Some Cyclone thoughts and a question

Que

Que

Joined
Dec 7, 2009
Messages
185
Howdy. I'm new to the forum and darn glad that I found it. I've used and carried knives for years, mostly a couple of Spydercos, an Endura and a Copilot. Recently I have branched out from those two knives to include Benchmade, Kershaw, CRKT, Zero Tolerance, Blackhawk, Boker, Buck and others. Currently my EDC usually varies between a Benchmade 520 Griptillian and a Kershaw RAM with the Benchmade carried more often.

Yesterday I took delivery of a Kershaw Cyclone dated July 07. I really like Kershaw knives. What attracted me to the Cyclone was having a knife somewhat on the order of my ZT 350 with aluminum scales with Safe Assist. Overall I'm really happy with the knife. It's stoutly built with a very positive solid lock-up. It's a beautiful blade that comes very sharp right out of the box. I have two cuts to my left hand to witness that from working on the knife. The Safe Assist On/Off wheel wasn't that much of an attraction to me as I don't see having the knife on the manual setting. I don't really mind the safeties on my Scallion and Spec Bump, but this On/Off held no attraction for me. While I will give it a try I think that the Cyclone may be too heavy for an EDC, but sure is flat. Again, overall I'm very happy with it and am looking forward to the Mini Cyclone that should be delivered today or tomorrow.

My question goes to the On/Off wheel. I know that the setting can only be switched with the blade open. I'm familiar with the operation. The problem was that after a number of opening and closings there was a "twang" internally and the Safe Assist stopped working. Previous to that the blade had been slow opening and efforts to adjust the tension failed (couldn't get the pivot screw to budge) and oil only helped the assist a little. After the assist stopped working, after maybe 25 openings, I opened the knife up. The whole spring assembly sort of rotates out. I tried adjusting things but after a few openings whatever was going wrong continued to go wrong. The problem seemed to be related to the 2/3 moon disc on/off wheel and how it was seated. Finally I took that wheel out and put the knife back together. The knife now opens perfectly with a lot of snap. I don't miss the on/off wheel at all and really have no need or desire to send the knife back to Kershaw. Has anyone else run into this issue with the on/off wheel? Are there any issues with using the knife without the wheel?

Pleae don't take my question to be a negative about the knife as I really like it and won't miss the on/off. I'm just wondering whether this issue has been a common one or is more an issue with this individual knife.
 
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Here are a couple more thoughts on my Cyclone. I've carried it over the past day, and while it's definitely a heavy knive its thinness makes up a good deal for that weight when considering it as an EDC. This only makes me even more anxious to have my Mini Cyclone, which should arrive today.

I've also been looking more at the details of this knife, and I'm seeing features that I usually only see with my benchmades like radiused top blade edges and more subtle but effective jimping. It really is amazing that this knife only cost me $35.

The knife continues to operate without the on/off wheel opening quickly with an authoritative snap. I really love the blade profile, one that offers a nice amount of belly. Overall the knife is a very refined piece that really makes me appreciate the great value of Kershaw knives like this one. I picked up a Benchmade Presidio Axis 520 yesterday and can appreciate the knife for what it is, but I really have to consider this wonderful Kershaw for which I paid 1/5 the price. I know it's not that simple of a comparison, and that isn't meant to diminish the Benchmade, it only demonstrates the outstanding value of the Kershaw. I think that future use will come to play a part in that evaluation. Time will tell, or not.
 
Have disassembled a number of these. First off - if you're having problems taking it apart -make sure you've got the right tools - otherwise you'll b$%ger the thing up.Complete agreement on the bang for the buck aspect. Personally ( with min-cyclone) found the thumbstuds useless -so removed it. Couldn't figure out why I'd want the safety feature -so removed the "wheel" - this is easily restored if you want it back.If you have it apart -look to see if it's got a notch in the bar that runs past the safety wheel - if it does order a replacement bar from Kershaw - new bar won't have the cut in it and will probably last pretty close to forever.
Man - 35 bucks for this quality of tool is simply outstanding.
 
Thanks for the head's up on the torsion bar. Mine has the cut so I'll get one without.

BTW, I quite agree on having the right tools. I have the Kershaw key chain Torx kit and it gets the job done, but I'll probably upgrade it.

BTW, how difficult is it to remove the thumbstud?
 
My Mini Cyclone arrived today. Dang, if I really like the big one this scaled down version is perfect. It's still a bit heavy but it's going to give my Griptilian and R.A.M. a run for their money as an EDC.

BTW, this knife operated 100% perfect with the wheel functioning perfectly. I'll leave well enough alone unless any issues develop, and then its just a simple matter to slip the wheel out.

Thank you Kershaw!
 
I love the Cyclone! Recently bought a Cyclone and a Zing (also a great knife), these are my first Kershaws other than one of their boot knives.
I'm contemplating getting a Mini-Cyclone as well, do you have any pics of the Cyclone and the Mini-cyclone side-by-side?
:)
 
tholiver said:
I love the Cyclone! Recently bought a Cyclone and a Zing (also a great knife), these are my first Kershaws other than one of their boot knives.
I'm contemplating getting a Mini-Cyclone as well, do you have any pics of the Cyclone and the Mini-cyclone side-by-side?
:)
Click to expand...


I'm going to take that photo a little later today, my Cyclone and Mini Cyclone, both next to a ZT 350. I'd love to see a Cyclone and Mini next to a Tyrade, a knife that I'm strongly considering.
 
Here's a size comparison photo of the following knives:

1. ZT 0200 (7.7 oz.)
2. ZT 0301 (8.6 oz.)
3. ZT 0350 (4.8 oz.)
4. Cyclone (6.3 oz.)
5. Mini Cyclone (5.3 oz.)
6. RAM (3.8 oz.)

The real surprise was the size comparison between the ZT 0350 and the large Cyclone. I find the 0350 really easy to carry so I'm going to do a carry comparison between it and the large Cyclone. Of the six knives the 0350 is looking really good to me. When I carry it I can forget that it's there and now I'm starting to understand why. In terms of thickness the 0350 and Cyclone look really close. It's also more clear to me why I like carrying the RAM so much.

img7160n.jpg



Here's the same knives in the same order viewed relative to thickness.

img7165.jpg
 
Awesome, great pics, much appreciated!
:thumbup:

Besides the Mini-Cyclone i've been wanting a ZT 300 or 350 too, these pics help for deciding that as well!
:)
 
Thanks. I probably should have included my Spec Bump in the photos as it's a similar size that is a very good carry knife as well that isn't as large as one might expect. Going by measurements alone often fails to give one an accurate idea of the feel or carry characteristics of a knife. I wish that it was that easy. Comparison photos help, but the only true way is to handle and pocket the knife. With so much of knife sales over the Net that becomes impossible.

As to my future purchases, I am tending towards a Tyrade, but I may well save up a few pennies more and grab a Benchmade 950 Rift. A Kershaw Skyline should hit my doorstep today or tomorrow. I think that knife will be a strong contender as an EDC.
 
Couldn't agree more about the need to handle a knife in order to figure out if it fits your hand/use.
This is the main reason I strongly recommend attending knife shows - you'll get a dose of reality that can save you hundreds of dollars - nothing substitutes for simply picking the knife up and opening and closing it a few times.Knives I was really interested in became un-interesting in less than 2 min.of actual in hand time.And some things that had been in the "wonder why anyone likes these?" -became much more interesting in a couple of min. .
Finally -there must be some grumpy unpleasant knife show vendors - I simply have never run into any yet ? I have met and talked to some of the truly skilled and innovative knife designers/makers at shows ( and their wives) - these are truly polite and humble people- and usually more than willing to explain how they do something and more importantly -why they do it that way.
knife shows are few and far between -they're worth the trouble to attend.
 
You guys are lucky i'm thousands of miles away from the nearest knife or gun show,or knife store for that matter.
The only knives i can paw around here are in Canadian Tire, Walmart, and 1 or 2 small sporting goods stores.
Basically you are talking a very limited selection of Bucks, Leathermans, Victorinox, Browning, Grohmann and knockoff knives.
95% of my knife shopping is via online/ebay/catalogs so pics, listed specs and reviews are my main buying info.
And most of the time the pics on blade forums are superior to the pics on the manufacturers/sellers websites.
The owner pics/reviews posted here have inspired me to buy a lot of knives,lol!
And also helped me avoid buying knives that i would not have been happy with.
 
I'm not a real fan of gun shows (I've been to many) but from what I've heard, following what audiophile has said, knife shows are really worth attending. From what I understand we have a dandy one here in Metro Atlanta.

BTW, I ended up passing on the Tyrade for now. It seems to be a lot like knives that I already have. But again, unless I actually hold one I can't be sure. I did end up picking up a Benchmade Presidio Axis Ultra to go with my Presidio Axis. Honestly, the Presidio seems too darn nice to carry much, and I have concerns about the durability of the finish on the aluminum scales. The Ultra has plastic scales and should be lighter. I'll also pick up a 950 Rift as my annual "end of the year" gift to myself. I'm sure I will do the Tyrade eventually. If I didn't have the Cyclones a Tyrade would be in my stable already. I do know that my ZT350 is going to be seeing my pocket a heck of a lot more.
 
Have probably been to 100 -120? - a bunch of gun shows. Less than a handful of knife shows - so I don't want to overstate my case.BUT - the atmosphere at gun shows is really different from knife shows.Knife shows are friendly -don't know how else to describe it.
 
Dude not to be a pest but i have one more pic request.
A laying-flat side-by-side pic of the knives so you can see the distance between the buttons and the frames.

Normally i prefer to use the flipper and i'm not a big fan of buttons on blades however (with the AO off) i find the Cyclone to be the easiest button opening knife i've ever tried.
With the ZT 350 how close is the button to the frame when its closed as compared to the Cyclone?
Thanks!
:)
 
tholiver said:
Dude not to be a pest but i have one more pic request.
A laying-flat side-by-side pic of the knives so you can see the distance between the buttons and the frames.

Normally i prefer to use the flipper and i'm not a big fan of buttons on blades however (with the AO off) i find the Cyclone to be the easiest button opening knife i've ever tried.
With the ZT 350 how close is the button to the frame when its closed as compared to the Cyclone?
Thanks!
:)
Click to expand...

Can do, will do. I assume you would like to see the Cyclones next to the 350?
I'll throw in the 0200 for the heck of it. It's a great knife.
 
Here it is. The Cyclone is really wide open. On the other hand, the 350 isn't bad, and if you push on the thumb stud from underneath upward (which I find to be best with assited anyway) it opens very easily as there is plenty of room. Undenaibly the Cyclone is much more open around the stud.

BTW, just to correct something from above, using my digital postal scale my 350 weighs 6.2 ounces and the Cyclone 6.3 ounces. I can't iamgine that the removes on/off wheel would make much difference.

If you want a really wide open thumb stud check out the 0200 at top. It isn't assisted opened, but once the blade starts with the flipper simply rotating your wrist quickly snaps the blade out. The 0200 is a real piece of work. The downside is the weight at around 7.9 ounces, IIRC.

img7194u.jpg
 
Hello,

I'm pretty new to the forum, too. My Cyclone is easily my most-abused, most-sharpened, and most-carried knife and it is the only knife I own that's never let me down. I bought a Benchmade 520 a while ago and was pretty disappointed when the fit, finish and lockup didn't measure up to my Cyclone :P

To answer your question, I've never had a problem with the on/off feature on mine - it's made in June '07. The only problem I've had, function-wise was when the torsion bar broke (pretty natural for a knife that's been flicked open as many times as this one). I haven't replaced it, and it makes a great non-assisted folder.

Use yours hard and you'll fall in love with it - if it's anything like mine, it'll perform like a charm.
 
I really wish Kershaw had issued a regular sized version of the Ti/ZDP mini-cyclone.
 
After much deliberation i bought a ZT 0200 instead of the 0350.
Thanks for all the great pics Que, they definitely influenced my decision!
:thumbup:
Love the knife! Very sharp, opens smooth and fast, love the texture on the grips!
I went for the 0200 because i liked the look of the grips of the 0200/300, didn't ready need another AO and i already have the Kershaw Cyclone which is close in size to the 0350.
Guess i wanted a bigger knife as well, the 0200 fits the bill perfectly!
I still love the Cyclone but would like to somehow mod its grip texture to be more like the 0200. Not necessarily the full 0200 grip thickness just the texture.
I might try a Cyclone grip-mod or panel-replacement myself as i have two Cyclone spares in reserve,lol.
Happy new year by the way!
:)
 
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