The folks at Kershaw Knives recently sent me some folding blades to review and evaluate. This review will focus on the Kershaw Blur Knife with Speed Safe.
As an avid outdoorsman, carpenter and daily carrier of a knife I have come to appreciate and respect Kershaw Knives. Kershaw has always made a quality knife and the company enjoys a worldwide reputation for performance and innovation in knives with a lifetime warranty.
Kershaw is a subsidiary of Kai Corporation, which is Japan’s premier blade producer and has been for over 90 years.
Ken Onion, an award-winning custom knifemaker, invented the “SpeedSafe” assisted opening mechanism for Kershaw Knives.
Kershaw Blur Knife with Speed Safe Review:
FIRST IMPRESSION:
My first impression of the Kershaw Blur knife was that it was a sharp looking knife, no pun intended. The fit and feel of the knife was one of quality and the blade was razor sharp right out of the box.
This knife has an anodized aluminum handle and a stainless steel blade
Probably the single most impressive quality of this knife is it’s Speed Safe opening design and 3-3/8-inch 404A stainless steel blade.
For those of you that are unfamiliar with Speed Safe it is a torsion bar that allows the knife to be opened with one push of your thumb. The knife “springs” open smoothly and easily and most importantly with one hand!
The Kershaw Blur knife weighs 4.2 ounces and is 4.5 inches long when closed. While not exactly a gentleman’s
The black on red grip on the Kershaw Blur is aggressive easy to spot when dropped on the ground or in snow and feels a bit like holding sandpaper . The belt clip is reversible and holds well.
KERSHAW BLUR KNIFE FEATURES:
- Speedsafe opening.
- Stainless steel design
- Trac-tec inserts
- Red aluminum handle
- 14C28N stainless steel blade [also comes in partial serrated blade]
- Red handle 6061-T6 anodized aluminum
- 3 3/8 inch blade
- 4.5 inch closed length
- Weighs 4.2 oz
USING THE KERSHAW BLUR KNIFE:
I can’t talk enough about the Speed Safe opening of this knife. It opens with a simple one-handed operation, has just a perfect amount of spring action.
I dropped the Blur on many different types of materials from a wood floor, tile, concrete shop floor and pavement. The Kershaw Blur showed no damage and only on two drop testing occasions was able to get it to open.
We carried and used two Blur’s on the jobsite for two weeks. I found the 4.2 ounce weight really comfortable and I used the Blur to cut everything from rope, a rubber hose, ½” pvc irrigation pipe, EDPM rubber roofing, cardboard and the outer sheathing of Romex wire. The Blur cut clean and its aggressively sharp stainless steel blade showed no signs of dulling.
The name “Blur” is perfect because that is exactly how fast this knife opens once you open it.
OVERALL IMPRESSION:
I was impressed with the quality, durability and versatility Kershaw Blur knife on the jobsite. This knife is suited for multiple tasks and is especially ideal for slicing, slashing and pulling cuts.
It’s definitely too nice a blade to use on a jobsite and I feel that it’s a nicer daily carry. If your looking for a jobsite blade, reasonably priced but with similar quality take a look at my review on the Kershaw “Needs Work” knife here…..
For improvements I’d like to see Kershaw add a bit more forefinger slip protection to the Blur.
I highly recommend the Blur and give it a solid “A” grade for overall quality, durability, weight, ease of opening and use as well as ergonomics.
HOW MUCH AND WHERE TO BUY:
The Kershaw Blur knife makes a great gift and sells for $55.32 online here:
Kershaw-Onion-Folding-Knife-Speed