Trying out Kershaw for the first time. Two Incoming.

M

moraldilemma666

Joined
Mar 15, 2013
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229
Hey all, Not really new to knives but dont have much of a selection currently compared to some on these forums. just ordered 2 kershaw's yesterday and wanted to see what opinoins people have of them compared to some other knives. Just ordered A chill, and a Thermite, Totaled 40 for both so figured I couldnt go wrong for 20$ a knife. Currently edc a mini grip but wanted to try something new, and see what all the fuss is about the kershaw knives. Cant seem to find much on the thermite even searching the forum. so anyone got an opinion one way or the other? I will be posting a quick review after receiving the knives, but would like to know what all of you have to say. Think i might have just bought more knives to have something new to post about... oh well.
 
The Thermite is awesome. I put a jade ghost G10 scale on mine and de-assisted it--even better. I like the grind, frame lock, shape, and ergos. The steel is not the best, but it holds an edge and it is cheap.

 
The Chill is awesome too. Super thin and super light in the pocket, but plenty of knife for just about everything this side of field dressing a mastodon or prying up a manhole cover.

 
spydercobenchmadekai said:
The Thermite is awesome. I put a jade ghost G10 scale on mine and de-assisted it--even better. I like the grind, frame lock, shape, and ergos. The steel is not the best, but it holds an edge and it is cheap.

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Cool, Been looking forward to trying a hinderer design but wasnt really willing to dish out for a ZT or the real deal at this point. Is there a detent to hold the blade in when de assisted or do you have to mod it? i'm thinking i will probably de assist it to not get hassled.
Edited to say: really nice scale btw looks much better than the funny pattern on the original one. ( no offense to anyone just not a fan of patterns etched on knife handles like the thermite)
 
One of my co-workers was showing me his "office carry" Chill just yesterday, and I liked it. Three of my four rotating EDC knives are Kershaws - One Ton, Vapor III and RJI - and I think it's tough to not find a good Kershaw regardless of budget.
 
moraldilemma666 said:
Cool, Been looking forward to trying a hinderer design but wasnt really willing to dish out for a ZT or the real deal at this point. Is there a detent to hold the blade in when de assisted or do you have to mod it? i'm thinking i will probably de assist it to not get hassled.
Edited to say: really nice scale btw looks much better than the funny pattern on the original one. ( no offense to anyone just not a fan of patterns etched on knife handles like the thermite)
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Yes, you have to drill a detent hole. It's pretty simple really, and there are a few good threads on the topic.

Thanks, that was my first attempt at scale making. Hardly anyone likes that pattern--it looks pretty cheapo. A Thermite with lightning strike carbon fiber would be awesome, but the scale would cost at least double the knife! :cool::eek:
 
powernoodle said:
The Chill is awesome too. Super thin and super light in the pocket, but plenty of knife for just about everything this side of field dressing a mastodon or prying up a manhole cover.

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Love the Chill so much I got two of them. One in the pocket right now, has been for 4 years. Less than 2 ounces, less than 1/4" thick, full skeletonized liners, under $20. What's not to like?


I would like to get a custom one with better steel the same size, (perhaps a slightly stronger detent) no matter the cost.
 
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Not going to lie, I think the Thermite is pretty lame. I saw lots of positive reviews and I'm honestly baffled. It's pretty unergonomic and low quality. Haven't handled a Chill though. I wish I had gone with the Brawler over it.

 
o4tg said:
Not going to lie, I think the Thermite is pretty lame. I saw lots of positive reviews and I'm honestly baffled. It's pretty unergonomic and low quality. Haven't handled a Chill though. I wish I had gone with the Brawler over it.

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Really? How so? Have you ever handled a Brawler? The Thermite is like a custom compared to my Brawler.
 
spydercobenchmadekai said:
Yes, you have to drill a detent hole. It's pretty simple really, and there are a few good threads on the topic.

Thanks, that was my first attempt at scale making. Hardly anyone likes that pattern--it looks pretty cheapo. A Thermite with lightning strike carbon fiber would be awesome, but the scale would cost at least double the knife! :cool::eek:
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I actually like the look of natural G10 I have a Spyderco Leaf storm just for that reason. I think you did a good job.
 
spydercobenchmadekai said:
Really? How so? Have you ever handled a Brawler? The Thermite is like a custom compared to my Brawler.
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The flimsy frame lock is my biggest issue, and it's magnified by how slender the knife is. The lockbar actually flexes when I grip the knife, and it's hard to disengage. It also pushes rearward fairly easy when trying to disengage with my duty gloves on (practically impossible). The Speedsafe is sluggish due to the geometry change to compensate for the (lack of) detent. The jimping actually makes the knife more slippery. The logos are crooked. Mine came with a miniature (literally had to be a midget or child's) fingerprint in the finish. A very tiny piece of the tip chipped off lightly driving it straight into soft wood. The spanto is too blunt and not what I consider field sharpenable. The knife is dangerous tip down as the thumb studs actually catch on my pocket. The knife just has a general hollow cheap feel to it.

On a good note, it was bar none the sharpest production knife I've received out of the box, though a bit crooked. Maybe I got a weekend knife, but with medium sized hands in combination with the slippery feel, I can't use this knife without paying attention to my grip.

Opinions do vary though, and I gave away my Tenacious for feeling like a cheapo too. It amazes me that this knife costs more than some US Kershaw offerings (like the Zing). My Utilitac is ten times the knife, in my opinion. The Brawler is much better feeling in the hand and the one I handled felt much more solid despite being a liner lock with no G10.

 
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o4tg said:
Not going to lie, I think the Thermite is pretty lame. I saw lots of positive reviews and I'm honestly baffled. It's pretty unergonomic and low quality. Haven't handled a Chill though. I wish I had gone with the Brawler over it.
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I agree, I was disappointed as well. It was almost to skinny for my hand, I wish it had more girth. I actually gave mine away.
 
I really like my Thermite! I own a ZT 0550 and a ZT 0561, but for the money I've got tied up in them, I haven't been able to bring myself to carry them - yet! But the Thermite is a great knife and I carry it as much as any knife in my collection. I like to change up my EDC regularly for variety and to try out different knives.
 
I have a cryo and I had a thermite. I love the car
Yo and the thermite but the cryo takes the cake. It is a great stout little knife. The speed safe fires nice a hard and it's just an all around stout knife and sharp blade
 
I had a $50 gift card in my wallet from Christmas and while I was at (local sporting goods store) checking out the size, weight and feel of the ZT 0560, I used the gift card and picked up an all-black Kershaw Leek and I must say, I'm diggin it.
I know I'll probably break off the fine tip, but still, another fine bargain Kershaw to add to my collection.

I think they make the best range of sub-$50 knives. In fact, I think they've dominated that price point for years now.
 
Concerned a bit I guess about the conflicting opinions on the thermite but glad some are positive at least. I am curious if maybe it is a QC issue and not a design flaw? I guess Ill find out but it could be a bit as it looks like my delivery dat could be either wednesday or monday.. of the following week... too bad the wait is so long. will do my best to compare mine to what I have. As for the chill it seems to have all positive feedback and thats why I purchased it along with being sub 2oz. >3" blade. either way if I don't like the thermite Im sure I can find someone to appreciate it. THough I think it is right up my alley for size/ blade shape.
 
Personally I think that Kershaw offers some of the best bang for your buck knives of any company. The $25 China made knives are generally excellent for the price. Of these I have owned a burst, cryo and many older models that I have either lost or sold through the years. The US made Kershaws are even better, and are one (maybe a few) steps below zero tolerance in terms of overall quality and enjoyment. And then of course Zero Tolerance knives are the top of the heap. The cheaper kershaws were my "gateway" blades into bigger and better, but ones that I always recommend to non knife guys looking for an inexpensive, reliable blade. Long story short, start saving for your first ZT now, because its coming haha.
 
Kershaw's China line are great for those on a budget, and their US made lineup are really priced reasonably as well. Then you have the ZT line if you want something higher end...good stuff for any price range.
 
moraldilemma666 said:
Concerned a bit I guess about the conflicting opinions on the thermite but glad some are positive at least. I am curious if maybe it is a QC issue and not a design flaw? I guess Ill find out but it could be a bit as it looks like my delivery dat could be either wednesday or monday.. of the following week... too bad the wait is so long. will do my best to compare mine to what I have. As for the chill it seems to have all positive feedback and thats why I purchased it along with being sub 2oz. >3" blade. either way if I don't like the thermite Im sure I can find someone to appreciate it. THough I think it is right up my alley for size/ blade shape.
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Don't be concerned. Not to discredit the other guys poor review, but I don't feel that way at all. The only part of his review I agreed with is the speed safe being a bit slow. But honestly that's just something I've come to expect from larger Kershaw speed safe knives. If that's the biggest issue, that's pretty easily fixed by drilling a detent hole. My thermite has a nice grind, sturdy lock, doesn't catch my pocket in tip up carry, straight logos, and had stood up to typical EDC tasks just fine.

Again, not to say I'm right and hes wrong, just a different opinion. But if you happen to share his opinion I am confident you can get your money back or a nice trade.
 
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