A special guest article from our gear guru Robert I., who enjoys playing with very sharp hiking gear!
There is all sorts of hiking and backpacking gear that is useful during an adventure …backpacks, boots, JetBoil stoves, tents… but how about when you get home? One item that can be used all the time is a good quality hiking knife!
To prove it, we’ve been testing two Kershaw folding knives for everyday use. The Kershaw Nerve is a lightweight folding knife with a textured handle. That makes it easy to grip, especially when hands are cold or sweaty. The pocket clip is too stiff, so ultimately it is something that most users will probably take off (it is easy to remove). The Kershaw Nerve pictured has a straight blade, but Kershaw manufactures another version that has a combination straight and serrated blade.
The Kershaw Salvo has a very strong blade, slicing through vegetables and fruit and putting my kitchen knives to shame. One side of the handle has black “track tek” rubber inserts for a great grip. The other side is plain, so can be a bit slippery when wet. Also, because this knife is so sleek, it is a little bit of a challenge to open. The thumb stud, which is how the knife is opened, is a little too low on the blade.
Lastly, we checked out the Kershaw Ultra Tek Sharpener, a handy 2.0oz knife sharpener that can easily fit into a pocket. The sharpener is a bit too rough for standard knives, but great for machetes and cutting shears. It is very convenient and a great design!
Of these two knives, we preferred the Kershaw Nerve for all around use…it is lightweight for hiking, has a great grip for wet or dry conditions, and a strong, sharp blade!
Specs:
Kershaw Nerve, Model #3420
- Blade length: 3 1/8 inches long
- Weight: 3.8 ounces
- Price: MSRP $39, can be found cheaper online.
- Manufactured in China
Kershaw Salvo, Model #2445
- Blade length: 3 1/4 inches long
- Weight: 3.1 ounces
- Price: MSRP $65, can be found cheaper online.
- Manufactured in USA
Kershaw Ultra Tek Sharpener, Model #2535
- Price: MSRP $12, can be found cheaper online.
Hi David,
Great question. A good blade is the most important feature in my opinion, because the knife will last a lot longer… Brand really depends on the features you want…for folders, I like Kerhsaw, SOG, and Cold Steel quite a lot. Good luck with your shopping!
Some seriously nice knives, I’m gonna look around on ebay.com to see if I can get a good price. Are there any other brands of knife you’d suggest?