Kershaw “Method” Folder, by Pat Cascio

Kershaw knives has been coming out with a lot of new folders lately. Many of these can be considered a Gentleman’s folder, and the new Method is one under review today.

A Gentleman’s Folding Knife

I’ve been called a lot of things in my life. On several occasions, I’ve even been called a Gentleman, believe it or not. However, that’s another story, or another chapter in my life. Under review this time around, is what I consider a Gentleman’s folding knife, one that you wouldn’t be embarrassed to pull out and clean your finger nails with at the office or use to open a well-sealed package of some type. Of course, they can accomplish other cutting chores as well.

Smaller Folding Knife

I’m just not a big fan of little knives, not that the Jens Anso-designed “Method” is a little knife. Instead, many people would consider it in the “just the right size” category. I don’t have any problem with this at all. There is no single knife that I’m aware of that can fulfill all my cutting needs. That’s why there are so many different sizes of knives and so many different designs. There is also that eye appeal. Some of us like a knife that is classy looking, while others of us want something that screams it’s a “take me out to the woods” sort of design and one that calls out to be used in self-defense or in a military application. So, I don’t have a real problem with smaller folding knives. I just have a preference, like everyone does.

Kershaw Inspection

I’ve toured the Kershaw factory several times, and I’m way overdue for another tour. They have grown by leaps and bounds over just the past few years. It’s always fun to tour the plant and watch their employees working at fitting and assembling knives. Also, to be sure, they don’t just screw the parts together. If something doesn’t fit, they’ll reach into that box of parts and find a part that does fit. I’ve yet to receive a poorly assembled/fitted knife from Kershaw, ever. And, you have to admire the Kershaw inspection team. Nothing leaves the plant without going through a final inspection. Even on their line of imports, they are still inspected!

The Method, Designed By Jens Anso, Custom Knife Maker

The “Method” folder under review here was designed by Jens Anso, a talented custom knife maker. Kershaw is starting to do more and more collaborations these days with custom makers. This benefits us all. At one time, I used to design and collect custom-made knives. Even back in the day, it was a pretty expensive hobby. Today, I couldn’t begin to think about collecting hand-made custom knives. It would be impossible on my fixed income. However, I can and do collect custom-designed knives, those designed by custom knife makers that are being manufactured by some of the big name knife companies, like Kershaw. To be sure, in many cases, if you removed the markings from a factory-made knife and a custom-made knife and then put them side-by-side, odds are you would have a difficult time figuring out which is custom and which one is factory made. The factory made industry has come “that” far in producing knives that they are near custom in nature.

Method Custom Features

The Method is one dandy Gent’s folder, if you ask me. It has all the custom features and looks that will surely draw you to it. First off, we have a 3-inch long blade made out of 8Cr13MoV, which is a really decent stainless steel. It takes a good edge holds it a good long time, and is easy enough to re-sharpen, too. The Method has the flipper for opening, no thumb studs, and the flipper is further aided by the super-smooth, butter-like KVT ball bearing opening. It doesn’t take much effort to press down on the flipper, and the blade just smoothly comes out of the liner lock inside the G-10 handle scales. The handle scales are 3-D machined for a nice textured look and feel and is sharp looking.

There is a single-sided pocket clip for ease of carry in the right hand pocket of your pants, or even in a shirt pocket because the knife only weighs in at a mere 2.1 oz. You won’t even know it’s in a shirt pocket. There is a lanyard hole, except it isn’t drilled into the butt of the handle. Instead it is on the outside of the handle, and again, this is nicely done.

Respect Cutting Power of Knives

To be sure, I’m not one of those fellows who cleans my finger nails with a knife blade. I never have, never will. I’ve learned a long time ago to respect the cutting power of knives, even the smallest of folding knives. They can cut you deeply. I’ve been there done that over the years and have had more than a few sutures because of my carelessness or inattentive behavior when testing knives. However, I see guys cleaning their finger nails all the time with a small knife blade. I guess the Method will work just fine for their needs.

A Cutting Tool

While I see a knife as a tool, first and foremost, I just don’t see it as a finger nail cleaning tool. Instead, it is a cutting tool, and that’s what I use them for. I see guys using a knife as a pry bar all the time, and in short order they snap the tip of the knife blade off at the very least, or snap the blade in half and then send it back to the knife company for repair or warranty. Knives are cutting tools. When a knife company refuses to send you another knife because you used it as a pry bar, why do you get mad at them? I carry a multi-tool all the time, and it works for needs other than cutting. Use the right tool for the right job. That’s simple, right?

My Testing

I used to abuse knives in my testing, but I no longer do that. This is because no matter how well-made a knife, or any tool, might be, you can break it. So what’s the point of intentionally trying to break any tool? In my testing, I use a knife in my tests as a cutting tool, plain and simple, eh? Around my house and small homestead, I do some kind of cutting on a daily basis. Just a few minutes ago, UPS brought me a package that has those dreaded plastic straps on it. It was real simple to open; just cut them off. I also do the blackberry vine cutting test. This lets me know just how sharp a blade is. If it won’t cleanly sever a thick blackberry vine with one swipe, the blade needs work. The Method was up to this cutting chore.

Around the kitchen at the kitchen table, I use knives all of the time. While you might think I look stupid cutting up some meat at mealtime, it is a test I do all of the time. I also shave paper. If a knife won’t cleanly shave a piece of copy paper, it’s not sharp, in my humble opinion. Not too long ago, I purchased a knife from a well-known Oregon knife company that would have had a problem slicing through warm butter. It looked like the edge had been sharpened, but it was dull, very dull. It took me about 10 minutes to put a good working edge on it. This knife should have never left the factory as it arrived in my hands.

Wow!, A Steal-of-a-Deal

I really like the way the Method feels in my hand, like a natural extension of my hand. And the flipper with the KVT ball bearing assist, well, all I can say is “wow!”. If you’re in the market for a new folder for yourself, or as a gift, check out the Method from Kershaw. Full retail is only $39.99, and you can find Kershaw knives discounted in some of the big box stores. However, if you end up paying full retail, it is a steal-of-a-deal, in my book.