What would you like to see us make next?

KenOnion said:
I've been perusing this forum for a while and it sounds like you guys have some pretty good ideas. I would like to hear from you on what you think we should make next. Don't be afraid to give me a challenge.Feel free to go outside the box in your thinking, or not.

What areas of the production knife arena do you feel we should put more focus on and why?

What do you think is missing?
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Glad to see you posting here Ken. It's always appreciated when makers and manufacturers ask us end users for our input.

1. I've noticed on a lot of your Kershaw manufactured designs the handle is comfortable except for the placement of the thumb ramp. On nearly every Kershaw I purchased I had this issue, such as the Leek, Bump, Storm etc. I think I'm in the minority, but it's been enough of a problem for me to get rid of designs that I otherwise quite enjoyed using. The problem is it's placed too close to be comfortable, so my hand feels cramped just gripping the knife as it was intended to be held. Real world use only magnifies the problem.

2. I think Kershaw puts out many pocket clips that are highly ergonomic, but many I find too flashy. The JYD2 is an obvious example. I didn't like having so much clip sticking out on the Bump either, but I'll admit the clip was quite comfortable.

3. I would like to continue seeing Kershaw push the envelope with steels, both in steel selection and heat treatment. 13C26 for instance is supposed to be able to handle 64RC. I'm going to buy a custom knife in this steel at 64RC to compare to a Kershaw and note the performance of each. I do know that 13C26 gave me a lot of issues during sharpening with persistent burring, which made it difficult to achieve as refined of an edge as I do on other steels. Using steels that are rarely used, such as M2, M4, S90V etc. would give me new interest in Kershaw.

4. The bead blast finish common on the Kershaws you design is attractive looking but I've found it to make the knife more prone to rusting. Perhaps there is a better alternative?

5. I would enjoy seeing more studlock designs come to production. It seems like a good lock from the folders I've owned that utilized it. I would enjoy seeing it refined and more widely implemented. It's more unique than a framelock or liner lock. My only concern with it is during very heavy use with the thumb on the thumbramp, it seems like accidental unlocking could happen. Maybe it would be possible to design a knife with the stud designed so it sits a little lower from the bladespine, or find some other way to make it a little more secure in this regard?

6. The angular thumbstuds on the Storm and other knives never did feel good to me during use. The concept of angling the stud to give you better purchase when opening the knife is good, but I feel like it could be more refined.

Thank you for listening.
 
Quite simply, a set of camp blades. Something on the higher end and with plenty of curves and micarta. Perhaps a 4 inch blade and a 7 inch blade?
 
My wish would be for a version of my zdp mini cyclone that weighs 1-2 ounces less. I know it can be done ,because my William Henry with 3.25" blade weighs about 1 3/4 oz. versus the Mini Cyclone, also with 3.25 inch blade, which is 4.0 oz.

It could be non-AO, and liner lock instead of frame-lock to save weight if need be. I am in desperate need of such an item for use while jogging. The Mini-Cyclone bounces around too much.

If a folder breaks, it will be at the tip, not the handle slabs. All that extra beef in the handle is a waste.
 
after market product/promotionnal goodies as:

-more longer adaptable clip
-sheath kydex or leather for belt or suspenders
-t-shirt ZT or Kaï pride
-balisong could be cool too
-an heavy one as the Busse™ one...
 
How about a high end Ken Onion gentleman's version of the Kershaw Chubby?
1) Keep the wide short drop point blade but highly pollished VG-10
2) Add a finger choil for choking up on the blade and allowing the short handle to fit better in the hand.
3) Add jimping on the back of the blade for the thumb to stick to.
4) Brass Liners.
5) Higher end handle materials. Maybe polished micarta inserts and keep the handle a little fat. Fill in the back of the handle with something fancy instead of leaving it open like the chubby.
6) Speedsafe liner lock.
7) No clip, but a slip pouch.
7) Overall make this little knife feel like a monster by keeping it very dense and hefty...Hmm..a new line?...Little monster knives? ok..maybe not.

You could call it the Vidalia.
 
I have a Blade Trader that I am afraid to use. The one time I used it the blade fell out. I think you need to redesign that knife and make it safer.
 
A 5 to 7 inch, speed-safe stilletto? ..perhaps in SV30 or VG-10? Perhaps even CB?

I second the camp / survival knife.


Thanks for asking,
Chuck
 
How 'bout you, Trace, Tim jumping in a blender and pumping out the King of Wilderness Folders. Single blade, flat ground (Although convex would be incredible), a 3 3/4" drop point with a slight belly that was maybe 1/8" thick (that may be a little thick), an ergonomic handle that was wide (3/4" or thicker) at the spine but tapers to maybe 1/2" or 5/8" where your fingers would be (kind of a loose triangular shape), non-assisted but maybe a flipper?, Lanyard hole, an optional sheath that had a place for the Kershaw fire starter and Torx tool as well as some small diamond sharpener, and last but not least the pocket clip---removable/reversible that was shaped (laugh if you like but seriously) like a fork. With the torx tool you could pop it off, swing it around and eat with your Kershaw.

The Fork may be a bit much, but all in all a knife that would make the Survival crowd drool and make Ron Hood salute!
 
I would like to see a very simple designed framelock or lockback. Make it with as few parts as possible and an open construction(unless you choose lockback) with the barrel spacer used on the Blurs. A very thin, flat ground, drop point blade of VG-10 or 13c26 with no recurves would be nice. About 4in. closed with a 3.5in. blade. A lowrider pocket clip that isn't flashy or large. Micarta handle scales with nested liners. Awesome fit and finsh, and a price point of $80-100 would be great. A bit of a gentlemans tactical folder.
BTW: don't beadblast or coat the blade, give it a fine satin finish or full on mirror polish.
 
Something like SAK (just basic tools like a screwdriver, can opener and especially a file), IMHO it doesn't have to lock or be one handed opening (not to mention Speedsafe :rolleyes:), but it absouletly has to have either a pocketclip or kydex sheath with a clip (the sheath should preferably be small enough to fit INSIDE a pocket). And it should not be too expensive (let's say under $50).
 
I know today's trend seems to be towards drop-point blades, but I'd like to see more clip-points. I think that's one reason I like the Shallot so much. Very clip-point-ish blade there. :thumbup:
 
KenOnion said:
I agree the Taboo, Wrinkle, Pack Rat and Spite are valid production pieces.
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I think SV mentioned it in the flat ground thread, but I think you should really consider doing the Melee as a production knife.

I do like the ornate clips that match the design of the knife, but sometimes you don't want to draw extra attention to the knife, having a standard pattern for the screws to make it easy to switch to a simple (low rider) clip (included with the knife or available as an option) would add a little extra versatility.
 
Hi Ken. First I would like to say thank you so much for your ZT knives I love them. I have very big hands and my 0200 and 0300 fit so nice. That said I have two 0200 knives and on both when I give the handle a good squeeze the meat of my fingers is squeezed into the inside of the knife, (I hope you can picture what I am describing). My fingers are very meaty (not fat! ha ha) this meat when pushed in forces the liner lock just slightly out. Not much and certainly not enough to defeat the lock but enough to put a slight amount of up and down play in the blade(sure would appreciate it if you would try this Glockman99). It doesn't create any left right play. This absolutely does not happen on the 0300 knives and I do believe it not so much due to the frame lock design as it is to what I believe is called the HINDERER LOCK STABILIZER. I have read Rick Hinderer's explanation if this feature and if I understand him it serves two functions ( not just to prevent over extension) one is that when I push down on the lock bar it presses against the round stabilizer holding the lock bar in place. No mater how I twist or turn an 0300 knife in my hand if I am gripping it good I can't get that lock to move.

I read some say that the don't like the look of this feature or think it makes the knife too busy but I would like to see it on the 0200 knives or more. I know it is not necessary for over extension as the G-10 scales do this but it would prevent the meat of my fingers from squeezing movement from the lock. I carry my 0200 knife every day for work but I don't like the fact that any play is developed in the blade at any time. For me my knives are mainly tools and I don't do any stabbing at work but lets face it if my life or the life of a loved one is in danger I will use my tool for defense which will involve stabbing and I don't want any play in my blade. I do not have the option of carrying a fixed blade where I live.

To all the old time posters on the board sorry if my posts are to long, I am much better at talking than writing and I don't know a lot about knives so if my posts are ignorant forgive me as I am just starting to study knife construction. I have to say I never thought I would have a knife as perfect and beautiful as my all black ZT 0300. Thanks again Ken!!
 
Thank you for listening to us Ken!
I would like a ZT Blur really badly--Something with S30V steel, Machined G-10 Scales, but what I would really love to have on it is a stud-lock. If a Stud-lock is a no-go, then a Titanium frame lock with the G-10 just like the ZT 0300 series. The G-10 should be OD green, and maybe if you could anodize the Titanium OD green as well that would be perfect. And of course, your signature DLC coated recurve blade, with possibly a tanto version as well. Pocket carry would be for righties and lefties both tip-up and tip-down.

A good way to stretch out the ZT line a bit :thumbup:

Thanks!
 
Maybe 2-4 months ago, a photo of a prototype Punk was posted here, and got rave comments from everyone. That's the one I want.
 
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