US Made Kershaws

[palonej]

I'm glad I heard this from you several different times throughout the forum (in a discussion on the subject no less). I was starting to consider the Emerson launch.

Don't do it Cray!! Believe me. I opened up my index finger badly! I assumed the thing locked up. The blade bounces off the stop pin and winds up about 1/4" shy of lock up. Hard to see. Went to make the cut and brushed the spine of the blade on something. The blade closed on my index finger. Not good at all.
I always say the same thing about them, it's a shame because they are nice looking autos priced fairly. They just do not function correctly.
Glad you didn't waste some cash on them.
Joe

 

[Yo Mama]

No, it hasn't been that finicky, I am noticing as long as I have a good grip on it, it locks up pretty regularly. If I am not holding onto it strongly enough it won't lock up (like limp wristing). Also, I have to deploy it like I would be using it. I can't deploy it in any nontraditional ways. When I try to get consistent lockups I am successful about 80% of the time now. If I try to deploy it in weird ways it will fail about 50% of the time.

I am sitting here flicking it over an over. I like the knife, I really like its ergo's, weight, and feel. The lock up is annoying for sure.

I hate to suggest this, because I think you should just get rid of it back to where you bought it, but you can try to tighten the pivot just a tiny little bit to slow down the blade if this is causing this problem. If it fixes it then you put some blue Loctite to hold it in place. However the Kershaws start with a more lethargic opening, so slowing it down may not help much.

 

[nlghthawk]

I guess I should clarify that I was disappointed for my purposes . I think that what Kershaw does with the Link and Dividend in terms of a US manufactured knife is remarkable. I just can't bring myself to like using assisted open. I'd love to see Kershaw offer us a US made knife that was manual but there hasn't been much new development along those lines for a long time.

What don't you like about assisted opening? I am find them very useful. The problem I have with the Dividend is the tip is almost paper thin for the last 1/4 inch or so.

 

[Yo Mama]

Don't do it Cray!! Believe me. I opened up my index finger badly! I assumed the thing locked up. The blade bounces off the stop pin and winds up about 1/4" shy of lock up. Hard to see. Went to make the cut and brushed the spine of the blade on something. The blade closed on my index finger. Not good at all.
I always say the same thing about them, it's a shame because they are nice looking autos priced fairly. They just do not function correctly.
Glad you didn't waste some cash on them.
Joe

Hope you are healed up Joe!

 

[Hackenslash]

What don't you like about assisted opening? I am find them very useful. The problem I have with the Dividend is the tip is almost paper thin for the last 1/4 inch or so.

I have three basic issues with AO knives.

First, you have little control over the speed of deployment. I like options when deploying a knife and AO has one speed: fast. That tends to create uncomfortable moments around people who aren't knife knuts. The flash of a speeding blade followed by a metallic "THUNK" is very un-sheeple friendly.

Second, most inexpensive AO knives (aka Kershaw) have no detent. That renders the knife useless in the event the torsion bar breaks as there's no force to retain the blade in the handle.

Finally, I feel (and this is probably an entirely subjective "feel") like AO helps to cover up poor tolerances and bad washers that would be painfully obvious in a manual knife. Kershaw has continued to expand the use of SpeedSafe in new models because it makes knives with bad action look like a champ. I think that's kind of a cop-out and would love to see them develop a US made, manual knife.

 

[nlghthawk]

I have three basic issues with AO knives.

First, you have little control over the speed of deployment. I like options when deploying a knife and AO has one speed: fast. That tends to create uncomfortable moments around people who aren't knife knuts. The flash of a speeding blade followed by a metallic "THUNK" is very un-sheeple friendly.

Second, most inexpensive AO knives (aka Kershaw) have no detent. That renders the knife useless in the event the torsion bar breaks as there's no force to retain the blade in the handle.

Finally, I feel (and this is probably an entirely subjective "feel") like AO helps to cover up poor tolerances and bad washers that would be painfully obvious in a manual knife. Kershaw has continued to expand the use of SpeedSafe in new models because it makes knives with bad action look like a champ. I think that's kind of a cop-out and would love to see them develop a US made, manual knife.

Good point, I wonder if the speedsafe covering up for poor craftsmanship is a cost cutting measure to remain competitive with Chinese Folders. As it is the American Made knives cost more. Do you think it is cheaper to put a spring in than use better materials? I honestly don't know.

 

[palonej]

No, it hasn't been that finicky, I am noticing as long as I have a good grip on it, it locks up pretty regularly. If I am not holding onto it strongly enough it won't lock up (like limp wristing). Also, I have to deploy it like I would be using it. I can't deploy it in any nontraditional ways. When I try to get consistent lockups I am successful about 80% of the time now. If I try to deploy it in weird ways it will fail about 50% of the time.

I am sitting here flicking it over an over. I like the knife, I really like its ergo's, weight, and feel. The lock up is annoying for sure.

Not sure what you mean by opening the knife in weird ways, but after owning 2 of them, a Launch 1 & 3, the ONLY way to get it to lock up somewhat consistently is to have the spine facing up when deployed. Almost any other position, spine facing down, it will not lock up. Don't care how quick you get off the button.
The problem, once again, is there is not spring tension on the blade for the complete length of travel. Take any other auto and you'll see there is tension for the complete arc of travel. Deploy a Pro Tech, Microtech, Benchmade or any othe auto and hold the button after the blade locks up. Now let it go and you'll find the blade is locked open. The Launch will not. If you use the knife you'll get cut.
Horrible design that Kershaw refuses to address. They might send you a new spring or tell you to tighten the pivot.
Neither of these 2 'fixes' will help.

 

[craytab]

Don't do it Cray!! Believe me. I opened up my index finger badly! I assumed the thing locked up. The blade bounces off the stop pin and winds up about 1/4" shy of lock up. Hard to see. Went to make the cut and brushed the spine of the blade on something. The blade closed on my index finger. Not good at all.
I always say the same thing about them, it's a shame because they are nice looking autos priced fairly. They just do not function correctly.
Glad you didn't waste some cash on them.
Joe

I remember you telling that story. I was turned off and haven't really considered it since. Plus, they are illegal to carry here so what exactly would be the point.

I have three basic issues with AO knives.

First, you have little control over the speed of deployment. I like options when deploying a knife and AO has one speed: fast. That tends to create uncomfortable moments around people who aren't knife knuts. The flash of a speeding blade followed by a metallic "THUNK" is very un-sheeple friendly.

Second, most inexpensive AO knives (aka Kershaw) have no detent. That renders the knife useless in the event the torsion bar breaks as there's no force to retain the blade in the handle.

Finally, I feel (and this is probably an entirely subjective "feel") like AO helps to cover up poor tolerances and bad washers that would be painfully obvious in a manual knife. Kershaw has continued to expand the use of SpeedSafe in new models because it makes knives with bad action look like a champ. I think that's kind of a cop-out and would love to see them develop a US made, manual knife.

These are all good points. I'll add to the last one that any well executed one hand manual opener that is meant to be flicked open can do it just as fast as an A/O or Auto for that matter.

 

[palonej]

Hope you are healed up Joe!

It was touch and go there for a while, but I made it!!!
😬😬😬
I am clumsy enough and cut myself plenty!! I don't need a knife that is going out of its way to bite me!!!

 

[Hackenslash]

Not sure what you mean by opening the knife in weird ways, but after owning 2 of them, a Launch 1 & 3, the ONLY way to get it to lock up somewhat consistently is to have the spine facing up when deployed. Almost any other position, spine facing down, it will not lock up. Don't care how quick you get off the button.
The problem, once again, is there is not spring tension on the blade for the complete length of travel. Take any other auto and you'll see there is tension for the complete arc of travel. Deploy a Pro Tech, Microtech, Benchmade or any othe auto and hold the button after the blade locks up. Now let it go and you'll find the blade is locked open. The Launch will not. If you use the knife you'll get cut.
Horrible design that Kershaw refuses to address. They might send you a new spring or tell you to tighten the pivot.
Neither of these 2 'fixes' will help.

I picked up a Kershaw Launch 5 when they released some sprint run color combinations. I liked the idea of the Kershaw/Emerson/Auto mashup. At first I argued that there was nothing wrong with the Launch 5 but then I deployed like 100 times using various orientations of mostly spine down...and BAM...I started to get failure to lock.

The failure to lock wasn't consistent and I usually couldn't replicate it if I tried, but it happened almost 10% of the time. Enough for me to put the knife down and stop trying.

It's really a shame too because that Launch 5 was a great knife in hand with decent fit and finish but it doesn't feel safe to use.

 

[nlghthawk]

Not sure what you mean by opening the knife in weird ways, but after owning 2 of them, a Launch 1 & 3, the ONLY way to get it to lock up somewhat consistently is to have the spine facing up when deployed. Almost any other position, spine facing down, it will not lock up. Don't care how quick you get off the button.
The problem, once again, is there is not spring tension on the blade for the complete length of travel. Take any other auto and you'll see there is tension for the complete arc of travel. Deploy a Pro Tech, Microtech, Benchmade or any othe auto and hold the button after the blade locks up. Now let it go and you'll find the blade is locked open. The Launch will not. If you use the knife you'll get cut.
Horrible design that Kershaw refuses to address. They might send you a new spring or tell you to tighten the pivot.
Neither of these 2 'fixes' will help.

So I am sitting here deploying it, spine down, spine up, out to the side. Spine down, no problem with lock, spine up, lock up problems, spine to the right while holding in the right hand, not problem. Holding it in my left hand with the spine to the left it locks up every time. So I am getting some pretty consistent inconsistencies.

 

[palonej]

So I am sitting here deploying it, spine down, spine up, out to the side. Spine down, no problem with lock, spine up, lock up problems, spine to the right while holding in the right hand, not problem. Holding it in my left hand with the spine to the left it locks up every time. So I am getting some pretty consistent inconsistencies.

And the one time you are in need of that knife while working in a weird position you won't think....oh I have to position this thing just right to get lock up.......and it is stitch time.
If I don't have confidence in a tool, what good is it??
BUT.......JMO.

 

[craytab]

Good point, I wonder if the speedsafe covering up for poor craftsmanship is a cost cutting measure to remain competitive with Chinese Folders. As it is the American Made knives cost more. Do you think it is cheaper to put a spring in than use better materials? I honestly don't know.

Most of Kershaws knives are Chinese made and are assisted.

 

[nlghthawk]

And the one time you are in need of that knife while working in a weird position you won't think....oh I have to position this thing just right to get lock up.......and it is stitch time.
If I don't have confidence in a tool, what good is it??
BUT.......JMO.

Absolutely correct, I am using it more as a toy at the moment, than a tool. I have a whole drawer full of knives I never use because I like them more than I use them. Excellent discussion, thanks for the bringing the positive back.

 

[palonej]

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[mwhich50]

My blue, blackwashed Link is almost an identical twin of my blue, blackwashed Launch 1. I am totally impressed with it's good looks, the smooth flipper deployment, fit and finish, and especially it's $40.00 price tag. I will be shocked if this knife isn't a HUGE seller.

 

[craytab]

My blue, blackwashed Link is almost an identical twin of my blue, blackwashed Launch 5. I am totally impressed with it's good looks, the smooth flipper deployment, fit and finish, and especially it's $40.00 price tag. I will be shocked if this knife isn't a HUGE seller.

Um, it should be smooth as lightning. It's assisted, no?