Can anyone comment on the quality of Kershaw knives, and more specifically their assisted opening knives? Does the assisted opening break or malfunction much? Really thinking about the Kershaw Blackout.

Don't know about the blackout but the LEEK is a great little knife. I have owned several...currently 2. I have NEVER had a problem with the assist. Only flaw is the tips are a little fragile and can break if doing other stuff than cutting.
They work great and hold/take an edge great.

Thank you. Thats just the kind of opinion I was searching for. Will probably go get it on Wednesday.

I'm not real big on Kershaw. I think there's better knives out there for the money.

I have carried a Kershaw Clash as my EDC for a few years now and it's been 100%. No issues, holds a good edge. I like it.

It's all personal opinion. someone somewhere is gonna say WHATEVER you give an example of is "ok, but..." especially knives.

Handle and inspect as many as you can and decide what is in your price range.

Have 2 of the Scallions and no issues, both have cleaned deer, turkey and hogs. edge holding is not great but not bad and easy to sharpen.

I have been gutting deer with a whirlwind for over 12 years with the same knife. They don't hold a very sharp edge for long, but they are very easy to touch up. As noted, the tip will break off, but the functionality of the knife hasn't been a question. Mine has an assist on it as well.

Thanks everybody. Hoping to get a good feel of one on Wednesday. If I like it, I buy it. If not, buying a Case trapper. Just looking for a bigger knife cause my last Case fell right out of my pocket.

The Kershaws aren't bad if you find a good deal on them, but they're definitely not on the same level as a Benchmade.

Kershaws with the Speedsafe opening system are some of the fastest and easiest out there. Faster than a Benchmade for sure. If you need a bigger one check out the ZT's

And the ZT's are twice the knife of a Benchmade.

Ehh. Went to Bass Pro and my love for a good looking Case trapper got ahold of me. Got the Amber Bone. They didn't have the Kershaw Blur and the blackout wasn't feeling right in my hand. Never heard of ZT's. Thanks for the advice though. One day I will have the money to buy 'em all.

I have this one:
http://www.knifeworks.com/kershawkenonionshallotstainlesshandlespeedassistplainedge.aspx

It's real nice as a pocket knife and holds an edge well. The spring assist is great, I have had it for a few years. For gutting/skinning/deboning etc, I prefer fixed blades.

Glad you found one you like.
I have personally switched to Benchmade Barrage and keep the kershaws as back up or in my field or range bag.

Don't know what it is. Guess I'm just too comfortable and trustworthy with a Case knife. Now if only I can keep up with it.

Holding/taking an edge is relative. If it takes an edge easily generally it won't hold it well. If it doesn't then it will given both are quality steel. The hardness an type of steel dictates this.

I have had several speed safe knives. I like them all. The only problem I have had is I was sharping ,my leak with a good bit of oil on my lanskey sharpener. Some of the oil with the excess metal/stone grit dripped down and seems to have gotten into the “action”. The speed safe still works, but it seems a little sluggish when compared to other speed safe knives. My most recent speed safe knife that I like, a little bit bigger than the leek, the compound, and I highly recommend it.

ken onion Kershaw knives are great I have three different ones all with spring assist one I've had since about 1999 or 2000 great knife still works like new except the clip won't stay tight, although I prefer a good old case sod buster or trapper for a daily driver

I like my OSO Sweet. Not too expensive either

My edc is the Zero Tolerance ZT350. This knife is built like a tank! It's a little on the heavy side but what's a few extra ounces with everything else that I carry. Assisted opener that's really fast has S30V steel and G-10 scales. Great knife!

I love kershaw knives. I feel they are a happy medium of quality and price. I do see a difference in quality between the "made in china" kershaws and their "made in usa" models. The American made are worth the extra cash.

From my experience, the Kershaw knives just aren't that great, the Ken Onion designs are nice, but I have had issues with tips and clips.

However, my ZT 0350 was my favorite EDC, by far, even over my BM AFO II

I have a Kershaw 1670 I carry everyday, one of my favorites.

Keshawn names sine great low cost knives, the speed safe opening mech is great