Which Kershaw?

[308win]

I don't know much about steel or knives for that matter. I have been thinking about getting another folding knife and I am trying to decide between a leek, chive, or scallion. I have seen the Damascus chives and like the looks of those but they seem hard to find. I like the wharncliffe blade shape. I don't use a knife for anything heavy duty - open packages & letters, quarter apples, peel oranges, cut string, remove staples.

Are the USA origin Kershaws all good quality; which steel is the best compromise of ease of sharpening, edge holding, and strength, any scale material better than another?

I have a Kershaw 1570ST that I carry quite a bit and like a lot.

I would appreciate recommendations and thoughts with the caveat that I am not interested in anything other than a Kershaw with preference for a leek, chive, or scallion with the chive the leader (I think) as I am looking for something smaller.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Are the USA origin Kershaws all good quality;

Yes. Excellent.

As for deciding between those three, there's not a quality issue. You just have to figure out what size you want.

My two favorite Kershaws are the Blur half serrated tanto, and the Needs Work. The Needs Work is a little chunky, but I really like the grip it offers and the totally flat blade. It's just more useful for every day utility purposes, and at only $40, I don't feel too bad about abusing it a little.



The Blur has a highly textured grip and a very stout blade, and would be the more ideal combat/defensive knife.

I also have a Blackout that I really like, but I prefer the Blur.

The smaller Kershaws like those you mentioned certainly do carry easier, though. My sister carries a Leek and loves it.

US-made Kershaws offer the best bang for the buck out there, IMO. None are so expensive that you'll cry rivers if you lose it, but they're ability to hold an edge and overall quality is unparallelled for knives under $100, even against much more expensive knives in many cases. I have had many different brands, including Cold Steel, Spyderco, Benchmade. All very good blades, but I have become pretty loyal to Kershaw. I especially like the assisted opening.

 

[hso]

http://www.knifedealsplus.com/kershaw/K1660CB.html

 

[Fred Fuller]

I second what MachIVshooter says about the Needs Work. I decided to try one a couple months ago, since I've been experimenting with Wharncliffy type blades lately. My right side folder is more likely to be used in a reverse grip, edge in style if ever called on for 'get off me' duty, and this one fills that bill quite well. The point is actually on the centerline of the knife, which lends itself well to this use. It is a liner lock, which some might not like for serious use. And it sounds like an AK safety coming off when it opens - CLACK! - not exactly stealthy.

Since there's only one option for mounting the pocket clip, the Needs Work seems destined to stay on my right side. Otherwise I'd probably be carrying two of them by now.

And it's been a good utility folder as well. It seems to be a fairly stout little beastie. And its chunky grip has really grown on me.

 

[Owen Sparks]

I have a Blur and for the money it is hard to beat. The assisted opening feature makes it a switch blade for all intents and purposes and no folding knife is faster except for the Emerson serise.

 

[Owen Sparks]

BTW:

Has anyone here had any experience with the Kershaw Tilt?

 

[Big_John1961]

The Blur is a great all around knife at a good price and it's very sturdy as well. Bag the serrations and bag the gimmicky tanto blades. The only downside I would mention is that it has a slight recurve blade, which can make sharpening a bit more difficult, but not overly so.

As for the Leek, I have one and it's a very nice little knife but it easily has the slickest scales of any knife I own. If Kershaw could rectify that, it'd be a hell of an EDC.

 

[Nikdfish]

To the op, of the three mentioned the Leek is my favorite. It just feels right in my hand and has one of my favorite blade profiles. I think it makes an excellant "gentleman's pocket knife" (esp. the rainbow leek w/ titanium finish).

Regarding the slick scales, stippling could be a DIY option...


Nick

 

[primalmu]

I'll second the Leek. I love mine.

 

[heron]

As for the Leek, I have one and it's a very nice little knife but it easily has the slickest scales of any knife I own. If Kershaw could rectify that, it'd be a hell of an EDC.

I've got an all-stainless Leek, and that's what bothered me about it -- I had a hard time controlling it while I was trying to open the thing; it's just too slick. I fixed the problem with a Dremel and an engraver -- it's a bubba-job, but at least it stays put in my hand.

 

[bodam]

+1 for the Leek. I have the all stainless and use it everyday. No problems yet

 

[Il Duca]

I have a composite Leek that I love dearly. It's small and unobtrusive, opens fast and looks incredible. I'm even thinking about having a lscf or silver twill scale made for it- even though it would cost a couple times what the knife originally did.

 

[Sharpdogs]

Skyline and G10 leek are my favorites.

 

[Big_John1961]

To add to my comments about the Leek, the little Wharncliffe blade was razor sharp when I got it. It's also lightening quick to open. For the price, it's a heckuva knife, but I stand by my statement that the scales are really slick - mine is the blue handled one and it always feels like I'm struggling to keep a grip on it. I tried and returned the G10 version because everything that is good about the Leek was gone. It's just too bulky compared to mine. YMMV.

 

[saltydog452]

Not on your wish list, but the Blur seems to fit my lifestyle and perceived needs.

Assisted opening might not be appreciated by all, but it suits me just dandy.

The last time I used th Blur was Sunday Dinner to transform Corn On The Cobb into skinned Corn fresh from the Cobb for a Grand-Kiddo.

I do wish they had a specific left hand version.

salty

 

[1KPerDay]

I don't know much about steel or knives for that matter. I have been thinking about getting another folding knife and I am trying to decide between a leek, chive, or scallion.

I have chives and scallions. For ME, the chive is too small to be handled securely. The scallion is perfect, and fits in the change pocket of my jeans. I have the damascus version, frame lock, and I like it a lot. I feel naked without it... use it like 20 times a day.