Break Down of Kershaw’s 25 New Blades

KAI USA has opened the floodgates: a deluge of new Kershaw knives have arrived and continue to skate onto dealer shelves. There’s a lot to sort through; all told, Kershaw has 25 new models including 3 automatics, 3 multi-tools, and 5 manual opening knives. It comes as no surprise that 17 of the new blades utilize Kershaw’s popular Speed Safe Assisted Opening Technology which all come in a flipper variety. 8 new Kershaws have already shipped to dealers (below in green) with another 17 on the way. 11 of the blades are frame locks followed closely by 10 liner locks.

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To help make sense of it all, we went through the lineup and grouped the knives by their designer and then sorted the blades by size (smallest to largest). Including the multi-tools, there are 14 original Kershaw designs. Ernest Emerson, Todd Rexford, and Rick Hinderer each designed two new Kershaw knives apiece. Les George has four new designs and Grant & Gavin Hawk bring their patented Hawk Lock back to the market with their latest Kershaw collaboration. We’ve also noted the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices but keep in mind actual dealer price are typically discounted in the range of 25-35% off the MSRP.

You can click on the name of the knife (in orange) to see photos on Kershaw’s website.

Kershaw’s In-House Designs

Launch 4 (click here to view photo)
1.9″ Blade, Automatic, MSRP $119.99 Available for Pre-Order
Kershaw’s smallest automatic knife has a 1.9 inch California-legal blade made from premium DLC coated CPM-154 steel. Made in the USA.

Spoke
2″ Blade, Assisted Flipper, Liner Lock, MSRP $17.95 Available Now
The Spoke is one of Kershaw’s smallest new knives with a blade length of just 2 inches. Kershaw promises that its wide, big-bellied blade gives it cutting power beyond its size. A frame lock, SpeedSafe assisted flipper, and black coating round out its features.

Cathode
2.25″ Blade, Assisted Flipper, Frame Lock, MSRP $29.99, Available for Pre-Order
Though fairly small with a 2.25-inch blade, the Cathode is big on style. An intricate pattern covers the all-metal handle, and the angular tanto blade opens with the help of a flipper and Kershaw’s SpeedSafe assist mechanism.

Intellect
3″ Blade, Assisted Flipper, Frame Lock, MSRP $49.99, Available Now
The Intellect’s all-metal construction gives the 3 inch drop point blade a reassuring weight and sophisticated style.

Grinder
3.25″ Blade, Assisted Flipper, Liner Lock, MSRP $29.99 Available Now
The Grinder made it onto BudgetBugout’s list of the top 5 blades of 2016 for its value, ergonomics, and practical blade shape.

Portal
3.3″ Blade, Assisted Flipper, Liner Lock, MSRP $29.99 Available for Pre-Order
The Portal, a SpeedSafe flipper, has a distinctive pattern of flowing lines that run from the handle scales onto the stonewashed, drop point

Rove
3.3″ Blade, Assisted Flipper, Liner Lock, MSRP $39.99, Available for Pre-Order
SpeedSafe flipper opening, a 3.3 inch drop point blade, and deep-carry reversible pocket clip make the Rove an ideal EDC candidate.

Identity
3.5″ Blade, Assisted Flipper, Frame Lock, MSRP $25.95, Available for Pre-Order
The unique, concentric pattern on the handle scales of the Identity was inspired by fingerprints. The black coated 3.5 inch blade is secured with a frame lock and opens via a flipper and Kershaw’s SpeedSafe mechanism.

Fatback
3.5″ Blade, Assisted Flipper, Liner Lock, MSRP $39.99, Available Now
The name ‘Fatback’ has nothing to do with the knife’s overall shape, which is actually fairly slim and dagger-like. No, think sizzling bacon, which may have been the inspiration for the ridged pattern running along the knife’s handle. A linerlock, flipper, and SpeedSafe completes the package.

Grid
3.7″ Blade, Assisted Flipper, Frame Lock, MSRP $31.95, Available Now
A SpeedSafe flipper with a sleek tactical look, the Grid’s sizable 3.7 inch black coated blade is secured open by a frame lock.

Launch 6
3.75″ Blade, Automatic, MSRP $169.99 Available Now
Kershaw’s largest automatic knife is made in the USA with a 3.75 inch CPM-154 steel blade.

Kershaw Multi-Tools

Decoy
2.5″ Blade, Manual Flipper, Liner Lock, MSRP $24.99 Available for Pre-Order
In addition to its 2.5-inch wharncliffe blade, the Decoy features unique front-flipper opening and pincers/tweezers accessed by a sliding switch within the handle.

Barge
2.6″ Blade, Manual Thumb Stud, Frame Lock, MSRP $34.99 Available for Pre-Order
The barge is a utility knife also built for real prying, with a seriously solid prybar bolted into the knife frame in place of a conventional backspacer.

Payload
3.3″ Blade, Assisted Flipper, Liner Lock, MSRP $49.99, Available for Pre-Order
The Payload hides a five bit screwdriver set within its glass-filled nylon handles, and a driver within the backspacer. And of course, there’s also a locking 3.3-inch utility blade.

Ernest Emerson

Launch 5
3.4″ Blade, Automatic, MSRP $179.99, Available Now
The most expensive new Kershaw, the Launch 5 auto is reminiscent of Emerson’s own Raven design and features a 3.4-inch stonewashed premium CPM-154 steel blade and lightweight milled aluminum handles.

CQC-9K
3.6″ Blade, Wave & Thumb Disk, Frame Lock, MSRP $59.99, Available for Pre-Order
With a sizable recurved blade and Emerson’s trademarked “wave shaped opening feature,” that disappears when the knife is opened, the CQC-9K might be the most intimidating Emerson-Kershaw collaboration yet.

Les George

Pico
2.9″ Blade, Assisted Flipper, Frame Lock, MSRP $44.99, Available for Pre-Order
The Pico is Les’ smallest collaboration with Kershaw this year, and features a 2.9-inch drop point blade and minimalist lines.

Spline
2.9″ Blade, Assisted Flipper, Frame Lock, MSRP $54.99, Available for Pre-Order
Based on George’s custom Mini Harpy model, the Kershaw Spline is given an all-over blackwash finish, and the decorative pivot also doubles as an overtravel stop for the frame lock.

Valmara
3.1″ Blade, Assisted Flipper, Liner Lock, MSRP $39.99, Available for Pre-Order
The drop point, recurved blade on the Valmara is paired with a heavily contoured handle to make a hardworking and ergonomic knife.

Westin
3.5″ Blade, Assisted Flipper, Frame Lock, MSRP $44.99, Available for Pre-Order
According to Kershaw, Les George was “Inspired by the character Michael Westin on the USA Network’s Burn Notice” when he designed this knife. A flipper, deep-carry clip, and SpeedSafe assist mechanism round out this blade.

Grant & Gavin Hawk

Induction
3.1″ Blade, Manual Flipper, Hawk Lock, MSRP $59.99, Available for Pre-Order
The Hawk’s patented Hawk Lock is unique in Kershaw’s lineup, and is designed like nothing else on the market. It’s also the only new manual flipper from the company this year.

Rick Hinderer

Cinder
1.4″ Blade, Manual Keychain Folder, Liner Lock, MSRP $14.99, Available for Pre-Order
This diminutive knife is smaller than some keychains, yet provides a comfortable three-fingered grip when open. With a tiny 1.4-inch blade, it’s almost as much bottle opener as it is knife.

Ferrite
3.3″ Blade, Assisted Flipper, Frame Lock, MSRP $59.99, Available for Pre-Order
The new Ferrite is slimmer and longer than Hinderer’s popular Cryo design and features the same lockbar stabilizer and pocket clip filler tab featured on his custom XM-18 model.

Todd Rexford

Showtime
3″ Blade, Assisted Flipper, Frame Lock, MSRP $47.99 Available for Pre-Order
Rexford’s characteristic simplicity and classic cool come through on the Showtime, a mid-sized frame lock SpeedSafe flipper with a two-toned, partially coated drop point blade.

Entropy
3.25″ Blade, Assisted Flipper, Liner Lock, MSRP $39.99 Available Now
A sleek, slim 3.25-inch folder with Kershaw’s SpeedSafe assist, the Entropy has a liner lock and reversible deep carry clip.

Knife feature in image: Kershaw Spoke