Kershaw Link Flipper Knife Review
July 8, 2015
90 The Good
- Drop point style blade
- Ease of opening
- Ergonomic design
- Less than $100
- Made in the USA
The Bad
- Anything sticky or sappy sticks to the blade and doesn’t easily wash off
- One-handed closure is difficult
You will not find another knife in this price range that boasts the composition, quality, or materials that the Link features. Additionally, it’s got a lightning fast flipper/SpeedSafe feature that rivals a couple of my personal high end, custom knives. If that’s not enough, it was designed and built in America.
CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS
The Kershaw Link is made of Aluminum, Nylon, and 420HC steel which has been dipped to further aid in blade preservation. It’s held together by three Torx bolts and a brute of a pivot bolt. If anything, this knife is overbuilt.
EASE OF USE
Compact, precise knives (like the Link), can have issues with the liner lock—it’s either too small and hard to actuate, or it’s too thin to rely on. However, the Kershaw Link is well balanced in this area and works well in many situations.
STEEL QUALITY/EDGE RETENTION
420HC has excellent corrosion resistance and sharpens up with ease, but it doesn’t hold an edge as well as some of the other blade steels on the market today. This is a small trade off, considering the level of sharpness you can get out of the Link with a simple sharpening stone.
DURABILITY
When it comes to build, the Link is built better than most knives in the Kershaw’s price range. However, I have some reservations about the BlackWash coating. I don’t think it’s going to rub off or thin out—but almost any type of liquid, sap, or goop sticks to the finish like tar and is a real beast to clean off. While this isn’t a durability issue, it could be a longevity issue and is a lot of work in terms of upkeep.
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