Kershaw Thermite 3880

By William Burns on Tool Reviews

Knife

Thermite 3880

Written By Billy Burns

Kershaw Thermite 3880 Knife Review

Some basic principles that I think a knife should have are weight proportions, feels safe in the hands with long usage, and of all, cut accurately and quickly.

As this is my first Kershaw knife I’ve used, it impressed me with of how well it performed and was a comfortable everyday carry knife.  Below are some design features and specifications.

Design Features:

The first glance at the Thermite 3880 is the utilitarian look and feel of a typical durable, Rick Hinderer designed knife.

The front side of the knife with tread plastic grip gives your hand a secure feel when holding and using the knife without the chance of slippage.

The back side of the knife’s blade has a rigid tread that is about 1 ¾” which gives a great position for your point finger to grab.  One of the best features that Kershaw gives to its knives is the quick one- handed thumb stud opening of the knife blade, which opens the knife fast and ready to use.

On the back side of the knife comes an easy pocket storage clip to place the knife back into your holder or pants pocket after use, and also for storage a small ½” hole for a lanyard or clip to be placed around the knife.

The pocket clip can be moved to 4 different positions on the knife. A nice feature for a custom handling and holstering your knife to your specific needs.

The knife itself  measures 3 ½ inches long, giving solid long cuts into any material when cutting.  The knife for its light for its size is light, comfortable and balanced in-hand.  When the knife is open the lock bar gives security from the blade folding back on itself.

The 8cr13MoV steel blade held its edge over the five weeks I carried and used the knife.   I used this knife in any and all cutting applications I could think of to test it out.

Specifications:

  • SpeedSafe assisted opening
  • Frame lock with lockbar stabilizer
  • Flipper and thumb stud
  • Steel:       8cr13MoV, stonewashed finish
  • Handle:  Machined G-10 front, 410 steel back
  • Blade length:     3.5 inches
  • Closed length:  4.9 inches
  • Overall:   8.4 inches
  • Weight:   4.9 ounces

Overall Impression

The Kershaw Thermite 3880 earned a distinction of being a go-to knife on our crew, it tested highly in my regards  and at a price of $59.99 it is a clear bargain.

The Thermite has high quality design, balanced proportions and performs very well in all uses and applications I tested it on.  Step back folks, this knife will do its job in the field, and doesn’t know  its own strength!

About the Author:

William J. Burns is a June 2011 graduate of North Bennet Street School’s Preservation Carpentry program in Boston, MA. He has worked on many projects including window restoration at the Old State House in Boston, MA and completed many other restoration projects at five Shaker Villages across New York and the New England states. He spent two summers at the Mount Lebanon Shaker Village working exclusively on the 1829 Brethrens’ Workshop.

He has volunteered with the Historic Albany Foundation, Colonie Historical Society, Friends of Pruyn House, Shaker Heritage Society, and Cambridge (MA) Historical Society.

After years of careful research, William discovered a Shaker tenant farmhouse in Loudonville, New York. Previously unknown by local historians and Shaker preservationists, it has since been identified as a significant part of the Watervliet Shaker Village, America’s first Shaker settlement.

William was the preservation carpenter at Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury, NH recently for over a year and is now on the ACC team. View his website.

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About the author

William Burns

Carpenter / Preservation Carpenter

William J. Burns is a June 2011 graduate of North Bennet Street School’s Preservation Carpentry program in Boston, MA. He has worked on many projects including window restoration at the Old State House in Boston, MA and completed many other restoration projects at five Shaker Villages across New York and the New England states. He spent two summers at the Mount Lebanon Shaker Village working exclusively on the 1829 Brethrens’ Workshop.He has volunteered with the Historic Albany Foundation, Colonie Historical Society, Friends of Pruyn House, Shaker Heritage Society, and Cambridge (MA) Historical Society.After years of careful research, William discovered a Shaker tenant farmhouse in Loudonville, New York. Previously unknown by local historians and Shaker preservationists, it has since been identified as a significant part of the Watervliet Shaker Village, America’s first Shaker settlement.William was the preservation carpenter at Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury, NH recently for over a year and is now on the ACC team.

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