Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on February 10, 2023, 12:04:56 PM

Quote from: NT2C on February 10, 2023, 10:24:56 AMSent in my Kershaw 1680 for warranty service (blade is not centered and drags opening) and sharpening.  We'll see how fast the turn around is on this.  I'm thinking I may get it back the end of April.

I've had a few Kershaws that have blade centering issues and I always figured it was because they were the budget models from Walmart.

I was able to fix most of them myself by tightening the pivot pin a little and centering the blade that way. The ones that I wasnt able to center no matter what usually ended up getting sold or given away.

I also stopped buying Kershaw knives since it seemed like I was always getting one with some issue. Not sure if Kershaw had problems between 2011 to 2016, but it seemed like it to me. 

All Kershaws have a lifetime warranty though, and free lifetime sharpening, even the cheap ones.  And lately they've really stepped up their quality.  The new Livewire OTF is definitely calling to me.

I actually did not know about the lifetime warranty. I figured their warranty was only on their more expensive US made knives and not the budget Chinese ones.

And I'm liking that Livewire OTF too. I've been looking at the Launch series as well.

Only OTF I own at the moment is a Smith and Wesson M&P one from Academy. And it's not even a real OTF, it's just a spring assisted one.

My favorite knife is a Kershaw from probably the late 80s. Stainless steel from Japan. I've spoken many times about it. It was so cheap it came free with a bag of dogfood. Ah. Gotta love the good ole days. When a weapon was like a cracker jack prize! Lol. But it is a very well made knife. And seen more use than any other I have.

I doubt any Kershaws are from Japan anymore. I had no idea about the lifetime warranty. That sounds like Zippo. I have sent literally dozens of zippos back to have them do incredible jobs fixing them and replacing internals for free. I used to collect them. 

Taking my knock off benchmade bugout apart and replacing the scales amd various hardware was an education for me. I had no idea how customizable modern knives are. I'm going to do more of that in the future. 

I still collect Zippos even though I don't smoke anymore (I quit smoking for good in 2011.) My oldest one is from the 50's and I picked it up at a local thrift store for like 5 bucks. I'd love to get a WW2 era Zippo, but those are pretty rare in my AO.

I think the only stuff Kershaw makes that's still made in Japan is their kitchen knives. Not sure if any of their pocket knives are made there, though.

I know Spyderco has some knives made in Japan, Taiwan and China (the three I have are all made in China.).

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on February 10, 2023, 01:56:08 PMI still collect Zippos even though I don't smoke anymore (I quit smoking for good in 2011.) My oldest one is from the 50's and I picked it up at a local thrift store for like 5 bucks. I'd love to get a WW2 era Zippo, but those are pretty rare in my AO.

I think the only stuff Kershaw makes that's still made in Japan is their kitchen knives. Not sure if any of their pocket knives are made there, though.

I know Spyderco has some knives made in Japan, Taiwan and China (the three I have are all made in China.).

I had a wwii crinkle zippo with a quatermasters emblem on it. I sold it for around $200 several years ago. Without internals. They are a part of our wartime and smoking history for sure. They are my favorite zippo. 

Quote from: Moab on February 10, 2023, 02:52:02 PM

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on February 10, 2023, 01:56:08 PMI still collect Zippos even though I don't smoke anymore (I quit smoking for good in 2011.) My oldest one is from the 50's and I picked it up at a local thrift store for like 5 bucks. I'd love to get a WW2 era Zippo, but those are pretty rare in my AO.

I think the only stuff Kershaw makes that's still made in Japan is their kitchen knives. Not sure if any of their pocket knives are made there, though.

I know Spyderco has some knives made in Japan, Taiwan and China (the three I have are all made in China.).

I had a wwii crinkle zippo with a quatermasters emblem on it. I sold it for around $200 several years ago. Without internals. They are a part of our wartime and smoking history for sure. They are my favorite zippo.

Neat.

I've seen quite a few Zippos in my AO with oilfield company logos on them, but it's pretty rare to find any military related ones.

Stopped at Walmart today and picked up a Gerber holiday knife set on clearance.

In the pack were two folding knives and a small multitool (it's less of a multitool like a Leatherman and more like a glorified mini prybar/bottle opener/keychain).

The first knife is an Air Ranger with a 7Cr17MoV stainless steel blade and an aluminum handle. The scales are nicely checkered and the whole thing is very light. It's probably the lightest knife I own right now.

Not sure where 7Cr17MoV steel is on the blade steel hierarchy, but the little I've read on it puts it about equal to AUS-6 steel. Which is another steel I have zero experience with. I've had knives in 8Cr13MoV and they're decent, so if the Gerber Air Ranger in 7Cr17MoV is similar, I'll be happy.

The only thing I don't like about it is the pocket clip is only a single position carry (right side, tip down carry only.) I'd much rather it be at least a two position carry (right side, tip down or right side, tip up carry), but I've used knives with single position carry clips before and it's not that big of a deal. Just a minor personal complaint.

Second knife is a mini Paraframe. The handle is stainless steel (probably something in the 440 series) and the blade is again 7Cr17MoV. I had a mini Paraframe before, but with a clip point blade instead of a tanto like this new one is.

It's a bit too small for me to carry as part of my EDC (I look like I borrowed Tom Thumb's pocket knife when I hold this thing ), but it'll come in handy for opening letters or boxes.

The prybar/bottle opener/keychain thing (the package says it's called the Gerber "Shard") is just neat little extra that'll probably end up in my random stuff box on my bookshelf. I carry a Leatherman Wingman, so I don't really need to carry the "Shard" on my keychain.

I bought a Kershaw Camp 10 back in January for just under $45 and it did come with the lifetime warranty, though they specify that the lifetime warranty is only for the original owner.  It also came with free lifetime sharpening. 

According to Amazon, now that I'm checking it, the country of origin is now China.  I didn't even think to check the packaging to see where it was from since I just assumed it hadn't changed.  If I remember, I'll check tomorrow (it's in my bedroom and Mr. Anianna is already asleep).

Most of Kershaw's budget stuff is made in China from what I've found.

Not sure exactly when they moved production over there, but it's been awhile. When I started buying knives again in 2009, Kershaw was already making knives in China.

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on February 17, 2023, 11:19:42 PMMost of Kershaw's budget stuff is made in China from what I've found.

Not sure exactly when they moved production over there, but it's been awhile. When I started buying knives again in 2009, Kershaw was already making knives in China.

China is producing some really good knives these days, in all price ranges.

My primary concern about China-made goods isn't the quality but how workers are often treated there.  We can't really discuss that further here, so that's all I've got to say about that.

Quote from: NT2C on February 17, 2023, 11:25:02 PM

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on February 17, 2023, 11:19:42 PMMost of Kershaw's budget stuff is made in China from what I've found.

Not sure exactly when they moved production over there, but it's been awhile. When I started buying knives again in 2009, Kershaw was already making knives in China.

China is producing some really good knives these days, in all price ranges.

Which I think is awesome.

Most of the knives I own are made in either China or Taiwan. I've got maybe six or seven that are made in the US.

ETA: I'm not quite sure exactly how many knives I've got that are made in the US, but I know it's not very many.

So I was in Harbor Freight yesterday and I noticed they had a Buck 119 clone made by a company called Gordon. The price was 24.99 and after using a 25% off coupon, I only paid 20 bucks for it.

It's a really close copy of the Buck 119, but with a few differences. Like the blade steel.

The Buck 119 uses 420HC steel heat treated by Paul Bos (who apparently is one of the best heat treatment guys in the industry) and the Gordon GK22 (that's the model name I was able find on the package) uses 7Cr17MoV steel.

A little Googling tells me that 7Cr17MoV steel is a decent steel comparable to AUS-6. It doesn't have the greatest longevity regarding edge holding, but it's easy to resharpen when it goes dull and will take a decent edge.

The sheath is nice too. Only thing is the belt loop could've been made a bit tougher. I'd have like to have seen them copy the thicker leather like Buck uses for their 119 sheath. If nothing else, I can always order a replacement 119 sheath from Buck and put the Gordon GK22 in it instead of using the sheath that came with it.

Or I can find a suitable aftermarket sheath that'll fit a knife with a 6" blade. If I can do either, I'll probably make this knife my new EDC fixed blade.

If I lose or break a 20 dollar Buck 119 clone I'm going to be sad, but not as sad as I would be if I lost or broke my 70 dollar Buck 119.

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on February 25, 2023, 07:02:02 PMSo I was in Harbor Freight yesterday and I noticed they had a Buck 119 clone made by a company called Gordon. The price was 24.99 and after using a 25% off coupon, I only paid 20 bucks for it.

It's a really close copy of the Buck 119, but with a few differences. Like the blade steel.

The Buck 119 uses 420HC steel heat treated by Paul Bos (who apparently is one of the best heat treatment guys in the industry) and the Gordon GK22 (that's the model name I was able find on the package) uses 7Cr17MoV steel.

A little Googling tells me that 7Cr17MoV steel is a decent steel comparable to AUS-6. It doesn't have the greatest longevity regarding edge holding, but it's easy to resharpen when it goes dull and will take a decent edge.

The sheath is nice too. Only thing is the belt loop could've been made a bit tougher. I'd have like to have seen them copy the thicker leather like Buck uses for their 119 sheath. If nothing else, I can always order a replacement 119 sheath from Buck and put the Gordon GK22 in it instead of using the sheath that came with it.

Or I can find a suitable aftermarket sheath that'll fit a knife with a 6" blade. If I can do either, I'll probably make this knife my new EDC fixed blade.

If I lose or break a 20 dollar Buck 119 clone I'm going to be sad, but not as sad as I would be if I lost or broke my 70 dollar Buck 119.

Well, now I know what I'm buying next time I get to a harbor freight 

It's a popular knife, JeeperCreeper, so you may have a little trouble finding one in stock.

I got lucky at my local Harbor Freight and snagged their last one. I went in for the GK22 and another Gordon knife (their 3.6" folding knife.),but they didn't have the other one so I just grabbed the GK22.

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on February 25, 2023, 10:59:09 PMIt's a popular knife, JeeperCreeper, so you may have a little trouble finding one in stock.

I got lucky at my local Harbor Freight and snagged their last one. I went in for the GK22 and another Gordon knife (their 3.6" folding knife.),but they didn't have the other one so I just grabbed the GK22.

Sadly we don't have HF up here in AK, so I'll wait till I go home to PA. Or just order online. I ordered my pressure washer from them up here.

But I actually might check Amazon, I could go for a nice Bowie style beater knockoff.

Quote from: JeeperCreeper on February 25, 2023, 11:01:36 PM

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on February 25, 2023, 10:59:09 PMIt's a popular knife, JeeperCreeper, so you may have a little trouble finding one in stock.

I got lucky at my local Harbor Freight and snagged their last one. I went in for the GK22 and another Gordon knife (their 3.6" folding knife.),but they didn't have the other one so I just grabbed the GK22.

Sadly we don't have HF up here in AK, so I'll wait till I go home to PA. Or just order online. I ordered my pressure washer from them up here.

But I actually might check Amazon, I could go for a nice Bowie style beater knockoff.

You could order it from Harbor Freight's website. That might be easier than going into an actual HF store.

I ordered a table saw from them a couple years ago and amazingly the damned thing is still going strong. I think I paid maybe 80 bucks for it after using a 10% off coupon (not exactly sure how much I paid for it, but I know it was under 100 bucks).

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on February 25, 2023, 11:04:49 PM

Quote from: JeeperCreeper on February 25, 2023, 11:01:36 PM

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on February 25, 2023, 10:59:09 PMIt's a popular knife, JeeperCreeper, so you may have a little trouble finding one in stock.

I got lucky at my local Harbor Freight and snagged their last one. I went in for the GK22 and another Gordon knife (their 3.6" folding knife.),but they didn't have the other one so I just grabbed the GK22.

Sadly we don't have HF up here in AK, so I'll wait till I go home to PA. Or just order online. I ordered my pressure washer from them up here.

But I actually might check Amazon, I could go for a nice Bowie style beater knockoff.

You could order it from Harbor Freight's website. That might be easier than going into an actual HF store.

I ordered a table saw from them a couple years ago and amazingly the damned thing is still going strong. I think I paid maybe 80 bucks for it after using a 10% off coupon (not exactly sure how much I paid for it, but I know it was under 100 bucks).

Yeah I love HF. Their knockoff Honda small engine stuff is great. I might have to look for a generator now that we are talking about it.

When it comes to discount stuff, I miss HF and Ollie's, if you're familiar with that. Their home goods were great when I was broke.

But every time I look for a budget knife, I always end up back with a mora or cold steel

Never heard of Ollie's, but I've known about HF since I was a kid.

It's only been in the last 4 years that I've actually bought anything from them. And the only knives I knew they had were the Rambo style 'survival' knife and the machetes they sold.

I've actually got one of those machetes as well. Paid like 8 bucks for it and used it once or twice to knock down some ivy on a tree in the backyard of the previous house I lived in.

Is this the Mora killer? I think it might be. Stainless steel. Probably not as nice of steel as Mora. But its fulltang. $16.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-4-in-Tradesman-Fixed-Blade-Knife-48-22-1926/303409113#overlay

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