Kershaw Ventures Into The Traditional Arena

Kershaw began its foray into the knife business sometime during 1974. The company was originally based in Portland Oregon, but most early knives were manufactured in Japan. The first US manufacturing plant was opened in 1997 & the company currently offers knives made in the U.S., Japan, & China. Pete Kershaw (an ex Gerber salesman) started the business.
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jerryd6818
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Kershaw Ventures Into The Traditional Arena

Post by jerryd6818 »

Just got it. This is the first traditional knife from Kershaw (that I am aware of. Correct me if I'm wrong.)

This is the Kershaw 2020 Gadsden 4381 Mini-T - G10, made in China. I'm pretty impressed with it. Solid walk & talk without nail breaking pull. What impresses me is the run up on both blades.

I wish they would stamp "Kershaw" into the mark side bolster. Down the road, with use, that etch on the blade will possibly wear off. ::shrug:: Besides, I think it would look cool. You know, like a Schrade 2OT.
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Kershaw 2020 Gadsden 4381 Mini-T - G10 - Labeled.JPG
Kershaw 2020 Gadsden 4381 Mini-T - G10 - Pattern Stamp.JPG
Kershaw 2020 Gadsden 4381 Mini-T - G10 - Run Up.JPG
Kershaw 2020 Gadsden 4381 Mini-T - G10 - Tang Stamp.JPG
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Re: Kershaw Ventures Into The Traditional Arena

Post by 1967redrider »

Cool looking knife, Jerry. ::tu::

Any info on where the "Gadsden" comes from (designer's name, link to Kershaw, etc)? What's the closed length? Thanks!

John
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Re: Kershaw Ventures Into The Traditional Arena

Post by jerryd6818 »

1967redrider wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 2:46 am Cool looking knife, Jerry. ::tu::

Any info on where the "Gadsden" comes from (designer's name, link to Kershaw, etc)?

No clue to any of that.


What's the closed length? Thanks!

3½"

John
My opinion, the knife is pretty plain with work-a-day looks. That said, I think it would be a good solid knife in anyone's pocket.
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Re: Kershaw Ventures Into The Traditional Arena

Post by Railsplitter »

1967redrider wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 2:46 am Cool looking knife, Jerry. ::tu::

Any info on where the "Gadsden" comes from (designer's name, link to Kershaw, etc)? What's the closed length? Thanks!

John
Looks like there are 3 new models. All named after flags of the Revolutionary War.
https://kershaw.kaiusa.com/new.html?ker ... 2.00-64.00
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Re: Kershaw Ventures Into The Traditional Arena

Post by jerryd6818 »

Prices are full boat Kershaw prices. Dealer prices are lower. Got my Gadsden for $25.50 which included shipping and taxes.

Mini-Trapper - closed length 3.5"
Kershaw Gadsden.jpg
Stockman - Closed length 3.6"
Kershaw Brandywine.jpg
Barlow - Closed length 4.15"
Kershaw Culpepper.jpg
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"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
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Re: Kershaw Ventures Into The Traditional Arena

Post by Mumbleypeg »

Pretty sure Kershaw had some “traditional” pocket knives back in their early days. Made in Japan IIRC. A couple of them were tempting. If they had been American made I’d have bought them.

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Re: Kershaw Ventures Into The Traditional Arena

Post by jerryd6818 »

::shrug:: You're probably right. You usually are. I brought that up because I don't know.
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Re: Kershaw Ventures Into The Traditional Arena

Post by Mumbleypeg »

Jerry, I looked around a little, trying to remember the model that I liked. Found these in the AAPK stores. The Kershaw Double Cross is the one that tempted me most. Here’s an old thread about it.

viewtopic.php?f=92&t=18606

Ken
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Kershaw Double Cross
Kershaw Double Cross
Kershaw Wild Turkey
Kershaw Wild Turkey
Kershaw Baron
Kershaw Baron
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Re: Kershaw Ventures Into The Traditional Arena

Post by samb1955 »

Like those thumb studs on the double cross!
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Re: Kershaw Ventures Into The Traditional Arena

Post by jerryd6818 »

Mumbleypeg wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:53 pm Jerry, I looked around a little, trying to remember the model that I liked. Found these in the AAPK stores. The Kershaw Double Cross is the one that tempted me most. Here’s an old thread about it.

viewtopic.php?f=92&t=18606

Ken
Ken, I had forgotten about them. I've wanted a "Double Cross" for a long time but they've always been a bit rich for my blood.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
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This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: Kershaw Ventures Into The Traditional Arena

Post by Mumbleypeg »

jerryd6818 wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:58 pm
Mumbleypeg wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:53 pm Jerry, I looked around a little, trying to remember the model that I liked. Found these in the AAPK stores. The Kershaw Double Cross is the one that tempted me most. Here’s an old thread about it.

viewtopic.php?f=92&t=18606

Ken
Ken, I had forgotten about them. I've wanted a "Double Cross" for a long time but they've always been a bit rich for my blood.
I guess it was the swell center profile that attracted me. I think it’s a good looking well designed knife, but I never bought one. Another case of “woulda-coulda-shoulda”, but didn’t. ::facepalm::

Ken
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Re: Kershaw Ventures Into The Traditional Arena

Post by 1967redrider »

Thanks Jerry and Rick. ::tu:: ::tu::
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

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Re: Kershaw Ventures Into The Traditional Arena

Post by tallguy606 »

About a year ago I bought the smaller Double Cross at a pawnshop for $15. More recently, found the larger one on Ebay for a very reasonable price. I really like them. Precision made, everything fits and functions perfectly. Tough knife, even the bolsters are stainless.
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Re: Kershaw Ventures Into The Traditional Arena

Post by Byrd »

Here ya go. A Kershaw Culpeper. I'm impressed with it as well. Three inch blade G2 handles good walk & talk. Sharp. Steel bolsters.
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Re: Kershaw Ventures Into The Traditional Arena

Post by orvet »

Ken,
The Kershaw Wild Turkey is one of my all-time favorite knives. They have made several variations with upgraded handles, skeleton titanium frame, some with ats-34 steel, and one with Damascus steel. I almost always have some form of a Kershaw Wild Turkey in my pocket!
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