Top mid-range Kershaws?

F

FMJ Hunter

Joined
Dec 27, 2010
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What, in your opinion, are the best mid range Kershaw knives for EDC carry and possible some lighter heavy use - like yard work, dealing with lots of cardboard, and maybe to take camping here and there.

Mid range for me = $30-$70
 
The reason I ask for Kershaw is I have had little experience with that company, and would like to try some more of there knives.
 
i would say the JYD and JYD II are rather nice for those kinds of chores, CB Leek, and the talon wouldnt be bad, theres also a newer ZT (zt750 i believe) thats just like the talon but a smidge better and with s30v steel
 
My two favorite Kershaw knives are the Leek and Blur. Both are assisted openers if that matters to you.

My newest leek has a S30V blade and G-10 slabs. Great little folder.

The Blur has a CPM-154 blade and it is also a great carry knife.

I picked both up for less than $50 each. The Leek was a blem but it is very minor and purely cosmetic.
 
JYD II is the top knife in that category, IMO. there is also the blur, the shallot, the needs work, the leek, the od1, the ram, and the lahar.
 
Second vote on the needs work. I first bought it as a beater, and then found it to be the perfect owrk knife for me.
 
I also like the RAM and the Clash a lot. The Clash is like a mini Tyrade!
 
for yardwork or camping i'd go with the Junkyard Dog II. It is a fairly good sized knife, fantastic ergonomics, grippy handle, sturdy liner lock, decent steel (i find the finish to spot rust pretty easily), great utility blade shape, ambidextrous flipper that is easy to operate with gloves on. The only faults I found with the knife were the blade finish and the horrible gaudy oversized clip. It is a moderately priced beefy knife. It's not a Strider or ZT but it will do pretty much whatever you ask of it short of chopping a car in half...
 
The composite blade Leek and RAM are pretty nice. But at the very bottom of your price range, I've found the Shallot about perfect for EDC. It's comfortable and has a big enough blade, but is also slim and smooth for easier pocket carry.
 
Check out the PackRat. It has a high flat grind (fairly durable), a useful upswept blade shape, fairly thick blade stock (compared to the Skyline at least), and the 14C28N steel takes a great edge.
 
I just bought a Random Task II and love the blade shape. Bigger and stronger blade than the Leek and easier to carry than the Blur
 
The 14C28 is stupid easy to sharpen, but it also loses its edge pretty quickly in cardboard. I'd try to get one of the D2 composite models, either rake or JYD if possible. You can also get a composite leek in that price range, but I don't really like it as a cardboard cutter.
 
If you haven't handled a RAM yet, you really should. Amazing knife especially when the price is considered. The speed, remember this is NOT an auto or assisted knife, is absolutely ludicrous.

With the ease and speed that a RAM rockets open, I can't see why anyone would need an auto/assisted knife.
 
Another vote for the Needs Work. I haven't tried other Kershaw offerings, but I really love that knife. I want to get the G10 slabs though so it doesn't look like something out of Star Trek. Otherwise I love the ergonomics, the 14C rocks, and that blade itself takes a wicked edge, really nice tip...
 
Love my Kershaw Junk Yard Dog. I beat the piss out of this knife and it keeps ticking. Definitly the work-horse of my collection.
 
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