Kershaw Analyst Tanto Pocket Knife, 3.25" 8Cr13MoV Steel Blade, Liner Lock Folder, EDC

I bought this to replace an M-Tech USA tanto of similar design that I managed to break, a combination of a weak design being used too hard. It was a good knife with excellent steel, but I neglected to focus on its weakness: a large empty space in the spine (weight reduction?) of the blade, and weak mounting. It lasted a couple years, but eventually failed catastrophically.The Kershaw Analyst blade is solid, sharp, and fairly thick. The fiberglass/nylon handle is where I was concerned, but Kershaw focused on design here, too, with a solid steel frame under all of this, plus thick steel mounting hardware. The solidity of the blade when extended gives an honest feel of a long tang fixed blade (which this is not; do not use this as a wedging tool!), something that a folding knife in this price range typically can’t do.The black coating of the blade has been weathered using a tumbling procedure. I didn’t expect what it looks like up close, though. It is very smooth, but with a matte look, and holds on to oil very well. The description says it was done to “prevent scratching” under use. I don’t know if that has any truth, but after a day’s worth of use it wears like ceracoat on a firearm, meaning not at all.The spring action of the mechanism in opening is far stronger than the old knife it replaces, but the strength needed in the “flick” to open it is also greater, meaning little chance of this opening partially in my pocket, while also guaranteeing extension and locking when deploying one handed. To be honest, I will carry this as part of my EDC more as emergency preparedness than for any other reason, so solid use with only one hand is key along with the deep serrated section of blade (needed to quickly cut rope, seat belts, etc.).The belt clip came attached on the wrong side given my preferences, but with a Torx driver it was easy to swap over. A lot of people don’t seem to catch that Kershaw chose to drill and thread mounting positions not just on both sides, but also on both ends of the blade, so regardless one of those 4 positions will suit 100% of any user needing a pocket clip feature.I have carried knives 3-4 times the cost of this in the past, but have been badly sick the last couple years, which has dropped by funds tremendously, but as this is my first Kershaw experience, it’s looking like had this knife been presented to me a decade ago, I would have saved the money and carried this. Overall, probably the best knife I have ever owned!Granted, this is after just a day’s use, so I will be quick to come back and anything should there be something that would change my rating.

I'm not really sure where to begin with my favorite thing about this knife but it's design seems like a good place .I've got a couple of Tonto style knives but for some reason this one seems different and better . I can use the tip like a separate knife for cutting shrink wrap then move it past the tip to cut the cloth bands under the wrap . Further up the blade to cut plastic bands that hold things together and serated if need be for the thickest bands . Prior to this knife in prefer to open a unit of trim line I just described i needed a razor (box cutter) and a pair of snips . Now with just 1 knife I'm able to get it done quickly .The lock holds the blade solidly in place .The spring assist is such that I need a slight pressure . Not so light it'll open in my pocket but not so much it hurts my finger afterward . It's adjustable , which is also something none of my other knives have the ability of , with a torx wrench . Also unlike every other knife I have from the box the clip is such that I can pull the knife from my pocket and flip it open in the same motion . No flipping required . Another unique to my collection thing is the ability to change the clip position on both sides AND both ends . The clip is strong enough to hold it tight in my pocket but not so tight I can't quickly take it out of my pocket whether jeans or sweats . The knife is deceivingly light for its size but not so much it loses balance .From The box it was shave the hair on the back of my hand sharp . I haven't used it enough to see how tough it'll be to get it back to razor sharp .When I said it was so light that makes me believe the blade will be brittle and easily broken if I try to use it as a screwdriver or pry up something . Hopefully not so brittle it cracks if dropped but time will tell .For what this thing will do I'm also smitten that it was under $30 .The overall profile of the knife reminds me of the Tesla Truck ; so ugly it's uniquely attractive .