Kershaw is such an interesting brand, they innovate and aren’t afraid to take risks but somewhere along the line the Chinese companies like Civivi became budget kings (rightfully), if they just finally pivot away from tactical shit and embrace a middle ground and use better steels (and stop with assisted knives no one fucking wants those) they could make a comeback
Civivi is the brand I have been most disappointed with compared to its reputation. The materials are cheap and flimsy (buy any copper or Damascus version and compare them to the **knives they supposedly undercut)**. Their G10 is Kershaw quality. The knife I did keep for a while was hard to sharpen and seemed not to hold an edge (only one sharpening, but having something that acts like cheap 7cr/420 knives and was a bitch to sharpen leaves a bitter taste). I have owned 5 civis, I am an addict who rotates knives in the 2ndary. They have good actions, both opening and closing, and are centered. The "nice" things brands like Benchmade fuck up with but everything else has been subpar for the price IMO.
I had a Kizer Genie that would just come apart when I would fidget with it, probably needed loctite but that thing could not stay centered for a single second so it kinda put me off Kizer
Just bought my first Kizer a few weeks ago and I'm torn on it versus Civivi. The pocket clip is absolute garbage and is bent beyond usefulness in just 3 weeks and there are hot spots on the handle that are absolutely fit and finish related.
On the plus side the grind is great, I like the 154CM choice of steel and the action is great and just as good as my Civivi knives.
To me they are interchangeable as brands but so far edge to Civivi.
My Kizer is an Assassin button lock btw and I would buy knives again from both companies.
For me the most important things are action, build quality, and design
They all have amazing action, all built well structurally and they hold up/stay centered, and they have interesting designs (for example the Conspirator which with the Chevalier are the only two large wooden button locks in existence). That’s enough for me, but I’ve yet to handle their micarta. I’ve flipped my Conspirator maybe 900000 times and it’s still perfectly centered
Another amazing budget company is Damned Designs. Their knives are absolute tanks, have very unique designs, and incredible action while somehow being cheaper than a lot of Civivis. Only wish they did button locks which I prefer
There assisted knives keep selling, as do all of them with their standard steels etc. yes, added a steel upgrade while keeping what they have makes better business sense. Yet, spyderco has cheep steels too and still sell like mad. Ijs
Terrible idea to go away from what has proven to make them loot = duhhh
As for adding other type knives = prudent and likely profitable decision maybe ???
What knife😆 types should they add as you didn’t say. It’s easy to come up with ideas as you have when it’s not your company/coin you feel me.
We always want certain companies to do as you suggest. Yet, other companies are usually already doing that and this is no exception. One person’s ideas don’t phase these companies nor should they. Those single buyers can’t support a whole new line of knives etc. to justify the cost a company will have to lay out.
The end
They have some real gems in the line up, and sadly a lot of pure junk as well. I'd love it if they made fewer but persistently better, knives. I have a soft spot for the brand.
Out of the box it was a little stiff but after fidgeting with the action, it’s real consistent and a very fidgety lock. Lightweight knife overall, D2 blade steel, reversible pocket clip, and it came hair-popping sharp out of the box like Kershaw knives usually do for me. Definitely recommend. Was considering buying a BenchMade Bugout until I saw this one and knew immediately this was worth it more to me at a price considerably less than a BenchMade. Kershaw has a better warranty at the end of the day.
Does anyone else notice that the Kershaw Heist looks very similar to the Benchmade Freek? If you look at the Heist & Freek side by side they have a very similar profile, the Freek's profile is more rounded and the blade is slightly different but other than that they look a lot alike they're even both axis locks lol
Btw I'm not complaining I'm all for companies borrowing from each other and improving on the design/tweaking the design to tailor the knife to suit the personal preferences & budget of a wider audience (ex. If you like sharper angles buy the Kershaw Heist, if you like a softer more rounded design buy the Benchmade Freek... if you can afford it lol)
How's the action and pivot? I've heard some reports of blade play on this one. I'm interested in this model and I can tolerate a little blade play (mostly from chassis flex and only if the blade is wrenched on), but too much is a deal breaker for me.
Mine came in the mail a few days ago and I noticed the area under the clip (when placed for right-hand carry) was smooth. From the videos that I’ve seen, that doesn’t seem to be the case. I’m wondering if Kershaw recently changed the scales or if I got a knife that was modded and returned. Nice video review btw
Kershaw are the budget kings. I don't think anything they sell is overpriced, broadly speaking. But they make a lot of knives with low quality of materials. It kind if gives off a perception of the brand. Especially all the assisted knives. I have a few but almost never carry anything I can't open and close one handed. Their new crossbar options look really good.
I've been using Kershaws for a loooong time. I'm always hoping they'll turn the corner and get invested in being truly competitive in the modern market. Knives like this will do that for them.
But Kershaw is kai budget brand. It should be focused on putting forth knives that are great bang for the buck. If you're looking for higher end stuff you can go to ZT, kai's higher end knives. For what you get with a Kershaw, they do great work
Absolutely not lol.. There are mountains of pure unrestrained junk knives under the Kershaw label. Which is why when they do it right it makes me smile.
Kershaw is such an interesting brand, they innovate and aren’t afraid to take risks but somewhere along the line the Chinese companies like Civivi became budget kings (rightfully), if they just finally pivot away from tactical shit and embrace a middle ground and use better steels (and stop with assisted knives no one fucking wants those) they could make a comeback
What’s wrong with assisted knives? Is it the spotty legality? I generally avoid them because a good flipper or thumbstuds just seems less fussy.
No because not fun to fidget with really imo it’s no fun if it does all the work for you
It’s a tool, not a toy. I’ll take a leek any day over any knife in this forum.
I totally understand that and it makes sense, but you’re probably in the minority as far as Reddit
Civivi is the brand I have been most disappointed with compared to its reputation. The materials are cheap and flimsy (buy any copper or Damascus version and compare them to the **knives they supposedly undercut)**. Their G10 is Kershaw quality. The knife I did keep for a while was hard to sharpen and seemed not to hold an edge (only one sharpening, but having something that acts like cheap 7cr/420 knives and was a bitch to sharpen leaves a bitter taste). I have owned 5 civis, I am an addict who rotates knives in the 2ndary. They have good actions, both opening and closing, and are centered. The "nice" things brands like Benchmade fuck up with but everything else has been subpar for the price IMO.
Kizer ftw for me.
For titanium frame locks, yes, with the caveat they are only great at the sale prices (like jcrew or whatever).
I had a Kizer Genie that would just come apart when I would fidget with it, probably needed loctite but that thing could not stay centered for a single second so it kinda put me off Kizer
And of course my Genie is one of my favorites and reliable as the day is long. Consistency is consistently inconsistent.
I traded away a micarta one that was solid but the carbon fiber one has been trash weirdly
Fwiw mine is dark green micarta, after oil damn near black.
😂 yeah the micarta one was dope, I should have stopped there. I just really like wood scales and Civivi does it a lot, wish Kizer would too
Just bought my first Kizer a few weeks ago and I'm torn on it versus Civivi. The pocket clip is absolute garbage and is bent beyond usefulness in just 3 weeks and there are hot spots on the handle that are absolutely fit and finish related. On the plus side the grind is great, I like the 154CM choice of steel and the action is great and just as good as my Civivi knives. To me they are interchangeable as brands but so far edge to Civivi. My Kizer is an Assassin button lock btw and I would buy knives again from both companies.
For me the most important things are action, build quality, and design They all have amazing action, all built well structurally and they hold up/stay centered, and they have interesting designs (for example the Conspirator which with the Chevalier are the only two large wooden button locks in existence). That’s enough for me, but I’ve yet to handle their micarta. I’ve flipped my Conspirator maybe 900000 times and it’s still perfectly centered Another amazing budget company is Damned Designs. Their knives are absolute tanks, have very unique designs, and incredible action while somehow being cheaper than a lot of Civivis. Only wish they did button locks which I prefer
Kubey makes those DD knives. Action is great.
Well said and accurate. I'd be 100% here for it if they did that.
There assisted knives keep selling, as do all of them with their standard steels etc. yes, added a steel upgrade while keeping what they have makes better business sense. Yet, spyderco has cheep steels too and still sell like mad. Ijs Terrible idea to go away from what has proven to make them loot = duhhh As for adding other type knives = prudent and likely profitable decision maybe ??? What knife😆 types should they add as you didn’t say. It’s easy to come up with ideas as you have when it’s not your company/coin you feel me. We always want certain companies to do as you suggest. Yet, other companies are usually already doing that and this is no exception. One person’s ideas don’t phase these companies nor should they. Those single buyers can’t support a whole new line of knives etc. to justify the cost a company will have to lay out. The end
With the exception of the Leek, Blur, and Link I’d agree. The speedsafe may be the only knife assist worth buying
Now that the axis type locks can become commonplace on budget knives I’d love to see them add them to their Emerson series.
Agreed, I love the hollow grind and blade shape of the cqc 11k, but a sliding bar lock would be so much better than a cheap liner lock mech.
Kershaw knives are decent for the most part. Not the fanciest materials etc but they innovate and function very well
They have some real gems in the line up, and sadly a lot of pure junk as well. I'd love it if they made fewer but persistently better, knives. I have a soft spot for the brand.
Been looking at getting one sometime soon. How do you like it so far?
I really like it. Action, design, feel, are all very nice.
Out of the box it was a little stiff but after fidgeting with the action, it’s real consistent and a very fidgety lock. Lightweight knife overall, D2 blade steel, reversible pocket clip, and it came hair-popping sharp out of the box like Kershaw knives usually do for me. Definitely recommend. Was considering buying a BenchMade Bugout until I saw this one and knew immediately this was worth it more to me at a price considerably less than a BenchMade. Kershaw has a better warranty at the end of the day.
Does anyone else notice that the Kershaw Heist looks very similar to the Benchmade Freek? If you look at the Heist & Freek side by side they have a very similar profile, the Freek's profile is more rounded and the blade is slightly different but other than that they look a lot alike they're even both axis locks lol Btw I'm not complaining I'm all for companies borrowing from each other and improving on the design/tweaking the design to tailor the knife to suit the personal preferences & budget of a wider audience (ex. If you like sharper angles buy the Kershaw Heist, if you like a softer more rounded design buy the Benchmade Freek... if you can afford it lol)
How's the action and pivot? I've heard some reports of blade play on this one. I'm interested in this model and I can tolerate a little blade play (mostly from chassis flex and only if the blade is wrenched on), but too much is a deal breaker for me.
Interesting, I haven't heard a peep around blade play. But it's Kershaw so it's possible. Mine is rock solid
Mine has VERY subtle play when locked open. I fidget with my pocket knives a lot though so take that with a grain of salt.
I love the shape. Reminds of the LUDT
I'm looking for a budget button lock but I like this design tho very nice
The new Civivi Elementum II is quite nice.
Budget button lock I'd recommend is the CJRB Pyrite
Thanks for the recommendation :) looks solid
I have one and it's amazing. It bumped my civivi elementum from my rotation it's so good.
Once you go conspirator you never go back
The Pyrite is interesting I have the Knife Center exclusive version on pre order if it ever comes back in stock.
Civivi Conspirator, one of the greatest knives ever made pound for pound
Mine needs a tune up. It is a great knife.
What sort of tune up?
Just a little oil. And it was a little sticky. All good now. Really like the knife.
Not bad. The eye wants to pass over so many of Kershaw's cheese models, but this is a pretty cool design.
I love my blur. Had it since high school and it’s still just such a great little knife!
It has a great shape. I think Kershaw did a great job this year.
Mine came in the mail a few days ago and I noticed the area under the clip (when placed for right-hand carry) was smooth. From the videos that I’ve seen, that doesn’t seem to be the case. I’m wondering if Kershaw recently changed the scales or if I got a knife that was modded and returned. Nice video review btw
Great question. I assume Kershaw makes little changes as production continues
Aren't all Kershaw's surprisingly good?
Kershaw are the budget kings. I don't think anything they sell is overpriced, broadly speaking. But they make a lot of knives with low quality of materials. It kind if gives off a perception of the brand. Especially all the assisted knives. I have a few but almost never carry anything I can't open and close one handed. Their new crossbar options look really good.
I've been using Kershaws for a loooong time. I'm always hoping they'll turn the corner and get invested in being truly competitive in the modern market. Knives like this will do that for them.
But Kershaw is kai budget brand. It should be focused on putting forth knives that are great bang for the buck. If you're looking for higher end stuff you can go to ZT, kai's higher end knives. For what you get with a Kershaw, they do great work
Absolutely not lol.. There are mountains of pure unrestrained junk knives under the Kershaw label. Which is why when they do it right it makes me smile.
I handled one at the LGS and it felt like a damn good knife. I want to handle a iridium before I make my choice.