Kershaw Zing 1735OR

Handwrecker · Mar 4, 2011

I got this Kershaw Zing delivered to my door for $21.45 from a certain auction site. I felt like doing a quick review, seeing as this was my first ever Kershaw and flipper, so I didn't know what to expect. This is my first blade with 14C28N, I'm excited to see what this steel is like.

Now for some specs:

Steel: Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel with 3-D machined grooves
Handle: Glass-filled nylon
Blade Length: 3 in. (7.6 cm)
Closed Length: 3-7/8 in. (9.8 cm)
Overall Length: 6-13/16 in. (17.3 cm)
Weight: 3.1 oz.
Origin: USA

This knife is unbelievable for the price. And it's made in the USA. Blade is perfectly centered, very smooth and easy flipper action, great thumb studs, no blade play, nice thick liner lock, good ergos for being so small, and lightweight. The glass filled nylon feels and looks very similar to G10. All in all, I already like this blade and playing with the flipper. The edge that came with it was pretty sharp, but I like my edges as sharp as I can get em. The 14C28N sharpened up with no hassle at all.

Here it is with my other EDC folders:

As I just got this blade, I haven't cut anything besides some paper and cardboard, as well as get everything nice and sharp on the UF Sharpmaker rods. As this knife sees some action, I'll update the thread. :thumbup:

Flashpoint · Mar 5, 2011

I concur.

I've got two orange Zings. One of which I gave to my wife for her to carry in her purse.

riderV3 · Mar 5, 2011

Personally I feel the steel is more on the soft side but it's my favorite litttle box cutter.

I have a bigger blade as EDC but Zing is more than capable of handling any dirty jobs.

SGT · Mar 5, 2011

I picked one up at wally world for ten bucks.I was being discontinued.Great knife and the price was right.

mrdavidross321 · Mar 5, 2011

i got a black one from a friend ina trade a couple years, and it really turned me on to kershaw, i was so impressed that the next knife i got was the groove

Handwrecker · Mar 5, 2011

So far, so good. I had to cut some cardboard and plastic last night, and the edge still felt fresh today. I'm liking this knife a lot, especially playing with the flipper. The angled thumbstuds are one of the only times I've ever found thumbstuds that felt natural to use. I don't understand the blade grooves. I understand if it was an aesthetic thing, but it seems it would only raise machining costs.

Regardless, very low profile and very smooth. Quite a well made knife for an extremely good price.

Tostig · Mar 5, 2011

riderV3 said:
Personally I feel the steel is more on the soft side but it's my favorite litttle box cutter.

I have a bigger blade as EDC but Zing is more than capable of handling any dirty jobs.

Yeassir.

Good review Handwrecker.

The Zing is a fantastic knife for the money , very-very sturdy. I do wish they would have used G10 even it made the knife cost more.
My Zing has ridiculously smooth flipper action while remaining rock solid with no play whatsoever.

The WEAK point to this knife is the damn clip , which I absolutly hate. Come on Kershaw ! you folks make fine knives as my collection can prove but some of the silly clips you folks design make me cringe.

I also agree on the thumbstuds because these are some of the BEST designed thumbstuds I have ever seen. Ever. They are unobtrusive , do not catch your hand when you put your hand into your pocket and work perfectly. I cant stand all these huge thumbstuds on many knives nowadays , especially if the knife is meant for right handers only , whats the point of having a huge-ass thumbstud on the other side of the blade as well ? Just my two cents.

IMO The Zing gets a 10 as a great EDC - IF that fugly clip is removed.

Tostig

Handwrecker · Mar 5, 2011

Tostig said:
The WEAK point to this knife is the damn clip , which I absolutly hate. Come on Kershaw ! you folks make fine knives as my collection can prove but some of the silly clips you folks design make me cringe.

Haha, this is one of the Kershaw clips that doesn't seem over the top to me. Can you imagine the Zing with the JYD or Needs Work clip? DAYUM.

Tostig · Mar 6, 2011

Handwrecker said:
Haha, this is one of the Kershaw clips that doesn't seem over the top to me. Can you imagine the Zing with the JYD or Needs Work clip? DAYUM.

heheh!

I would prefer the simple, yet very effective clip ala the OD1.

Tostig

knivesandguns · Mar 6, 2011

Tostig said:
heheh!

I would prefer the simple, yet very effective clip ala the OD1.

Tostig

You can always send it over to STR to have him drill+tap for that clip.

I'm perplexed as to why you don't like the clip though, I think it's very simple and works great. I will probably coat mine black though--don't like silver clips.