What else should Kershaw do in terms of Autos?

offsetlover

offsetlover

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Feb 26, 2007
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So i was talking to another of the regs around here, and he thought that it would be a good idea to start this thread.

As the title suggests, what else should Kershaw do in terms of autos? They seem to have the side opening auto market cornered with the new ZT autos, but should Kershaw attempt the OTF auto market?

Microtech has had that market in a iron grip for years as the premier OTF manufacture. Kershaw, as we know, makes some of the best products out there. So who is to say that they could not challenge MT's dominance?

Personally i think that they should. It would be interesting to see what Kershaw can come up with. With the way that they have been picking the Hawks brains as of late, maybe the Hawks have something already cooked up? Or maybe RJ has something up his sleve? Or Tim? Tim has great lookin ZT auto, why not a OTF?

So what do you guys think? Should Kershaw go for the OTF market? Or should they attempt something radical like a combo OTF/side opening auto provided that the tech exisits?

Share your opinions guys.
 
im not really keen on the OTF style unless its double action because closing it was never really something i looked forward to. however with the style of RJ's blades and the ridiculous tech the hawks bring i think some sort of combination would be fun. maybe a grooved hawkbill auto in some weird skeltonized handle and hawk lock would be something i might just buy. i missed my window a while ago to buy a microtech hawk and ive always regretted a bit because i loved that knife.
 
I don't know about OTFs but I do think Kershaw should do up a high end auto. Early on KO did up some autos in a very traditional style. Maybe Green Bone with nickel silver bolsters and a damascus blade. 150-200 street price.....yum yum:D
 
spiralarchitect said:
I don't know about OTFs but I do think Kershaw should do up a high end auto. Early on KO did up some autos in a very traditional style. Maybe Green Bone with nickel silver bolsters and a damascus blade. 150-200 street price.....yum yum:D
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you dont happen to have a pic layin around do ya?
 
Um, well here goes...

How about a ZT auto with the likes of the 0150 but with a 4 inch blade, black, double edged dagger style, black type 3 anodized scales with the looks of the new Gaylean auto. Reversible pocket clip, low profile. Firing mechanism on the edge of the scales, like the microtechs, so that both righties and lefties can use it.

And something different.... maybe a cool locking system? Dunno... Maybe a cool sheath?
 
offsetlover said:
They seem to have the side opening auto market cornered with the new ZT autos, but should Kershaw attempt the OTF auto market?
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I'm going to get some heat for this, but I feel it needs to be said.

How has Kershaw CORNERED the market with the introduction of 2 side opening autos about a month ago?

I'm a huge fan of Kershaw, but I'm more a fan of knives in general. I know this is where the Kershaw nuts hang out, but some of you guys seriously have some blinders on. These ZT autos have barely been available to the public and now Kershaw has the market cornered? :confused:

The ZT autos appear to be solid knives and I plan on owning a few of them in the future. But I seriously doubt that many of the auto makers are shaking in their boots over them. When they start taking away government contracts from the likes of Benchmade, that's when they'll truly earn their corner of the market.


An OTF would be interesting, but please make it a DA. Microtech is out of the knife business for now (as far as I am aware of), so there is room for more players. There really aren't many contenders out there at the moment (Benchmade, Pirranha, Dalton, is Desert Knife Works still around). Am I missing any? I'd like to see what Kershaw could do.

I'd like to see an auto RAM. Remove the flipper, rework the catch on the lock and install a coil spring. That would be one of my favorite autos, for sure. :thumbup:
 
Incidentalist said:
I'm going to get some heat for this, but I feel it needs to be said.

How has Kershaw CORNERED the market with the introduction of 2 side opening autos about a month ago?

I'm a huge fan of Kershaw, but I'm more a fan of knives in general. I know this is where the Kershaw nuts hang out, but some of you guys seriously have some blinders on. These ZT autos have barely been available to the public and now Kershaw has the market cornered? :confused:

The ZT autos appear to be solid knives and I plan on owning a few of them in the future. But I seriously doubt that many of the auto makers are shaking in their boots over them. When they start taking away government contracts from the likes of Benchmade, that's when they'll truly earn their corner of the market.


An OTF would be interesting, but please make it a DA. Microtech is out of the knife business for now (as far as I am aware of), so there is room for more players. There really aren't many contenders out there at the moment (Benchmade, Pirranha, Dalton, is Desert Knife Works still around). Am I missing any? I'd like to see what Kershaw could do.

I'd like to see an auto RAM. Remove the flipper, rework the catch on the lock and install a coil spring. That would be one of my favorite autos, for sure. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I don't think OL necessarily meant "cornered". If he did, he probably said it in jest, which we do around here quite a bit. Possibly, he was intending to say something along the lines of "Kershaw has the side opening auto market COVERED", as in they've made a couple of side opening autos, so now.....what's next?

OL can give his own response, but despite how much of a Kershaw fan he is, I'm pretty certain he's smart enough not to claim that Kershaw has gained INSTANT domination of the side opening auto market simply with the release of these two knives.

C'mon Incidentalist, we may be Kershaw lovers, but we're not THAT crazy. We'd have to be looney tooney to think Kershaw could dominate the market this quickly. Those of us in the know are well aware that it will take at least another 2 or 3 weeks!!!:D:D

Cheers,
jonny
 
When I said cornered, I was more refering to the fact that Kershaw has introduced a product with their quality into a market that demands that quality to be succesful then being in imediate control. I can definatly see the ZT autos taking BM on for the top spot, and winning that spot. Are they there yet? No. Will they be? Quite possibly.

JM basically said it for me. I have played with the BM autos. Personally i hate them, button has never worked well for me (to hard to push. as in small), but the quality is still there. Kershaw's autos will definatly challenge that part of the market.

They are going to be a staple for sure. Cornered may not be the best choice of words, but it was the only thing that came to mind lol.

Kershaw's quality is there. Their warranty is there. Who is to say what they cant do?

Incidentalist: the same point applies to the OTF market. MT has dominated that chunk for years, and in a sense, still do, as they are arguably the best OTFs availible. Kershaw could contend with them for sure.

Main point is that Kershaw has the ability with the ZT line to become the top auto manufacture.
 
I'd like to see what Gavin could come up with in an OTF DAA. I think if it could be done successfully, it would be him. I would be surprised if he doesn't already have a proto running around there somewhere...

And as spiral said, put a street price of $ 150 to $ 200 on it. Should be real nice!
 
I've got a MT OTF. It's a single plain edge double action.

I'd go for a similar knife from Kershaw. The better the steel the more happy I'd be. I can't see a cheap auto.
 
I personally doubt that you will see an OTF because the ZT line is targeted serious tasks (hard use).

I would not trust the lock up on any OTF for anything serious...face it...what serious use could a OTF have. JMO.

I collect alot of knives all types....mostly customs and im a fan of the ZT's because they work.

I have beat the hell out of just about every model without 1 failure.

I have friends that use knives for tools at work and basically treat them with no respect...i have seen ZT's beaten badly and sharpened until the blades usefulness has spent its life.

I truely believe that ZT is the best user out there for the money.
 
Just thought I would put a little detail to the conversation. To date Kai USA has decided to jump into the automatic market under the ZT brand name. As most of you know, ZT is a brand that stands on its own laurels, and is quite separated from the Kershaw brand. ZT has its own programs, customer base, and regulations that are much different than Kershaw.

When we opted in making the decision to make ZT auto's, it was quite a serious decision internally, but we felt that the LE, Military, and Public Service folks the ZT line is designed for, could really benefit from this category of knife. We're not looking to capture the market with the introduction of these new offerings, but we are looking to hopefully bring to this market some innovation and fresh designs that will assist in professionals everyday service.

We went to the services of Tim Galyean and Grant & Gavin Hawk to help make this happen. Personally, I think these guys did a fantastic job bringing forth designs that both look and act the part that they were intended, all at prices I feel are quite competitive. We are very pleased to be a part of the auto category, but have no real plans as of today to bring forth a plethora of auto patterns on to the market. The ZT line will have these two patterns, and probably some variations of them.

As far as Kershaw auto’s, it’s a whole different set of rules, and as of today, we’re pretty far away from anything happening, if it happens at all.

Appreciate the input on future auto patterns, and the thread in general.:thumbup:
 
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