8Cr13MoV

Kershaw Strobe 1086 Review

I’ll be honest: budget knives are rarely on my radar. Not because I’m sitting on wads and wads of cash, but because most of the time budget knives are compromised in some way that triggers my snob reflex. There are exceptions, but those tend to stand so far above the rest of the field that it’s easy to write off the entire category. Not every budget offering is a Kershaw Skyline or an Alox Cadet, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t good knives. Oftentimes, they’re just flawed in some way that makes the knife community shrink away before taking a deeper look. One such product is the Kershaw Strobe.

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The Strobe is a Chinese-made knife, designed by Matt Diskin and produced by Kershaw. Although Matt’s designs aren’t the trendiest, I prefer his design cues to other, more marketable names. Prior to the release of the Strobe, the only production with Matt’s name on it was another Kershaw release, the Diskin Hunter.

I’ll come out right now and say it: had Kershaw used the same materials on the Strobe that they did on the Hunter, this knife could have been the next Skyline. The combination of G10 and Sandvik 14c28n is one of the reasons I love Kershaw’s stateside offerings, and to see them miss this opportunity is disheartening. Still, the Strobe is no slouch. Apart from one obvious design flaw (hopefully one Kershaw will address in a future release), the strengths of the Strobe carry it past the lackluster materials.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

Perfectly sized for a “do-anything” work knife, the Strobe boasts a 3.3” blade, an overall length of 7.55”, weighs in at 4.37 oz, and is made in China. It’s a bit on the heavy side when compared to all stars like the Skyline, Mini-Grip, and some of the lightweight options from Spyderco, but in my two months of on-and-off carry the Strobe’s weight hasn’t been a real detriment. The blade is long enough to actually be justified, as opposed to knives with blade lengths that are just over the common limit of 3”.

The blade itself is plain, but better for it. A narrow drop point profile is complemented by a funky angular swedge that sits at the middle of the spine, and the full flat grind matches the technical aesthetics behind the knife. It’s quite impressive how wide of a blade Diskin managed to fit onto a (relatively) slim knife. There’s a nearly perfect amount of belly to the blade, and it slices nearly as well as my Paramilitary 2.

8Cr13MoV is a pretty common choice for budget Chinese knives, and in this iteration I can’t complain. Bead-blasted 8Cr is very susceptible to rust, but fortunately the Strobe comes with a nice stonewash. There’s not a whole lot to say about this steel. It sharpens easily and holds a decent edge, but needs frequent touch-ups. While I don’t have any complaints, I’m not impressed either. It’s a solid choice given the country of origin.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

However, it’s harder for me to warm up to the handles. The plastic isn’t even the problem – on the contrary, I think it’s a great way for companies to produce contoured handles on budget knives. What really bugs me is the “K-Texture” pattern they used on the scales. It’s not pronounced enough to improve the grip, so all it does is turn your pocketknife into an ad for Kai. From a distance the “K-Texture” looks like a simple geometric pattern, but in your hand it’s pretty garish. To their credit, Kershaw and Zero Tolerance have been toning down the logos and branding on their products, but they clearly took a step backwards here. I can’t advocate removing the scales (some have done so) as the scales help the grip, but it’s the shape and thickness of the scales that help, not the texture.

Despite the disappointing handle scales, the Strobe is great in the hand. The shape of the handle locks the user’s hand in place without generating any hotspots. Even the clip (which I thought would poke me right in the palm) fails to negatively impact the grip, but I will say that it could be problematic in someone else’s hands. There is no jimping on the Strobe, which is definitely a welcome omission. I haven’t once found myself wishing otherwise.

The Strobe carries fairly well. It doesn’t need to be wrestled into or out of the pocket, but the clip is a bit tight on thicker pants. My feelings on the pocket clip are pretty polarized: on the one hand, the over-the-top clip is great. On the other, it lifts up pretty significantly to allow the clip room to slide over pockets, which makes it something of a paint scraper. It also snags on my jacket far too frequently. Is it a big issue? No, but I’d be lying if I said that it didn’t rub me the wrong way.

Deployment and Lock-up

Kershaw has been really dialing in their flippers across their product line, and the Strobe is no exception. The combination of a strong detent and the bearing pivot results in a flipper that fires almost every time. While the pull is a bit strong for my tastes, most of the knife community seems to prefer their flippers that way. And as much as I love the Skyline…the Strobe does deploy faster and more consistently.

Although some have billed the lock on the Strobe as a liner lock, it’s really a framelock in disguise. I haven’t noticed any blade play or lock rock, and the knife feels pretty stout. I do wish there was a larger cutout for disengaging the lock; as it stands, it’s pretty easy for your thumb to slip off the lock when attempting to close the knife. Other than that I can’t complain.

Kershaw Strobe Review – Final Thoughts

Viewed in a vacuum, the Strobe is a great value knife. It’s readily available at big box stores, costs less than $30.00, and can take a beating. I’ve got major issues with the “K-Texture” on the handle scales (I’m not alone in that either) and a minor complaint concerning the clip, but in the grand scheme of things neither are mortal sins. When you compare it to other options around this price point, I don’t think it’s quite as competitive. Personally, I still think the Skyline blows it out of the water, with better steel, G10, and less weight. But the Skyline also costs around ten dollars more. If I had to choose between the Strobe and one of the Hinderer/Onion/Emerson collaborations at the same price point, I’d go with the Strobe most of the time.

If you’re on a budget or enjoy budget knives, the Kershaw Strobe should definitely be on your radar. The lines of the design are pretty beautiful, and if it weren’t for the K-Texture it’d be a great looking blade. It’s probably out of the question for Kershaw to re-release the Strobe with better materials, but hopefully it sells well enough to merit future Diskin/Kershaw collaborations. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to sand the “K’s” off of my Strobe.

Kershaw Strobe 1086 Plain Edge Folding Blade Hunting Knife, (Box Version) 3.3" grey

Made of highest quality material
Manufacturer: Kershaw Knives
Kershaw strobe 3.3 inch blade folding knife
Manual opener-no mechanical assist
Flipper; KVT ball-bearing opening; Frame lock

Editor: I recommend buying the Strobe at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

Kershaw CQC-6K Review

by Dan Jackson 26 Comments

Last Updated: August 11, 2019
Occasionally a knife comes along that I feel almost obligated to review. Almost as if I would be doing the site a disservice by not reviewing the knife. My goal with the website from day one was to build a resource, and a resource on folding knives would be pretty crummy if I didn’t have reviews of things like the Benchmade Griptilian or Kershaw Skyline. These kinds of knives have become so ubiquitous to our understanding of what a modern folding knife is, to the point where I feel that it would be a failure on my part not to include a review on them.

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I think that the CQC-6K could be another one of those knives. The CQC-6K is one knife in a series of collaborations between Emerson knives and Kershaw. That alone is reason enough to review it. Ernest Emerson is known for his quirky designs and relatively expensive knives. Between chisel grinding the edge, drilling and tapping the pocket clip for right side tip up carry only, and retailing the blades for (usually) over $180, his work is inaccessible to lots of people. These Kershaw collaborations can be had for under $40, and feature creature comforts like ambidextrous clips and v-ground edges. These knives could be perfect for someone who doesn’t want a cask strength Emerson.

I decided to pick out the CQC-6K specifically because it seemed like their flagship model. If you want to see an overview of the entire collaboration I invite you to check out the awesome work The Edge Observer did on the series. He really did a fantastic job and it gives you a good feel for the entire lineup. I am entirely too cheap and too lazy to purchase and review the entire collection.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The CQC-6K has an overall length of 7.75″, a 3.25″ blade, and weighs 5.1 ounces. Kershaw has produced a number of smaller designs in the Kershaw/Emerson lineup, but I feel like this is a good size for my needs. 3.25″ is a good size blade for EDC, it fits the hand well, and just feels right.

I will say that at over 5 ounces, my biggest complaint is the weight. I don’t mean to sound like NutnFancy, but I think it is a valid criticism of the knife. Part of me wants to justify the heavy build because of the stainless steel frame lock, but with knives like the ESEE Zancudo being stainless steel framelocks coming in a full 2 ounces lighter than this 6K, I can’t help but wonder if things could have been done differently to save some weight. The flip side is that this knife appears to be very tough.

The CQC-6K comes with a classic clip point blade. Fans of a tanto blade may prefer the CQC-7K, which is basically the same knife with a tanto. You don’t need to be a history major to realize that the clip point is a very functional blade shape that has stood the test of time. I really enjoyed my CQC-13, which is an even more aggressive clip point. Here you get a capable tip, a good belly, and plenty of edge, all mated to a hollow grind. I like this blade shape a great deal.

Emerson’s blades are one of my favorite aspects of his knives. The grinds are beautiful and I love the 2-toned finishes found on his stonewashed models. Here Kershaw attempted a 2 tone effect: satin flats and a stonewashed primary bevel. It’s not nearly as nice as a real Emerson, but I give them props for trying something different. I like this touch.

For steel Kershaw went with 8Cr13MoV. I don’t mind 8Cr13MoV on a $30 knife. As I have mentioned dozens of times before, it sharpens easily and it takes a good edge. Sure it won’t hold onto that edge forever, but that’s part of the game. My blade has held up well under normal use. Can’t say I did anything too crazy with the knife, but it broke down boxes, carved wood, and opened up plastic packaging on several occasions. If the intended use is EDC, the CQC-6K should do just fine.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The CQC-6K has a G-10 handle scale and stainless steel liner on the non-locking side, and a stainless steel framelock on the locking side. There is a partial G-10 backspacer. Construction is solid. The framelock and liner are both substantial, and is where this hefty knife picks up several of its extra ounces. I like how Kershaw went with Phillips head hardware for the body screws, and a slotted pivot, paying homage to Emerson’s original creations. The fit and finish of the handle is also quite good. The corners of the framelock were all chamfered, and the pieces line up well. One thing I did notice is that this framelock will rust if you aren’t careful. I am not sure what I was doing with my knife (maybe I used it prepare food or carried it around in a sweaty pocket), but one day I picked it up and noticed little rust spots on it. Bar Keeper’s Friend saved the day yet again, but it’s an observation I wanted to mention.

Ergonomically, the CQC-6K feels like an Emerson. That’s a great thing. This is a ridiculously comfortable knife. The handle is thick and spacious, and you have a deep finger groove that locks your hand in place. There is a prodigious amount of jimping on the knife, a feature I have shied away from, but it’s subdued and works well here. There is plenty of space to grab this in forward and reverse grips. This is just a good handle design.

The pocket clip on the CQC-6K is modeled after the standard Emerson clip. It has been scaled down to fit the proportions of this smaller knife, but it’s the same shape of the clip regular Emersons come with. The clip is a proven design and was well implemented here, especially since Kershaw decided to drill and tap this thing for ambidextrous tip up carry. It’s a Christmas miracle – an Emerson with holes on both sides of the handle! (In case you couldn’t tell, I am very happy to see this.)

As far as carry goes, this is not a deep carry knife. There is room to easily grab the knife and make use of the wave feature. This is a heavy and relatively thick knife, but it carries well thanks in part to the sturdy clip design. The clip has also been laser etched with Emerson’s skull logo, an interesting detail that I could probably live without.

Deployment and Lockup

For deployment, you have the option of either using the wave feature, or the thumb disk. For the uninitiated, the wave feature is essentially a hook on the spine of the blade that catches on the corner of your pocket when drawing out the knife. As the hook catches on your pocket it forces the blade open. The wave feature is a lot of fun and it works well on this smaller knife. The thumb disk also works well and I actually find it a little easier to use on this compact design than on Emerson’s full size offerings.

As I mentioned earlier, this knife makes use of a stainless steel framelock. This is a departure from Emerson’s liner locks. It adds a lot of unnecessary weight to the knife, but most people seem to prefer frame locks for the perceived increase in strength, so I can see why they did it. I am happy to report that this is a good stainless steel frame lock. My knife locks up around 50%. The blade is secure, and is without any sort of play. Also the lock doesn’t stick, and is easy to manipulate. At this price point I can’t ask for much more than that.

Kershaw CQC-6K Review – Final Thoughts

By and large this knife is a winner. Kershaw has successfully brought Emerson’s designs to the mass market. Most of the stuff that makes an Emerson an Emerson has been ported over, and you also get things like a “V” edge, and ambidextrous pocket clip. Fit and finish is very good and the end result is a well made, satisfying knife, with classic Emerson attitude and ergonomics. I am thankful for the fact that they didn’t make this a Speedsafe knife. Kershaw loves to do that on budget blades (because their market research has shown most people prefer assisted openers), and I’m glade this one was spared. This price is also hard to beat. KAI has been on fire with their collaborations with Hinderer, and these new collaborations with Ernest Emerson may just make KAI the collaboration king.

If I were to lodge a complaint against the CQC-6K it would be the weight. Some might try to cut the 6K some slack because it’s a $30 knife, but the Zancudo is similarly priced but is much lighter. For that reason this one doesn’t quite make my best EDC knives list, but it comes pretty close. This is an otherwise great knife so I feel the need to point out this potential issue. The flip side is that it makes for a very tough knife, and this could be a good choice for a beater / work blade. Emerson purists may bemoan the fact that this knife is made overseas. If that is such a big issue I would suggest saving up and buying a real Emerson.

At the end of the day I think you are getting a lot of nice knife for the money, and I recommend it for fans of Emerson’s designs or those looking for a tough and compact EDC that won’t break the bank.

Sale

Kershaw Emerson CQC-6K Folding Pocket Knife

3” blade is made of 8Cr14MoV stainless steel with dual blade finishes offers excellent edge retention and wear resistance
Modified clip-point blade is ideal for delicate handiwork, opening packages, cleaning small game, aggressive animal defense and preparing kindling
Designed by Emerson Knives and precision engineered by Kershaw for uncompromising function, fit and finish
Versatile pocket carry and ideal companion for wilderness guides, hunters, backpackers, landscapers and knife enthusiasts
Manual blade opening with a thumb disk, Emerson’s patented “wave shaped feature”, a favorite feature among military, rescue and law enforcement

I recommend purchasing the CQC-6K at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading!

CRKT Obake Review

by Dan Jackson 18 Comments

Long time readers know that I have always had a soft spot for pocketable fixed blade knives, and CRKT has proven on a number of occasions that they know how to make them. So the announcement of the Obake, a compact fixed blade collaboration with CRKT and custom knifemaker Lucas Burnley, definitely caught my attention.

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Lucas is best known for his Kwaiken Flipper, an elegant Japanese inspired design. CRKT’s decision to pick up Burnley’s fixed blade variant of the Kwaiken strikes me as a smart decision given the immense popularity of his Kwaiken series of knives.

The result is a mash-up of traditional and tactical that marries a classic Asian aesthetic with contemporary materials all wrapped up at a sub $40 price point.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Obake has an overall length of 7.63″, a 3.64″ blade, and weighs 2.4 ounces. While some of my other favorite CRKT fixies; the Minimalist and SPEW, are firmly in the EDC knife camp, I think that the Obake is more of a “tactical” (self defense geared) offering. This is due to the relatively large size of the knife and its shank-like construction. The full tang knife is ground from .13″ thick steel and has a thick grind emphasizing strength over slicing performance.

This isn’t a knife that I like to peel apples with, but it definitely could blow through one if you felt so inclined. While I consider this larger than an EDC knife, it is still slim and streamlined, and tucks away discretely in your waistband or pocket (more on that below).

The Obake sports a slender drop point blade. The tip is fine but it has enough meat behind it to work into wood and get some work done. The spine has been gently rounded which is a nice detail that CRKT has integrated into more and more of their offerings. Perhaps the most striking aspect of the blade is the aggressive acid-etched finish. When I took this knife to my monthly knife collector’s club meeting, I had a couple people ask me if the blade was made of damascus. Nope, it’s just good ole fashioned 8Cr14MoV given a deep acid etched finish.

8Cr14MoV is a budget friendly Chinese stainless steel. I like it for its ease of sharpening and toughness, and the price is tough to beat. Here the knife has been heat treated to between 56 and 58 HRc. It has held up well against the mild chores I have put the knife to; mostly cardboard and some food prep. The knife is not an incredible slicer due to the thick blade stock, narrow profile, mid height hollow grind, and textured blade finish, but you can certainly open mail and break down boxes with it if you need to. My guess is that the Obake is best suited in a self defense type role, which is a role that I know very little about. That said, it doesn’t take a PhD in material science to realize that this design can stab very efficiently. So if a stabbing implement is what you need the Obake could be a good option.

Handle and Ergonomics

One of my favorite parts about the Obake is how they approached the handle. In paying homage to the Japanese roots of the Obake’s design, Lucas Burnley originally offered the knife with a traditional wrapped handle over rayskin. CRKT followed suit with a cordwrap over a synthetic ray skin. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a sub $40 knife, but they actually did a really nice job with this. The cord wrap is tight and well done, and the rayskin looks pretty legit. I really don’t know how well this will hold up under hard use, but in my daily carry the handle has worn well and still looks pretty good. Then again I didn’t roll it around in the dirt or go scuba diving with it, but if you are reasonably careful with it I see no reason why it won’t hold up for a good long time. Underneath the wrap and ray skin is a full tang blade.

From an ergonomic standpoint, the handle is generous enough to support a full 4-finger grip and the knife is as comfortable as you would expect. The cord wrap provides a lot of traction and the simple design fills the hand and works in both forward and reverse grips. I’m no martial artist so I really have no idea how this would stack up compared to other offerings, but I found it comfortable.

Sheath

The sheath for the Obake is a nice low profile molded plastic sheath. The sheath is almost always the Achilles heel on a budget fixed blade, so I’m pleased to report that CRKT has done this one right. Retention is very firm. At first I really needed to jerk the knife out, and to this day it requires a strong pull to break the knife free from the sheath. CRKT has also offered several eye holes and slots for various mounting options.

Lucas Burnely has an interesting suggestion for carrying the Obake. He has designed the knife for in the waist band (IWB) carry. Lucas suggests that you secure the paracord lanyard to your belt, stuff the sheathed knife blade first into the waist band, and then when you need to use the knife, grab the handle and pull it hard away from your body. The blade will pop out of the sheath, and the sheath will stay tethered to your belt. I’m probably not doing a great job explaining this, but the idea is that you can quickly and safely access the knife without losing the sheath.

In practice I have found this method of carry to work well. I’ve been a fan of using a lanyard with a small fixed blade, attaching the lanyard to my belt, and carrying the knife in pocket, but the Obake is a little longer than say, the Folts Minimalist. The knife is slim and light and disappears on your belt line if you leave your shirt untucked.

CRKT does supply a 550 cord lanyard and skull lanyard bead. I’m not big on skulls (I guess I’m not that hard), but I am sure this will appeal to a number of folks, and must admit that a bead of some sort rounds out the package nicely.

CRKT Obake – Final Thoughts

For those seeking a slim “tactical” fixed blade knife, the Obake is well done and priced to sell. I think that the juxtaposition of modern and traditional combined with a high level of fit and finish lend it broad appeal. I also found the selection of materials and finishes very interesting. Although I am not a martial artist by any stretch of the imagination, this is still a fun knife to have in the collection and it is easy to carry. Mechanically speaking, the 8Cr13Mov steel is adequate and while the sheath is excellent. I really enjoy the details like the faux ray skin and rounded spine.

One other thing I find worth noting about the Obake is that there is nothing else like this on the market at this price. CRKT has been hitting their stride lately with some bold collaborations with hot makers. While some companies have seemed to stagnate over the past couple years, CRKT is gaining ground as they straddle the crossroads of high value and high design. That kind of approach doesn’t always pan out, but knives like this and the Swindle strike me as great examples of when this strategy really pays off.

This is is something of a specialized tool, so I won’t give it a blanket recommendation to anyone browsing the site, but if you are interested in the Obake I would definitely recommend it. It is a complete package at a sub $40 price point, and they are going to have a hard time keeping up with the demand.

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CRKT Obake – From $37.95
From: BladeHQ

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Kershaw Injection 3.0 Review

by Dan Jackson 5 Comments

Last Updated: August 3, 2019
These days in the world of high value folding knives we have some pretty stiff competition. Old standbys like the Spyderco Tenacious and CKRT Drifter continue to be tough to beat while recent contenders like the ESEE Zancudo, Ontario Rat II, and CKRT Swindle are re-defining what is possible with a low budget folder.

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But when you are paying less than $40 a pop there is plenty of room for more, which is why my reinterest in budget blades has led me to the recently released Kershaw Injection.

Sporting a Todd Rexford design and lots of “custom” details, the Injection has the potential to be an all-star budget blade. But will it join the ranks of elite inexpensive folders or fade away into the shadows of obscurity? There is only one way to find out…

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Injection 3.0 has an overall length of 7″, sports a 3″ blade, and weighs 3.30 ounces. This knife feels pretty heavy for a 3″ blade, but the Injection is still firmly in the EDC camp. For those appreciating a larger knife, Kershaw has thoughtfully decided to offer this model with a 3.5″ blade, aptly named the Injection 3.5. Everyone is a little different when it comes to their ideal EDC blade length, so I think that it is fantastic that Kershaw decided to offer this model in two sizes straight out of the gate.

The blade shape on the Injection is a very basic drop point. It may be a little boring, but it certainly works well with its fine tip and full flat grind. This is a very practical choice for EDC. One aspect that I don’t particularly like about this blade is the bead blasted finish. This inexpensive finish is prone to rusting and doesn’t look particularly good. I think it’s a misstep on a knife that is trying to appeal to the consumer based on it’s details, but I guess you can’t have it all at $30. Beyond the blade finish there is very little to gripe about.

The steel in this knife is 8Cr13MoV, a staple in low-end Chinese knives that I have spoken about ad nauseam. But don’t let my familiarity with the steel turn you off, I don’t mind 8Cr13MoV when the price is right. It compares well to AUS8 in that it won’t hold an edge forever, but it is durable and easy to sharpen. Despite being a stainless steel it can rust, and my particular knife did stain a little when I left it unattended on a shelf for a few weeks. You definitely want to keep an eye on this steel and apply a little oil if you are looking to maintain a totally rust free blade. All said, for a ~$30 folding knife it’s tough to beat 8Cr13MoV.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle is where the Injection starts to get interesting. Taking center stage is the full G10 3-D machined handle scales. They feature a tasteful milled pattern and are subtly contoured. Intricately machined and 3-D sculpted handles are a feature often absent on $100 knives, let alone $30 ones, and this is the most impressive aspect of the knife. Further adding to the custom flair is the oversized decorative pivot and milled G10 backspacer with inset lanyard pin (rather than a lanyard hole). These are undeniably great details in a budget knife, and it elevates the Injection from beater blade to something much more interesting. The handle construction is also very solid. There are no gaps or cracks and all the pieces line up well. Underneath the G10 scales are solid stainless steel liners. It makes for a very solid knife, but it does add weight to the little Injection 3.0.

In hand the Injection 3.0 feels just a little short. Maybe that is because this is a very straight handle, which means that there is less surface area, but I found my fingers a little cramped. Granted I do take a large glove, so please keep that in mind. I will say that the basic handle shape makes the Injection easy to hold in a couple different positions and I didn’t notice any hot spots. Reverse grip is actually super nice with the angular shape of the pommel, but I can’t say I’ve actually used the Injection with a reverse grip yet. The entire knife is free of jimping which is fine for an EDC knife. This is a relatively thick knife and it fills the hand and has held up under harder use. If I were intending to use this knife for serious work I would opt for the larger version.

The pocket clip is simple, but it is also tasteful and well executed. The innocuous triangular clip is sure to appeal to a broad crowd, and it is positioned for decently deep tip up carry. The clip has a bead blast finish which further adds to the discrete look. The clip is swappable for left or right side carry, but fans of tip down carry are completely out of luck. Personally, this is not an issue.

Deployment and Lockup

For deployment you have dual decorative thumb studs. Despite the interesting milled details on the thumb studs, they are still very easy to access and quite practical. I had no problem flicking the blade open with the push of my thumb. Inside, there are metallic washers that appear to be phosphor bronze. This isn’t the smoothest knife I have handled, but if these are real phosphor bronze washers then the knife will only get smoother with time.

For lockup you have a sturdy stainless steel liner lock. My knife locks up 100%, but is free of any play. The liner lock is also easy to disengage and doesn’t stick. The full G10 scales and full stainless liners make for a robust knife that inspires confidence. Blade centering on my knife is favors the non-locking side, but it doesn’t rub and is acceptable for a knife of this price point.

Kershaw Injection Review – Final Thoughts

The Kershaw Injection is a solid attempt at a value folder with some high end details. The 3-D machined G10 scales, decorative thumb studs and pivot, and G10 backspacer are all high end finishes more commonly found on a custom knife than a Chinese production blade. But the off center blade, stiff pivot, and bead blasted finish bring us back down to earth. I also was not a huge fan of the weight and cramped feel of the handle. These are all minor gripes, and I realize you can only do so much with a budget knife, but I feel obligated to say something. While I like aspects of the Injection 3.0, it doesn’t make my list of recommended budget knives. There are definitely knives I prefer over the Injection at this price point.

Still, the effort Kershaw put into this one is apparent and the Injection is certainly capable as an EDC. The fact that I am even nit-picking a $35 folder shows that we are truly spoiled to have so many interesting and high quality budget blades at our disposal. Ultimately, this is a decent buy at $35 and I recommend it to fans of the design.

Kershaw 3820 Injection 3.0 Folding Knife

Liner lock -Thumb stud -Reversible pocket clip -Steel: 8CR13MoV
Bead-blasted finish -Handle: 3D-machined G-10
Blade length: 3 in. (7.6 cm) -Closed length: 4 in. (10.2 cm) -Overall Length: 7 in. (17.8 cm) -Weight: 3.3 oz. (93.6 g)
Liner lock; Thumb stud; Reversible pocket clip
Steel: 8CR13MOV, bead-blasted finish

I recommend buying the Injection at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for checking out my review.

CRKT Swindle Review

by Dan Jackson 15 Comments

I have been on a bit of a high value folder kick recently, focusing especially on the $30-40 segment. I’ve neglected this part of the market over the past year or two, favoring fixed blades and higher end folders, but a good deal of interesting stuff has come out in the $30-40 arena, hence the recent reviews of the Ontario Rat II and ESEE Zancudo, and I have a few more in the works.

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While the knives I have handled at this price point are solid and very functional, they are somewhat formulaic, and have a heavy emphasis on being tools rather than design objects. There is nothing wrong with that, as many seeking out a $35 folder want a good tool knife, but something has to be said for interesting design.

That is definitely not the case with today’s knife, the CRKT Swindle. Designed by Ken Onion, the Swindle pays homage to the classic swayback jack pattern, but features many modern touches like 3-d machined handles, a flipper, IKBS, a framelock, and a very interesting pocket clip. Ken and CRKT have definitely pushed the envelope in what is possible with a $30 folding knife, and we are all the better for it.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Swindle has an overall length of 7.5″, has a 3.2″ blade, and weighs 3.3 ounces. The long thin design really stretches out the blade and the end result is a practical gentlemanly type folder that works well for EDC, but also stretches into dress knife territory as well.

The full steel handles (gun metal gray with a matte texture to look like titanium) give the knife some extra heft, but it is still very carryable. And while it isn’t a “tactical” knife by any means, the long narrow blade comes to a very fine tip. It’s plenty stabby and I wouldn’t want to be on the business end of it.

The blade is an elegant modified wharncliffe design. Again, it’s a throwback to the swayback jack pattern of yore, with a high hollow grind, neatly applied edge, subtle belly and needle fine tip. Out of the box the Swindle came screaming sharp and ready for work. The narrow blade is plenty capable when put up against cardboard, and it makes for an ideal letter opener at the office. I also used the knife with some success when breaking down a chicken carcass. The upswept tip requires some extra flexibility, but it is fine for detail work. I really like that CRKT went ahead and rounded the spine. That’s a high end finish that I really like. I also like how they went for a satin finish over a cheaper bead blast. It shows off the nice even grinds and is more resistant to rust.

CRKT offers the Swindle in 2 blade steels: 8Cr14MoV on this model with the plain handle scales, and 12C27 Sandvik on the more expensive grooved version. I’d prefer 12C27 on the plain handled version honestly, but this 8Cr14MoV isn’t bad for the price. Similar to AUS8, this is a proven steel found on other budget folders like the Spyderco Tenacious. It’s a softer steel but it sharpens easily, takes a nice satin finish, and holds a reasonable edge. At this price point it’s hard to find much else, and I do like how they give you the option of 12C27 if you want to spend a little more money.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle is plain stainless steel finished gunmetal gray to resemble titanium. I love how the handles are 3D machined, and I am impressed with how well made this knife is. CRKT has all their product manufactured in Taiwan, and the Taiwanese manufacturers really have their act together. 3 screws hold the handle together: one for the pivot, one for the pocket clip, and one for the backspacer. The end result is very elegant. Even the lockbar cutout arcs gracefully, and when the knife is closed the blade tucks completely inside the handle. This kind of stuff you just don’t find on $30 folding knives. Compared to my clunky Tenacious, Ken Onion and CRKT have thrust the value folder into rarefied air.

From an ergonomic perspective the Swindle works very well for an EDC knife. The handle is large enough to accommodate a 4 finger grip, and the curved shape fits naturally in the palm. I’m not usually a big fan of jimping, but CRKT found a great balance of grip and comfort in the jimping on the spine of the Swindle. The jimping here very much reminds me of the jimping found on a Sebenza’s, and the rounded spine furthers the connection. If you throw the knife in reverse grip a second run of jimping on the backspacer catches your thumb nicely.

The pocket clip is quite unique, and is more something you would find on a pen than a pocket knife. It sits on the back of the handle, kind of like an extended backspacer, and is spring loaded to provide tension. I won’t go so far as to say it’s my favorite pocket clip (because it isn’t), but it works, and it fits well with the theme of the knife. No doubt this will be a polarizing point for some folks. I think it’s a bold touch on an equally bold knife, and it has been well executed and further distinguishes this knife.

Deployment and Lockup

For deployment you have a flipper on IKBS bearings. The detent is well tuned and the blade flies out with the push of a finger. The action is very nice. The flipper is a low profile design, but it’s jimped to provide a little extra traction. Again, CRKT has managed to find a sweet spot in cutting jimping that is practical without being over the top aggressive. I am still not sure if bearings are 100% necessary on a knife, but here it has been well implemented and I certainly am not complaining. The Swindle, with its relatively light blade, flips with the best of them.

For lockup you have a stainless steel frame lock. It locks up early and securely and I did not experience any play in my knife. Lockup has settled in right around 25%, which shows that they paid attention to the tolerances and geometry of the frame lock, and suggests that it will hold up for a long time. Blade centering is also dead perfect, which, while not a requirement on a $30 knife, again elevates the sense of pride of ownership, and my overall appreciation for this tool.

CRKT Swindle – Final Thoughts

I have had a number of really nice high value folders cross my desk these past few weeks. Knives that I enjoy and recommend. The Swindle is truly something else. Not only is it functionally a very solid knife, it has so many details and little upgrades that I find myself examining it from the perspective of a higher end folder. I haven’t loved all of Ken Onion’s designs, but this one truly deserves accolades. It’s outside his typical work, and has allowed him to showcase his talent as a designer. The pocket clip may not be “perfect” by everyone’s standards, but it works well in the context of the overall knife. Barring that I find very little to complain about the knife.

I decided to photograph my Swindle next to my Kershaw Cryo on purpose, to show what is possible for a $30 folder, and two steel framelock flippers at that. Both knives feature big name designers, but beyond that the knives quickly diverge.

With the Swindle you have a graceful and balanced knife, whereas with the Cryo you have a stubby little brick. The Swindle features a rounded spine and 3-d contoured scales, while the Cryo is slab built with sharp edges. With the Cryo you get an off-center blade and shitty assisted opening. With the Swindle you get a manual action knife with a beautiful detent and an IKBS bearing system. With the Cryo you get a coated blade, with the Swindle you get a nice satin finish. The Swindle is an exercise in minimalism and restraint, while the Cryo is pockmarked with holes and screws.

I don’t mean to turn this into Cryo bashing, after all, I felt that the Cryo was an OK knife for what it was (although disappointing in many respects). But next to the Swindle there is no comparison in my mind; the Swindle is a superior EDC knife, and CRKT has redefined what’s possible with a $30 folder.

The design of the Swindle may not be for everyone, but if the knife interests you at all I suggest buying it. I wish I jumped on mine earlier. Highly recommended.

Columbia River Knife & Tool Columbia R Swindle Knife COLUMBIA RIVER KNIFE & TOOL Swindle Folder, One Size

Fast Opening: IKBS ball bearing pivot deploys the blade fast
Brute Strength: Frame lock utilizes a thick lock bar to secure the blade
High Tech: Tensioned clip secures knife to the pocket
Designed by Ken Onion in Kaneohe, Hawaii
Limited Lifetime Warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship, see company site for details

I recommend buying the CRKT Swindle at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Kershaw Cryo Review

by Dan Jackson 12 Comments

Last Updated: March 18, 2019

At long last, the Kershaw Cryo. This is another one of those Hinderer/KAI collabs that tantalized knife collectors back at SHOT Show 2011 (or was it 2012? the years just blend together). Whichever year it was, we waited what seemed like forever for this little knife. Finally, after eons of patiently waiting, this much anticipated design hit the shelves. Reactions ran the gamut from exalted praise to abject horror.

Buy the Kershaw Cryo at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

I’m not going to lie, the mixed reviews turned me off from checking out a knife I was initially interested in. But then I realized, “Hey, that’s what I do – I check out knives.” And I’m guessing people want a review on this one, so I finally picked one up. So lets get on with my review of the Rick Hinderer designed Kershaw Cryo.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Cryo has an overall length of 6.5″, it features a 2.75″ blade, and it weighs 4.2 ounces. This is a small (albeit chunky) folder primarily meant for EDC. I’ve been carrying mine as an EDC knife, and it gets the job done.

Guys who like larger knives will probably want something else, and guys who like lightweight knives will also probably find something lacking in the footprint of the Cryo. Personally? I don’t mind the weight and have a soft spot for small knives – this made for a reasonable EDC in my book.

The blade is an attractive drop point design, reminiscent of Rick’s other creations (and collaborations with KAI, including the ZT 0550 and ZT 0560). You have a good amount of belly, a small swedge, and a high hollow grind. The Cryo has a fine tip and gets reasonably thin behind the edge. It makes for a capable slicer when working with materials like leather and cardboard. The entire knife (blade and handles) have been given a gray titanium carbo-nitride coating. It’s an attractive finish and a refreshing departure from Kershaw’s standard value folder formula of a black FRN handle with a plain bead-blasted blade.

Kershaw went with 8Cr13MoV stainless steel for this knife. 8Cr is a Chinese stainless and the choice makes sense when you realize the entire knife is made in China. Given the price I don’t have a problem with the steel or the origin of manufacture. 8Cr13MoV is capable. I cut about 60 pieces of 3/8″ manilla rope with the knife before moving on to several cardboard boxes. At that point the edge was more or less done, but it quickly came back to life with some swipes on a diamond stone. I then carved some 2x2s with the Cryo, testing edge strength and the overall capabilities of the knife. Then I did it all over again because I lost my original video footage (d’oh!). All things considered, the 8Cr held up well – it’s about as good as it gets these days with a $30 folding knife.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Cryo features full stainless steel handles. The gray handles are mated to contrasting black hardware. No doubt the stainless steel construction adds greatly to the weight. I can’t help but wonder what this knife would have been like with a G10 handle scale (a la Hinderer’s real knives) or maybe even G10 and stainless steel liners. Either way construction is solid and reasonably well finished. It’s a flow through design and the decorative black pillars and lanyard tube look nice against the gray steel. All the corners have been more or less rounded and everything lines up. I have no major issues with the way this handle has been constructed.

For light use the Cryo feels pretty good in hand. This is a smaller knife, and I was able to just get a 4 finger grip on it. I take a large glove so I think most people will be able to comfortably grasp the knife for daily tasks. The steel handles are fairly slick, but this is a little EDC blade, and jimping top and bottom side adds a lot of traction in hand. Under harder use (stuff like cutting rope and carving wood) the knife isn’t particularly comfortable, but for more EDC type tasks (cardboard, plastic, etc) the ergonomics were fine. If you are going to sit down and do half an hours worth of cutting like I did you will definitely notice a few hot spots, how rough the jimping is, etc. So it’s not the most comfortable knife, but for casual use and the occasional chore you should be able to get stuff done without huge issues.

The pocket clip is a blackened low rider clip allowing for 4 corner carry. The clip is small and discrete, and it inserts and removes easily from the pocket. This is a relatively new pocket clip design for Kershaw, and I happen to like it. The Cryo carried well considering and was there when I needed it. As for the 4.2 ounce carry weight, well, I’m sure some will notice the Cryo’s presence more than others. I found that I didn’t like carrying this knife with dress pants, but had no issue with shorts or blue jeans. It’s one of those “your mileage may vary” things, so please plan accordingly.

Deployment and Lockup

The Cryo features both thumb studs and a flipper, and the knife makes use of Kershaw’s Speedsafe assisted opening technology. The flipper is nice and easy to reach, and the blade springs to life with very little effort. The thumb studs on the other hand are almost impossible to use. They really serve no function. I think Kershaw should have spent some more time on this, either figuring out how to make the thumbstuds usable or removing them from the finished knife. As it stands, it seems half baked, like something was lost in translation from design to realization. As for the Speedsafe, I happen to like it on this knife. The Cryo is small and can be difficult to orient in your hand, so a spring assist to ensure deployment every time works well for me.

Lockup is accomplished via a stainless steel framelock. This pays homage to Rick’s custom and production titanium framelock knives. Lockup is early and relatively secure. Sometimes my knife gets a little side to side play and requires a twist of the pivot screw – not a huge deal. There is also Hinderer a lockbar stabilizer installed on the knife to prevent over extension of your steel framelock. This is a cool high-end feature found on knives like my $400 Strider and of course the ZT/Hinderer collabs as well.

Kershaw Cryo Review – Final Thoughts

On paper the Cryo seems like a decent little knife – and it is. It’s small, cool, and functional. It comes with acceptable blade steel, a nice pocket clip, and fast action. I don’t regret the purchase, and think the knife is fairly priced at $32. It’s not amazing, and certainly isn’t a hall of fame budget knife like the Spyderco Tenacious, Kershaw Skyline, or Ontario Rat 1, but it’s a unique knife for Kershaw, is decently made, and I’d generally say it’s a win.

That said, the knife is a little rough around the edges, and I feel like it could have been so much more. For example, the blade is massively off center (not rubbing, but almost), the thumb studs are useless, and at 4.2 ounces, well the knife is heavy for what it is. There just seems to be a lack of attention to detail that slightly derails the knife. I find it especially ironic considering that the biggest selling feature is the Hinderer name – a name built on extreme quality and high end knives. I’m not expecting a $30 XM-18, but no doubt people interested in a Hinderer designed knives are “knife people” – not the average person contemplating the purchase of a $30 pocket knife at Wal-Mart. Real knife people care about stuff like material selection, fit & finish, and functional design. Perhaps this knife could have played in the $50 price point and appealed more to higher end enthusiasts as well.

So a big part of me wishes Kershaw spent some more time on this one – ironing out the kinks, making it in the USA, and delivering something of real substance. Sure, it may have to retail for $50+ instead of $30, but I think people would pay for it, and the knife would have real staying power. As it stands I view the Cryo more as a flavor of the week than a timeless tool that will become a new benchmark in its class.

In conclusion, I want to emphasize that the Cryo isn’t a “bad” knife. $30 isn’t much money for a folder these days, and I enjoy the knife for what it is. But I still can’t help but wonder what it could have been.

Kershaw Cryo Knife, 2.75" Stainless Steel Drop Point Blade, Assisted Opening Everyday Carry Pocket Knife

KERSHAW CRYO POCKET KNIFE: Designed in collaboration with custom knifemaker, Rick Hinderer, the Cryo is a sturdy, aesthetically pleasing knife that feels good in hand. Voted Blade Magazine’s 2012 Best Buy of the Year and 2013 Men’s Journal Approved Gear.
DROP POINT PLAIN EDGE BLADE: 8Cr13MoV pure stainless steel blade and handle with titanium carbo-nitride coating for added protection and unified look. Corrosion resistant for a knife that’s functional and durable. Matte gray handle and blade.
DESIGNED WITH SAFETY IN MIND: assisted opening with flipper opening for quick, secure one-handed blade deployment. Frame lock features Rick Hinderer’s lockbar stabilization, to prevent lockbar over-extension.
FEATURES 4-POSITION DEEP CARRY POCKETCLIP for right/left and tip-up/down carry. For use in everyday and work environments. Ideal as an EDC or for use while working, hiking, hunting, camping, and more.
SIZE SPECIFICATIONS: Blade Length: 2.75in. Closed Length: 3.75in. Overall Length: 6.5in. Weighing in at 4.1oz. Backed by Kershaw’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.

I recommend purchasing the Kershaw Cryo at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.