WANTED: INFO ON TRADITIONAL KERSHAW LOCKBACKS

A work buddy of mine carries a Kershaw Black Gulch lockback (3" blade). This is essentially a Buck 110 type design. It has black ABS scales and silver bolsters. He also bought the next size down, the "Corral Creek (2.5")." There are two other models he wants to get, the "Wildcat Ridge" (3.5") and the "Grant County" (about 2"). All are matching in looks, just different sizes.

Well, it seems he bought the "original" models, because we see mostly "II" models on the market (ex. "Wildcat II"). I think the only difference is that the originals have 440A (or was it 440C?) blades, while the IIs have AUS 8A blades.

Am I correct? Is it just the blade steel? Also (real briefly, because it probably has been discussed/argued before), what do you think the change was for: a better quality knife or cost cutting? He really wants to get the other two "original" models to match his current ones, but I think it really doesn't matter. They look alike.

BTW, I will probably be buying one (okay, probably more!), too. They are nice knives, and the closest thing I have to a lockblade of this genre is my old Buck Scoutlite.

Thanks,

Karl

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"Celebrate the diversity of inclusive, self-esteem nurturing, multicultural weapons arts." Karl Spaulding, The Safety Guy
 
Cosmic Superchunk

Cosmic Superchunk

Joined
Jan 28, 2001
Messages
3,709
I'm not too sure about the all the models now, but I do know that at one time, they were all made in Japan. In 1992, I purchased a Coral Creek myself, which was made in Japan. Now the Coral Creek is made in the USA.
 
Thanks guys! I looked around on the web, and it seems listed blade steels include AUS 6 and 8, as well as 440. Would they use say, AUS 6 for the littlest one and AUS 8 for the larger ones? Or are the different stores mixed up on the correct ingredients?

Anyone know for sure? I didn't find a Kershaw Knife Company web site. Who might be the "horse's mouth" for Kershaw "Officer's Ranch Series" knife info?

Thanks again,

Karl

[This message has been edited by Safety Guy (edited 06-18-2001).]
 
Hey Karl, I worked PT at a knife store in the late '80's and sold a ton of those Kershaws. At one point I had just about all of them. They are great knives for the $. We also sold Puma and with the exchange rate the 200 series was about twice the cost of the Kershaws. I think the fit and fini was much better on the Kershaws as was the lock up. They came with a great edge and are easy to sharpen. I don't recall the steel being 440 but I may be wrong. I'll check tonight. There use to be a couple of less common variations but I don't know if they are still made. One was a large drop point with a Black Horse type rubber handle with a fully serrated blade. The other was a two blade Wildcat Ridge varient with a small sheepsfoot in addition to the large clip point blade. I don't think you will go wrong with any of these.

phantom4



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who dares, wins


 
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