My review for today is Kershaw's Needs Work folder, model number 1820. Weight is about 3.5 ounces. It was designed as a work knife, has the SpeedSafe, is U.S.-made, and costs about $30 in stores. Here's the review...
Handle Specifications and Impressions: The Needs Work's handle is 4.4" long from top to bottom. The 4.18" you see listed on Kershaw's website assumes you've tilted it sideways. It has two 410 stainless steel liners. The right liner (on the pocket clip side) acts as the linerlock. The handle scales are black polyimide, with a circular pattern textured over a snakeskin pattern. The handle is held together with four Torx (T-6) bits; two on each side. There is a lanyard hole if you prefer, and it will barely accomodate 550 cord. The pocket clip is brushed stainless steel, and is held in place with two Torx (T-6) screws. It's right-hand tip-down only. There is no blade tip safety, like there is on some SpeedSafe models. The black blade pivot pin is adjustable if you have a Torx (T-8) bit. The handle has finger grooves cut in, which really help with grip. Since I have larger hands, I can only grip the knife with three fingers. But it doesn't feel small. The linerlock opens securely, and the entire lock touches the blade. I found that because the linerlock doesn't protrude and there's no cut-out for it, it's a bit hard to release the lock for closing. I have to stick my thumbnail in the blade well and pull, which is a slight pain to do. But the lock hasn't failed, and I think of the difficulty to unlock as a positive safety implement, so you don't accidentally disengage the lock and send the blade onto your fingers. So it's a good thing of sorts. Very safe.
The SpeedSafe mechanism is very smooth, like always. The blade comes out just as fast as any other I've owned.
The handle feels good in the hand, and seems like one of those knives you can use for hours without your hand cramping.
Blade Specifications and Impressions: The blade on the Needs Work is a combination of utility and wharncliff configurations. The edge is perfectly straight, with the spine curving toward the tip. Blade steel is Sandvik 12C26 stainless, and mine registered at 58 on the Rockwell scale. The blade is 3.3" long, with a 3" cutting edge. This blade is hollow ground. There are thumb ridges in the spine for better control while cutting. There are no thumb studs or holes; this knife was designed to be opened with the index finger protrusion. The left side of the blade has the Kershaw / Ken Onion USA logo, while the right side has "1820 KAI Patented MADE IN USA" in three lines. There is also the month and year of manufacture (APR07) on the tang. The knife came out of the box extremely sharp. After cutting cardboard ans the usualy ropes, strings, and paper, it didn't require any touch-ups. I'm not very familiar with the Sandvik steel that Kershaw uses, but it looks like they've got a winner as far as edge retention. This blade type (wharncliff) is really suited for general utility, and would make a great everyday carry knife.
The Needs Work presents a great combination of features. You get the SpeedSafe assisted opening, made in the USA quality, nice blade quality and shape, and ultra-safe lock - all in a package that costs about $30.
You can see the Needs Work here... http://www.kershawknives.com/productdetails.php?id=385
Handle Specifications and Impressions: The Needs Work's handle is 4.4" long from top to bottom. The 4.18" you see listed on Kershaw's website assumes you've tilted it sideways. It has two 410 stainless steel liners. The right liner (on the pocket clip side) acts as the linerlock. The handle scales are black polyimide, with a circular pattern textured over a snakeskin pattern. The handle is held together with four Torx (T-6) bits; two on each side. There is a lanyard hole if you prefer, and it will barely accomodate 550 cord. The pocket clip is brushed stainless steel, and is held in place with two Torx (T-6) screws. It's right-hand tip-down only. There is no blade tip safety, like there is on some SpeedSafe models. The black blade pivot pin is adjustable if you have a Torx (T-8) bit. The handle has finger grooves cut in, which really help with grip. Since I have larger hands, I can only grip the knife with three fingers. But it doesn't feel small. The linerlock opens securely, and the entire lock touches the blade. I found that because the linerlock doesn't protrude and there's no cut-out for it, it's a bit hard to release the lock for closing. I have to stick my thumbnail in the blade well and pull, which is a slight pain to do. But the lock hasn't failed, and I think of the difficulty to unlock as a positive safety implement, so you don't accidentally disengage the lock and send the blade onto your fingers. So it's a good thing of sorts. Very safe.
The SpeedSafe mechanism is very smooth, like always. The blade comes out just as fast as any other I've owned.
The handle feels good in the hand, and seems like one of those knives you can use for hours without your hand cramping.
Blade Specifications and Impressions: The blade on the Needs Work is a combination of utility and wharncliff configurations. The edge is perfectly straight, with the spine curving toward the tip. Blade steel is Sandvik 12C26 stainless, and mine registered at 58 on the Rockwell scale. The blade is 3.3" long, with a 3" cutting edge. This blade is hollow ground. There are thumb ridges in the spine for better control while cutting. There are no thumb studs or holes; this knife was designed to be opened with the index finger protrusion. The left side of the blade has the Kershaw / Ken Onion USA logo, while the right side has "1820 KAI Patented MADE IN USA" in three lines. There is also the month and year of manufacture (APR07) on the tang. The knife came out of the box extremely sharp. After cutting cardboard ans the usualy ropes, strings, and paper, it didn't require any touch-ups. I'm not very familiar with the Sandvik steel that Kershaw uses, but it looks like they've got a winner as far as edge retention. This blade type (wharncliff) is really suited for general utility, and would make a great everyday carry knife.
The Needs Work presents a great combination of features. You get the SpeedSafe assisted opening, made in the USA quality, nice blade quality and shape, and ultra-safe lock - all in a package that costs about $30.
You can see the Needs Work here... http://www.kershawknives.com/productdetails.php?id=385
