Re: I need help on finding the perfect folder for
Kershaw, as well as most production knifemakers, use many different steels on different models and lines. 420 and 425 modified and 440A and AUS6 are pretty cheap as far as blade steels go, AUS8 is not so bad if tempered correctly, they usually need frequent sharpening with heavy usage but are fine for those who don't rely on a knife too frequently. Good old 440C, 154CM, ATS34 (the Japanese version of 154CM) and VG-10 are all great steels, but the CPM and SV particle steels are the top knotch steels these days IMHO.
My Kershaw Ken Onion Avalanche is CPM 440V (SV-60) and holds an edge for months, has very grippy textured G-10 scales too and titanium liners, and cost me $75 I haven't seen another particle steel bladed knife much less, one with G-10, titanium liners and assisted opening for under $100. I am really happy with it, it was my EDC for 2 full years and will accompany me back to work again, soon as I land a new job, SV-60 and SV-30 are amazing steels. the assisted opening Speedsafe feature is priceless for situations requiring single handed deployment, it allows you to deploy the blade fast without distraction. I have the Random Task too a very nice knife but is dressier with a polished modified Warncliff blade and polished G-10.
The other day I was at Paragon Sports in Manhattan, a famous sporting goods store that carries some of the best custom and production knives around, and I was looking at the new Lone Wolf -Bill Harsey knife (A rugged looking monster that rivals the custom Strider folders, utilizing SV-30 blade steel and costing around $280) and the guy behind the counter and I were joking about the size of the thing and then he leans over close, like he's letting me in on a trade secret, glancing around and says "you want a GOOD knife!": and hands me the Avalanche. He smiled and laughed when I told him I'd been carrying one for the last two years and I shared his opinion 100%. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I've got two Microtech's (Socom and Lightfoot LCC) that are 154CM and a Gerber that is ATS34 and they are nice knives too but I don't use them that much except for weekend knives (they are a little too pricey for a knife that gets as much use as my work EDC). I have some customs that are in those steels too and are pretty nice but again are more for show and tell. D2 is a good tool steel adapted to knives but it isn't as corrosion resistant as the semi and true stainless' and is pretty tough to put an edge on but it works great. I have a Bob Dozier Toothpick that is a great little knife but I really have to work at keeping it clean in the summertime when sweat gets on it and putting the right edge on it can be a frustrating experience.
Since you can't experience the maintenance involved in a knife merely by picking one up, I thought I would give you a little heads up. I still think you should go and check out how they fit and feel, that really can make the difference. I personally attend quite a few knife shows a year although I missed my favorite, the Blade Show in Atlanta, this year due to being out of work at the moment and can tell you from experience that some knives just "speak" to you the moment you try them out. It's just about as fun as trying out a new flashlight (and just as addictive)! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Hope this helps!
TSG /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
