Speedform 3500 Serial Number Registry and picture/info thread

[mqqn]

Hi folks -

I notice there is not a lot of info to be found about this great knife, and since we have serial number registries for other fine Kai limited editions, I decided to start and maintain a Speedform registry. (We still need a Volt 3600 one hint hint...)

Please post pictures, information and stories about your Speedform 3500 LE, and if you still have one, please post your serial number if you wish and I will keep track of them in this thread.

Thanks!

The Speedform was the Blade Magazine’s 2009 American Made Knife of the Year.
Specifications:
Overall Length: 8.125"
Blade: 3.375"
Blade Steel: Composite: ELMAX®/CPM-D2 w/ copper accent
Closed Length: 4.75"
Handle: CNC-machined 6AL 4V Titanium
Weight: 5.2 oz.
Retail Price: $249.95
Approximately 250 produced.

Serial Registry

In Japan - 69 (was sold and owner unknown)
BradT85 - 84
kershawguy - 95
Pharmagator - 105
Pharmagator - 111
RamZar - 135
TRUELIGHT - 140
mqqn - 147
Geoguy_Dave - 249
Pharmagator - 276

 

[mqqn]

Pictures of #147 -

See anything unusual about this one?

best

mqqn

 

[prelude92]

That is one sexay knife! I know it's slightly off topic, but I recently acquired a Speedform II, and I would love to have the 3500 right next to it!

 

[KnottyEagle]

Pocket clip screws maybe?

 

[mqqn]

Pocket clip screws maybe?

Close - that is a clip off of a scallion. Notice the machined ti clip on the picture above -

That particular Speedform belongs to a local friend. He carries it often, and one day he caught the clip on the seatbelt in his truck, and it broke it off.

I drilled and tapped the knife and put that clip on for him - It killed me to do it, but since it is an LE and Kai does not generally stock replacement pieces for these limited production knives.

It works though. I would like to get some better looking screws, but at least those are stainless.

best

mqqn

 

[Morrow]

I'll have to get mine out to check the serials.

 

[freewheeling]

Close - that is a clip off of a scallion. Notice the machined ti clip on the picture above -

That particular Speedform belongs to a local friend. He carries it often, and one day he caught the clip on the seatbelt in his truck, and it broke it off.

I drilled and tapped the knife and put that clip on for him - It killed me to do it, but since it is an LE and Kai does not generally stock replacement pieces for these limited production knives.

It works though. I would like to get some better looking screws, but at least those are stainless.

best

mqqn

That's sad. The clip is ghastly. There have to be better solutions out there for replacement clips.

 

[NeverMore1701]

I think the clip looks fine, just needs better screws.

 

[kershawguy]

I have number 95

 

[mqqn]

I have number 95

Got it buddy! For the record, both of the ones I had (kept one, sold one to a close friend) came from kershawguy...... :thumbup:

I think the clip looks fine, just needs better screws.

This is where I fell on it - I chose that clip to match the contour of the pivot end of the knife....ok and it was what I had available....

That's sad. The clip is ghastly. There have to be better solutions out there for replacement clips.

Well, it's not ideal, but I did not think it was ghastly, but I can appreciate where you are coming from. I had to do something for him. Maybe I'll ping Jimmer and see what he can find in the Kai treasure trove of fasteners (yes, I saw it with my own two eyes....) in the thread-pitch I chose to tap the damaged 3500.

I'll have to get mine out to check the serials.

Thanks Jason. And thanks again for your favor at Blade when you were checking out. MUCHLY appreciated.....

best

mqqn

 

[Geoguy_Dave]

Serial #249 here. (Also a kershawguy purchase)
I have always enjoyed the Speedform's style.
It seems to have a distinct Japanese flavor to me.

 

[mqqn]

Serial #249 here. (Also a kershawguy purchase)
I have always enjoyed the Speedform's style.
It seems to have a distinct Japanese flavor to me.

Thank you! It has a European flair, and now that you mention it, yes, I could see a Japanese style there.

best

mqqn

 

[RamZar]

Serial# 135 here. Superb piece. Pictures by the end of the weekend.

Speedform II is actually my favorite production Kershaw and with Elmax to boot. Unfortunately, it's being discontinued.

For both Speedform folders my big gripe is the thumbstud.

 

[mqqn]

Thanks Ram -

best

mqqn

 

[RamZar]

To satisfy ourselves and requests by posters, perhaps some side by side pictures of the Speedform 3500 LE alongside the smaller albeit quality Speedform II.

 

[mqqn]

To satisfy ourselves and requests by posters, perhaps some side by side pictures of the Speedform 3500 LE alongside the smaller albeit quality Speedform II.

Sounds good to me - I do not have a Speedform 3550, so I won't be any help in that regard.

best

mqqn

 

[Geoguy_Dave]

Here are a few pictures of my 3500 & 3550 Speedforms. It's my
first time to post pictures so no guarantee of quality. Maybe you can
tell from this how the two compare.

 

[RamZar]

Kershaw Speedform 3500 Serial# 135

 

[mqqn]

Cool pictures!!

I was not aware the 3550 was that close in size to the 3500.

Thanks for posting the pictures.

I hope to get some more people to register. I am not sure how many 3500's were made, and there is not a lot of information to be had searching.

I am surprised there is not a better Kai / Kershaw / ZT wiki with model history and tiimeline. Maybe there is and I just don't have the google-fu to find it.

best

mqqn

 

[TRUELIGHT]