For the last couple of years I’ve carried around a cheapo Chinese-made pocket knife, but as in most things, you get what you pay for in a knife. The one I used to carry — actually the ones, as I bought four of them back then, for about $1 each — had the pocket clip get bent and it didn’t want to stay in my pocket anymore. I tried tapping down the rivet to tighten it up, but tapped a few too many times or too hard and now the blade complains about coming out. As for the others, one has a seriously broken pocket clip, one got stolen out of the Suzuki last week, and I’m not sure where #4 is… Although the serrated blade was decently sharp and could be sharpened up nicely, it just didn’t seem to keep its edge very well. And I never really cared for the serrated blade.
So I broke down the other day & stopped at Ace Hardware to see what they had. I’d normally just browse & pick one that struck my fancy and wasn’t too terribly expensive. But that day the store was nearly empty, and after the guy in the red shirt asked me for the third time if I needed any help, I gave up the thought of dodging him & let him show me his wares.
After telling him what I’d become accustomed to carrying, he pulled out a Kershaw Scallion, a very nifty little knife that snaps open with a flick of the finger, almost like a switchblade. The blade is only 2.25 inches long, but I don’t need anything any longer than that, and the size & weight is just about perfect.
But the neatest feature about it is how it opens. You simply flick at a little notch attached to the blade, and “CLICK”; it’s open. Push on the lock and the blade swings shut. I could play with the thing all day it’s so cool. I wasn’t really planning on spending $30-plus on a knife, but this thing was just so impressive. Strange though that Kershaw names its goods after onions; this one is the Scallion, they also have the Leek. I don’t get the connection, but that doesn’t change the fact that I really like this knife.
I bought the one with the plain blade, no serations on it, and it is super sharp. Time will tell how well it holds its edge and how easy it is to sharpen.
Is it worth $30 more than my old knife(s)? Time will tell with that as well I guess, but for now, I’m pleased with my new toy!