Review by: Tony Edwards
12/29/2009
Overall: 10 Build Quality: 10 Ergo: 8 Value: 10
I received my tan G-10 Tyrade yesterday and have been playing around with it ever since. I have not used it for any intensive cutting tasks, just the usual sharpness tests, like cutting paper.
This thing is a beast! The hybrid blade (bead blasted in my case) is remarkably stout and rigid, and the liner lock is so thick and locks up so strongly that I can't see any meaningful difference between it and the frame locks used on the titanium Tyrade or its Zero Tolerance counterparts.
I really like the Ken Onion Speed Safe design. The blade deploys fast given its size, and the flipper (which I was originally hesitant about) provides a nice hilt/choil to prevent your hand moving forward). In this case, because the blade and liner are so thick and stout, the deployment feels like closing the door on a Mercedes - reassuringly solid, with a resounding "THWACK" (OK, I guess the sound isn't exactly Benz-like)! Because the blade is so heavy, the spring tension carries it all the way open once it is pushed away from the handle at all.
Realistically this knife is too large and heavy for everyday use, at least for me. For that I will continue to carry my Kershaw/Ken Onion Leek. This would be a great folder for outdoor excursions, as it is as solid as many a fixed blade, and I may use it for that. I may just continue to play with it and enjoy it as a piece of working art, however.
I downgraded it a bit on ergonomics because I'd like to see some jimping where the blade meets the handle, and I find the bulge between my middle and ring fingers a little odd to grasp (I am splitting hairs a bit with that last point, because this thing feels great overall). Also, and this is not really Kershaw's fault, it's hard to close with one hand due to its size and the assisted-opening spring tension.
I have an orange G10 model on the way, and might have to get a black one just to complete the collection. These G10 Tyrades are the best deal on the market IMO.
Price Paid: N/A
Length of Time Used: Less than 1 Month
Use: Light Duty/General