The Kershaw Spline is Awesome!

BenLong1018

BenLong1018

Joined
Apr 12, 2012
Messages
1,668
Got this knife in the mail today and it really surprised me. I haven't liked a budget Kershaw this much since the Cryo. I really like Les George designs and I've always drooled over his custom knives, but I don't wanna fork over that kind of cash.

This is a cool little beater knife with a nice durable blade shape, ergonomic handles, and a really nice pocket clip. I really wish they would use this clip on every knife they make including ZT's.

I've been eyeballing the ZT 0900 for a while, but wasn't sure about the handle size. It turns out the Spline and the 0900 have the exact same handle length. That being said the Spline handle fits my hand perfectly so I may eventually get myself a ZT 0900. This is most definitely my new favorite budget Kershaw you guys should check it out if you're on a budget or just want a cool new blade!






 
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It looks like a small Talos or ZT 0909! That's awesome. George is a great guy. Had the pleasure of meeting him at blade. I'll have to pick one up.
 
Looks pretty nice, I might have to check one out. This is one of those Kershaws that I wish was made in the USA with a little better materials and sold for just around $100. Solid slabs of steel just don't do it like a Ti/G10/S30V combo would on this knife. It would probably shed a full ounce of weight too.

Thanks for sharing the pictures!
 
Thanks for the review.

I'm a sucker for the Kershaw budgets that seem to be done 'right', my favorite to this point being the Strobe. I find 8cr13mov to actually be a decent steel, and it sharpens and strops easily. Looking forward to trying this guy out (de-assisted - naturally)

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 
Slauterhause said:
Thanks for the review.

I'm a sucker for the Kershaw budgets that seem to be done 'right', my favorite to this point being the Strobe. I find 8cr13mov to actually be a decent steel, and it sharpens and strops easily. Looking forward to trying this guy out (de-assisted - naturally)

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
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I was actually extremely dissapointed by the Strobe. Mine came with a rediculously strong detent and the clip is loose and feels very cheap. I don't believe the Spline would work well deassisted because nowadays they aren't drilling detent holes in the blades anymore.
 
Hackenslash said:
Looks pretty nice, I might have to check one out. This is one of those Kershaws that I wish was made in the USA with a little better materials and sold for just around $100. Solid slabs of steel just don't do it like a Ti/G10/S30V combo would on this knife. It would probably shed a full ounce of weight too.

Thanks for sharing the pictures!
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I completely agree this would be amazing with titanium handles and S35VN steel and of course ball bearings replacing the speed safe.
 
Ruggdogg87 said:
889c756b7129d33d09042bf9b9e0c799.jpg


It looks like a small Talos or ZT 0909! That's awesome. George is a great guy. Had the pleasure of meeting him at blade. I'll have to pick one up.
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Awesome knives man! I've considered the 0909, but thought it might be a bit too heavy and bulky to carry all the time.
 
The Spline looks awesome. Here's hoping to the ZT 0901 (0900-sized handle with sheepsfoot blade, like on the Spline).
 
I like the look of the Spline, but it's kinda annoying how suddenly their Chinese "budget" blades using the 8Cr13 that used to cost $20-25 are now like $35-40, so that they can sell those crappy 3Cr13s and market THEM as the budget line and act like 8Cr13 has suddenly become more impressive than it is, charging almost as much for it as they do for American made knives like the Leek or Link.
 
DShiflet said:
I like the look of the Spline, but it's kinda annoying how suddenly their Chinese "budget" blades using the 8Cr13 that used to cost $20-25 are now like $35-40, so that they can sell those crappy 3Cr13s and market THEM as the budget line and act like 8Cr13 has suddenly become more impressive than it is, charging almost as much for it as they do for American made knives like the Leek or Link.
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I get what you're saying, but I'm just trying to have a cool thread about a cool knife. I really don't wanna get into how "unfair" knife pricing is, if you like the knife you buy it if you don't then don't.
 
BenLong1018 said:
I get what you're saying, but I'm just trying to have a cool thread about a cool knife. I really don't wanna get into how "unfair" knife pricing is, if you like the knife you buy it if you don't then don't.
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You start a thread about a knife, any discussion of it's ups and downs, including the price, is fair game. This isn't a "only praise is allowed" forum. I do like the knife. I do not like how they're charging about $40 for a knife using the exact same materials as what was a $20 knife 2 years ago.
 
DShiflet said:
You start a thread about a knife, any discussion of it's ups and downs, including the price, is fair game. This isn't a "only praise is allowed" forum. I do like the knife. I do not like how they're charging about $40 for a knife using the exact same materials as what was a $20 knife 2 years ago.
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So my Spline arrived today, and my first impression is that it's a very well done knife. Mine seems to be right in the sweet spot on the spring tension, it's easy to close one handed, and the detent seems right on.

I was initially surprised by how thin it is, but it's very solid. I love the George blade shape, the thumb jumping is perfect. Mine is centered, and I'm a big fan of deep carry clips and this doesn't disappoint.

I much, much prefer this over the cryo 2's, but I'm still sticking with the Strobe as my #1 budget Kershaw. This Spline is in second place though. Well worth the $32.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 
DShiflet said:
You start a thread about a knife, any discussion of it's ups and downs, including the price, is fair game. This isn't a "only praise is allowed" forum. I do like the knife. I do not like how they're charging about $40 for a knife using the exact same materials as what was a $20 knife 2 years ago.
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Yes there are knives using the same materials for $20 or less, but is the design as good? Kershaw is no doubt paying some sort of royalty to the designer so that is going to add to the price. A well designed knife is more than just the steel, there are plenty of crap knives using 8cr13mov. But there are a few like a Kershaw Cryo or a Spyderco Tenacious that are excellent knives. And it's worth paying just a little more. The Spline is out there for around $30 if you look, well worth the price if it's as good as it sounds.
 
DShiflet said:
You start a thread about a knife, any discussion of it's ups and downs, including the price, is fair game. This isn't a "only praise is allowed" forum. I do like the knife. I do not like how they're charging about $40 for a knife using the exact same materials as what was a $20 knife 2 years ago.
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I don't believe the OP was being unreasonable when he asked what he did. It is his thread and he can ask to steer the thread in the direction he likes. Is it against the rules here to say what you want? No it is not, however it is common courtesy to respect the wishes of the OP.

You are more than welcome to start your own thread about whatever your thoughts are on this market and why a company should do what you think they should. Just don't get mad when someone comes to take a crap in your virtual driveway because they have different views.

That being said, I think it looks like a nice budget alternative and street price as mentioned is around $30-35 so I can't really see where you're coming from.
 
This just in... Things get more expensive over time!

I can't believe Ferrari would only sell cars over 100k! Outrageous because you used to be able to get them for under 10,000 and they were even cooler looking back then!
 
BenLong1018 said:
I completely agree this would be amazing with titanium handles and S35VN steel and of course ball bearings replacing the speed safe.
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Just get the 0900 haha. Its exactly what you are looking for. It even weighs less than the Spline...
 
Scurvy092 said:
This just in... Things get more expensive over time!

I can't believe Ferrari would only sell cars over 100k! Outrageous because you used to be able to get them for under 10,000 and they were even cooler looking back then!
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What else has literally doubled in price over the past 2 years? Wanna shoot me some specifics? Just curious. I know lots of other steels certainly haven't...in fact, many of them seem to have gotten cheaper. Used to be pretty hard to find a knife in S110V that wasn't high priced. Now Spyderco has like 5 of em, US made no less, for $110 or less. Ontario is putting out the Utilitac 2, using a steel pretty much equivalent or slightly superior to the Spline, for $25 or less. Schrade is putting out knives in 1095 for $40 now. So are you saying that 8Cr13 has jumped UP in price when all these other steels have gone down? I find that kinda unlikely, personally.

"Yes there are knives using the same materials for $20 or less, but is the design as good?"

Yes, several of them are.
 
The Spline is $35.

I just went to everydaycommentary's database of old reviews and pulled up the injection from 2013 and the cryo g10 and one of the Emerson's from 2014...

Guess what...

All 3 were $35 at the time.

Just because you found a crown or a nura on supersale at a big box store for $20 doesn't mean that was the standard.

In fact, when the starter series (all 3cr knives) came out, Kershaw was touting how they finally hit the $20 price point.

So thank you for making me look into it and realize the claim that Kershaw's were $20 two years ago was total bullshit.
 
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