Kershaw 1050 made in Oregon by Kai Japan

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PCL

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Since Kershaw took themselves off the forum is there anybody on the current forums that could enlighten me. Such as how many different tang stamps there were, or were they only made in Oregon for Kai? I have my eye on one in decent shape, not mint or like new but gently used and they are asking 55 for it. My Kershaw knowledge is limited to the more modern flippers and ZT versions. Any help would be appreciated, Mods, move this please if in the wrong area.
 
Made since the 70's and worth more than $50 in almost any condition. Only model you do not want is the China version, only made for a year or so. In mint condition they will bring $200.
 
Yep. The 1050 is a beauty. There was this post from 2009 where another member had asked Kershaw about the tang stamps on the 1050's. I don't know when the Japan-made ones stopped or when the China-made ones were out. I'd guess that all happened after 2009 though.

Here's my 1050:
Kershaw1050_20150822_2_800x465.jpg
 
The Kershaw 1050 was made for Kai by Ichiro Hattori. Back in the 1970s Pete Kershaw sent him a Gerber (USA made) fixed blade which I think was a 400 or 500 series knife and asked him to design a line using that as a basis. That resulted in the 10x0 series of fixed blades plus the 1050 Folding Field. I got to see these
knives including the original Gerber at the Hattori workshop a few months ago. The Kershaw 1050 is also on display in the main Sword and Knife Museum
in Seki City Japan. Hattori often makes newer versions of his old OEM models and he did make these years ago in VG10.

ha015_zpsmwaountz.jpg


There are at least two tang stamps for the Model 1050. One kind has
"Kershaw, Oregon USA,by Kai Japan" on one side of the ricasso and just "1050" on the other side.
The other one has "Kershaw, Oregon USA" on one side and "1050, Japan" on the other.
I do not know which is earlier than the other.
 
Last edited:
PCL said:
Thanks for all the info, I was curious about the steel.
Click to expand...

I think all the Japanese-made ones are AUS-8, and the made in China ones are 8Cr13MoV.

KenHash said:
There are at least two tang stamps for the Model 1050. One kind has
"Kershaw, Oregon USA,by Kai Japan" on one side of the ricasso and just "1050" on the other side.
The other one has "Kershaw, Oregon USA" on one side and "1050, Japan" on the other.
I do not know which is earlier than the other.
Click to expand...

From this older thread:
Dutchy357 said:
After asking if anyone could help me relate the markings on Kershaw 1050 knives to when produced, I decided to ask Kershaw.

Their response was quick and very informative. If their knives are half as good as their service they must sell a great blade.

For anyone thats interested:

The markings are:

1982-89

Kershaw
OREGON USA
by Kai Japan
-------------------
1050


1990-1998

Kershaw
Folding Field
-------------------
KAI
1050
JAPAN


Current Version

Kershaw
Folding Field
-------------------
1050
Japan


Not sure on this one – possibly the very first version- this model was started in 1979. But we do not have catalogs that go back that far…

Kershaw
Oregon USA
----------------
1050
Japan


I'm happy. Now all I have to do is get me my knife!! :)
Click to expand...
 
Flarp, thanks for that. Makes my 1050 a 1980s model.Yes the Hattori made Kershaws were definitely Aus8.
Kershaw also had knives made by Ono Cutlery Seki, the synthetic handled 101x series which were Aus6.
 
Great info everyone , really helps making a choice. It does have small dings in the brass bolsters, any thoughts on getting rid of them other then sanding?
 
It looks like I've got the kershaw kai oregon usa 1050 which would be the 82 to 89 model, I'm interested in finding out how much is this one worth as I've seen so many different types and prices, I'd much appreciate someone's intell on the price please...thanks Andrew.

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It looks like I've got the kershaw kai oregon usa 1050 which would be the 82 to 89 model, I'm interested in finding out how much is this one worth as I've seen so many different types and prices, I'd much appreciate someone's intell on the price please...thanks Andrew.
a76e71ce7ae5f60a5dcbcc43ba1b755d.jpg
903899386ac5ddbb9ff86cc7930b6d4c.jpg


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Please read the sticky at the top of this forum:
NEW MEMBERS :: Please read this :: WHAT IS MY KNIFE WORTH?
WHAT IS MY KNIFE / GADGET / SPATULA / TUNING FORK WORTH ?!?!?!?!

In order to curtail potential abuse of membership privileges associated with the forums, questions regarding valuation of knives and collections are limited to those with a membership level which permits selling on this site. Accordingly, registered and basic members may not start or post in threads with such requests whether with the intent to sell or for informational purposes only. This rule applies throughout the site.

In other words, without a paid Gold membership, you don't get to ask about sale values. Too many people abused this question to hint they had a knife for sale, which you need that membership for.
Click to expand...
 
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