Kershaw Starter Assisted Opening Flipper Knife 1301BW

The Kershaw Starter (1301BW) is okay for the price, but I think that for about $1.00 more the Kershaw Manifold (1303BW) is a noticeably better workaday or starter knife.

The length measurements in the description are accurate, but the listed weight measurements are obviously way off. This knife weighs 6.65 oz. on my scale (as compared to the Kershaw Manifold which weighs in at 5.90 oz.). I like the feel of heavier knives in my hand, but 6.65 oz seems pretty overweight even for the stoutest of everyday use knives.

The blade, scales and liner locks are all sturdy and well-fitted, though I was surprised to find the factory edge to be a bit dull; most Kershaw knives I've had come with a good-to-excellent edge on them. The knife point is also a bit more blunt and rounded than is useful for easy slitting --- but that seems to be true on most inexpensive Kershaws. Since this isn't the easiest steel to rework and sharpen at home, it would be nice if this blade came to a crisp point straight from the factory.

I love Kershaws --- even cheap Kershaws --- but this is probably one of their most disappointing offers. If you're in the market for a budget blade, Kershaw knives are usually a good choice, but I'd recommend spending the extra dollar to get the Kershaw Manifold.

I also have a Kershaw OSO sweet with the same Speedsafe mechanism. I consider my OSO Sweet just about the perfect inexpensive EDC knife. I reduced my opinion of this knife for the following reasons.

1. The slightly larger size (4-1/2" closed v 4" closed) and metal handle makes it about twice as heavy (almost 7 oz v. 3+ oz).
2. The pivot screw is hard to adjust. The nut on the other side of the handle that holds the screw is round and wants to spin. I had to fiddle with it about 10 minutes to loosen the screw. It was very easy to adjust the screw on my OSO Sweet because it has a hex shaped nut on the back side of the screw, which fits into a hex shaped alcove in the handle this naturally acts as a wrench to prevent the nut from spinning as you adjust the screw.

it's a substantial piece of gear. Great function. Just easy enough to open with either the speed​safe tab or thumb stud.​ ​
A bit heavy but solid​. ​S​o glad I purchased this knife could not pass up the Kershaw for the price​!