Kershaw Clash Review | Black Serrated 1605CKTST Knife
Kershaw backs this knife with a warranty against manufacturing flaws for the life of the original owner. Even though Kershaw is an American subsidiary, this knife is imported from China which is why it utilizes Chinese steel but it is not a poorly made knife by any means. With a semi-serrated blade, this knife can be used for everything from rope cutting to slicing.
Kershaw has been around since 1974 and was founded with the aim to design and manufacture knives that owners would be proud to own, carry and use. They have been innovators in the world of knives by developing the SpeedSafe assisted opening mechanism as well as being the first manufacturer to introduce interchangeable blades in their Blade Trader line.
They have recently introduced Composite Blade technology which allows them to combine two types of steel into a single blade. The composite steel has the best characteristics of edge retention on the edge and strength on the spine of the blade. Kershaw is an American subsidiary of the Kai Group, which has been a premier blade maker in Japan for over 100 years.
Table of Contents
Kershaw 1605CKTST Knife Specs
| Blade Length | 3.25 Inches (8.26cm) |
| Knife Overall Length | 7.375 inches (18.73cm) |
| Knife Length When Closed | 3.875 Inches (9.84cm) |
| Total Weight | 4.4 Ounces (124.74g) |
| Materials Used in The Blade | 8Cr13Mov Stainless Steel |
The Blade
The knife comes in two blade colors. You can get a non-reflective black blade or a regular steel-colored blade. Other than color, the two colors have no difference in blade composition. The blade is a drop point style and has a hollow grind and a little recurve.
The knife arrives from the manufacturer with an extremely sharp edge. The blade has been heat-treated by Kershaw to ensure its strength, hardness, and edge retention. The knife is SpeedSafe equipped making the blade easy to deploy while maintaining safety.
Some reviewers have noted that if you try to assist the SpeedSafe mechanism the knife can fly out of your hand. This is important to note since not all folding knives have this easy-to-open mechanism and it could surprise you the first time you use it.
The Handle
The handle has a choice of mounting for the pocket clip, allowing you to hang the knife either tip up or tip down. The pocket clip is very sturdy and is attached with three star-headed screws to ensure it will not come loose and fall off.
The Locking Mechanism
Pros & Cons
Final Verdict
The way Kershaw designs knives is like no other. It is a fun knife to have around. The SpeedSafe assisted opening mechanism is fun to use and the blade will not accidentally open on you. The semi-serrated blade is strong and can be used as a regular blade or a serrated blade. This knife excels at cutting netting and rope with the serrated part of the blade as well as slicing meat or cutting sticks for use as kindling.
