Kershaw Concierge Knife Review

Kershaw’s fan base knows that there is nothing like a Kershaw. Kershaw says, “From award-winning technologies and advanced materials to the solid sound of the blade lockup, when you’re carrying a Kershaw, you know you’re carrying the real thing.” So what is the real thing? Real thing is value and lots of value. You know that when you purchase a Kershaw knife, you are going to get incredible bang for your hard-earned buck. Even their inexpensive and budget models are impressive and use high-quality materials. You know that with a Kershaw, each and every portion is going to be solid, crafted, and reliable. Kershaw knows how solid and reliable their knives are, so they back each of their knives for the life of its original owner against any defects in materials and construction with their famous Limited Lifetime warranty.

Kershaw was founded in 1974 to design and manufacture tools that knife users would be proud to own, carry, and sue. This has meant that every Kershaw knife must be of the highest quality. Kershaw says, “Whether it’s a hardworking pocket knives, a hunting knife, or a special collector’s edition, Kershaw always chooses appropriate, high quality materials and is dedicated to intensive craftsmanship.” Because of their extremely tight tolerances and state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, which ensures that Kershaw knives provide a lifetime of performance.

Kershaw also has a commitment to innovation. Kershaw pioneered the use of many of the technologies and advanced materials that are today standard in the knife industry. Kershaw says, “Our SpeedSafe assisted opening knives were first-to-market. We introduced the concept of knives with interchangeable blades in our Blade Traders. Recently, our Composite Blade technology, which combines two steels into one blade, gives knife users the best of both worlds by enabling us to use steel known for edge retention on the edge and steel known for strength on the spine.” Kershaw promises that they will keep on innovating, bringing new and better technologies and materials to today’s knife making industry and knife-using public.

Kershaw Knives is a brand of Kai USA Ltd, a member of the Kai Group. For over 100 yeas, Kai has been Japan’s premier blade producer. Kai takes an innovative approach to product development based on the close coordination of research and development, production, marketing, and distribution functions. While many of Kershaw’s quality products are made in their 55,000 sq. ft. facility in Tualatin, Oregon, but they also draw on Kai’s resources to provide the very best for the customer.

Today we will be discussing the Kershaw Concierge.

 

The Blade:

The blade on this Kershaw knife is made out of 8Cr13MoV steel. This is a Chinese steel that is similar to AUS-8 steel. However, between the two steels, AUS-8 is the superior steel. 8Cr13MoV steel is an inexpensive steel that still demonstrates very worthy characteristics of cutting. This steel, and thus this blade, will easily cut through softer materials. With a good heat treatment, the steel will retain the sharpness for a long time. This steel also has very high corrosion resistance. Because it is a softer steel, this blade will be able to keep sharpening well, while also being easy to sharpen. For the cost of this steel, it is well balanced with regard to strength, cutting, and anti-corrosion properties. But, when it comes to blade steel, you do get what you pay for, so know that this steel is not going to stand up to the newer super steels on the block. The biggest advantage that this steel has is how inexpensive it is.

The blade has been coated with a titanium carbo-nitride coating. Kershaw uses this coating to produce an attractive grey blade coating that increases the blade’s hardness, helps maintain the edge, and increases the overall lifetime of the blade. One of the biggest benefits to having a coated blade is that it does increase the lifetime of the blade. This is because it creates a barrier in between the blade and the environment. This cuts down on corrosion and wear. The biggest disadvantage of having a coated blade is that the coating can and will scratch off after long periods of time or heavy use. Once the coating does scratch off, the blade will have to be recoated if you want it to keep the benefits.

The blade on this knife has been carved into a modified drop point blade shape. The drop point style is known as being one of the toughest and most versatile blade style on the market. This modified drop point blade still has the same toughness levels as well as being extremely versatile. The biggest modification on this blade is that instead of the spine having a slow curve from the handle to the point, it swoops downward before it swoops back upwards. The point is still lowered when in comparison with the beginning of the spine, so you still get the control that the drop point blade offers. And, the blade is still very broad, so you still have the signature strength of the drop point blade. This modified drop point blade also has a large belly, which means that this blade is going to excel at slicing; making it a great option for your everyday carry knife. The biggest disadvantage to this modified drop point blade is the same as the typical drop point blade—because the tip is broad, you will not have piercing capabilities like you would with a clip point blade.

 

The Handle:

The handle on tis knife is made out of G10. This material is often use din handles because of its moisture imperviousness. This material is fiberglass based laminate made by layers of fiberglass cloth that are soaked in an epoxy resin, then compressed, and then baked The result is a material that is hard, lightweight, and strong. A unique property of the material is that the grip actually improves when wet. This material is difficult to break. It is also an ideal handle material because it does not shrink or swell in extreme hot or cold temperatures. G10 is considered the toughest of all the fiberglass resin laminates. The G10 is black and textured with small bumps, to give you a secure grip in most environments.

The spine of the handle is angled, first going straight towards the middle, then angling downwards. The angle that goes downwards is complete with thick jimping to give extra grip on this knife. The belly of the handle has as very shallow and elongated finger groove that makes this a comfortable handle to hold. There is a very small finger guard, but because of the flipper, which acts as an additional finger guard when the knife is opened, your fingers will be kept very safe when you are using this knife.

On the top of the butt of the handle, there is a lanyard hole carved out. Even though this is an everyday carry knife, the lanyard will come in handy. Even though there is a pocket clip, the lanyard can help you more smoothly pull your knife out of your pocket. Plus, having a lanyard on this knife can add a bit of your own personal style to the Concierge.

This handle is comfortable and will give you a secure grip to go about your daily tasks.

 

The Pocket Clip:

The pocket clip is a deep carry pocket clip. This will guarantee that it is safe and secure in your pocket throughout all of your tasks. The clip is long and skinny, with a little bit of texture right underneath the screws to more securely grip onto your pocket. The clip is kept in place by two silver screws that match all of the hardware on the knife. Unfortunately, the clip is a single positon recessed pocket clip. It can only be attached on the right side of the handle for tip up carry.

 

The Mechanism:

This is a manual opening knife that has no mechanical assist. What it does have is a flipper, the KVT ball-bearing opening, and a liner lock.

A flipper is a protrusion on the back of the blade that the user can pull back on, or flip, in order to move the blade easily out of the handle. Some of the benefits to a flipper is that it is easy to operate, even if you only have one hand to use. Plus, it keeps your hands out of the blade’s path while it is being opened.

The KVT ball-bearing opening system makes manual opening as easy as assisted. The KVT relies on a ring of “caged” ball bearings that surround the knife’s pivot. Caged just means the ball bearings are secured within a ring that surrounds the pivot. It keeps the ball bearings in place, while allowing them to rotate freely. When the user pulls back on the built-in flipper, the blade rotates out of the handle as the ball bearings roll in place. KVT makes one-handed opening quick, easy, and smooth as butter. In knives with the KVT ball-bearing system, you will also notice that the knife has additional “detent.” This is a design feature that helps hold the blade safely in the handle when the knife is closed. When opening the knife, you may notice a little ‘stickiness’ just as you pull back on the flipper and before the blade rolls out of the handle on the KVT ball bearings. With just a little extra pressure on the flipper, it will overcome the detent and the knife will open with ease.

The liner lock is the most common of today’s blade locking systems. I knives with locking liners, the handle consists of two metal plates on either side of the blade. Handle scales cover the plates. When the knife is opened, one side of the knife’s liner, often called the lock bar, butts up against the backend of the blade and prevents the blade form closing. The lock bar is manufactured so that it angles toward the interior of the knife, creating a bias for the locked positon. To close the knife, the user applies manual force to move the lock bar to the side so that the blade is unblocked and can be folded back into the handle. The liner lock provides a secure and convenient way to make using this Kershaw folding knife even safer.

 

The Specs:

The blade on this knife measures in at 3.25 inches long, with a handle that measures in at 4.25 inches long. The overall length of this knife measures in at 7.25 inches long. This is a lightweight knife, weighing in at only 4.3 ounces.

 

Conclusion:

When Kershaw is talking about the Concierge, they say, “Like its namesake, known for discreetly and efficiently taking care of tasks for hotel guests, the new Kershaw Concierge will take care of all your pocket knife needs—discreetly and efficiently. Designed by Dmitry Sinkevich, the Concierge has a clean, refined look. The modified drop-point blade of 8Cr13MoV opens with a flipper and Kershaw’s manual KVT ball-bearing system, providing fast an easy one-handed opening. A custom pivot adds interest without detracting from the knife’s clean lines. Yet it’s the handle that really takes this exciting knife out of the ordinary. Built of machined g10, it offers a substantial grip and fills even larger hands comfortably. Yet thanks to the crowned finish on the G10 scales, the Concierge still feels slim enough to be an easy everyday carry. For secure grip, we added a black, glass-filled nylon back spacer with raised jimping. Turn the knife over and you’ll see Dmitry’s unique inset pocket clip. The custom clip rests in a machined-out hollow in the handle—so that its flush with the handle scale. This pocket clip treatment also contributes to the knife’s slimmer feel and easy carry. The blade, liners, and hardware are titanium carbo-nitride coated for a sophisticated look—and is just one more reasons why the Concierge will be at home no matter where your tasks may take you.” Pick up this brand new Kershaw today at BladeOps.