What's the story with Kershaw knives??

edcgear · **on:** April 22, 2012, 11:33:34 AM

I never had one, but have been drawn by some models... Though hesitated to buy while I don't see as much owners of KAI knives as of BM or Spyderco...

What's the story??

Are they inferior to BM and Spydie in any way (steel, fit & finish, materials, quality control, etc.)? How do they hold in EDC tasks? Edge retention? How are they pricewise compared to BM and Spydie, and what's the price to quality ratio?

jzmtl · **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2012, 12:07:15 PM

Kershaw was started by an American but quickly bought by KAI.

They tend to focus on mid-low price knives, and tend to use soft steels that can be stamped (whereas hard steels need to be laser cut individually) and mass finished (bead blast aka rust magnet), but build quality is very good. Also despite they are owned by a Japanese company they love to slap American flags on their stuff, almost as much as SOG with their logo.

Sazabi · **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2012, 03:42:40 PM

IIRC, they only slap US flags on the boxes of the knives actually made in the US. They make good knives, IMO.

jekostas · **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2012, 07:35:26 PM

Kershaw outsells Benchmade and Spyderco combined. The company focuses on an entire range of products from low-cost imports sold in Wal-Mart to super-high end stuff using powdered steels and bonded blades, as well as the Zero Tolerance line.

Their main line is US-made, using Sandvik 14C28N steel which is a formulation unique to Kershaw. Their customer service is regarded as the best in the industry and the assisted opening system is one of the very best as well. More to the point, unlike Spyderco (and like CRKT) Kershaw still provides full lifetime warranties on every knife that they put their name on, $15 import or $300 high-end Elmax knife.

As for "likes to slap the American flag on stuff" - that's pretty pessimistic. Most of Kershaw's product line is still produced in the US.

jzmtl · **Reply #4 on:** April 22, 2012, 08:22:52 PM

Quote from: jekostas on April 22, 2012, 07:35:26 PM

As for "likes to slap the American flag on stuff" - that's pretty pessimistic. Most of Kershaw's product line is still produced in the US.

So it's pessimistic to state a fact? Name one other company that have that much american flag on their packagings. There is such thing as over the top, especially that the company is owned by the Japanese.

82brutus · **Reply #5 on:** April 22, 2012, 08:34:50 PM

I own quite a few Kershaw knives and I find them to be well made and very affordable. They hold up well for EDC and you can get a range of steels including damascus.

I've seen one of their cheapest ones stabbed through the top of a can to open it with no ill effects. I wouldn't have done it but then I carry a sak.

I've yet to have a problem with any of the ones I own whether out of the box or secondhand.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

Styerman · **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2012, 12:08:06 AM

Good value for money , the ZT line are about the best production knives out there . Even the less expensive offering are good performers .

Chris

Potassium Hydroxide · **Reply #7 on:** April 23, 2012, 03:27:20 AM

Quote from: jzmtl on April 22, 2012, 08:22:52 PM

Name one other company that have that much american flag on their packagings.

I'd venture to say Buck.

jerseydevil · **Reply #8 on:** April 23, 2012, 03:45:47 AM

IMO, Kershaws are some of the best bang for the buck knives out there.

The Leek is my favorite EDC folder, and I've taken the Needs Work to work every day for the past week. I've used the crap out of it-not abused, but put to honest work all day. I think I'm in love....Yesterday that blade cut through some vinyl siding to get a sample for a color match, and did it no problem. About an hour later it cut a lambskin stain applicator in half like it was a sheet of paper. No edge retention problems here! Kershaw's AO action is great, and their warranty is awesome. I had a torsion bar break in a Scallion once. I had a new one in my hand in a week, didn't cost me a cent. For a knife you can buy at your local Wal-Mart, Kershaws are awesome!

Iagent · **Reply #9 on:** April 23, 2012, 04:19:17 AM

Great knives! They fly the American flag proudly, as they should.

I have a Leek Composite, and it's a work of art.

82brutus · **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2012, 05:11:39 AM

I really like the looks of their composite blades. I don't have one yet.

I have had a leek and a needs work, they were both good. Right now I have a nrg, oso sweet, zing, crown, scallion, vapor iii, centofante... nothing fancy.

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edcgear · **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2012, 08:08:56 PM

Composite blades do look awesom!!

Ashley · **Reply #12 on:** April 26, 2012, 03:14:06 AM

They are not for everybody but they do produce a very nice knife!

Sent from Ash forum mobile

asupernothing · **Reply #13 on:** May 02, 2012, 01:29:45 AM

Probably the best you can do at the budget knife price point.

Beerplumber · **Reply #14 on:** May 02, 2012, 02:40:51 AM

Quote from: edcgear on April 23, 2012, 08:08:56 PM

Composite blades do look awesom!!

My CB Leek is the sharpest factory edge I own. I'm not exaggerating when I say I can hold up a sheet of paper and cut a spiral in it with this blade and I haven't touched it to a hone yet. I like Kershaws extensive selection and above all value. Price vs quality I put them at the top. I'm saving for a Blur at the moment and a selectfire on the way.

Stay multi my friends

asupernothing · **Reply #15 on:** May 02, 2012, 04:27:46 AM

For some reason I don't own a kershaw right now. I think I need to remedy that.

Accujohn · **Reply #16 on:** May 02, 2012, 04:43:20 AM

Kershaw makes a great knife and you have your choice as far as quality range and where made... From China to USA. I carry 2, the raptor which is a high end usa ZT, and a select fire made in china which is a knife/multitool.

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