Kershaw Strobe First Impressions-Best new budget knife?

I'll probably be getting one within the next month too. And then I will be looking for replacement scales!

I'm new, so if you know anyone who does good G10 or wood scales, either one, I'd like to hear about it.

Bob
San Diego
 
Got mine today. Unfortunately my example leaves a bit to be desired. I have a sneaking suspicion this knife is made in the same factory that is producing the newer CRKT chinese knives like the IKOMA designed fossil as they seem to have very similar manufacturing characteristics and some of the same quality issues. My example has a very very strong detent. This would not normally bother me but the lock bar pressure is so tremendous it makes the knife extremely difficult to close. Moving the lockbar even slightly shows that any reduction in lockbar strength would result in lock rock. The detent hole in the blade looks to have been drilled too large and a round hollow pin inserted to take up the slack. My blade is also poorly sharpened and rather dull by most standards and super dull by kershaw standards. There is also some gaps near the clip where the frame doesnt make contact with the backspacer. Finish quality is decent for a cheapie but not perfect. The pluses are i love the size and shape of the knife. Its very ergonomical and it seems larger than it is. Its very close to the size of a ripple but feels much more substantial. Still I probably would have returned it for either an exchange or a refund if the knife was any more than I spent. My intentions are to just use the crap out of it and see how long until destruction, lol.
 
PURPLEDC said:
Got mine today. Unfortunately my example leaves a bit to be desired. I have a sneaking suspicion this knife is made in the same factory that is producing the newer CRKT chinese knives like the IKOMA designed fossil as they seem to have very similar manufacturing characteristics and some of the same quality issues. My example has a very very strong detent. This would not normally bother me but the lock bar pressure is so tremendous it makes the knife extremely difficult to close. Moving the lockbar even slightly shows that any reduction in lockbar strength would result in lock rock. The detent hole in the blade looks to have been drilled too large and a round hollow pin inserted to take up the slack. My blade is also poorly sharpened and rather dull by most standards and super dull by kershaw standards. There is also some gaps near the clip where the frame doesnt make contact with the backspacer. Finish quality is decent for a cheapie but not perfect. The pluses are i love the size and shape of the knife. Its very ergonomical and it seems larger than it is. Its very close to the size of a ripple but feels much more substantial. Still I probably would have returned it for either an exchange or a refund if the knife was any more than I spent. My intentions are to just use the crap out of it and see how long until destruction, lol.
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I really go back and forth on this one, I want to try the KVT system, and the low price of the Strobe seems like a good way to do so, but I don't want to feel like I got a poorly made knife no matter what the cost. Maybe waiting a bit for the initial QC issues to be worked out is the way to go (such as happened on the Cryo II and Thermite screws and issues with the K/E collabs).
 
John_0917 said:
I really go back and forth on this one, I want to try the KVT system, and the low price of the Strobe seems like a good way to do so, but I don't want to feel like I got a poorly made knife no matter what the cost. Maybe waiting a bit for the initial QC issues to be worked out is the way to go (such as happened on the Cryo II and Thermite screws and issues with the K/E collabs).
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Mine has none of the issues mentioned. It's even smoothed out quite a bit. It does have a strong detent but flips like it's assisted. The overseas made knives can be a gamble at times but Kershaw's CS is second to none so I don't worry,especially at the $35 price tag
 
xICEMANx said:
Mine has none of the issues mentioned. It's even smoothed out quite a bit. It does have a strong detent but flips like it's assisted. The overseas made knives can be a gamble at times but Kershaw's CS is second to none so I don't worry,especially at the $35 price tag
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Good to know about how well yours flips, and very true about Kershaw CS. I don't ever worry they would be unwilling to fix any issues, I just want to avoid them for the hassle/disappointment factor.

I have some gun stuff to buy from a well known site that also has the Strobe in stock also so I might just go ahead and take a shot, so to speak.
 
John_0917 said:
I really go back and forth on this one, I want to try the KVT system, and the low price of the Strobe seems like a good way to do so, but I don't want to feel like I got a poorly made knife no matter what the cost. Maybe waiting a bit for the initial QC issues to be worked out is the way to go (such as happened on the Cryo II and Thermite screws and issues with the K/E collabs).
Click to expand...

To be perfectly fair mine may be a fluke. Many people seem to be happy with theirs. And I am also picky. Put it this way. If it had the CRKT logo, id pretty much say Its spot on for that brand. But with kershaws name attached to the product my expectations may be a bit high. It wouldnt be the first time I was told that.


xICEMANx said:
Mine has none of the issues mentioned. It's even smoothed out quite a bit. It does have a strong detent but flips like it's assisted. The overseas made knives can be a gamble at times but Kershaw's CS is second to none so I don't worry,especially at the $35 price tag
Click to expand...

And that right there is something never to forget which is the price. For the $35 I paid, I think it was worth it. Even with the flaws my knife has I think the money was well spent for a cheap user. I would rather have this than a CRKT wal mart ripple. Again, Im picky so what I find wrong with a knife others might never even pick up on it.
 
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I got mine and can't find anything wrong with it.

It flips open great and is easy to close.

No quality control problems at all.
 
Hmmm. To save up for my second Spyderco, the PM2, or...get this. $35? Strobe is my next purchase :). I LOVE Kershaws, I've never had a bad knife from them and I find their 8Cr13MoV is really not bad at all, though some people just see it as Chinese crap and don't give the knife a second thought. Those people are missing out as some of my favorite knives are budget Kershaws. Kershaw is the brand that got me started into knives as well, so I'll always love them for that if nothing else, but there's plenty else to love about them too!
 
I have to say that the more time I spend with this little guy the more I appreciate it. I cant really knock the strong detent as I am ALWAYS bugging them to make their detents stronger and when they finally give me what I ask for, I go and say it way too heavy. So I want to retract that. But what really has me loving this is the overlays on the handle. They really round out the grip and help fill the hand for such a small knife. And they also prevent me from exerting force on the lockbar when opening. I do however see a mirror polished edge and blade in its future as well as either some layered G10 or some CF scales. This knife really is a pimpers dream come true.
 
PURPLEDC said:
Got mine today. Unfortunately my example leaves a bit to be desired. ... My example has a very very strong detent. This would not normally bother me but the lock bar pressure is so tremendous it makes the knife extremely difficult to close. Moving the lockbar even slightly shows that any reductio n in lockbar strength would result in lock rock. ....
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I got mine and pulled it apart to make some CF or Micarta scales for it.
Mine has the really strong Lockbar issue, and stuck at first, so with the scales off I looked at the Lock Up and saw the poor fit to the blade that was hidden by the scales.
The angle on the Blade doesn't match up...
I have always had excellent Customer Service from Kershaw, so I am sure I will end up with a decent knife, but first to get a decent looking set of scales...
The feel of the knife, the bearings, weight, are all great otherwise, and I look forward to the final results...
.
 

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First prototype, rough milled Micarta. I was going to make CF scales for mine, but Micarta is perfect for this knife..

I am not sure I am even going to sand it down smooth...

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drdmsmith said:
First prototype, rough milled Micarta. I was going to make CF scales for mine, but Micarta is perfect for this knife..

I am not sure I am even going to sand it down smooth...

IMG_3618.jpg
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Wow. I normally hate micarta, but that looks awesome. Nice work.
 
Why did you guys have to buy so many...? My fiancee just got me a BladeHQ gift card quite a bit early for my birthday, so I go on there and Strobes are sold out. :(

Also, I'm jealous of those scales. Nice work!
 
Murphenstein44 said:
Why did you guys have to buy so many...? My fiancee just got me a BladeHQ gift card quite a bit early for my birthday, so I go on there and Strobes are sold out. :(

Also, I'm jealous of those scales. Nice work!
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You can always use the card to buy her something... :D ...Check your "Visitor messages", you disabled your PM option.
I purchased mine from eBay, they still have few, same price as everywhere else.
I know not everyone like eBay but I looked for reputable seller, I think the one I got the Strobe from is, will see on Thursday... :D
 
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