Customer Reviews

Kershaw Ken Onion Scallion Folding Pocket Knife with Speed Safe

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have always carried a pocket knife and found many uses for them over the years. The Ken Onion Scallion 1620 is a fantastic knife - reliable, sharp, and holds an edge quite well. It is legal since the blade is less than 3 inches in length. I worked for many years for a large urban agency in the midwest and often found police carrying them. They said they were very reliable and I never talked to an officer who stated he had any desire to replace it. The knife is light in weight, can be opened quickly with one hand, and is easy to close when finished. I have given them also to my adult children and quite few friends who continue to state they are the best small, lightweight pocket knife they have ever used.

All the reviews on here encouraged me to buy this knife along with seeing a knife like it that my friend had. The knife I recieved, although, turned out to be a lot nicer than I expected. I have had many knives and this one, by far, surpasses any and all of them. It keeps an edge great and is extremely sharp. I highly recomend purchase of this knife.

I bought this knife for hunting, fishing, and just everyday usage. In the past i've had smaller pocket knives that don't lock open, or the knife of my multi-tool. My multi-tool is big so it's a pain to carry around just for the sake of the knife, and the smaller pocket knife just isn't tough enough and doesn't lock open. With both of those knives it took two hands to open the blade, which meant if i was holding something i wanted to cut i'd have to let it go.

With this knife i got exactly what i was looking for. Opening the knife is easy, even with the safety on. I use my ring finger to open and close the safety and my pointer to hit the easy open, and i can put it away just as easily with the safety turned back on. The knife feels strong, the grip is good, and the balance is fantastic! It basically fits everything i was looking for.

However, all that said, this knife came out of the package DULL. Not as dull as a butter knife, but dull. There is absolutely no excuse for selling someone a dull knife out of the package, no excuse whatsoever! I've always been taught that a dull knife is a dangerous knife, and i believe that. Luckily i had just bought a new sharpener at the time and took of that problem quickly. Still, i should not have to do that. Normally good knife companies take pride in the way their knives come out of the package, that's why i bought this knife in the first place. I read a lot about Kenshaw and Ken Onion and i figured i was getting something out of the package that was going to be a solid product.

Well, it is a solid product so far. I just think it's a shame they gave me at least, a dull knife. So basically the one star missing is soley for the dull blade, otherwise i'd give it 5 out of 5 so far.

*IMPORTANT UPDATE*

There is a known problem with the safety of the knife. The actual plastic part of the safety that keeps the knife secure, broke at some random time. Luckily it didn't go off in my pocket. Kershaw will send you extra safeties free of charge. However, they just come in a plastic bag with absolutely no instructions. You need an uncommon Allen Wrench to take it off, and the fact that they sent me mutliple safeties(and from what i've read on the internet) tells me this is going to be a reoccurring problem. Knife is still great, but that is a pretty big flaw.

I have been a fan of Kershaw knives for several years. The quality and design are outstanding. I have several Kershaw models in my collection that are still in the box. But, the scallion is by far the best knife I have for every day use. It is the perfect length, and the speed safe opening with the liner lock make this knife easy to use. I highly recommend it.

I have been a Kershaw fan for years. I remember when this knife first came out, it looked a little odd, but the thing that impressed me the most was Ken Onions Speed Assist. It seemed like the right size for a pocket knife. Growing up my Dad always carried a 3 bladed tree brand knife. I had a few through out the years but seemed to loose them. Started buying Kershaws soon after. Anyway, I fell in love with the Scallion. I tried wearing it around with the clip on my pocket and almost lost it a time or two when I was getting things in and out of my pocket. It didn't take long and I had removed the pocket clip. Never regretted it!!! The other thing I did was remove the safety lock. I do not recommend this to anyone. I have actually had the knife unfold in my pocket a time or two over the past 10 or more years that I have been carrying this knife. I wanted something in my pocket in the event of an emergency that I could reach into my pocket and withdraw and deploy it within a split second. This knife fit the bill perfectly with the pocket clip and safety lock removed. I always wear the knife in my right front pocket as I am right handed. The knife lays in my pocket horizontally closed with the point to the right. When I reach into my pocket, because of the irregular shape of the knife, I can tell if I need to rotate it half a turn or not in my hand before deploying the knife. Deploying the knife is easy with one hand, you can either touch the back of the blade which protrudes at the top of the back side of the folded knife with your index finger or use the thumb stud. With practice it becomes second nature. The closing of the knife is just as equally easy with one hand operation as it is to open it with one hand however not with the same speed. In closing the knife the thumb is used to slide the lock to the left and the index finger is used to fold the blade down into position. With practice the knife in the left hand can be opened and closed also single handedly.

My daughter borrowed my first knife after 9-11 to cut something and forgot to give it back to me before going through check-out on a plane ride. As you can guess it was confiscated. It didn't take me long to get another Scallion. My son gave me another Scallion for Christmas thinking I hadn't got a replacement. I didn't let on for a long time that I had bought a replacement. When he found out he wanted me to trade him for a Swiss Knife. I wouldn't. I keep the new one in safe keeping and then had it as a back up in my back pack for hunting. My everyday Scallion was starting to see some wear. It must of got some water on it while hunting, anyway the speed assist quit working, so I oiled it up with some WD-40. That did the trick and got it back to working. Here just a month ago, a screw on the back side of the Scallion came out. I got out my new knife and started carrying both of them around. I noticed that I had worn down the handle on the every day knife till it was almost smooth compared to the new knife.

I got worried about the every day knife falling apart with the one screw missing, so I sent it back to Kershaw a few weeks ago. They are sending me a replacement knife at no charge. It should be here any day now. When I get it, I will set it aside until something happens to the new knife that is now my every day knife.

I suspect that the Scallion will continue to be my every day knife for some years to come. The Scallion I have is the 1620ST which has 1/2 the blade serrated.

I hope you get as much enjoyment out of your Scallion as I have. If you are contemplating the purchase of the Scallion, all I can say is "What are you waiting for?" It will be a decision you will not regret. Just knowing you have a Scallion in your pocket makes a difference!!!

All things considered, the Scallion is a home-run in every way I can think of, at least in terms of an every day light-duty pocket knife. Here's why: 1. It's functional (capable of attaining and maintaining an acceptably high level of sharpness), 2. Ultra-convenient (opens easily with one hand and can be carried in a way that is easily accessible and consistent - no fumbling with two hands or digging around in your pockets), 3. Ambidextrous, 4. Non-cumbersome (can be comfortably worn with anything from swimming trunks to a tuxedo and is so small you will literally forget you're wearing it until you need it), 5. Discreet (can be worn comfortably without drawing attention and is completely legal - owing to its under three inch blade - in all but the most rigid and/or Draconian environments), 6. Safe (locking blade), 7. High quality, given its price point, 8. American made (so you're supporting American workers and American jobs instead of China - although be aware that not all Kershaw products are made in the USA), 9. Reasonably priced (for thirty bucks, you can afford to see if this review is accurate, and worst case you lose it it's not like you lost your CR Sebenza). 10. Quick blade deployment. The longer I had this knife the more I appreciated how fast you can extend the blade. The speed-safe assisted opening of the Kershaw's really is remarkable - and addictive. The creativity and inventive prowess that went into its development represents the development of new and helpful ideas at its finest.

No, it isn't a Leatherman or a SAK nor is it a "survival" knife intended for heavy-duty use, and quite honestly, that's fine with me. If you have a need for a multi-function tool and don't mind lugging it around all the time or need to be Daniel Boone, well this may not be the knife for you, but in buying the Scallion I wanted a reasonably priced POCKET KNIFE, not a gadget that does everything except brew my coffee or something to see me through the appocalypse. Don't get me wrong, I own both Leatherman's and SAKs and they're great, as well as several other great pocket knives, along with bigger stronger knives in different varieties, but I've had the Scallion since 2003 and it stayed clipped to my waist virtually everyday for about five years until I bit the bullet and bought the amazing Bradley Cutlery Alias 2, Plain Edge 17650, Folding Knife, and in terms of everyday light-duty stuff very seldom did I ever need more than the Scallion could deliver.

The only caution I would give is the all steel model (with smooth handle) can be slippery if your hands are wet so be aware. I have a Leek with that style handle and never carried it much largely for that reason. And speaking of slippage, if I had a few small criticisms of the Scallion they would be: 1. I wish the grip was a little more "tacky". Although I would hasten to add I've NOT had a problem with slippage in every day use, and as a side note the jimping (term for alterations in a surface meant to increase friction and decrease slippage) on the top of the blade is a nice touch and adds to the knife's value and safety. 2. 420HC is ok but I wish it was a little better grade of steel, although in fairness that's part of what keeps the knife reasonably priced, and given it's intended purpose (light-duty every day carry and use) it's adequate. 3. Although it doesn't affect righties like me, for lefties it would be nice if you could switch the clip to the other side. 4. For those who like to carry "tip up" you can't change the position of the clip to accommodate. 5. Due to the blade's shape, sharpening in the traditional way is more difficult and requires more effort and time.

Are there better knives? Of course. Are there better knives at this price point that are supremely functional, ultra convenient, uncumbersome, safe, discreet, great quality, reasonably rugged, and American made, better than the Scallion? No way. Everybody has their opinions of course but I've used the Scallion extensively and can without question say that this truly is a great little knife for everyday carry and light-duty use.

I have used my Scallion since Sept. 2005. I also bought a Kershaw Leek with aluminum handles about a month or so earlier. I find the Scallion to be a little too small -- I prefer the size of the Leek. However, the aluminum handles of my Leek are a bit too slippery and, although the blue-black smoked finish is very nice to look at, my Leek shows some shiny plain aluminum where the handle has been scratched. My Scallion's black textured synthetic (plastic) handles are less slippery and show no noticeable scratches after over four years of use. The Scallion has been my everyday carry around-the-house knife that is clipped to my pocket -- if I need a bigger blade at home, it usually is only a little inconvenience to get one, but the Scallion is more convenient to carry all the time for most knife cutting chores. I prefer the blade shape with some curve on the blade to the Leek's rather straight cutting edge, so I wish the Scallion's blade was stretched out for another half inch or so without increasing the width or thickness and the handle lengthened correspondingly -- it would then be "perfect" for me. I like flipper-opening knives -- I find it easier to quickly find by feel and use the flipper than to find and use the little thumb studs and, with some knives with the thumb studs close to the handle, I just cannot open the blades with the thumb studs.
Last year (2009) I did have a couple of problems with my Scallion. The blade lock or plastic blade tip block broke off. I sent an e-mail message to Kai Cutlery/Kershaw Knives to request a replacement piece and the customer service mailed to me the replacement part at no cost to me. The other problem was the loosening of the screws holding the clip, so that the clip noticeably wiggled. I used a torx screwdriver to tighten the screws. I also used a torx screwdriver to replace the blade tip block and I have used the same screwdriver to adjust the tightness of the screw when the sliding blade tip block gets too loose or too tight, so the appropriate-sized torx screwdriver is nice to have. Other than those minor problems, my Scallion has functioned perfectly -- the blade opens and locks up just as fast and securely as it did when I first got it and there is still no blade play or movement in the opened blade. As others have mentioned, I also just open and close the blade just to play around with the assisted opening mechanism, so that opening mechanism has been used much more than the blade has been used for actual cutting.

Purchased this knife to replace SOG knife which i love as well. I was looking for a good, slim, spring assisted, everyday knife. That's what i got.

The blade length is perfect for everyday carrying. Its legal and it doesn't look too violent when opened if front of average people. I only have tow qualms about this knife. 1. The blade is not half serrated (that is only my faualt, i should have spent more time looking for that version at this price). Anyway, my only actual problem with this knife is when opening the knife with the thumb stud is much too difficult. The index finger opening option works stellar but, even though Ive got the hang of it, having a stranger attempt to open it with the thumb stud is always difficult.

Overall, great knife... hate to take a whole star for the thumb stud opening not being the best.

I bought one of these knives about a year ago and am very impressed by it . It came out of the box sharp enough to shave a big patch of hair off my arm and has held a very sharp edge with little maintenance (about once a month I run a fine stone down the edges about 8 to 10 time). The only drawback I've found is the safety can be a pain to release. I tried leaving it off and the blade did pop open in my pocket. But overall this is the best pocket knife I've owned in 12 years and would highly recomend it.

The Scallion is small enough to be pocket legal most everywhere, fit nicely in even a small handbag for women, or ride in a fanny pack. It can be easily opened even by people without hand strength or dexterity and it is razor sharp. I nicked a chunk off a knuckle playing with it the first night, and developed an appreciation for its craftsmanship real quick. It is sharp as a sushi knife. I guess what sold me on this model over the others is the textured handle, and I am glad I did. If this baby slipped you wouldn't want to try and grab it. It is also rock solid when locked open, not a hair of play in it. Closest thing to a fixed blade I have seen in a folder.