What happened to Kershaw?

Hackenslash said:
I think total, non-custom Skylines with discrete model number or unique finishes applied by the factory stands at 17 different Skylines. I'll need to pull my inventory and check for sure. You are correct that most were sprint run production, only available new for a limited time. Currently I think the only models readily available new are the vanilla 1760, 1760bw black wash, 1760dam Damascus and BladeHQ has a few of the S30V black coated blade with CF handles.

You can find some of the rarer varieties here on the Exchange from time to time, as well as on the evil auction site.

If you want more info on Skylines, shoot me a message and I'll try to help you out.
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I have seen many on BladeHQ, most are "out of stock" but the options look nice. I'm fine with mine once I replaced the clip with a deep carry as this is my "office khaki pants" knife and works great for that. It rarely sees any use beyond some package opening and food preparation. In that application it works perfect. When I am out in the field working as a soil scientist (often on my own, rural lots) then I carry a more robust folder which is currently a used Manix 2 XL G10 I picked up on this site. But I have been eyeballing a Knockout Blem as my field knives get a little abused at times and not something that I would consider for resale. If I was collecting, finding a Knockout Elmax blade would be a nice score.
 
1) They're giving the market and the stores they sell through what they want

2) They are focusing their design and innovation efforts where the profits reward that - the ZT line

Also, you have to ask - is it Kershaw that has changed, or you? Mostly the latter, I'd argue.
 
sparky2016 said:
1) They're giving the market and the stores they sell through what they want

2) They are focusing their design and innovation efforts where the profits reward that - the ZT line

Also, you have to ask - is it Kershaw that has changed, or you? Mostly the latter, I'd argue.
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I don't think I've managed some kind of incredible personal development that turned 14c28, 12c27, VG-10, and D2 into 3cr.
 
craytab said:
Why say things that are completely untrue?
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Why misuse the word "completely" and be unnecessarily confrontational instead of contributing to the discussion or just casually correcting me without being negative?

It may have been an over-generalized statement, but the releases this year have been largely AO and 3Cr with a handful of 8Cr knives to round things out.
 
Comeuppance said:
Why misuse the word "completely" and be unnecessarily confrontational instead of contributing to the discussion or just casually correcting me without being negative?

It may have been an over-generalized statement, but the releases this year have been largely AO and 3Cr with a handful of 8Cr knives to round things out.
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I used the word completely because what you said is untrue in a complete sense, is it not? Even you admit so. Using untrue statements as rhetoric is not discussing a topic. Is it too much to ask that when discussing a topic we are honest? I didn't misuse any words.

The 2016 lineup from Kershaw doesn't do a lot for me. I likely won't be picking any up because I don't like any of them. However, I will not make up reasons of fact to justify that these knives don't appeal to me. And I will agree that the direction Kershaw is going in also doesn't appeal to me but I will not say the knives are made from materials they are not.
 
craytab said:
I used the word completely because what you said is untrue in a complete sense, is it not? Even you admit so. Using untrue statements as rhetoric is not discussing a topic. Is it too much to ask that when discussing a topic we are honest? I didn't misuse any words.

The 2016 lineup from Kershaw doesn't do a lot for me. I likely won't be picking any up because I don't like any of them. However, I will not make up reasons of fact to justify that these knives don't appeal to me. And I will agree that the direction Kershaw is going in also doesn't appeal to me but I will not say the knives are made from materials they are not.
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Jeez, man. You really have an unpleasant way of responding to people.

I didn't make anything up, either. There are / were several knives listed as 3cr on their own website, but I do see that they have changed many to 8cr and have introduced some new models as well.
 
Comeuppance said:
I didn't make anything up, either.
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Yes you did. You posted that "Then 2016 was all 3cr assisted crap". Which is not true. I'm not the only one who has noticed this rhetorical device. I can see why someone who is posting untruths in order to prop up an argument would consider another person pointing out said untruths as "unpleasant".

And with that, I'm done here. Arguing to argue is pointless. I've said what I think about the topic (which I agree with you on) and I've pointed out your false rhetoric. Others can take it as they please. Good luck with your thread.
 
craytab said:
Yes you did. You posted that "Then 2016 was all 3cr assisted crap". Which is not true. I'm not the only one who has noticed this rhetorical device. I can see why someone who is posting untruths in order to prop up an argument would consider another person pointing out said untruths as "unpleasant".

And with that, I'm done here. Arguing to argue is pointless. I've said what I think about the topic (which I agree with you on) and I've pointed out your false rhetoric. Others can take it as they please. Good luck with your thread.
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Good lord, man.

Take a nap or something.
 
I've never understand why assisted knives are such a non-starter for so many people on this forum. In this thread in particular assisted opening is referred to largely as a negative. I understand it isn't always necessary, but in many cases (especially with Kershaw's Speedsafe) its super simple to remove if you like. I certainly wouldn't put it as a negative on the level of super cheap steel. Cheap materials and sketchy quality control are one thing, but a design characteristic that can be fairly easily removed by the user is quite another. You as a user have the control when it comes to having/keeping your knife assisted, so using it as an argument to prove the overall regression of Kershaw is kind of a weak argument in my mind.
 
Id be happy if they only came out with new Blur variations for the rest of their existence :thumbup:
 
The only two recent newly-introduced Kershaw knives that I've bought and use are Camber and Launch 4. Both are quality made in the U.S. with premium materials and priced to move. Others are mostly low-end budget knives.

Since the introduction of Zero Tolerance knives in 2006, KAI has basically moved more of their designer high-quality knives away from Kershaw. Kershaw Tilt introduced in 2010 was the last of those. Kershaw now mostly wins in the Best Buy category at Blade Show. From 2010 on back there were some notable models winning in other categories: Tilt, Speedform, Tyrade, Offset, RAM, ET, Spyker, etc.
 
Bill_Brasky said:
I've never understand why assisted knives are such a non-starter for so many people on this forum. In this thread in particular assisted opening is referred to largely as a negative. I understand it isn't always necessary, but in many cases (especially with Kershaw's Speedsafe) its super simple to remove if you like. I certainly wouldn't put it as a negative on the level of super cheap steel. Cheap materials and sketchy quality control are one thing, but a design characteristic that can be fairly easily removed by the user is quite another. You as a user have the control when it comes to having/keeping your knife assisted, so using it as an argument to prove the overall regression of Kershaw is kind of a weak argument in my mind.
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If it were simply a matter of removing the assist I could see your point. Unfortunately, many kershaw assisted knives (most assisted knives in general) don't have a closing detent. That means if you remove the assist the knife doesn't stay closed. I had a blur that was deassisted and it had a closing detent. Excellent example of an assisted knife that did not need to be so. If I take the torsion bar out of my Thermite? Completely worthless; no detent hole in the blade for the closed position. I'm wondering what other kershaws have a detent hole?
 
Comeuppance said:
I didn't make anything up, either. There are / were several knives listed as 3cr on their own website, but I do see that they have changed many to 8cr and have introduced some new models as well.
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I'm in the same boat as you - I saw the new knives when they were added to the KAI website and saw a sea of 3cr and moved along. I haven't exactly been inclined to check back under the assumption that maybe they changed steels, that's kind of a low percentage thing to happen.
 
Well, I own the Launch 4 and love that little thing. I also bought a shuffle that I use specifically as my check-in luggage travel knife..if it get's lost, who cares :)

The USA made models are of pretty good quality IMO, as are some of the overseas models.
I also think something is going on in the corporate knife world and it's not just competition. Maybe battle of the next opening system, blade steel, etc.
 
craytab said:
If it were simply a matter of removing the assist I could see your point. Unfortunately, many kershaw assisted knives (most assisted knives in general) don't have a closing detent. That means if you remove the assist the knife doesn't stay closed. I had a blur that was deassisted and it had a closing detent. Excellent example of an assisted knife that did not need to be so. If I take the torsion bar out of my Thermite? Completely worthless; no detent hole in the blade for the closed position. I'm wondering what other kershaws have a detent hole?
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I recall a dealer noting that the new Rexford Showtime had a detent hole and ball, which is good to hear. The Kershaw Echelon was my po boy Strider Baby Huey (look at them side by side!) for a while and was -greatly- improved by removing the torsion bar - super smooth, and the centering and lockup actually improved after the fact.

Maybe we can con Dave (Kershawguy) into taking one of each of the newer A/O models apart and making a list of detented models.
 
The last kershaw knife I ever bought was a blur and a leek, nothing since then seemed to stick out to me. But then again Kershaw is marketed for the average guy at a big store so it doesn't matter to me. Their Autos are still of great quality as my friend has one of the launches.
 
I could not understand the general disfavor of assisted knives until I got my first Kershaw Strobe. When it broke, I didn't hesitate to order another that same day, it was that appealing. For $30 the Strobe was an amazing flipper. It was smooth as glass after a little break-in and the steel on steel lockup was very compelling. I have not bought an assisted knife since and I find myself wishing my assisted knives (ZT0300BW and three Kershaw Knockouts) were unassisted.
 
craytab said:
If it were simply a matter of removing the assist I could see your point. Unfortunately, many kershaw assisted knives (most assisted knives in general) don't have a closing detent. That means if you remove the assist the knife doesn't stay closed. I had a blur that was deassisted and it had a closing detent. Excellent example of an assisted knife that did not need to be so. If I take the torsion bar out of my Thermite? Completely worthless; no detent hole in the blade for the closed position. I'm wondering what other kershaws have a detent hole?
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I've de-assisted a couple models and found them to be useless to me as well. The action was great on opening, but staying closed was problematic.

I put the torsion bar back in, and my plumber was completely impressed with one of them.... so I gave it to him. He even gave me a break on the plumbing.

I like Comeuppance's idea of a list somewhere for models that are fine with the torsion bar removed. Some A/O models are fine, but a choice would be nice.
 
As for the detent conversation, I am not all that surprised the low budget models don't have the hole. I guess it's a pretty finicky thing that can cause problems. Still, I was really surprised and a little disappointed (both times I got one) that the ZT0300 doesn't have a detent hole. Without the spring it actually flipped amazingly well, but I just wasn't comfortable with only friction holding the blade in the handle.
 
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