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Pros: Overall Quality, Ease of Opening, Blade Material
Cons: None
Damascus
Guess what? ALL Damascus steel is etched. If your finish gets messed up all you need to do is hit your closest Radio shack for a cheap bottle of PCB etching fluid. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102868 This is enough to last the rest of you life unless you begin to patten weld or actually make your own circuit boards!
This knife is small and very, very sharp -- perfect for an every-day carry, but definitely not a workhorse. A previous reviewer complained about the etching on the blade getting destroyed through minimal use, but I have to ask: WHAT, exactly, was he using this knife to DO?? I've had mine for a few weeks now, use it almost every day for silly things like cutting boxes and sharpening pencils, and it's absolutely fine. The one thing I really don't like is that the asst. opening mechanism doesn't work that well. Unlike my other Ken Onion knife, this one requires a slight flick of the wrist to fully extend the blade and lock it into place. To make matters worse, the knife body is really too small to have to do this: I feel like it's going to fly out of my hand every time I press the back lever. It essentially makes the knife's one-handed opening abilities a moot point.
-I've had this knife now for over a year and love it. It holds an edge well and is just the right size for carrying in my pocket (I clip it in the watch pocket normally). -A previous review mentioned the pattern on the Damascus steel...I've had mine a while and use it daily, and mine looks great. It is a little lighter in tone from use but I can clearly see all the layers of steel so I think that user got a bad blade on his knife or something. -Another user mentioned the speed safe opening didn't work as well as his other Onion designed knives. I may also feel that may be an isolated problem as mine works flawlessly...push on the blade-tab and it flicks open and locks solid every time. -My only complaint is that the lock mechanism that keeps the blade from accidentally opening has a plastic part (presumably to keep from dulling the blade upon contact). Mine broke soon after I got it. I will say I never used it so I never got it repaired and don't really intend to since it takes a little bit of effort to get it to open and don't see it as necessary. -Overlall...I love it. I would have given it a 5 if the plastic bit wouldn't have broken.
Kershaw Damascus blades though dramatic looking are cheap Damascus. The pattern is etched in the 'surface' of this blade steel and can be ruined and disappear very easily with barely any use or simple exposure to soap and water. This is not top quality Damascus though it is pretty. Be careful when using or cleaning because the pattern is really make-up on carbon steel and WILL NOT LAST. If you purchase a Kershaw DAM blade it is best that your heart is not attached to the look of the blade when you remove it from the box. The dramatic look is quickly ruined with 'silly gentle' use. Know what you are getting then you will be happy because your expectations are realistic regarding this Damascus blade.
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Close-up of hand holding knife, opening or unsheathing knife, and then closing or sheathing knife.
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