The First Speedsafes?

Tripton

Tripton

Joined
May 26, 2008
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What were the first couple of knives that had the Speedsafe mechanism?

I had one when I was about 17 or so, (1999ish) and have no idea what it was. I lost it, but now that I am going towards a dozen or more Kershaws....I might just be interested in searching to see if I could find the one that started me off.

I do recall that everyone that saw it had never seen one before, and claimed it to be a switchblade.

The bad part is, I am sure that I could pick it out from a photo, but have zero idea what it was called.

From what I remember the blade was between 3-4 inches, had a black handle, and I think it had a satin or bead blasted finish.


I really do not remember any details.

Can anyone get me pointed in the right direction?

Thanks!!
 
Hmmm . . . the Random Task?

RTask5_800.JPG


I'm pretty sure Ken Onion did a couple other customs with SpeedSafe before that, but I think the Random Task was the first Kershaw prodiced.
 
I would be really really mad if I had lost one of those...but that isnt it.

Thanks though.



How long has the Whirlwind been made?
 
You're right on the model. The year is still a little fuzzy. It was 1998 or 1999, and Kershaw won Blade's American Made Knife of the Year with the Random Task.
 
I'm not sure, although based on a quick search I would say the Whirlwind has been since around since 2000.
 
I would have had the knife in early 1999, I am pretty sure.

The more I look at the Whirlwind, the more that it looks familiar....but something seems a little off...I cannot quite place what it is though...


Hmmm.
 
Based on model numbers and something I think I remember reading in an earlier thread, the Mini Task (model 1500) was the first Kershaw with Speedsafe. The serrated version of the Mini Task looks like this:

2662824576_28aa3f9718_o.jpg


Another early Speedsafe model is the Ricochet (model 1520). It had a drop-point blade, but similar handles to the Random Task shown in acourvil's post above. Sorry, I don't have any pics of my own to share.
 
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Damn that Ricochet is sweet. I can't imagine that I would have spent more than 60 bucks or so on it.
 
Was it the Avalanche?
Sorry no pics. Mines been MIA for several years now.
It's still produced though and on the Kershaw web site.
I'm pretty sure it (the Avalanche) came out in 1999.
It was my 2nd Kershaw, the Random Task being my 1st in 98.
 
The Random Task was my first speed-safe knife, and I really did like it. It had a nice feel to it, but at the time I was only into longer blades and so traded it. Wish now I had kept it, along with an Avalanche I had.
 
cutter17 said:
The Random Task was my first speed-safe knife, and I really did like it. It had a nice feel to it, but at the time I was only into longer blades and so traded it. Wish now I had kept it, along with an Avalanche I had.
Click to expand...

People go to hell for lesser sins then that!! :eek:
;) :D
 
Tripton said:
I would have had the knife in early 1999, I am pretty sure.

The more I look at the Whirlwind, the more that it looks familiar....but something seems a little off...I cannot quite place what it is though...


Hmmm.
Click to expand...

IIRC I bought a Whirlwind in 1999.
 
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