What's up with Kershaw lately?

fsatsil

fsatsil

Joined
Sep 15, 2009
Messages
839
Is it just me or does it seem like all their coolest new designs are being produced in China? The Cryo, Thermite, Dimension, Injection....etc. I know the quality of their Chinese made knives is very good at an affordable price but personally I get a little disappointed when I see something new that looks interesting and then see that it's not made in the US. Anyone else feel the same way?
 
To some extent yes, but I am more interested in ZTs (Hinderer designs) and some of the Kershaw Onion designs, as well as the older RJ Martin designs.
 
Well, I believe we all prefer U.S. made knives, but Kershaw is trying to target a specific market and for those knives to be offered at the price point they are they need to be made in China. Some of us would be willing to spend extra for an American made version of those with American steel, however not everyone is a gear guy. Some want a knife that they can recognize the brand of, but only have to pay below $40 as a knife is just a knife to them. As long as it gets the job done. I see both sides of the argument. Yes it can be disappointing knowing it is made in China, but Kershaw is a great company and their items still have the quality and some of the best value for what you pay for. Kershaw is one of the best bang for your buck brands.
 
I am more partial to their ZT line but I do admit that the cryo and cryo II have caught my eye (already picked up a cryo) but I don't think it's a coincidence that they are a Hinderer design and look ZT'ish.
 
I was excited about the Cryo until I saw it was made in China. I bought a brawler a while back and was completely unimpressed with it. I just gave it away. IMHO if they want to make an affordable knife that will sell like hotcakes, they should produce another tanto non-serrated Blur.
 
RevDevil said:
To some extent yes, but I am more interested in ZTs (Hinderer designs) and some of the Kershaw Onion designs, as well as the older RJ Martin designs.
Click to expand...

I ink we have similar taste. I love the new Hinderer designed ZT knves and ive been hunting down a lot of the older discontinued Ken Onion designs.
 
Thursday45 said:
I am more partial to their ZT line but I do admit that the cryo and cryo II have caught my eye (already picked up a cryo) but I don't think it's a coincidence that they are a Hinderer design and look ZT'ish.
Click to expand...

I bet they sold a ton of Cryos based on those two reasons alone.
 
I havent been around in a while and checked in to see that there sub forum is gone :confused::(
Hopefully we still get info here in general discussion area.
 
Not a fan of blades made in China. I prefer Knives made in Japan or America. That being said, i own knives made in Taiwan that are incredible for the price. Im not too picky as long as its a good company and it doesn't say China.
 
As long as their overseas companions are held to the same QC standards as the US factory, I will buy them. I have bought half a dozen or so of the economy folders in the past year and never had an issue with any of them.
 
Last year, Kershaw introduced 3 USA produced knives. This year it was all China models. I'm sure we'll see some more usa Kershaws soon but I think the wild popularity of the leek, blur and skyline eats up most of the USA Kershaw production capacity. They have to reserve more and more for zt.
 
Scurvy092 said:
Last year, Kershaw introduced 3 USA produced knives. This year it was all China models. I'm sure we'll see some more usa Kershaws soon but I think the wild popularity of the leek, blur and skyline eats up most of the USA Kershaw production capacity. They have to reserve more and more for zt.
Click to expand...
I just hope we don't start seeing Chinese made Leeks and Skylines!
 
If they don't have the production capacity to do more US made knives I am all for more Japanese made Kershaws. Their Japanese made knives were arguably better made then the US made knives, the Lahar for example.
 
What I don't like about some of the made in China kershaw stuff is that the screws don't match. Some might be torx and some knives have something else. At least with all the ZT and US made kershaw its either t6 or t8
 
My Cryo, Injection and Clash have been nothing short of amazing knives. I obviously prefer knives made in the US, but Kershaw has incredibly high QC standards across the board (in my experience), and they will always have my support.
 
I'd like Kershaw to make a couple more Japanese made kershaws. The quality on them has always been on par, if not better than the us versions. And I really like VG10.
 
fsatsil said:
I ink we have similar taste. I love the new Hinderer designed ZT knves and ive been hunting down a lot of the older discontinued Ken Onion designs.
Click to expand...

Yes, you have to scoop up the ones you like when the time is right. The 0770 is one knife that I just really want to own, I can't wait for it to come out. :)
 
If I remember right, the Chinese-made Kershaws are still made by KAI employees in China, not outsourced to just any bulk manufacturer. So, the designs are still Kershaw/collaborations, made by KAI employees, held up to Kershaw's QC standards, and backed by their excellent warranty and customer service.

As for which knives get made here vs. overseas, I expect Kershaw looks at their production capacity and the target price point of the knife (and other criteria, I'm sure) to decide how they ultimately should produce it. I too would generally prefer more US production, but I've never found their overseas offerings lacking in function or build quality.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top