Kershaw Iridium Folding Pocket Knife, 3.4 inch D2 Steel Blade, DuraLock Locking Mechanism, Grey Aluminum Handle, Pocketclip

I own around 80 knives, I'm admittedly a Knife Knerd. I consider D2 steel as entry-level good stuff...it's a widely-used tool steel and it's used in ball bearings. As blade steel it's reasonably tough, has decent edge retention and isn't too difficult to sharpen...for knives used or abused daily, it's a good choice.Fresh out of the box my Iridium snaps open very easily, is perfectly centered, is scary sharp, has no blade wiggle and looks great. Kershaw's version of the Benchmade Axis Lock (called DuraLock) seems perfect...mine opens almost like an assisted knife and falls shut when I slide back the lock button. It's a fun fidgeter, satisfying to open and close. The action is perfect, not always the case with thumb tabs--it snaps right open every time.I find very little wrong with it, beyond some nit-picking: The tip is more delicate than I prefer, though good for detail work. Plus there are just three jimping grooves on the spine that only begin 3/8" up the back of the blade--I would much prefer blade jimping all the way back to the pivot point (and even continued onto the handle).In utility, construction, materials and price, it's comparable to the venerable Ontario Rat 1 (previously my favorite "beater"). However the engineering and styling are a big improvement over the Rat...I confess that I like well-designed knives that are also pretty and classy--the Iridium qualifies on both counts (though part of the Rat's appeal, admittedly, is that it IS rather butt-ugly...just a tough, simple tool always gets the job done). The Iridium really outshines it and others in the same general category due to its DuraLock action...such axis locks are one of my favorite mechanisms; they're tough, secure, very easy to open and close one-handed and generally seen only in knives priced well north of $100.If it weren't for the "Kershaw" engraving on the blade, I would easily mistake this knife for a premium Benchmade or Zero Tolerance costing 3-4 times more. At $60 it's an absolute steal of a deal, one I'm pleased to adopt for EDC.. I have some a couple of small issues, but altogether you might skip that Benchmade you've been coveting and buy three of these instead. If it were also offered in pricier and fancier steels like Magnacut, Maxamet, ZDP-189 or CPM S35VN there would be a line of prospective buyers (though I'm quite happy with my D2 model and at 60 bucks I won't have to cry if it's lost or stolen).Addition 3-28-2026--I'm still carrying it and liking it, it pockets easily and I dig the blade shape. In my original review above, I said I would appreciate it in a more premium steel...it turns out that Kershaw already beat me to it with the Bel Air XL, with a 3.4" Magnacut blade. I just ordered one for $133...reviews say it's like a Rolls Royce Iridium with an even smoother opening action (though the Iridium requires no improvement).It's great to see companies like Kershaw and Cold Steel now hitting the ball out of the park with improved steels and designs. I own several Benchmade and Zero Tolerance knives that I paid through the nose for in years past...yes, they're beautifully designed and engineered, but why pay double for a knife when a Kershaw is equal in all regards? Kershaws are meant to be used, and cheap enough that SEFOU is not an issue (that stands for Special Edition Fear of Use). I have a number of knives that qualify as SEFOU, and I'm not going to risk scratching or damaging a $400 knife when a $60 blade gets the job done just as well.Anyhow, as I said before, if you've been horny for a Benchmade or Zero Tolerance you will likely be just as satisfied with a Kershaw...and you can buy two of them for less money. I'm a Kershaw Konvert--I used to consider them as mid-quality but recently they have turned the table....

Primero es una navaja para mi gusto algo pequeña pero es muy bonita, no le halle ningún defecto visible, todo bien acabado y bien hecho muy llamativa y elegante, el acero d2 no es inoxidable asi que hay que limpiarla de vez en cuando pero retiene muy bien el filo aun que llego con un filo decente la reperfile a mi gusto con un acabado espejo, el sistema de seguro que llaman dura-lock es un cross-bar como los de benchmade y que anda de moda ahorita, la verdad es muy confiable no tiene ningún juego todo bien seguro como roca en conclusión una navaja que te ofrece mucho mas por lo que pagas.

Ein Traum von einem Messer. Sehr schön und super scharf. Leider nicht 42a konform in Deutschland das muss einem klar sein.

He tenido muchos cuchillos de distintas gamas y este se volvió en mi favorito, el diseño moderno, la calidad, el peso y la funcionalidad me parece excelente para ser considerado una navaja con precio accesible. Hasta ahora no he visto que se oxide pero también siempre trato de mantenerla aceitada. El único pero que le pondría es que el clip es más ajustado de lo que me gustaría. La hoja se siente sólida al estar desplegada, el filo que trae de fabrica es sorprendente.

It came very sharp