Well, first let me start by saying that this is a wonderful website. I stumbled upon it recently and don't plan on going away any time soon! Let's start off with a review...
I paid about $32 bucks for a new Kershaw "Needs Work" knife (EBAY). It has a plain edge with the patented Ken Onion Speed Safe opening system (its just a litle index-finger-flipper with a spring assisted open). Having never owned a Kershaw, I could barely contain my excitement after I placed my order. The knife finally arrived today....so I will give a quick summary of what I've seen so far...and update this thread as I use it more.
The knife is a bit large for my taste...but it's not anything I didn't know before I bought it....the dimensions are marked clearly everywhere it's advertised. The first thing I noticed as I opened the box was the weight....it seemed a bit heavy for an EDC. As soon as I pulled the knife from the box, I could see WHY it was so heavy, The knife is SOLID. It is called the "Needs Work" because this thing NEEDS to see some work...its a heavy duty knife. The blade, with its very useful design that lured me in, was razor sharp from the box. I'm green when it comes to sharpening...so I havent gone there yet....although it should be an easy task with its straight across design.
The pocket clip has just the right amount of tension, and I like its placement. The handles have small rubber inserts the size of a dime for your fingers...and its a good thing they are there. These rubber inserts give the knife an awesome, rock-solid feel to the user....with no fear of slippage. (EDIT: No, they are not rubber inserts upon closer inspection. They sure seem like it it my memory, but when I grabbed the knife a few minutes ago, I saw that I was . They are plastic insert-like contours...if that makes any sense)The handle is about 1/2" shorter than it would need to be for me to have a PERFECT rock-sloid grip, with each finger on an insert, evenly spaced with no cramping. I am 5'11" 185 lbs if that tells you anything about my hand size. I like a slightly smaller knife, as I mentioned, so it's no big deal.
I love the assisted opening feature. I've never owned a knife that flips open with an index finger flipper (thats my special term for them...sorry for the lack of proper terminology here). I like the design a lot...it opens with minimal effort and SNAPS into place with authority. The weight I referred to earlier surely softens the 'recoil' of the taut spring. The lock-up is nothing to scoff at...although I'm not to fond of liner locks myself. The piece of the lock that needs pushed to close this knife is recessed a little bit more than I like, although it is not hassle to close the knife. I just think a little more 'meat' for my finger to grab would be nice.
The knife sliced and diced paper, perfomed decent push cuts on a computer type paper i had laying around, shaved arm hairs, and cut nylon rope with ease. I havent used it much, but I plan on working it out as an EDC.
All in all, I like this knife a lot, and would rate it a 9/10. I only deducted a point because it would be PERFECT if it was a bit smaller(lighter) and the liner-lock mechanism was tweaked. These are very petty issues...and wouldnt even be issues unless I was reviewing a knife to shed light for an interested buyer.
For $30, you CANT go wrong. I'd say it would be a great buy for even 60 or 70 bucks!!!! Get one....
I paid about $32 bucks for a new Kershaw "Needs Work" knife (EBAY). It has a plain edge with the patented Ken Onion Speed Safe opening system (its just a litle index-finger-flipper with a spring assisted open). Having never owned a Kershaw, I could barely contain my excitement after I placed my order. The knife finally arrived today....so I will give a quick summary of what I've seen so far...and update this thread as I use it more.
The knife is a bit large for my taste...but it's not anything I didn't know before I bought it....the dimensions are marked clearly everywhere it's advertised. The first thing I noticed as I opened the box was the weight....it seemed a bit heavy for an EDC. As soon as I pulled the knife from the box, I could see WHY it was so heavy, The knife is SOLID. It is called the "Needs Work" because this thing NEEDS to see some work...its a heavy duty knife. The blade, with its very useful design that lured me in, was razor sharp from the box. I'm green when it comes to sharpening...so I havent gone there yet....although it should be an easy task with its straight across design.
The pocket clip has just the right amount of tension, and I like its placement. The handles have small rubber inserts the size of a dime for your fingers...and its a good thing they are there. These rubber inserts give the knife an awesome, rock-solid feel to the user....with no fear of slippage. (EDIT: No, they are not rubber inserts upon closer inspection. They sure seem like it it my memory, but when I grabbed the knife a few minutes ago, I saw that I was . They are plastic insert-like contours...if that makes any sense)The handle is about 1/2" shorter than it would need to be for me to have a PERFECT rock-sloid grip, with each finger on an insert, evenly spaced with no cramping. I am 5'11" 185 lbs if that tells you anything about my hand size. I like a slightly smaller knife, as I mentioned, so it's no big deal.
I love the assisted opening feature. I've never owned a knife that flips open with an index finger flipper (thats my special term for them...sorry for the lack of proper terminology here). I like the design a lot...it opens with minimal effort and SNAPS into place with authority. The weight I referred to earlier surely softens the 'recoil' of the taut spring. The lock-up is nothing to scoff at...although I'm not to fond of liner locks myself. The piece of the lock that needs pushed to close this knife is recessed a little bit more than I like, although it is not hassle to close the knife. I just think a little more 'meat' for my finger to grab would be nice.
The knife sliced and diced paper, perfomed decent push cuts on a computer type paper i had laying around, shaved arm hairs, and cut nylon rope with ease. I havent used it much, but I plan on working it out as an EDC.
All in all, I like this knife a lot, and would rate it a 9/10. I only deducted a point because it would be PERFECT if it was a bit smaller(lighter) and the liner-lock mechanism was tweaked. These are very petty issues...and wouldnt even be issues unless I was reviewing a knife to shed light for an interested buyer.
For $30, you CANT go wrong. I'd say it would be a great buy for even 60 or 70 bucks!!!! Get one....
