commodorewheeler
Newly Enlightened
I've been meaning to buy one of these knives for a while now, and I finally managed to get my hands on this one recently. This is the Kershaw Ener-G flipper, and it is one of the best production folder designs that I have ever seen or handled.
Designed by the highly respected Lee Williams, the Ener-G features a 2 7/8" swedged drop point blade of Sandvik 13C26 stainless steel and textured gray G-10 handles with black Trac-Tec inserts for added grip. The knife is sized perfectly for maximum versatility; it is large enough to accomplish the overwhelming majority of cutting tasks yet small enough to be carried just about anywhere without fear of scaring others around you. The ergonomics of the handle are exemplary in both standard and reverse grip positions. The blade shape, as one would expect with a drop point, breezes though just about any knife chore that you can throw at it.
What really sets the Ener-G apart from other production folders, though, is how easily and quickly it can be opened by the user. The non-spring-assisted folder features Lee's patented Kick Stop, which is a flipper tab separate from the blade that doubles as a stop pin.
The benefit of the Kick Stop is twofold. First, the mechanism allows the flipper tab to be made any shape or size in any location on the knife and still not stick out the bottom of the handle when the knife is open. On the Ener-G, this benefit is utilized in that the flipper tab is in a more ergonomically sound position on the handle for me than would be possible without the Kick Stop. Second, the Kick Stop creates a longer flip stroke in the action, making the flipper even faster and easier to open, especially for novices and for those who have struggled with flipper openers in the past.
I am happy to report that from my experience, the Kick Stop is a huge success. To me, it is the easiest non-spring-assisted opening mechanism for a knife in existence, and in locales where spring assist is illegal to carry, the Kick Stop makes a great alternative.
As a fan of the Ener-G, I would really like to see a limited run of these made with some Japanese or Crucible super-steel blades and titanium framelock handles, but the current offerings of this model make great EDCs, and I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone interested in a great, low-cost production folder.
Designed by the highly respected Lee Williams, the Ener-G features a 2 7/8" swedged drop point blade of Sandvik 13C26 stainless steel and textured gray G-10 handles with black Trac-Tec inserts for added grip. The knife is sized perfectly for maximum versatility; it is large enough to accomplish the overwhelming majority of cutting tasks yet small enough to be carried just about anywhere without fear of scaring others around you. The ergonomics of the handle are exemplary in both standard and reverse grip positions. The blade shape, as one would expect with a drop point, breezes though just about any knife chore that you can throw at it.
What really sets the Ener-G apart from other production folders, though, is how easily and quickly it can be opened by the user. The non-spring-assisted folder features Lee's patented Kick Stop, which is a flipper tab separate from the blade that doubles as a stop pin.
The benefit of the Kick Stop is twofold. First, the mechanism allows the flipper tab to be made any shape or size in any location on the knife and still not stick out the bottom of the handle when the knife is open. On the Ener-G, this benefit is utilized in that the flipper tab is in a more ergonomically sound position on the handle for me than would be possible without the Kick Stop. Second, the Kick Stop creates a longer flip stroke in the action, making the flipper even faster and easier to open, especially for novices and for those who have struggled with flipper openers in the past.
I am happy to report that from my experience, the Kick Stop is a huge success. To me, it is the easiest non-spring-assisted opening mechanism for a knife in existence, and in locales where spring assist is illegal to carry, the Kick Stop makes a great alternative.
As a fan of the Ener-G, I would really like to see a limited run of these made with some Japanese or Crucible super-steel blades and titanium framelock handles, but the current offerings of this model make great EDCs, and I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone interested in a great, low-cost production folder.
