Zing Model Differences

SpyKers

SpyKers

Joined
Mar 3, 2012
Messages
476
I got in late tonight from out of town jazzed about opening up my new Kershaw Zing 1735OR. I already owned the 1735 (regular black model with grooves).

I carry my Zing A LOT. I know what that knife feels like better than my own... Well, maybe not that good. But you get the idea. When I first started to handle the 1735OR that arrived tonight I noticed a few things immediately:

1st - The detent was weaker making it harder to build tension with the flipper (thus harder to open in that method).

2nd - Opening via thumbstud was vastly improved because the detent wasn't crazy strong and it no longer posed a threat to rip the skin off my thumb.

So, a little yen/yang... At first, I chalked this up to knives coming off the assembly line SLIGHTLY different. I get it, it was a mass produced blade. But then, it hit me. The linerlock was easier to disengage. HRMMM... I immediately reached for my trusty 1735 black model and wouldn't you know it, the liners are NOT the same thickness. This floored me. Why would Kershaw make the 1735OR thinner than the regular 1735?

Next... 2008 is stamped on my original Zing, but there is no date on my new 1735OR. I'm currently perplexed. I have no doubt it is a real Kershaw (I'm not at all making any accusation to that end).

Here are my questions. Why? What accounts for this difference? Why did Kershaw change the design? Which model is an earlier production?

Just to clarify, the handle scales are the exact same thickness and shape. Only the liner has changed in thickness. The overall design is thinner.
 
I don't have any personal experience with the Zing in particular (though it is on my very long "want list"), but I do know that Kershaws without a date stamp are the newer ones (post 2009, I believe, but that's off the top of my head).

What I do with my manual flipper knives is build finger pressure on the flipper while pushing in a forward-ish direction, so that when you do release, you are releasing more built-up energy (I find that I have to use the same technique on some of my manual non-flipper knives with the thumbstud). Like I said, I'm not familiar with the Zings, so this might not help (even if you aren't already using this method).
 
Thanks. I should have guessed the born on date part. I only have 2 Kershaws that are dated (Skyline and Zing). In regards to the "flipper method", that is not my issue at all. They flip completely different. That was my observation (one is easier to build tension with than the other).

Thank you for your reply. One question answered :)
 
Newly discovered...

The jimping is different. On the 1735 Black it is sharp with 4 grooves. On the 1735OR it is rounded with 3 grooves (basically aesthetic only). Weight is another difference. While I don't own a scale, it is easy to tell the 1735OR is lighter. The 1735OR also has a better tensioned pocket clip (easier to put on and take off pants).

I'm thinking Kershaw attempted to "upgrade" the Zing. I like the newer 1735OR (it's a new tool), but I'm not sure I love all the changes :/
 
I have a Zing Tanto, partial serrations. It has 2 bumps and 3 grooves for jimping. If I look inside the frame, there is an oval cutout about .5" long 1/8 wide and its right where the lock flexes. This is the only cutout in the liners that I can see. Do you have this too?

Also as the designer RJ Martin reminded me, the scale around the lock bar is cut back to give the lock bar a little room to work easily.

Ya take pics and measurements for further discussions.
 
I LOVE my Zings and I carry my Orange more than any other knife the past 3 weeks. It's a shame they're going to the bone yard - IMHO, the Zing kills the Skyline . . . Everything about my Orange and Tanto bleed quality and value.
 
I think its just an updated version. I believe the Orange is the more recently updated.

I guess the real way to tell is the thumb jimping.

I think Kershaw Lynda said that they got a lot of complaints that it was too hard to flip open, so thats maybe the reasoning behind the update.


Looks like you need to get a Tanto version now to round out the set!
 
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