Kershaw Scallion 1620OLBLK

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Jul 6, 2011
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107
Recently got this Scallion for a bargain at 25 bucks (that's with shipping too :D). It's the Kershaw Scallion with the OD handle and black DLC coated blade. Just because I love doing reviews, I thought I'd do one on this bad boy, even though it's pretty old.

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First impression - WOW. This thing is gorgeous. Definitely a good collectible. However, there are some pros and cons that keep me from using this too much.

While this knife is VERY comfortable in the hand, it isn't too suitable for people with larger hands. This is just my opinion, and I may be biased because I favor large knives. I would've liked to see at least an inch more of handle. However, for SMALL cutting tasks, such as letter opening, small slicing, package opening and precision cutting, this thing works like a charm. Some people who have used this knife for years may disagree with my view on not being an EDC, but again, it's just my preference.
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The closed length is 3.5 inches and open length is 6.5 inches. Very compact knife
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The size of the Scallion in pictures is very deceitful. Here is it next to an ordinary lead pencil to show size comparison.
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I am not a fan of the pocket clip at all. It is overly large for this knife, but it also throws off the coloring. I personally don't like to see more than 2 colors on a knife. With an OD handle and black DLC blade, this silver pocket clip is very noticeable and I do not like it. I would've much rather it be coated black, but it will do.
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Equipped with a safety mechanism, this knife ensures safety for its user. I would actually like to see more safety locks on more Kershaw knives. I never had one open on me in my pocket, but it'd be nice to KNOW that it wouldn't open. I'm not sure how the plastic guard will hold up over time.
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The liner lock is what concerns me. This is definitely a reason why I wouldn't use it for an EDC. There is no jimping, and it also barely tips onto the base of the blade. I'd be more comfortable using it if it were a little more centered. It doesn't seem to reliable, but I will see in time.
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Speedsafe... if you're like me, you love it! This knife has a great speedsafe assisted opening. However, I'd recommend using the thumb studs. The flipper has a flaw. If your finger is too far up the flipper when pressed, it will not open properly. Safety feature or design flaw, I don't like it. However, it is still great with assisted opening :).
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My conclusion would be that this is a great light use knife. Not meant for heavy duty tasks of course, but is a beautiful knife. It is very compact and lightweight. Overall I'd say it'd be a 7/10 for general purposes. Collectability is a 10/10! :D
 
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Nice review. Thanks for sharing. I bought a Scallion at a gun shop while traveling six or seven years ago. It was the first assisted opener I had handled. Over time as I acquired more knives, I found that the Scallion didn't seem to either take an edge as well as most of my other knives or to keep the edge very long. I think the steel has since been upgraded. I also found that the smallish size combined with the SpeedSafe opener meant I would occasionally drop the knife when it fired open. I prefer the larger Leek these days.
 
Thank you brother! Yeah, I'm still a noob, but I WILL get my hands on a nice little leek. I see they have tons of custom made ones, so maybe one of those. :)
 
Great review and nice pics!
I've got a stainless combo model that I carry quite a bit. Edge holding is ok, but hey it's 420HC and it was $30. I've had the plastic blade guard on my Leek break twice but I sent it back to Kershaw both times and the fixed it :)
 
The stainless was one of my first real knives (for which I paid far too much). It's an attractive design and the speed safe opening is slick and efficient. I'll agree that it's not a hard use blade and the line lock does seem thin; it certainly doesn't inspire confidence in it's strength.

Good review, spot on analysis.
 
I don't understand faulting a small knife for being small. If you don't want a small knife or you have big hands, don't buy it. As for the pics being deceitful, who do you suppose is trying to deceive you? Certainly you can conclude just how big this knife is by it measurements rather than by pictures. Regarding your critique of the flipper, that also makes no sense to me. Is is not as if only the thumb stub not the flipper utilizes the speedsafe. As long as you give either a good push to overcome the spring which acts in reverse as a detente, it will open. Weird review, but you're entitled of course to your opinion.
 
Great looking knife, I have to pick this model up. The Scallion was my first decent edc, picked one up back in 04' right when they just came out, for the bargain price of $65...
A month later, and $200 lighter, my family members had one too! Still have it, still use it every day (it stays in my shop and cuts rope, whittles, and is my goto utility blade for everything but splitting logs. I have big hands too, but I have learned to love the grip of this knife, and it's agility. The recurved blade really comes in handy when opening packages and those pesky hard plastic clamshells. I do feel it's a bit undersized to be a good defensive knife, but hey... the best defensive knife is the one you have on you, right? And it's so light it's always in my pocket. And after 8 years, still takes and holds an edge extremely well.
I do fancy this model above the Leek, because of it's stoutness, and the grip position. I find the Leek a bit harder to get a usable grip on, and the blade a bit to fragile with the needle tip on it.
Great review, keep em comin.
 
Old thread,

Added one of these to my collection. hated the pocket clip. Funny they put the silver one on the black blade and the black oxide on the silver blade. Pocket clip way to big for the knife. I stuck the ZT 0770CF one on just to see, I think it looks better and could be reversible. Overall nice little made in the USA knife

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