Full Answer
Is the Kershaw Cannonball a good knife?
The blackwashed D2 steel blade of the Kershaw Cannonball offers pretty good corrosion resistance. Between the assisted open, weird looking texture designs, and the stainless steel handle, the Cannonball has a lot of features I don’t normally like, but even I have to admit it’s a good design for the price.
Is Kershaw still making good stuff?
I keep reaching to the classics. Kershaw still makes good stuff, but some of their original designs are tough to beat. Either that or I’m too damn nostalgic. I especially like their USA made releases, and those seem to be rarer and rarer as time goes on. The Leek is another Ken Onion design. It’s more in the same vein as the Skyline.
Who makes Kershaw Knives?
Kershaw is owned by KAI, which also owns Zero Tolerance which is focused on high end tactical knives, as well as Shun Cutlery (high end Japanese kitchen knives). I have had the opportunity to review a number of Kershaw products.
How big is the blade on a Kershaw knife?
The knife is thin and light, yet it’s still substantial with a 3.5″ inch blade. Some might argue it’s a little big, and that it’s wide in the pocket (not thick), but it comes with a strong deep carry pocket clip and I haven’t had an issue with it. This is a classic work knife from Kershaw. Oh, and it’s made in the USA. Great knife.
Are Kershaw Knives good quality?
Kershaw knives generally provide excellent quality at an affordable price. Many of their knives are made right here in the USA but others are made abroad, most commonly in Asia.
What degree are Kershaw Knives made of?
To what angle should I sharpen my Kershaw blade? Kershaw blades are sharpened to a range of angles, depending on the type of steel and end-use of the knife. Generally, Kershaw knives are sharpened to angles of between 20° and 22°. Fillet knives, however, are usually sharpened to 18°.
What does heat treatment do to knives?
The purpose of heat treating a knife is to harden the steel sufficiently for use. The correct degree of hardness will depend on the blade's intended purpose. It needs to be hard enough to maintain its edge yet flexible enough to endure regular and sometimes intense use.
When should you use a heat treated blade?
8:1512:13How To Heat Treat A Knife | The 4 Steps You NEED To Know - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn order for the blade to harden it needs to cool below about 900 degrees in one to two seconds. ButMoreIn order for the blade to harden it needs to cool below about 900 degrees in one to two seconds. But that doesn't mean that you can remove the blade after two seconds.
What angle is Kershaw Blur?
Kershaw blades are sharpened to a range of angles, depending on the type of steel and end-use of the knife. Generally, Kershaw knives are sharpened to angles of between 20° and 22°....Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Sharpening System.Low$25.99Amazon (New)Average$31.7830 Day4 more rows•Jun 13, 2016
What is Kershaw's best selling knife?
The top spot goes to the Kershaw Leek. Anyone who owns this knife is probably not surprised at the Leek being the current best-selling Kershaw at Knife Depot because it's the perfect EDC.
What can go wrong during heat treatment?
MOST OF THE PROBLEMS in heat- treated parts are attributed to faulty heat- treatment practices (such as overheating and burning, and nonuniform heating and quench- ing), deficiency in the grade of steels used, part defect, improper grinding, and/or poor part design.
How much does it cost to heat treat a knife?
Heat Treat Prices: 1-9 Blades = $10.00/pc. 10-19 Blades = $8.00/pc. $20+ Blades = $6.00/pc.
Can metal be heat treated twice?
Twice-tempering is simply a process whereby the steel is heated and then cooled twice in succession, not necessarily at the same temperature each time.
Do you quench after tempering?
Tempering is most often performed on steel that has been heated above its upper critical (A3) temperature and then quickly cooled, in a process called quenching, using methods such as immersing the hot steel in water, oil, or forced-air.
What oil do you quench a blade in?
There are many food-grade quenching oil options available to use for blacksmithing. Among these options are vegetable, peanut, and avocado oil. Some commonly used vegetable oils are canola, olive, and palm kernel oil.
Do you have to heat treat a stainless steel knife?
Do they need to be heat treated? All of our carbon and stainless steels are delivered annealed. This means that after undergoing the various rolling operations, the steel undergoes a final heat treatment process to make its structure more uniform and relieve the stress.
Are Kershaw Knives Any Good?
Kershaw Knives excels at certain things and is severely lacking in other areas, so whether or not you should get one of their knives largely depends on what you value in a good knife.
Is Kershaw a Good Knife Company?
After examining the above information regarding the general characteristics of Kershaw knives, hopefully, you have a better idea of the type and quality of knives that this brand makes.
Where are Kershaw Knives Made?
Kershaw is a pretty impressive knife brand offering reasonably well-made knives at budget-friendly prices. But where are Kershaw knives made for them to provide such cheap knives at such extreme value?
Final Thoughts
Deciding whether a knife brand is a good fit for your needs can be a difficult process. There are so many factors and characteristics that you must consider, and even after a lot of research, it can be challenging to come to a definitive conclusion.
How big is the Kershaw knife?
The knife is thin and light, yet it’s still substantial with a 3.5″ inch blade. Some might argue it’s a little big, and that it’s wide in the pocket (not thick), but it comes with a strong deep carry pocket clip and I haven’t had an issue with it. This is a classic work knife from Kershaw. Oh, and it’s made in the USA.
Who owns Kershaw knives?
Kershaw is probably best known for their small and mid size EDC and tactical folders. Kershaw is owned by KAI, which also owns Zero Tolerance which is focused on high end tactical knives, as well as Shun Cutlery (high end Japanese kitchen knives).
Where is the EDC knife made?
Its a great light duty EDC knife. It’s balanced, made from good materials, is made in the USA, and is affordable. In this day of titanium and carbon fiber it’s not a “ghee whiz” piece, but it’s lightweight and servicable. The kind of knife you won’t be afraid to carry and use.
When was the Kershaw knockout released?
The Knockout was released in 2013/2014. Like the Skyline it’s another in-house design for Kershaw. It’s a phenomenal larger EDC knife. It has the robust aluminum frame of the Blur, but you have a big beautiful drop point blade, with a full flat grind.
Is the Kershaw CQC-6K made in the USA?
Kershaw CQC-6K. OK, lets switch to a Kershaw that’s not made in the USA. The CQC-6K is a collaboration with Ernest Emerson. This was a huge deal when the series first came out, as Emerson’s blades are known for being quirky and expensive.
Is the blur a good knife?
The Blur a great work knife and is designed for harder use. The assisted opening is snappy, although I generally prefer unassisted knives. It’s a classic from Ken Onion, and is perhaps one of his cleanest designs. The Blur has earned a permanent spot in my collection.
Which is better, Buck's 420HC or Kershaw's?
Buck's 420HC is better than Kershaw's by a narrow margin, IMHO. I always liked Buck's standard blade steel, and as a Scout Cubmaster, I often recommended Buck knives to the boys' parents, because of the quality & economy of their knives. Also, Buck's 420HC seems (to me) to have really good corrosion resistance.
How much does a blur in a S30V cost?
I don't know what kershaw is up to with those cheapos. A blur in s30v, which can often be found for around $50, will cut several hundred feet of cardboard easily before needing a touchup!
About Kershaw
Kershaw Knives are a part of KAI Corporation, a family-owned company from Japan and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2008. KAI is a major manufacturer and distributor of disposable razors, surgical tools, and personal care products in Japan.
Features of Kershaw Knives
Kershaw Knives manufactures tough pocket knives of high quality. It feels great in hands and has a nice heavy feel to it. When you open the knife, it looks well and feels sturdy. The product is well engineered and feels sturdy and durable.
Types of Kershaw Knives
Kershaw makes different types of knives for everyday use and professional use. Out of these, the most popular ones are Leek and Skyline for everyday use. In the professional category, the most popular ones are Blur and CQC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kershaw knives are generally manufactured in the US. However, recently more products are now being manufactured in Asia. Japan and China are the main manufacturers of the Kershaw knives.
Conclusion
Kershaw knives have been in the market for years, and they never cease to attract more customers. The customer base built by Kershaw is impressive, and it just keeps rising.
LUCHA MODEL 5150
Do you flip? Do you want to flip? Then the Kershaw Lucha is for you. This is a high-quality butterfly knife that’s made in the USA. Next level materials include a 14C28N stainless steel blade and all-steel handle. Next level performance comes from Kershaw’s meticulous design.
LUCHA - BLACKWASH
New and experienced flippers love the original Kershaw Lucha. Now, it’s available in BlackWash, giving this butterfly knife a well-worn look. Next level USA materials include a 14C28N stainless steel blade and all-steel handle. Next level performance comes from Kershaw’s meticulous design.
STRATA MODEL 2076
Inspired by Spanish Navaja knives, the Strata transforms this traditional style into a modern design. In 19th century Spain, Navaja knives were adapted as defensive fighting tools for working class citizens. Today, the Strata can be used for everyday tasks.
STRATA XL MODEL 2077
Compared to the standard Strata, the XL version adds more size to this modern version of traditional Navaja designs. In 19th century Spain, Navaja knives were adapted as defensive fighting tools for working class citizens. Today, the Strata XL can be used for everyday tasks.
ENDGAME MODEL 2095
For a combination of high-quality materials, intricate design elements, and practical usability, step into the Kershaw Endgame. After opening the knife with KVT ball bearings, take control of the 3.25-inch drop point blade and use its high-retention D2 tool steel.
Which is easier to heat treat: low alloy steels or simple steels?
8. Simple steels are easier to heat treat. Low alloy steels are easier to harden without a soak at the hardening temperature, which facilitates hardening in a forge without temperature control. However, they are no easier to achieve good properties than high alloy steels.
What is the most important factor in knife performance?
1. Heat Treating is the most important factor for high performance knives. This one started out along the lines of “even the best steel will perform poorly if given a bad heat treatment,” and that I can’t disagree with too much. However, it has become somewhat fashionable to talk about knife performance as entirely (or almost entirely) controlled by the knifemaker’s skill in heat treatment. This has some truth to it as knifemakers who use a subpar heat treatment will certainly have subpar performance. However, the heat treatment can only do so much. No heat treatment is capable of making high carbide CPM 15V into a high toughness steel. No heat treatment can turn 1095 carbon steel into a stainless. And I would argue that the single most important factor for knife performance is the edge geometry rather than the steel selection or heat treatment. The edge geometry greatly controls the cutting ability and edge retention of the knife and also resistance to chipping and rolling. The image below shows measured edge retention of 154CM knives with different edge angles so you can see the vast difference in measured performance (higher number means more cardstock cut). Of course, focusing on any one of these factors at the expense of the others: steel selection, heat treatment, and edge geometry, is a mistake and each should be optimized for the given knife. But if we were to pick one factor that is the “most important” I’m not sure that heat treatment would be the one.
What temperature does steel go to Curie?
With most low alloy knife steels, the steel transforms to austenite before reaching Curie, and therefore the nonmagnetic temperature is significantly lower, usually somewhere in the range of 1350-1380°F. You can read more about Curie in this article. 10. Normalize steel by using descending temperatures.
Why is a longer hold time better for knives?
Therefore, using a longer hold time can lead to more consistent hardness both within a single knife and between different knives.
What temperature is used for grain refinement?
Grain refinement can then be performed at lower temperatures, just above austenite formation such as in the range of 1375-1450°F. Lower temperatures typically mean a smaller grain size. However, the intermediate temperatures like 1500°F don’t do a particularly great job of accomplishing either of these goals.
What does it mean when a knife is harder than a file?
So if the knife is harder than the file that means the file can’t cut it . Files can be purchased which are rated at certain hardness levels though often a generic file is used.
Can heat treatment turn 1095 carbon steel into stainless steel?
No heat treatment is capable of making high carbide CPM 15V into a high toughness steel. No heat treatment can turn 1095 carbon steel into a stainless. And I would argue that the single most important factor for knife performance is the edge geometry rather than the steel selection or heat treatment.
Who makes CJRB knives?
It turns out CJRB is owned by Artisan Cutlery, and all their knives are made in the same factory, so apparently you can expect a lot. The Kicker has a silky smooth action and a comfortable handle. The flat grind has a pretty thin edge geometry, so this is a clean slicer with some really nice cutting ergonomics.
Is D2 good for smaller blades?
But D2 also tends to perform best in smaller blade lengths, and thanks to the price point on it, a lot more companies are using it to pump out budget folders.
Is D2 steel good?
The true values of D2 steel aren’t necessarily in its performance, but in its performance for cost. There are dozens of steels out there that are arguably “better” if we’re defining the word in terms toughness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance, but there aren’t many that can give you the degree of edge retention and mid-tier toughness at a reasonable price. D2 is a bit like an old Honda Civic in that it’s reliable and easy to modify while also being very affordable, and by extension more usable.
Is D2 stainless steel rust resistant?
It sometimes gets mistakenly touted as a tool steel with high corrosion resistance because of the chromium content. That’s understandable since that 11.5% Cr just skirts under making D2 a true stainless steel. But as both Blade Mag and Knife Steel Nerds have pointed out, most of the chromium gets tied up in the carbon to make the structure harder so there’s only about 6% chromium actually making D2 rust resistant, which is still higher than some tool steels. It’s certainly higher than O1, and a little better than A2.
