First USA Kershaws

cody6268 · **on:** December 25, 2019, 04:52:05 PM

Instead of getting ready to leave for Christmas dinner at my great-aunt's (which I need to do, now!) I just bought my first USA Kershaws, a Scallion, Leek, and Chive. I have had two Kershaws, a Japanese Snap-On Chubby and a Chinese "Own It" series Filter. Neither really impressed me. The Filter had soft steel and the assisted open required too much force compared to just about any bearing folder I had, and the Chubby had soft steel (AUS-6) that wasn't helped by a "professional resharpening" by the seller that used an edge that was a little too thin for my uses. The liner lock was hard o release because it was pretty much flush with the scale. While mostly a traditional guy, I've really taken an interest in American made, one-hand opening knives.

These are all used. A seller I typically do business with on eBay started his own site specializing in used pocketknives, and he was having a 50% off sale at the end of the year. I paid just over $40 total for the three.

The Chive should clip to my watch pocket. I like smaller knives, and at 2.9" it definitely fits the bill. I like a 3" or so for lounging around the house--it's typically a knife that opens the mail, snack packaging, cutting tape, other small light-duty tasks.

The Scallion and Leek will be primary folders. I've found right-hand carry suits me better, even though I'm left hadned. I carry my Benchmade Mini Griptillian on my left side, but since my left hand is typically the one holding something, or otherwise tied up, having my OHO on my right side works better.

I paid a couple of bucks extra to get a blue Scallion, even if it did have an ad (lucky guy to be given something that wasn't a POS, unlucky in that it got lost to the TSA). I like colors other than black and silver.

LoopCutter · **Reply #1 on:** December 25, 2019, 06:31:59 PM

Very nice Cody!
Enjoy your day with family and your sharp toys. Maybe some Matchbox as well?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

SteveC · **Reply #2 on:** December 26, 2019, 02:16:16 PM

Congrats !

Aloha · **Reply #3 on:** December 26, 2019, 03:23:37 PM

Nice haul Cody. I had the Leek and liked it a lot. I gifted it to someone as they needed a knife. Its slim profile is really nice in pocket.

cody6268 · **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2020, 04:35:02 AM

They arrived yesterday.

The black Leek is destroyed. The internals show a lot of rust build-up, the SpeedSafe is sticking, I can't tighten the pivot, and worst of all, the blade tip is broken and the blade shows signs of someone attempting to sharpen it on a belt sander. I knew that due to the "Very Good" example being out of stock, I was getting another Leek substituted in its place, just not something this appaling. I have sent an email to the seller requesting an exchange for any Leek that is actually in near-mint condition as was shown. If they refuse to, I guess it's off to Kershaw.

Instead of the "EP Wireline" knife shown, I received a rather early (January 2003) Snap-On linerlock example (current ones are now mostly framelock, it seems) in blue anodized aluminum handles, model 1620BLSO. Snap-On Kershaw knives are quite collectible (and being a sucker for tool-branded folders, I was pleasantly surprised. Blade is beat-up a little bit (and blunt), but not worn down. I will be sending it off to Kershaw for sharpening, along with my Chubby and Filter. Now to find the Craftsman versions of the Leek, Scallion, Chubby, and A-100 MT. And a bunch of different colored Snap-On Chubby models. Kershaw also made several different colors of this very Snap-On Chive.

The Chive's SpeedSafe mechanism was sticking, only allowing the blade to fire open 2/3 of the way. I cleaned it three times with the knife still assembled, so I decided to take it apart, which is something I was a little apprehensive about, one due to messing up on other knives, and secondly due to the torsion spring. This time it was a success--I removed heavy dirt build up from all internal components. I took extreme precaution, carefully laid aside the parts, and even learned a couple things that will help me take the next one apart for cleaning. Kershaws seem to be designed with the user disassembling it for DIY repairs, given how there are screws on only one side, and the handle and plate that ensure you put the (non coil spring) torsion bar back into place correctly. After that, I only needed to oil the knife and touch it up with just about a half-dozen strokes each side on a ceramic hone--I think the knife was carried and gunked up, but not used for much cutting.

Oh, and it will be my backup knife from now on as well as my around the house EDC, replacing a small lockback. This thing fires hard for such a small knife. It does, in fact, fit my watch pocket pretty well, using the clip. It will also fit in the pen sleeve of my shirt, due to the diminuitive size.

What I like best about these. Well, especially SpeedSafe, since it opens faster, and easier than any other assisted opening I have owned (for some reason, the Filter, despite also being SpeedSafe, requires more force to fire). Safer, becuase of the tip-lock. I had a Colonial "Quick Flick" knife that opened on its own tearing through the pocket lining and front of a new pair of cargo pants. Apparently when I got out of the car to go in Dairy Queen, I'd brushed something. That very knife was the reason I stayed away from assisted opening. Yet as long as I keep the tip lock activated, I should have no issue with these.

Something tells me the Scallion blade may be a tiny bit short.

sak60 · **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2020, 02:13:20 PM

Hope you have a satisfactory result with the Leek either way.

I’ve received knives that haven’t been transparently described and it’s a real let down.

Aloha · **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2020, 03:31:22 PM

Bummer you'll have to seek remedy for those blades. Glad you got one sorted. Those speed safes Kershaws fire hard for sure. I was very surprised with my Leek.