The Hawks and Kershaw

OregonEdge

OregonEdge

Joined
Aug 13, 2005
Messages
1,283
I have a deepening appreciation, from a gadget geek's point of view, for the minds of these two designers. I've owned both custom and Kershaw models... but I'll just post the production versions since this is the Kershaw forum. Anyway... awhile back I'm not sure I really got the attraction to these outside the box designs, but lately I've really gotten to love them. These are the result of truly unique and innovative thought. Influence by other great makers is great, and very important. But, when something comes along that is just mind blowing different... wow. Along with Ken Onion, I was kind of thinking that the hawks could really have a key part in Kershaw's future. My fear, is the reality that it's so hard to survive and continue to make these types of new designs when turning out only a few knives a year. Their customs haven't demanded much more $ than a few years back, despite conitnued recognizability and exposure. A LOT of innovation and value for a knife in the $500 range. Kershaw, I'm sure, would love to see more come from these designers. I know they love the challenge posed by their designs. I would urge anyone to pick up one of the Kershaw production models.... be careful to fully understand the ET before you start playing... however ;)
 
SPXTrader said:
Yeah, the first time I picked up an ET, I sliced my thumb trying to open it...
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Me too. By the end of that first day with that one I had 4 bandaids on 3 fingers. Luckily I escaped with all 10 still attached to my hand. Now lets bring on the RAM. ***waits impatiently***

Nice post count you got there SPX (666)
 
Yes, as did I... so I would just suggest looking at it very carefully and looking at the handy leaflet with pictures Kershaw provides (they even have a CD provided now). If you get ahead of yourself and do not pay attention... ie watching "mail call" or "future weapons" on the tube... then you may experience what I affectionately called the guillotine effect. (or cigar cutter effect). Anyway... I totally respect the thing... and now it's lots of fun. I still highly recommend getting one!!!
 
Personally, I prefer innovations that are simple and elegant. I would place the Junkyard Dog, NRG, and Groove series of flippers in this category. The Hawks' designs, and even KO's SpeedSafe, are a bit ... ummm, well, "gimmicky" for my taste -- but I hasten to add, I think it's terrific that Kershaw offers these kind of products and innovations to those who want them. It's the true American way. :)
 
hmmm... not sure I'm anywhere close to you on KO's speed safe... but I understand what you're saying about the Hawks. Although... part of their appeal is the mechanics. and I've come around
 
Could be just me, getting old before my time, lol. In fact before these new Kershaw flippers came out I'd actually become kind of disenchanted with folders in general and had gone mostly back to fixed blades. O'course all that new-fangled micarta and mosaic pins ... :)
 
I've actually started to appreciate fixed blades.... but since I'm not much of an outdoorsman, I tend to migrate to folders since I can keep them closer.
 
SPXTrader said:
Yeah, the first time I picked up an ET, I sliced my thumb trying to open it...
Click to expand...

LOL, SPXT
A couple years back, one of my best friends and his wife got me a rainbow E.T. as a gift. My buddy's wife didn't think it was a very good gift, but knowing me pretty well he assured her that I would love it. I opened it up, toggled the blade open, and to prove I knew what I was doing toggled it closed immediately right down on top of my thumb!!!:eek: As the blood shot out onto their beige carpet, I saw the look in her eyes that said, "See I told you!!" Needless to say, I got used to it and it is now one of my favorite conversation pieces in the collection.:thumbup:
 
jonnymac44 said:
LOL, SPXT
A couple years back, one of my best friends and his wife got me a rainbow E.T. as a gift. My buddy's wife didn't think it was a very good gift, but knowing me pretty well he assured her that I would love it. I opened it up, toggled the blade open, and to prove I knew what I was doing toggled it closed immediately right down on top of my thumb!!!:eek: As the blood shot out onto their beige carpet, I saw the look in her eyes that said, "See I told you!!" Needless to say, I got used to it and it is now one of my favorite conversation pieces in the collection.:thumbup:
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Glad you learned to appreciate it like me... the ET is deadliest in the first few minutes. Then, it usually either stays or goes ;)
 
Ha, the first E.T. I tried was a "trainer" with an unsharpened blade. I definitely would have cut myself it it was sharpened. Very cool design though.
 
OE...The title of this tread confused me alitlle, as I was thinking of the Seattle SeaHAWKS football team, and Kershaw knives...And I was thinking that if all the Seahawk team members were to carry a Kershaw knife, that maybe then the Seahawks could "carve out" a few more wins next football season.:D.:D.
 
OregonEdge said:
I've actually started to appreciate fixed blades.... but since I'm not much of an outdoorsman, I tend to migrate to folders since I can keep them closer.
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Sometimes I think my changing knife "moods" are just an excuse to buy something new and different. :D

Tell ya what, though ... a good necker or back pocket carry fixed blade can be awful handy, even in the urban jungle. Be fun to see what Kershaw might come up with along such lines (hint, hint.)
 
svrider3 said:
As long as you still have the middle one. ;)
It's kind of hard to get the message across with just a pinkie. :D
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I can just give 'em my mean glare, and that generally gets my point across. (Just take a look at me in my avatar photo, and then imagine me with a mean glare on my face, ending with a "1000 yard stare".:D.:D.).
 
glockman99 said:
I can just give 'em my mean glare, and that generally gets my point across. (Just take a look at me in my avatar photo, and then imagine me with a mean glare on my face, ending with a "1000 yard stare".:D.:D.).
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Are you kidding me? You look like a big Teddy Bear. :D

Try to keep that middle finger. ;)
 
The Hawks are great, and really challenge the factory as you can imagine.

We do have more projects planned with them outside the current E.T., and M.U.D.D.
Obviously the R.A.M. is on the verge of shipping, and I do have to say that I played with final production proto's yesterday, and wow are they dialed in. The R.A.M. is smokin, and I'm not just saying that. It may go down as my favorite manual flipper, to date anyway.

We're also looking at a new Hawk fixed blade called the Sidewinder. Early proto's are being evaluated, and hopefully they will be ready to show at this years Blade Show.:thumbup:
 
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