micarta handle with stonewash blade for $149, G10 handle but black stonewash blade (prefer "plain" steel finishes without color) for $145, carbon fiber handle with stonewash blade for $167, or the XL with G10 handle and stonewash blade for $145.

I'll probably flip flop for a few days and get something on order this weekend. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like any of the shops in town have these on the shelf, but I think I'll be okay with ordering online.
 
DMG said:
I suggest a Hogue Ritter in magnacut
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Just when I thought I was close to making a decision... That looks like a fantastic option that seems to incorporate most if not everything I liked about the Nerve while being a significant upgrade.

Apparently I missed the earlier recommendations for the same knife. I feel like I'm leaning toward the Ritter.
 
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LearningEnthusiast said:
I've been looking at the recommendations, and I really like the Bel Air with the reverse tanto blade shape. I'm torn between the sub-models now: green micarta handle with stonewash blade for $149, G10 handle but black stonewash blade (prefer "plain" steel finishes without color) for $145, carbon fiber handle with stonewash blade for $167, or the XL with G10 handle and stonewash blade for $145.

I'll probably flip flop for a few days and get something on order this weekend. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like any of the shops in town have these on the shelf, but I think I'll be okay with ordering online.
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I had a Micarta handle bel air and it had a rattle. It went back to the big river site.
 
LearningEnthusiast said:
Just when I thought I was close to making a decision... That looks like a fantastic option that seems to incorporate most if not everything I liked about the Nerve while being a significant upgrade.

Apparently I missed the earlier recommendations for the same knife. I feel like I'm leaning toward the Ritter.
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The ritter is just a better version of the classic Benchmade Griptillian, an already legendary knife. A magnacut ritter could basically be a forever knife.
 
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