Kershaw "speed-safe" question

joe90

joe90

Joined
Aug 17, 2001
Messages
346
I am contemplating purchasing the new Kershaw Blur. I would like to know what peoples feelings are regarding the "speed-safe" mechanism. I ask this mainly from the POV of the possible wear and tear on the mechanism ... or the torsion bar. Of course any other comments about this 'automatic' mechanism would be more than welcome :)
 
I am personally not a fan of 'speedsafe'. Thats just my preference though. I'm always worried that the knife may accidentally open in my pocket.

With that said I do have a Chive and a Leak and the speedsafe mechanisms are still as fast and affective as they were when I first got them a couple years ago. These were never regular carries though so the wear and tear on them is minimal.
 
I have a Blackout that I have had for a couple of years and just got a Blur a couple of weeks ago. I have never had any problems with them opening in my pocket. My Blackout does have a little bladeplay though but I attribute that to the plastic construction and not the speedsafe. I really like the Blur it is very slim. The grip tape is very aggresive and the thumbstuds are a little hard on my pocket but I really like its design.
 
I love the speed-safe feature. I have a Boa with this feature and I have had no problems with it. It has a safety lock on it so it won't open in my pocket. The only problem with it is that some areas of the country are considering these to be an automatic knife.
 
I carry the 1500 as an EDC and have 4 other S/S equipped Kershaws and have never had one single problem and I have used them nonstop and played with them too. I have a friend that is a police division commander and they saw no problems with the mechanism.YOUR RESULTS MAY VARY. PS. It is impossible for the Kershaw with speedsafe to "accidently " open in your pocket the SS is sucking the blade into the handle and can be opened only by manually actuating the blade to open. the ss acts as a cam action and is held closed by torsion bar tension.
 
Could someone tell me what a 'speedsafe' is? Is it a spring that allows it to open after being unlocked?
 
It is an assisted opening system that uses a torsion spring to "help" open the knife it functions similar to a cam lobe. The speed safe holds the blade in the handle till you move the blade towards the open position and then the mechanism cams the blade the rest of the way open. to close it you have to manually close the blade till the cam action "pulls" the blade the rest of the way into the handle.Hope this helps you.
 
Thanks man! Sounds neat, but not for me. I still push my lockback's lock in while opening to reduce impact and save the mechanics a little :)
 
I've got a Leek, Chive, Blackout, and Whirlwind...all are fast to open, but never in my pocket. I feel comfortable carring them, they are great knives.
 
no problems here, ever. i have removed the blade locks from both of my EDC Leeks, and have had zero accidental opens. funny though, 'cause my M16-01K has opened in my pocket before, and that doesn't even have a torsion/spring assist at all!

abe m.
 
Thanks guys :) ... very informative and well appreciated. Think I'll pop down to the local store today and have a more thorough look at one.
 
Think I'll pop down to the local store today and have a more thorough look at one.

Make sure you take your check book, you'll need it! :rolleyes:
 
I just watched 3 new in box Rianbow Leeks go for $42, $46, and $42 on eBay...great deals no matter how you slice it :rolleyes:
Boobar, could you change your picture so I can read your post? :D
 
I can only comment on the Chive, which I have EDC'd for about a year. I really like the speed-safe mechanism, and the flipper. It's especially nice for a small knife like this. It's very fast, but that isn't of big interest to me, just the ease of opening is. It opens effortlessly, with perfect lock-up everytime, and requires a little pressure to reclose it, as you reset the TB, but does so one-handed very easily. As far as durability goes, I have broken one torsion bar after about 10 months. The mechanism is addictive so I flicked it alot more than needed. (Despite that, the frame lock swings over half across, just like when it was new, so the thumbstud stops apparently haven't worn in the least. Impressive.) The knife can still be opened and locked with a broken TB. I used it that way for a week. I called Kershaw and they sent a replacement in a few days for free. Easy to replace. Also, the plastic safety lock, which I always used, broke a few weeks ago. I haven't replaced it yet, and it hasn't opened accidentally either. I may leave it that way. Despite these failures, I still say speed-safe is a great thing!
 
Have onion and whirlwind never had one open in pocket after a year. I like the easy opening and use it a lot. Steel is decent, I keep a working edge on it--cut lots of cardboard. Its a keeper!
 
I'm not a big fan of the speedsafe design. My Wife has one of the Kershaw Chives which I like but I don't like the speedsafe since it seems like a sales gimmick.
 
After having EDCed several Kershaws with speed safe I would not carry a plain liner lock clipped to my pocket they are too prone to opening partially in the pocket . knives with the speedsafe can't open without a deliberate movement of the thumbstud, the speed safe is holding the blade in the handle by the same amount of force it uses to open it it is just the other side of a cam lobe.
 
but I don't like the speedsafe since it seems like a sales gimmick.

What makes you think it is a gimmick? I would consider it a sales feature since it is used and practical.
 
I also disagree about it being a gimmick in the derogatory way it is meant by some. But gimmick also has positive connotations with which I do agree. Below is the American Heritage Definition, followed by my opininion in bold.

Gimmick--noun:
1. a. A device employed to cheat, deceive, or trick.
None of that with Speed-Safe, but not everyone can figure how it works at first glance.

1. b. An innovative or unusual mechanical contrivance; a gadget.
2. b. A significant feature that is obscured, misrepresented, or not readily evident;
Yes, Speed-Safe is an innovative and unusual mechanism. As far as I know, this is the first, and possibly only, torsion bar assisted knife opening mechanism. It is also a significant feature which is obscured and not readily evident. I had to take mine apart to see how for myself and how they could fit an opening mechanism in such a small space. But it is not misrepresented. It works exactly as described by Ken Onion and Kershaw.
And a gadget is "a small specialized mechanical or electronic device" I agree with this positive term. Unfortunately the term gadget has been given a negative connotation by junky seen-on-tv stuff and kitchen accessories.

2. a. An innovative stratagem or scheme employed especially to promote a project: an advertising gimmick.
If you consider speed-safe to be a gimmick in this sense, then all automatic knives must also be considered gimmicks, as well as some other assisted opening and locking mechanisms. Speed-safe isn't a scheme or advertising gimmick. It's an effective way to open a knife effortlessly and safely. And it's a legal alternative to autos in most states.
 
Craftsman tools also has a version of the Kershaw with their name on it at Sears. It costs 39.99 and like all craftsman hand tools its guaranteed for life. You can't beat that for a small working knife.

p.s.- While I do work at sears, do not take this as advertising. I wouldnt dream of helping those greedy suits ruining a once great company.:mad: Just thought some of you may be interested.
 
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