Kershaw Knockout 1870 review

I noticed an amazon lightening deal for the Kershaw knockout and couldn't pass it up. It's an impressive knife for the $45 I paid.

This is the newer kershaw knockout model with aluminum scales and stainless steel "sub frame lock" as well as speed safe assist.

as far as fit and finish goes this knife has exceeded my exceptions. the aluminum handles are nicely machined and finished, and so is the blade and thumb stud. there are no sharp edges, nor does the blade have any play up or down side to side.

The blade even has no play and is centered when closed.

The lock up on this knife is right where it should be, and it is consistent when opened soft (with both hands) or flicked open.

The knockout is very pocket friendly, and has plenty of cutting power with its wide blade and very pointy tip.

every surface of this knife is smooth, and it is void of any jimping. It was a good decision to leave jimping out of this design, it is not necessary with a properly designed handle.

Pros:
Ergonomic as it can be (for a fairly flat pocket friendly design)
Steel: Sandvic 14C28N
Made in USA
Sub Frame lock

Cons:
Plastic Backspacer - this choice is puzzling to me, I would have rather had a design made with only metal. I believe it is made of Zytel.

It's hard to even nitpick this knife when you realize it isn't even a $50 knife. the minor nitpicks I have are the relatively boring but functional low rider pocket clip and the plastic back spacer.

and although the thumb studs on this knife are well made, and fit the look of the knife well, they are pointless and should have been left out. There's really no need for them when you have the flipper, or want to open it two handed in public.