Kershaw makes some pretty solid knives for camping, hunting, sailing, fishing, and other outdoor activities. You can even use their knives for self-defense.
However, with so many knife models out there, pinpointing the best Kershaw knife for your needs can be tricky.
To make things easier for you, we’ve reviewed some of the most top-rated Kershaw knives you can find on the market. So, let’s delve into it right away!
Comparison Table
| Model | Blade Material | Handle Material | Blade Length |
| Kershaw Leek Pocket Knife (1660) 14C28N | Sandvik 14C28N steel | Stainless steel | 3 inches |
| Kershaw Cryo Folding Knife (1555TI) | 8Cr13MoV steel | Stainless steel | 2.75 inches |
| Kershaw Shuffle Multifunction Pocket Knife (8700) | 8Cr13MoV steel | Glass-filled nylon | 2.38 inches |
| Kershaw Leek Serrated (1660ST) 14C28N | Sandvik 14C28N steel | Stainless steel | 3 inches |
| Kershaw Link Pocket Knife | 420HC steel | Glass-filled nylon | 3.25 inches |
| Kershaw Blur S30V Folding Pocket Knife (1670S30V) | S30V steel | Anodized aluminum | 3.4 inches |
| Kershaw Skyline (1760) 14C28N | Sandvik 14C28N steel | G-10 | 3.1 inches |
The 7 Best Kershaw Knives in 2022
1. Kershaw Leek Pocket Knife (1660) 14C28N – Best Overall
The Kershaw Leek Pocket Knife (1660) 14C28N integrates a 3” Sandvik 14C28N steel blade with excellent corrosion resistance and edge retention. The blade’s also pretty hard, meaning it’ll last for years without any noticeable damage.
The blade isn’t the only part made of steel here; the handle is also made of 410 stainless steel, which combines hardness, corrosion resistance, and strength in a single material. However, it can be somewhat slippery in wet conditions.
Opening the Leek Pocket knife is as seamless as it can be, thanks to the SpeedSafe Assisted Opening mechanism; you can even open it with your weak hand with ease in a fraction of a second.
When opened, the knife utilizes a frame lock mechanism to prevent the blade from closing, while the tip lock mechanism ensures that the blade stays closed when carrying the knife around.
The whole tool is coated with a bead-blasted finish that not only looks beautiful but also preserves the knife’s materials.
What We Like
- Premium steel materials
- Secure locking mechanism
- Frame lock mechanism keeps the blade open
- Bead-blasted finish for extra durability
- Very hard and corrosion-resistant blade
What We Don’t Like
- The handle is a bit slippery
Bottom Line
The Kershaw Leek Pocket Knife (1660) 14C28N is sturdy and easy to use without compromising durability. It combines high-quality materials and convenience in a single package, making it the best Kershaw knife in this guide, hands down.
2. Kershaw Cryo Folding Knife (1555TI) – Best Value for Money
The Kershaw Cryo Folding Knife (1555TI) flaunts an 8Cr13MoV steel blade with top-notch edge retention, adhesive and abrasive wear resistance, and impressive hardness.
On top of that, the titanium carbo-nitride blade coating provides even more hardness and edge protection while also adding to the knife’s overall aesthetics. Not to mention, it improves the knife’s erosion and abrasive wear resistance.
What’s more, deploying the knife’s blade is quick and effortless, thanks to Kershaw’s innovative Assisted Opening mechanism that makes opening the blade one-handed quite a breeze.
All you have to do is apply some pressure to the thumb or flipper stud to match the torsion bar’s resistance, and the blade will open and lock into place instantly.
In addition, the knife is equipped with a durable stainless steel handle with unmatched corrosion and rust resistance. It also provides a comfortable and firm grip for extended usage.
And just like many of Kershaw’s knives, the Cryo Folding Knife has a secure locking mechanism that maintains the blade’s position in an open or closed state.
The downside is that this knife is hard to open with your non-dominant hand because the screws are too tight.
What We Like
- Fast deployment
- Excellent value for money
- Durable 8Cr13MoV steel blade
- Titanium carbo-nitride blade coating adds hardness and strength
- Secure locking mechanism
What We Don’t Like
- It can be hard to open with your non-dominant hand
Bottom Line
The Kershaw Cryo Folding Knife (1555TI) undoubtedly offers you the best value for your money; it’s a versatile tool with a high-quality coating and sophisticated mechanisms that are hard to find in this price range.
3. Kershaw Shuffle Multifunction Pocket Knife (8700) – Best Budget Pick
The Kershaw Shuffle Multi-Function Pocket Knife (8700) delivers Kershaw’s latest great innovations in an affordable package.
Featuring an 8Cr13MoV steel blade, the Shuffle Knife’s edge retention and hardness are second to none. This knife can hold an edge better than any other knife in the same price range. Abrasion and adhesive wear resistance are pretty impressive, too.
The handle is made of glass-filled nylon with a rubber mold that looks great and provides a solid, non-slippery grip.
Moreover, the Shuffle Knife sports a convenient pocket clip with a tip-down carry, keeping the blade’s tip pointing downwards when it’s in your pocket. You can even change the tip position based on how you carry your knife.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Shuffle Knife integrates a secure locking mechanism that keeps the knife opened or closed, preventing accidental closure or opening in tricky situations.
The downside is that the blade release lever can be too small for some people, especially those who have large fingers.
What We Like
- Durable non-slippery handle
- Hard blade with excellent edge retention
- Affordable
- Compact and easy to carry
- Secure and fast one-handed deployment
What We Don’t Like
- The blade release lever design could be better
Bottom Line
For budget-minded consumers, the Kershaw Shuffle Multifunction Pocket Knife (8700) is perfect. It’s compact, durable, and secure, all at an affordable price tag!
4. Kershaw Leek Serrated (1660ST) 14C28N – Best Versatile Pick
The Kershaw Leek Serrated (1660ST) 14C28N has a slim and versatile drop-point blade that can handle anything you throw at it. From piercing to slicing and detail work, this blade can do it all.
Made of Sandvik 14C28N steel, the Leek’s blade possesses excellent edge retention and sharpness. What’s more, the blade’s partial scallop serration enhances the cutting power on push and pull strokes while protecting the material from tearing.
The Leek’s blade and handle also boast a non-reflective bead-blast finish, giving the knife a sleek matte appearance that also serves to protect the knife from wear.
The icing on top is the SpeedSafe Assisted Opening mechanism that makes deploying the blade super convenient. The knife also has a customizable pocket clip that lets you choose whether you want the blade to tip up or down.
You can also carry it on the left side or right side and still open it efficiently, something that left-handers would definitely appreciate. However, the clip looks too obvious, so you might not be able to carry the knife in a fully concealed manner.
What We Like
- Easy blade deployment
- Durable blade design with partial scalp serration
- The non-reflective bead-blast finish adds strength
- Great edge holding properties
- Slim and lightweight
What We Don’t Like
- The clip is very visible outside the pocket
Bottom Line
The Kershaw Leek Serrated (1660ST) 14C28N is the perfect fit for those looking for a versatile serrated pocket knife. It can be used for many things thanks to its sharp blade and lightweight design.
5. Kershaw Link Pocket Knife – Best Premium Pick
The Kershaw Link Pocket Knife is one of the most premium Kershaw knives out there. For starters, the knife sports a modified 420HC steel blade that exhibits great re-sharpening properties and durability.
Its carbon content is very high, ensuring that its hardness is more than enough for extreme use. Corrosion resistance is very satisfactory, too, especially because 420HC steel has a lot of chromium in its blend.
The Link knife can maintain an edge pretty well. In addition, it has outstanding wear resistance capabilities.
We have a lot to say about the handle as well; it’s made of synthetic nylon polymer reinforced with glass, which can withstand pressure and heat while providing you with a solid and comfortable grip.
The cherry on top is the secure locking mechanism that keeps the blade closed when the knife is in your pocket and keeps it open when you need to use the knife.
This knife also utilizes Kershaw’s SpeedSafe mechanism that enables you to deploy the blade easily and quickly with one hand by simply applying pressure with your finger.
What We Like
- Excellent material choices
- Sleek and bold look and feel
- Solid handle with a good grip
- Easy one-handed deployment
- Tremendous corrosion and wear resistance
What We Don’t Like
- Relatively pricey
Bottom Line
If you’re searching for a premium Kershaw pocket knife, the Kershaw Link Pocket Knife won’t let you down. With its 420HC steel blade, secure deployment and locking mechanisms, and sleek look, it’ll definitely meet your expectations.
See also: Knives with Horizontal Sheath
6. Kershaw Blur S30V Folding Pocket Knife (1670S30V) – Another Premium Alternative
The Kershaw Blur S30V Folding Pocket Knife (1670S30V) is a versatile premium option equipped with a slightly recurved blade that does a great job at piercing, slicing, and handling the most challenging jobs.
The blade is forged with S30V steel that contains a big load of carbon and vanadium, which gives the blade unmatched abrasion resistance and edge resistance capabilities.
Plus, the stonewashed finish takes smudge and fingerprint resistance to the next level, while the effect of ceramic stones gives the knife a rugged look and feel.
Made of anodized aluminum, the knife’s handle is stain and scratch-resistant. It’s also quite durable, with a hardness rating that exceeds most other handle materials. The handle also has trac-tec inserts, ensuring that your grip isn’t slippery even when your hands are wet.
And the best part about it is that it’s lightweight, ensuring that the knife doesn’t feel too heavy in your hand.
Of course, the knife has all the safety features that you’d expect in a Kershaw knife, including a secure locking mechanism, SpeedSafe Assisted Opening, and a rigid pocket clip.
What We Like
- Lightweight
- Excellent corrosion and abrasion resistance
- Trac-tec inserts for non-slip grip
- Smudge and fingerprint resistant stonewashed finish
What We Don’t Like
- Hefty price tag
Bottom Line
With a scratch-resistant stonewashed finish and an ergonomic aluminum handle, the Kershaw Blur S30V is a versatile and premium option that leaves little to be desired.
See also: Best Knife Steel
7. Kershaw Skyline (1760) 14C28N – Best Lightweight Choice
The last knife on our list is the Kershaw Skyline (1760) 14C28N. This one is perfect for those who need a lightweight knife to clip to their boots.
The lightweight design is made possible by means of a G-10 handle that’s feather-light without compromising grip. In fact, its textured exterior has a deep index-finger contour that makes holding the handle very comfortable.
Setting that aside, the Skyline’s 3.1” blade has top-notch strength and wear and corrosion resistance, something that you’d expect from a blade made of Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel.
In addition, the stonewash finish ensures that fingerprints and scratches aren’t visible. Oh, and since this is a Kershaw knife, be sure that deploying the blade is as fast and secure as possible.
We’d have preferred if the blade was a bit sharper, though, but you can just sharpen it yourself with a stone.
What We Like
- Stonewash finish hides scratches
- Excellent wear and corrosion resistance
- Lightweight construction
- Easy blade deployment
What We Don’t Like
- The blade isn’t sharp enough out of the box
Bottom Line
If you need a lightweight pocket knife, the Kershaw Skyline will be barely noticeable in your pocket while also maintaining solid performance.
How to Pick the Best Kershaw Knife for Your Needs
If you’re still having a hard time deciding which knife to buy or would simply like to do some additional research on your own, here’s a checklist of the factors you might want to consider.
Materials and Durability
Generally speaking, Kershaw knives are made of excellent materials that’ll easily last for years. However, the more premium Kershaws offer even better quality.
High-end Kershaw knives boast stainless blades and handles, which add to their overall sharpness, edge retention, and hardness. So if you can afford the splurge, definitely go for one of them.
Read also: How to Sharpen a Machete
Size
Kershaw knives are pretty compact, but there are still noticeable variations in size that can make a difference in your day-to-day use. For example, if you usually wear skinny jeans, you’d probably want your pocket knife to be as slim as possible so that it doesn’t look awkward inside your pocket.
Some people also like to clip their knives to their boots. In that case, the smaller your knife, the more comfortable it’ll be when clipped to your boots.
Blade Length
Did you know that every U.S state has its own knife possession laws? These laws typically revolve around the maximum allowable blade length for open and concealed knife carrying in the streets.
So, before choosing a Kershaw knife, make sure that its blade length complies with the knife-possession laws in your state.
Of course, the blade length also depends on how you intend to use the knife. Some applications, such as robe-cutting, may require longer blades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Kershaw Knives High Quality?
Yes. Kershaw knives are generally considered to be high quality, despite the fact that some of them come at a very affordable price tag.
Are Kershaw Knives Made in China?
Most Kershaw knife models are made in the USA. However, it isn’t uncommon to find some models that are manufactured in China.
Is Kershaw Better Than Benchmade?
Both Kershaw and Benchmade make high-quality knives. However, Kershaw focuses more on providing reliable knives at affordable price tags, while Benchmade’s offerings are broader, encompassing everything from budget to high-end models.
Final Verdict
That was everything you needed to know about the best Kershaw knives on the market.
If we had to pick a favorite, it’d be the Kershaw Leek Pocket Knife. This knife isn’t only durable; it’s also secure and easy to use, making it the best Kershaw knife for most users.
On the other side of the coin, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Kershaw Shuffle Multi-Function Pocket Knife would make an excellent choice with its 8Cr13MoV steel blade and glass-filled nylon handle.
Finally, you might want to consider going for the premium Kershaw Link Pocket Knife if you want the most reliable blade.