Thoughts about KAI/Kershaw?

BMCGear · Jun 30, 2014

Let me start off by saying please don't bash or flame anyone. Just weighing some thoughts on possible purchases and would like others feedback/thoughts.

I like thinner and lighter knives. I've been carrying Benchmade lately and their 940 series is a great EDC but I worry about carrying knives that cost close to $200.00. With that being said Kershaw makes a couple of knives that would probably fit the bill for me. A Leek would be great for office carry and the Knockout also looks like a great EDC knife (especially in blue jeans). So what's stopping me?

1. Quality of materials: I wish they offered a better steel option. How does Sandvik 14C28N compare to 154cm?

2. Country of Origin: While these two knives are made in the USA the majority of Kershaw's inventory seems to go to China. As a buyer I value buying my knives here in the USA. I get that many makers have an overseas line or make some of their products overseas but it seems Kershaw makes the majority of their folders there now.

What are your thoughts about buying a USA made knife from a company that produces the majority of their products in China?

crom · Jun 30, 2014

A lighter Kershaw product that fits your criteria is the Skyline. Sandvik steel is good stuff IMO. I'd compare it to 154CM for sure.

BMCGear · Jun 30, 2014

crom said:
A lighter Kershaw product that fits your criteria is the Skyline. Sandvik steel is good stuff IMO. I'd compare it to 154CM for sure.

The only reason I didn't list the Skyline is that I've never held one.

nick21 · Jun 30, 2014

I understand if you dislike assisted opening knives, but honestly Kershaw makes the best affordable assisted openers on the market in my opinion.

14C28N Sandvik is a good steel. I believe it's a bit better than AUS-8, but I'm not a metallurgy guy so I don't know for sure.

China-made knives are budget knives, so well...you know. But their quality control seems adequate.

If you're 100% against assisted opening, I'd recommend the Kershaw Skyline. Manual, made in the USA, and right in between the Knockout and Leek size-wise. 14C28N Sandvik, by the way

T Schloz · Jun 30, 2014

I would recommend the Blur. USA made, and the standard models are not to expensive.

Tom

Bigfatts · Jun 30, 2014

I typically don't care for most Kai products. Their Kershaw knives offer nice designs but low end materials and finishing. Every now and then I'll see one I like enough to buy- the Emerson 6K for instance. But then I'm reminded why they're budget knives. Many of the collaborations they do would be great knives if they were more expensive pieces. The Diskin flipper is a perfect example. With KVT, a decent blade steel, Ti and a price tag between $150-200, I would buy one in a heartbeat. But as a $35 throw away knife it does nothing for me. ZT I don't really care for in the design department. I don't care for overbuilt pocket bricks so they just don't have a lot to offer me. I've never handled any of the Shun kitchen knives so I can't comment beyond saying they look nice.

About buying from a company that produces in China, who cares? Not me. Some of the best knives I've handled in recent months have been China made. Not budget imports though.

Thales of Miletus · Jun 30, 2014

I'm curious about your concern for buying a US made knife from a company that also manufactures in China. Are you worried that the production of the US models will be sent overseas eventually?

choombak · Jun 30, 2014

bluemetalchurch said:
Let me start off by saying please don't bash or flame anyone. Just weighing some thoughts on possible purchases and would like others feedback/thoughts.

I like thinner and lighter knives. I've been carrying Benchmade lately and their 940 series is a great EDC but I worry about carrying knives that cost close to $200.00. With that being said Kershaw makes a couple of knives that would probably fit the bill for me. A Leek would be great for office carry and the Knockout also looks like a great EDC knife (especially in blue jeans). So what's stopping me?

1. Quality of materials: I wish they offered a better steel option. How does Sandvik 14C28N compare to 154cm?

2. Country of Origin: While these two knives are made in the USA the majority of Kershaw's inventory seems to go to China. As a buyer I value buying my knives here in the USA. I get that many makers have an overseas line or make some of their products overseas but it seems Kershaw makes the majority of their folders there now.

What are your thoughts about buying a USA made knife from a company that produces the majority of their products in China?

1. If your EDC would be a typical office setting, the steel choice does not matter. 14C28N will work equally well as 154CM, or S30V. You will require an occasional touch-up, and that's all.

2. Country of origin should not matter either - the tool dictates the job, not the country where it was produced in. My opinion.

KAI Corp is a Japanese firm, and manufactures goods in several countries (including USA and China). What exactly are you wanting to hear?

BMCGear · Jun 30, 2014

choombak said:
1. If your EDC would be a typical office setting, the steel choice does not matter. 14C28N will work equally well as 154CM, or S30V. You will require an occasional touch-up, and that's all.

2. Country of origin should not matter either - the tool dictates the job, not the country where it was produced in. My opinion.

KAI Corp is a Japanese firm, and manufactures goods in several countries (including USA and China). What exactly are you wanting to hear?

I wanted to hear different opinions about supporting a company that produces more knives in China vs. the US. Country of Origin is important to me and so are the materials used so I will probably just pass on Kershaw like I usually do.

Thanks for the input everyone.