This is the first Kershaw that I've bought. It is also the first knife with G10 handles that I've bought. I was at the local Wal-Mart the other night, and the combination of a little extra money due to my tax rebate and the urge to buy American led to me laying hands on a Skyline. This is unusual for me for a few reasons. One, I don't usually buy knives at Wal-Mart; I prefer to support small knife dealers. Two, I generally do not like liner locks; I'm more of a lock back or axis style lock buyer. Three, I've never bought a Kershaw knife. I have no particular reason for this, and even I can't explain why a knife nut like myself had never bought a Kershaw. And four, I usually do not buy a knife on a whim. I broke with a lot of my knife buying characteristics with the Skyline, but I'm glad I did.
What I like about this knife:
1. Built for tip up or tip down carry (right side only). I prefer tip up, but it's nice to have the option. Why on Earth a manufacturer would not make a knife that can be switched to tip up or down is beyond me.
2. G10 handle is sweet. This is my first G10 handled knife, and I love it! It has awesome grip and a cool look.
3. That index finger flipper. This is also the first knife I've bought with an index finger flipper. I love it! It's fun to just sit around flipping it open and closed. A good knife is a fun knife. Let's face it: when you own more than a few knives, the fun factor becomes as important as the functional factor.
4. Big, fat, wide pocket clip: keeps the knife nice and flat against my leg in the pocket. Narrow clips just let a knife get sideways to your leg while in the pocket.
5. Solid lock: Yeah, it's a liner lock, but it locks up very tight. I feel the Skyline's lock is trust worthy.
6. Made in the USA: this means a lot to me. That big American flag right there on the packaging made me feel good buying it. I'm, in a very small way, helping support fellow Americans. Melt: Stimulating the U.S. economy, one knife at a time.
7. Super thin edge: I like it. Makes it easy to sharpen, and wicked sharp when sharpened. Why should a pocket knife, which usually won't be used to hack a tree down, have a thickly ground edge? I don't need a hard use pocket knife. I've got big fixed blades. The Skyline is like the offspring of a gentleman's knife and a tactical folder. It's blade design is great.
8. Price: 35 bucks plus tax. This is very reasonable for what you get, in my opinion.
9. Not assisted opening: I do not like assisted opening, and a lot of Kershaws that I would otherwise like (such as the Leek) have assisted opening. Straight up, it scares me. Every time I open a knife with a spring-loaded blade, I'm afraid I'll cut myself. The Skyline is great because I control how slow or fast the blade opens. I like being in control.
Problems: Well, one. I was flicking the knife open and closed a lot (for fun and to get myself familiar with the operation), and the blade pivot screw started getting loose. Easy fix. I just took it out, put some crazy glue on it, and put it back in to the right level of tightness. No further problem.
Overall, I'd say this knife is great. I'm very glad I bought it, and I believe it will be my "gateway drug" into Kershaw knives.
What I like about this knife:
1. Built for tip up or tip down carry (right side only). I prefer tip up, but it's nice to have the option. Why on Earth a manufacturer would not make a knife that can be switched to tip up or down is beyond me.
2. G10 handle is sweet. This is my first G10 handled knife, and I love it! It has awesome grip and a cool look.
3. That index finger flipper. This is also the first knife I've bought with an index finger flipper. I love it! It's fun to just sit around flipping it open and closed. A good knife is a fun knife. Let's face it: when you own more than a few knives, the fun factor becomes as important as the functional factor.
4. Big, fat, wide pocket clip: keeps the knife nice and flat against my leg in the pocket. Narrow clips just let a knife get sideways to your leg while in the pocket.
5. Solid lock: Yeah, it's a liner lock, but it locks up very tight. I feel the Skyline's lock is trust worthy.
6. Made in the USA: this means a lot to me. That big American flag right there on the packaging made me feel good buying it. I'm, in a very small way, helping support fellow Americans. Melt: Stimulating the U.S. economy, one knife at a time.
7. Super thin edge: I like it. Makes it easy to sharpen, and wicked sharp when sharpened. Why should a pocket knife, which usually won't be used to hack a tree down, have a thickly ground edge? I don't need a hard use pocket knife. I've got big fixed blades. The Skyline is like the offspring of a gentleman's knife and a tactical folder. It's blade design is great.
8. Price: 35 bucks plus tax. This is very reasonable for what you get, in my opinion.
9. Not assisted opening: I do not like assisted opening, and a lot of Kershaws that I would otherwise like (such as the Leek) have assisted opening. Straight up, it scares me. Every time I open a knife with a spring-loaded blade, I'm afraid I'll cut myself. The Skyline is great because I control how slow or fast the blade opens. I like being in control.
Problems: Well, one. I was flicking the knife open and closed a lot (for fun and to get myself familiar with the operation), and the blade pivot screw started getting loose. Easy fix. I just took it out, put some crazy glue on it, and put it back in to the right level of tightness. No further problem.
Overall, I'd say this knife is great. I'm very glad I bought it, and I believe it will be my "gateway drug" into Kershaw knives.
