Kershaw makes conventional pattern knives?? Yes They Do – and nice ones

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!!

I know – I told YOU No More Projects . . .

But “IT” was crying out – wanting to go home with me – so . . .

A bit rough wouldn’t you say??

I had a few minutes – so I pulled the belt sander out from under the bench and took a run at it with 240 grit – it will take a while but I think it will come out nice – I’ll sand the leather stack handle and refinish it on the knife – the pommel won’t come loose and I sure as Hell don’t want to break it off . . .

What’s in YOUR pocket?

Have Fun! – Run the Gun! – and remember – Fish Heads are Cheap!!

Friday Music

Pay attention to the lyrics on these first two – just saying . . .

Alrighty then – as long as we are headed down hill let’s not stop now . . .

Have a Great Weekend! – You can leave work early today – just tell your boss I said it was fine . . .

Have Fun! – Run the Gun! – and remember – Fish Heads are Cheap!!

What the Hell is an Opinel?

I know your thinking I forgot about taking a look at the three knives I picked up last Friday at the pawn shop – but I didn’t forget – I just didn’t have time to manipulate pics and start the posts – so here we go!

This one is an Opinel 8 – and yes I know – Bruce – What the Hell is an Opinel? – If you get in the way back machine you need to set it for 1890 to get to the start of Opinel knives – or << GO HERE to Opinel-USA >> – their main page – or if you want to know just about anything and everything about Opinel – << GO HERE to their “Opinel Story” Page >> – pretty good reading . . .

Opinel is a ring lock knife – where the bolster would be on a conventional knife – the is a split ring . . .

You simply turn the ring . . .

From the locked position – to the unlocked position . . .

And you open the knife . . .

With the blade open you simply turn the ring a little further and . . .

The blade is now locked open . . .

Folks – in all honesty – I will be picking up some more knives out of the Opinel line – the pictures don’t convey the feel of the knife – it is a wonderful little knife – very light – very good feeling of control – a real different feel for a pocket knife than what most people expect – it’s like – well I got my big old chunk of ( insert brand name ) knife and I can cut and chop my way through ’bout anything – the Opinel will do it with finesse – total finesse – totally different than but similar to the feel of a Kershaw “Leek” as opposed to a Buck 110 – if THAT makes any sense to you . . .

I’m at a loss trying to convey the feel of the knife – it’s that different – and not a bad different – almost a refreshing different – really nice knife . . .

Trip on over to BladeHq – Opinel or Smoky Mountain – Opinel and pick one or two ( or three! ) out and give them a try – I am thinking hard about some of their kitchen knives – if Opinel has managed to convey the feel of their folders into their kitchen knives – I’m all in!! I’ve got more kitchen knives than any three family’s should own – and each knife has it’s very own “feel” and I use them for different tasks – same pattern – same size – but each one has a different “feel” and that’s how I use them – it’s the same way with firearms – identical models will each shoot differently – they have their own “personality” – ( if you shoot enough YOU know ) – knives are the same way . . .

Now I just have to figure out which knife? – the 5″ boning knife is whispering to me as well as the 8″ Chef knife – Decisions Decisions . . .

What’s in YOUR pocket?

Have Fun! – Run the Gun! – and remember – Fish Heads are Cheap!!