Have you ever wondered where your Kershaw knife is made and how the manufacturing process differs between countries? If you’re curious about the top Kershaw knife factories in China, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into the world of Kershaw’s Chinese manufacturing, exploring the quality, craftsmanship, and what sets these knives apart. From design to final product, we’ll uncover the details you need to know.
Manufacturing – Kershaw Knives – KAI USA
Product Details: Kershaw Knives designs, sources, and manufactures a wide range of knives, including pocketknives, sporting knives, and kitchen cutlery. The manufacturing process involves American innovation, design, and engineering, with production in both the Tualatin, Oregon factory and overseas facilities. The process starts with determining the type of knife needed based on user, retailer, and market demands. Award-winning designers create multiple options, and once a design is selected, it is prototyped by skilled machinists. The design is then refined and translated into programs for production machinery. Quality control is stringent, with inspections at every stage of production and additional checks for products
made in China before they are shipped to the US.
Pros:
– High-quality manufacturing using CNC machines, precision grinders, lasers, and s…
– Meticulous quality control from parts inspection to final shipping.
– Products backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
– Incorporation of high-end technology even in budget models.
– Collaborations with custom knife makers for innovative designs.
Cons:
– Complex manufacturing process can be costly and time-consuming.
– Some products are manufactured overseas, which may affect quality perception.
– Stringent federal and state regulations apply to the purchase and shipment of ce…
Kershaw Quality – US vs China
Product Details: The comparison involves two Kershaw knives: the Kershaw Compound 1940ST made in China and the Kershaw Turbulence 1790 made in the USA. The Compound 1940ST was purchased for under $20 and praised for its quality, while the Turbulence 1790 was bought as an upgrade.
Pros:
– The Chinese-made Compound 1940ST had a better finish compared to the US-made Tur…
– The Compound 1940ST had smoother opening action and functional design elements.
– The quality of the Chinese model was impressive, especially given its lower pric…
Cons:
– The US-made Turbulence 1790 had visible tool marks on the edge of the liner, ind…
– The thumb studs on the Turbulence 1790 were non-functional for opening the knife…
– The liner lock on the Turbulence 1790 was almost even with the edge of the handl…
– The opening action of the Turbulence 1790 was not as smooth as the Compound 1940…
– The Turbulence 1790 had a ‘dip’ between the front guard and the beginning of the…
Kershaw USA vs Kershaw China
Product Details: The discussion thread t=52000 likely pertains to a specific type of pocket knife. For example, it could be about a 2-blade pocket knife made by a particular manufacturer, such as Providence, which is known for using good steel in their blades but generally producing lower-end, inexpensive knives[4].
Pros:
– Good steel quality in the blades
– Inexpensive and affordable
Cons:
– Lower-end materials used in construction
– May not be as durable as higher-end knives
Kershaw Knives, huge selection
Product Details: The Kershaw Leek is a pocketknife designed by Ken Onion. It features a 3-inch blade made of 14C28N high-performance stainless steel with a bead-blasted finish and a hardness of 58-60 HRC. The blade thickness is 0.09 in. (2.29 mm), and it has a drop point style with a plain edge. The handle is made of 410 stainless steel, also with a bead-blasted finish, and is contoured for comfort. The knife has a frame lock and uses Kershaw’s SpeedSafe assisted opening mechanism with a flipper. It includes a reversible pocket clip and weighs 3 oz. (85 g). The overall length is
7 in. (17.9 cm), and the closed length is 4 in. (10.2 cm). It is made in the USA and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Pros:
– High-performance 14C28N stainless steel blade for excellent edge retention and e…
– Slim design and lightweight construction make it easy to carry
– Assisted opening with SpeedSafe technology for quick and safe deployment
– Frame lock for secure blade retention
– Contoured stainless steel handle for comfort
– Reversible pocket clip for versatile carry options
– Made in the USA with meticulous quality control
Cons:
– No serrations on the blade, which might limit its utility for certain tasks
– May require occasional maintenance to keep the SpeedSafe mechanism functioning s…
– Some users might find the flipper opening mechanism less intuitive than thumb st…
Kershaw Knives – Page 1
Knives Made in China | AGRussell.com
Eris Pocketknife – Kershaw Knives – Kai USA
Product Details: The Kershaw Eris pocketknife features a 3-inch modified drop-point blade made from 8Cr13MoV steel, known for its edge-holding capability and ease of resharpening. The blade has a stonewashed finish and satin flats. The handle is made of stainless steel with a titanium carbo-nitride coating and a contoured design for a comfortable grip. It includes a reversible pocket clip for right/left tip-up carry. The knife uses Kershaw’s assisted opening system with a flipper for fast, one-handed deployment and a frame lock for secure blade locking. The overall length is 7.2 inches, closed length is 4.1 inches, and it weighs 4.7 ounces.
It is backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty and was released in 2017.
Pros:
– Fast and easy one-handed opening with Kershaw’s assisted opening system
– Secure frame lock design for safe and sturdy blade deployment
– Durable 8Cr13MoV blade material that holds a sharp edge and is easy to resharpen
– Attractive two-tone blade finish and titanium carbo-nitride coated handle
– Reversible pocket clip for versatile carry options
– Contoured handle for a comfortable grip
– Lightweight yet substantial design for everyday carry
Cons:
– Contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth de…
– Manufactured in China, which may be a concern for some users preferring USA-made…
Where Are Kershaw Knives Made? Insights for Finding …
Where Are Kershaw Knives Made?
Product Details: The Kershaw Misdirect is a pocketknife from Kershaw’s Starter Series. It features a 2.9-inch reverse tanto blade made of 4Cr14 steel with a black-oxide BlackWash™ finish. The knife has an all-stainless-steel handle with a bead-blasted finish, a frame lock, and a 3-position pocketclip. It also includes a large lanyard hole and weighs 3.2 oz. The Misdirect is designed for everyday carry and is made in China with design, prototype, and quality control in the USA. It comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Pros:
– Assisted opening mechanism for easy deployment
– Sleek and modern minimalist design
– Durable all-stainless-steel handle
– Frame lock for secure blade retention
– Reversible 3-position pocketclip for versatile carry
– Large lanyard hole for customization
Cons:
– 4Cr14 steel may not be as high-quality as other blade materials
– Limited to a plain edge blade
– Weight could be a factor for some users at 3.2 oz
Rate – Kershaw Knives
Product Details: The Kershaw Rate is an assisted-opening pocketknife. It features a 3.25-inch blade made of 8Cr13MoV stainless steel, known for its strength and corrosion resistance. The handle is constructed from textured glass-filled nylon, providing a secure grip. The knife includes a reversible pocket clip and a thumb stud for easy opening. It weighs approximately 3.3 ounces and has an overall length of 7.75 inches.
Pros:
– Assisted-opening mechanism for quick and easy blade deployment
– Durable 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade
– Textured glass-filled nylon handle for a secure grip
– Reversible pocket clip for versatile carry options
Cons:
– May require occasional maintenance to keep the assisted-opening mechanism functi…
– Some users may find the glass-filled nylon handle less premium compared to other…
Comparison Table
| Company | Product Details | Pros | Cons | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing – Kershaw Knives – KAI USA | Kershaw Knives designs, sources, and manufactures a wide range of knives, including pocketknives, sporting knives, and kitchen cutlery. The manufactur… | – High-quality manufacturing using CNC machines, precision grinders, lasers, and s… – Meticulous quality control from parts inspection to final ship… | – Complex manufacturing process can be costly and time-consuming. – Some products are manufactured overseas, which may affect quality perception. – St… | kershaw.kaiusa.com |
| Kershaw Quality – US vs China | The comparison involves two Kershaw knives: the Kershaw Compound 1940ST made in China and the Kershaw Turbulence 1790 made in the USA. The Compound 19… | – The Chinese-made Compound 1940ST had a better finish compared to the US-made Tur… – The Compound 1940ST had smoother opening action and functional… | – The US-made Turbulence 1790 had visible tool marks on the edge of the liner, ind… – The thumb studs on the Turbulence 1790 were non-functional for… | www.bladeforums.com |
| Kershaw USA vs Kershaw China | The discussion thread t=52000 likely pertains to a specific type of pocket knife. For example, it could be about a 2-blade pocket knife made by a part… | – Good steel quality in the blades – Inexpensive and affordable | – Lower-end materials used in construction – May not be as durable as higher-end knives | www.allaboutpocketknives.com |
| Kershaw Knives, huge selection | The Kershaw Leek is a pocketknife designed by Ken Onion. It features a 3-inch blade made of 14C28N high-performance stainless steel with a bead-blaste… | – High-performance 14C28N stainless steel blade for excellent edge retention and e… – Slim design and lightweight construction make it easy to carry… | – No serrations on the blade, which might limit its utility for certain tasks – May require occasional maintenance to keep the SpeedSafe mechanism fun… | www.knivesplus.com |
| Kershaw Knives – Page 1 | www.knivesshipfree.com | |||
| Knives Made in China | AGRussell.com | |||
| Eris Pocketknife – Kershaw Knives – Kai USA | The Kershaw Eris pocketknife features a 3-inch modified drop-point blade made from 8Cr13MoV steel, known for its edge-holding capability and ease of r… | – Fast and easy one-handed opening with Kershaw’s assisted opening system – Secure frame lock design for safe and sturdy blade deployment – Durable 8C… | – Contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth de… – Manufactured in China, which may be a concern for some users p… | kershaw.kaiusa.com |
| Where Are Kershaw Knives Made? Insights for Finding … | nichesources.com | |||
| Where Are Kershaw Knives Made? | The Kershaw Misdirect is a pocketknife from Kershaw’s Starter Series. It features a 2.9-inch reverse tanto blade made of 4Cr14 steel with a black-oxid… | – Assisted opening mechanism for easy deployment – Sleek and modern minimalist design – Durable all-stainless-steel handle – Frame lock for secure bla… | – 4Cr14 steel may not be as high-quality as other blade materials – Limited to a plain edge blade – Weight could be a factor for some users at 3.2 oz | allamerican.org |
| Rate – Kershaw Knives | The Kershaw Rate is an assisted-opening pocketknife. It features a 3.25-inch blade made of 8Cr13MoV stainless steel, known for its strength and corros… | – Assisted-opening mechanism for quick and easy blade deployment – Durable 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade – Textured glass-filled nylon handle for a s… | – May require occasional maintenance to keep the assisted-opening mechanism functi… – Some users may find the glass-filled nylon handle less premium… | kershaw.kaiusa.com |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where are Kershaw knives made, and what is the role of Chinese factories?
Kershaw knives are produced in several locations, including China, Japan, and the USA. The Chinese factories play a significant role in Kershaw’s global manufacturing network, producing a majority of their knife models. These factories are carefully selected to ensure they meet Kershaw’s high standards for quality and craftsmanship.
What kind of quality control measures are in place for Kershaw knives made in China?
For Kershaw knives made in China, rigorous quality control measures are implemented at every step of the manufacturing process. This includes inspections of parts, assembly, and final product checks before the knives leave the Chinese factories. Additionally, these knives undergo another round of quality control when they arrive at Kershaw’s facility in Oregon[2][3].
How does the material selection differ for Kershaw knives made in China compared to those made in the USA?
While Kershaw is selective about the materials used for all their knives, the specific materials can vary depending on the manufacturing location. For example, knives made in China might use steels like 8Cr13MoV, which is a common Chinese steel known for its hardness and durability. In contrast, some USA-made Kershaw knives use higher-end steels such as CPM-S30V or 420HC[3][5].
Are all Kershaw knives designed in the USA, even if they are manufactured in China?
Yes, Kershaw knives are designed in the USA, regardless of where they are manufactured. The design process, including concept, prototyping, and material selection, is handled by Kershaw’s American designers. This ensures that all Kershaw knives, whether made in China, Japan, or the USA, reflect American innovation and engineering[2][3].
How can I identify if a Kershaw knife is made in China or the USA?
To identify where a Kershaw knife is made, you should check the product details on the Kershaw website or the packaging of the knife. Kershaw is generally transparent about the country of origin for each model. Be cautious of the “USA Made” section on their website, as it includes knives designed in the USA but manufactured in other countries[3].
