Kershaw is the brand most people buy their first decent pocket knife from, and that’s no accident. It makes good knives at almost every price, from cheap imported workhorses to American-made folders with premium steel.
The catch is that quality swings a lot across the catalog, so the model matters more than the logo. A Kershaw built in Oregon from Swedish or American steel is a different knife from an imported one in soft Chinese steel, even when the two look alike on a store peg.
My first choice is the Kershaw Leek. If you prefer a knife that opens without any spring at all, start with the Iridium instead.
My Top 6 Kershaw Picks
Slim, sharp and quick to open, with a blade that disappears in a shirt or dress pocket. Made in the USA and still the Kershaw I’d recommend to almost anyone.
A bigger, chunkier folder with grippy Trac-Tec inserts in the handle. My choice for tradespeople whose knife gets dirty every day.
No spring, just a thumb stud on smooth bearings and a crossbar lock that works for either hand. A modern folder that punches well above its price.
MagnaCut steel, a light aluminum handle and an American factory. This is Kershaw showing it can play in the premium league.
A tiny fixed blade with its own sheath that costs next to nothing. Good for a tackle box, a glovebox or a bug-out bag.
A short blade, a bottle opener and a flathead screwdriver in a palm-sized handle. More useful around the house than its size suggests.
What Kershaw Does Well
Something good at every price
Few brands cover as much ground. Kershaw sells simple imported knives for very little, solid American-made folders in the middle, and premium-steel knives near the top. You can stay with one brand as your budget grows.
SpeedSafe assisted opening
Kershaw made assisted opening popular. A small push on the flipper or thumb stud starts the blade, and a torsion bar finishes the opening for you. It’s still an assisted opener, not an automatic: the spring only helps after you start the blade moving. Assisted openers are treated differently from switchblades in many places, but local laws vary, so check yours. My assisted openers under $50 guide has more Kershaw options.
American factory and Japanese ownership
Kershaw has been designing knives since 1974 and is part of the Kai group, the Japanese company behind Shun kitchen knives, which I covered in my Kai knives review. Its best-known folders, such as the Leek, Blur and Bel Air, are built in Kai USA’s factory in Oregon.
Designs that last
The Leek and the Blur are Ken Onion designs that have been in the catalog for over twenty years. That kind of staying power means spare parts, plenty of owner advice and a knife that’s been refined over time.
What Kershaw Does Badly
Uneven quality across the range
A USA-made Leek and an imported budget folder share a logo but not much else. The cheap models use softer steels like 8Cr13MoV, which dull quickly, and their fit and finish varies more. Check where a knife is made before you buy it.
Right-hand-only clips on some classics
The Leek and the Blur only take the clip on the right side of the handle. Left-handed carriers should look at the Iridium or the Bel Air, which have fully reversible clips.
Fragile tips on slim blades
The Leek’s fine point is great for detail work, but it snaps if you pry with it. Broken tips come up in Leek owner forums more than any other fault.
Kershaw Lines Compared
| Line | Steel | Opening | Lock | Made in | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA classics (Leek, Blur, Scallion) | 14C28N | SpeedSafe assisted | Frame or liner lock | USA | Everyday carry |
| DuraLock models (Iridium, Bel Air) | D2 or MagnaCut | Manual, KVT bearings | Crossbar | Bel Air USA; Iridium not stated | Ambidextrous carry |
| Budget folders (Shuffle, Clash, Cryo) | 8Cr13MoV and similar | Manual or assisted | Liner or frame lock | Not stated | Work, spares |
| Small fixed blades (Appa, Steppe) | Stainless | Fixed | None | Not stated | Kits, backups |
1. Kershaw Leek: Best Kershaw Knife
Who it’s for: office workers, light-duty carriers and anyone who wants a slim knife that doesn’t look scary.
The Leek is one of Kershaw’s best-selling folders, and it’s easy to see why. The 3-inch drop point is thin and very sharp, the stainless steel handle is barely thicker than a pen, and the SpeedSafe assist flicks it open with a light push on the flipper.
The blade is Sandvik 14C28N, a Swedish stainless that sharpens easily and holds an edge better than the budget steels. The blade locks open with a frame lock; a separate slider near the tip stops it opening by accident.
The weak points are known: the tip breaks if you pry, the smooth steel handle gets slippery when wet, and the clip only fits right-hand carry. I made it my pick for slim carry in my folding knives under $100 guide for the same reasons.
Key specs
- Blade: 3″ drop point, Sandvik 14C28N
- Opening: SpeedSafe assisted, flipper
- Lock: frame lock plus tip-lock slider
- Handle: 410 stainless steel; weight 3 oz
- Clip: right-hand, tip-up or tip-down
Pros
- Very slim and light
- Fast, easy opening
- Good steel for the money
Cons
- Fine tip breaks if pried
- Slippery when wet
- Right-hand clip only
My verdict: the Kershaw to start with. Choose the Blur instead if your knife sees rough work.
2. Kershaw Blur: Best Grip
Who it’s for: tradespeople, campers and anyone whose knife works in wet or dirty conditions.
The Blur is the Leek’s tougher sibling. Its 3.4-inch recurve blade is thicker, and the aluminum handle has Trac-Tec inserts, a sandpaper-like grip material that stays secure with wet or gloved hands.
It opens with a thumb stud and SpeedSafe instead of a flipper, and an insert liner lock holds the blade. The black Cerakote coating protects the 14C28N blade and hides scratches.
The recurve is great for slicing but takes more care to sharpen than a straight edge. At 3.9 ounces it’s heavier than the Leek, and the clip is again right-hand only. The Trac-Tec can also wear on pocket linings.
Key specs
- Blade: 3.4″ recurve, Sandvik 14C28N, black Cerakote
- Opening: SpeedSafe assisted, thumb stud
- Lock: insert liner lock
- Handle: anodized aluminum, Trac-Tec inserts; weight 3.9 oz
- Made in the USA
Pros
- Excellent grip
- Strong blade for hard use
- Coating resists wear
Cons
- Recurve is harder to sharpen
- Right-hand clip only
- Grip inserts wear pocket fabric
My verdict: the Kershaw for work. The Leek is better for an office pocket.
3. Kershaw Iridium: Best Manual Opener
Who it’s for: left-handed carriers and people who want a modern folder without an assisted spring.
The Iridium is the knife that shows where Kershaw is heading. There’s no assist: you open the 3.4-inch spear point with a thumb stud, and the KVT ball-bearing pivot makes it glide. To close it, you pull back the DuraLock, a steel crossbar that works the same from either side.
The blade is D2, a tool steel known for long edge life. It isn’t fully stainless, though, so wipe it dry after cutting food or working in the rain, or it can spot.
The aluminum handle is light and the deep-carry clip is reversible. Unlike the Leek and Blur, its listing doesn’t say where it’s made, so don’t buy it expecting an American knife.
Key specs
- Blade: 3.4″ spear point, D2 tool steel
- Opening: thumb studs, KVT ball bearings
- Lock: DuraLock crossbar, ambidextrous
- Handle: anodized aluminum; weight 3.3 oz
- Deep-carry clip, reversible left or right
Pros
- Fully ambidextrous
- Long edge life
- Smooth action
Cons
- D2 can rust if left wet
- Origin not stated on the listing
My verdict: the best value in the Kershaw catalog for people who don’t want an assisted knife.
4. Kershaw Bel Air: Best Premium
Who it’s for: knife enthusiasts who want premium steel without paying Benchmade prices.
The Bel Air takes the Iridium’s formula upmarket. The blade is CPM MagnaCut, one of the best all-round steels available: it holds an edge, resists rust and is tough enough not to chip easily. The knife is made in the USA.
The 3.1-inch reverse tanto blade has a strong tip and a long straight edge for clean cuts. At 2.9 ounces with an aluminum handle, it’s lighter than the Iridium, and the DuraLock and KVT bearings work the same way.
It costs much more than the Iridium. The reverse tanto shape also isn’t for everyone; if you prefer a traditional curve, look for the clip point version.
Key specs
- Blade: 3.1″ reverse tanto, CPM MagnaCut, coated
- Opening: thumb studs, KVT ball bearings
- Lock: DuraLock crossbar
- Handle: anodized aluminum; weight 2.9 oz
- Made in the USA; reversible deep-carry clip
Pros
- Premium steel
- Light and slim
- Ambidextrous lock and clip
Cons
- Costs much more than the Iridium
- Reverse tanto won’t suit everyone
My verdict: the best Kershaw you can buy today, if you’ll notice the better steel.
5. Kershaw Appa: Best Budget
Who it’s for: anyone who needs a cheap backup knife for a kit, car or tackle box.
Despite the “pocket knife” in its listing, the Appa is a small fixed blade. The 2.75-inch reverse tanto sits in a glass-filled nylon sheath with a clip and nylon straps, so you can carry it on a belt, a pack strap or a bag.
A fixed blade has no lock to fail, which makes it a sensible emergency knife. The steel is an unnamed stainless, so it won’t hold an edge long, but it’s easy to touch up.
The handle is short and fills only part of a large hand. It’s a backup or a kit knife, not your main cutting tool.
Key specs
- Blade: 2.75″ reverse tanto, stainless, black oxide
- Handle: textured glass-filled nylon
- Sheath: glass-filled nylon, clip, nylon straps
- Overall: 6.5″; weight just under 2 oz
Pros
- Costs very little
- No lock to fail
- Flexible sheath carry
Cons
- Short handle
- Basic steel
My verdict: a no-brainer backup blade. Buy a real folder for daily carry.
6. Kershaw Shuffle: Best Utility
Who it’s for: homeowners, students and anyone who wants a tiny knife that does more than cut.
The Shuffle is a 2.4-inch drop point in a chunky nylon handle that also holds a bottle opener and a flathead screwdriver. The screwdriver doubles as the lanyard point, which is a neat touch.
The 8Cr13MoV blade is soft and needs regular sharpening, but it’s fine for boxes, tape and packaging. A liner lock holds it open and the clip moves for left- or right-hand carry.
The handle is thick for such a short knife, and it’s manual only, so it opens slower than the assisted Kershaws.
Key specs
- Blade: 2.4″ drop point, 8Cr13MoV
- Opening: manual thumb stud
- Lock: liner lock
- Handle: glass-filled nylon, bottle opener, flathead screwdriver; weight 2.8 oz
- Reversible clip
Pros
- Built-in tools
- Compact
- Very cheap
Cons
- Soft steel dulls fast
- Thick for its size
My verdict: a useful little gadget knife. Get the Leek if cutting is the main job.
Kershaw vs Other Brands
Kershaw vs Buck
Kershaw is the more modern brand: clips, assisted opening, lighter knives. Buck is the traditional one, with heavier lockbacks and fixed blades built in Idaho. For a pocket knife I’d usually pick Kershaw; for hunting or a heirloom gift, Buck.
Kershaw vs Benchmade
Benchmade costs much more and offers free lifetime sharpening and better steels across the range. The Bel Air narrows the gap. If you want one premium knife, Benchmade; if you want a good knife without the premium, Kershaw.
Kershaw vs SOG and CRKT
All three sell affordable assisted folders. Kershaw’s American-made models are the best of that group, and its budget imports are roughly equal to theirs. My flipper knives under $50 guide compares several head to head.
FAQ
Are Kershaw knives good?
Yes, especially the USA-made models like the Leek, Blur and Bel Air. Kershaw’s cheap imported knives are decent for the money but use softer steel, so check the model and where it’s made before you buy.
Where are Kershaw knives made?
Kershaw makes many of its best-known folders in Oregon, USA. Its budget lines are imported. The listing usually says “Made in USA” when it applies.
Who owns Kershaw?
Kershaw belongs to the Kai group of Japan, the company that also makes Shun kitchen knives. Kershaw and its premium sister brand Zero Tolerance are run by Kai USA in Oregon.
Are Kershaw knives automatic?
Most are not. SpeedSafe knives are assisted openers: you start the blade moving and a spring finishes the job. Kershaw sells true automatics under a separate line, and those aren’t sold on Amazon.
Does Kershaw have a warranty?
Yes. Kershaw offers a limited lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. It doesn’t cover normal wear, sharpening damage or misuse such as prying.
Final Verdict
Kershaw gives you more knife for your money than almost any other brand, as long as you choose carefully. The Leek is the one I’d buy first, the Iridium is the best manual folder in the range, and the Bel Air shows Kershaw at its best.
Looking beyond one brand? My best EDC knives under $100 puts Kershaw next to its rivals.
Gary Portman founded knivesadvice.com in 2019. He learned to cook in his family’s kitchen as a kid and has used kitchen, pocket and outdoor knives ever since, from paring and fillet knives to survival blades he carries camping and hiking. He writes the site’s buying guides, brand reviews and sharpening how-tos to help readers find the right knife for the job. More about Gary.