When you think about Kershaw – everybody always thinks along these lines . . .
My sweet little EDC Launch 13 – Ain’t she cute?
One day looking for something else entirely I ran across a stockman pattern made by Kershaw – so I ordered it – WAY COOL . . . So I grabbed the other two – one from BladeHq and one from Smoky Mountain – and honestly I couldn’t tell you who I bought the first one from – simply can’t remember – What was I posting about again??
Kershaw conventional pattern folders – that’s right . . .
Top to Bottom
Culpepper – Kershaw’s take on a barlow pattern
Brandywine – Kershaw’s take on a stockman pattern
Gadsden – Kershaw’s take on a trapper pattern
First the “Culpepper” – The overall shape is longer to width than a conventional “barlow” – gimping on the blade for your thumb – brass liners and a further departure – rather than a “ring” or a blank – Kershaw put a lanyard hole – nice touch! – The length to width thing is really noticeable when your using the knife – really good feeling of control – the black G10 scales with the brass rivets and brushed stainless bolster looks sharp – about 4 1/4″ closed with a 3 1/4″ blade proportions out nicely . . .
Here’s my ancient “PROTO” electricians knife with the “ring” on the back . . .
And with a current production 2 blade “Imperial” #278 Barlow – next to each other you really notice the differences between them . . .
Next the “Brandywine” – or stockman pattern – like the Culpepper above – it’s the little nuances that make a lot of difference – Kershaw put a little more belly in it – so when the ends of the frame start up – they flatten the curve – and then when you use the drop point or the sheep’s foot blade you thumb just lays down on that “flat” and it feels “right” – as far as the “ergos” of using the spey blade – and if this knife feels “right’ or “better” – I don’t know and I don’t want to know – just saying . . .
Bass liners and rivets – brushed stainless bolster – black G10 scales – Sweet Stuff . . .
Here we are with the Old Timer orphan I gave a home to – the differences are subtle but they add up – the Old Timer is a 34otw – 34 is the pattern – the letters O and T denote Old Timer and the W denotes wood – the current 34otw gets you to an ironwood version – Schrade is not using burl wood at this time . . .
Which gets us to the “Gadsden” – or trapper pattern . . .
The same brass liner and rivet thing with the brushed stainless bolsters – black G10 scales – another good looker – of course I make it look better – just saying . . .
As with the other two – the design nuances just do wonders for the “feel” of the knife – slightly more belly but a little less up sweep at the back of it – from looking at it you would be tempted to discount the ergos – until you pick it up and use it and you’re like “Hey – that’s cool!” . . . and that’s a Schrade 94ot next to it . . .
What you use a knife for and how often you use one AND what feels right in YOUR hand is the big factor in choosing a pocket knife . . . at $20 to $25 bucks apiece for these as opposed to a $5 to $10 to $15 bucks for a “cheap” pocket knife?? – I really recommend these Kershaw knives if you are planning on using them to any degree – cleaning finger nails – cutting string – cutting tape on a box – just about anything will do that – if you are planning on using them – these Kershaws are up to the task . . .
Whats in YOUR pocket?
Have Fun! – Run the Gun! – and remember – Fish Heads are Cheap!!
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