The Half Ton grows up

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flash900

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Those who enjoy smaller folders with wide blades and thumb studs should check out the Kershaw Half Ton, which soon will have two larger stablemates: the 3/4 Ton and the Ton.

(But, sadly, see post No. 6 below announcing that Kershaw has shelved the 3/4 Ton.)

I got a Half Ton a few weeks ago and have already bought a second. This is a smooth opener and a fun knife to play with!

The Half-Ton (Kershaw model 1445; list $19.95) is Chinese-made and similar to the discontinued Japanese Chubby model that can still be found, usually for $35 or so and is said to have Aus 6 steel.

The Half is a better deal: It carries a street price of $11 to $15 (I paid $14, shipped), has a 2.5 inch 8CR13MOV satin blade, and a glass-filled red nylon handle with black Santoprene inserts similar to hard rubber.

It's a sturdy, stubby folder with linerlock and full steel liners.

Here's a stock photo:

http://www.kershawknives.com/search...arch_by=searchform&search_value=1445&x=55&y=2

The black and red matches my Timex running watch. The clip is made to look like a wrench. Clipped inside a pocket, it looks like you are carrying a tool. Weight is listed at 3.2 oz.

The Half Ton can be compared to the value-priced Spyderco Tenacious, which morphed into the Persistence, the Resilience and recently the Ambitious -- all terrific, wide-bladed folders.

Kershaw's website listed two new 2011 models:

-- The 3/4 Ton (Model 1446; list $24.95) with the same materials but a 3-inch blade with all-black handle:

http://www.kershawknives.com/search...rch_by=searchform&search_value=1446&x=36&y=11

-- And the Ton (Model 1447; list $34.95) with a 3.5 inch blade and a black, G10 handle:

http://www.kershawknives.com/search...rch_by=searchform&search_value=1447&x=28&y=13

(Note: Thomas says in post below that Kershaw has decided to produce only the Ton.)

The Half Ton is not for hard use and may never become my regular EDC folder on work days, although there is no particular reason why it couldn't be. It is certainly friendly-looking for an office environment.

One dealer said he gives the Half Ton to youngsters as a first knife. It's certainly priced right for that.

And maybe part of the reason I enjoy it so much is that it brings out the kid in me.
 
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I like the looks of those it seems kershaw has some healthy competition for spyderco's Byrd line also I thought the names were pretty cool too.
 
I bought my Half Ton at a brick & mortar knife store and as soon as I got it in my hand I was sold. I love the little thing.

Thanks for the heads-up on the new models.

IMG_0745.jpg
 
While the Half Ton is not comparable to overbuilt folders by ZT or Strider, it is quite solid in its own right. I think it can survive "hard use". The 3/4 Ton and the Ton look pretty big. They are gonna be the poor man's ZT.
 
I think I read a Thomas post (not here at BF) that the 3/4 Ton had been shelved and they will just do the 1 Ton.
 
Sithus1966 said:
I think I read a Thomas post (not here at BF) that the 3/4 Ton had been shelved and they will just do the 1 Ton.
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That would be a shame..... please post a link, if you can.

Kershaw's site still lists both new models.
 
Thomas W said:
It's true flash900. I'll get both models removed shortly.



Umm, lol...well the Chubby was never a cataloged item. We do have stock on that item currently.
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Thomas,
Do I understand that to mean Kershaw will sell neither the 1/2 ton nor the 3/4 ton, but only the 1-ton?
Can you confirm the alloy used on the Chubby?

Thanks,
Frank
 
Alloy Schmalloy the chubby was my favorite blade I ever owned. Unfortunatly no one around here carries it anymore. Snap on dont and Sears dont either. That thing was the best little blade out there, and I miss mine. I unfortunatly gave it to my kid and he wont give it back. Please Thomas bring it out of the closet!
 
knarfeng said:
Thomas,
Do I understand that to mean Kershaw will sell neither the 1/2 ton nor the 3/4 ton, but only the 1-ton?
Can you confirm the alloy used on the Chubby?

Thanks,
Frank
Click to expand...

The 1/2 Ton and the 1 Ton will be cataloged items.

AUS-6 on the Chubby.
 
yans said:
Alloy Schmalloy the chubby was my favorite blade I ever owned. Unfortunatly no one around here carries it anymore. Snap on dont and Sears dont either. That thing was the best little blade out there, and I miss mine. I unfortunatly gave it to my kid and he wont give it back. Please Thomas bring it out of the closet!
Click to expand...

You should watch ebay, I saw one on there last week.
 
yans said:
Alloy Schmalloy the chubby was my favorite blade I ever owned. Unfortunatly no one around here carries it anymore. Snap on dont and Sears dont either. That thing was the best little blade out there, and I miss mine. I unfortunatly gave it to my kid and he wont give it back. Please Thomas bring it out of the closet!
Click to expand...

Sithus1966 said:
You should watch ebay, I saw one on there last week.
Click to expand...

I just saw four of 'em on eBay with the search criteria, "snap-on knife chubby." Could probably find more by refining search terms. All the same price, $35.99, but I didn't look close enough to see if they were all from the same Seller, though I would imagine they are. It is kind of a cool looking little chubster. LOL
 
Let me tell ya bout the chubby. It is a solid work blade that has a great lock and ergos. It had a mediocre steel, but when ya bought one they were only 25$ from Sears. They wernt prettty, but were very functional. Plus they were about the least threatening thing out there. I was really bummed when the halfton came out. Not because of what it is but then I knew the chubby would never be a cataloge item. Shame too, cuz they actually got the heat treat right, and it acted more like aus 8 not the cheaper steel it was.
Mine was in the Craftsman red and I never lost it in a motor, or on the ground. I never feared cutting anything with it, and the lock was very solid.

Thomas ya listening? make it mainline!!
 
yans said:
Let me tell ya bout the chubby. It is a solid work blade that has a great lock and ergos. It had a mediocre steel, but when ya bought one they were only 25$ from Sears. They wernt prettty, but were very functional. Plus they were about the least threatening thing out there. I was really bummed when the halfton came out. Not because of what it is but then I knew the chubby would never be a cataloge item. Shame too, cuz they actually got the heat treat right, and it acted more like aus 8 not the cheaper steel it was.
Mine was in the Craftsman red and I never lost it in a motor, or on the ground. I never feared cutting anything with it, and the lock was very solid.

Thomas ya listening? make it mainline!!
Click to expand...

Yans,
Understand why you like it.
But is there something about the Chubby you like better than the Half Ton?
 
The Kershaw Ton might just give the Spyderco Tenacious a run for it money, but we'll see :)
 
I like the look of the Ton! I liked the Half-Ton, too, but purely from the "inexpensive beater" standpoint. It's an ugly little thing, but that keeps you from going easy on it I guess! :p
 
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