Hair & Body
Kershaw: Rugged, Reliable Daily Carry Knives
I love pocket knives. To be fair, it’s a bit of a pre-requisite when you work at Kent of Inglewood, but I’m no exception to that rule. I’m the obnoxious guy at holiday and birthday gift-openings who’s always waiting for the call of “does anyone have a knife?”. While my affinity for folding blades is due in part to my very mild obsession with preparedness, there’s another much more straightforward reason why my collection has grown out of control: pocket knives are friggin’ cool.
The American brand Kershaw easily proves my point. In the summer of 2021, we decided to expand our range of outdoor and everyday carry knives, and Kershaw was one of the first brands we sought out. Not only have customers been asking for them for years, but we had seen dozens of them first-hand in the hands of our regular patrons, proof that regulars to the shop love them, and we would too. We were not only drawn to their good looks but their function and reliability as we are strictly committed to providing our customers (and ourselves) with the best gear possible.
Pete Kershaw, an avid outdoorsman, started the brand in Lake Oswego, Oregon, in late 1974. Born from his obsession with reliable, quality tools, Kershaw initially focused on hunting and fishing blades. In his search for the best blades around, Pete naturally crossed paths with Kai Japan. The two partnered in business, and the rest is history.
In the 90s, Kershaw launched two major innovations:Their first liner lock knives, and their patented SpeedSafe® opening mechanism.
In the 1990s, Kershaw saw many innovations and changes to their folding knives that remain today. They released their first liner-lock knives that could be opened and closed with one hand - a favourite among our staff. They also launched their revolutionary SpeedSafe® opening mechanisms, making it easier than ever to access your blade. While they’ve continued to innovate since then, this design remains their most popular and one of the trademarks they are recognized for. Kershaw continues to innovate and develop new knives, launching new models every year.
We’re pretty pumped to be carrying these blades. Within a week of receiving them, most had already walked out the door with our staff and customers. We continue to grow our selection, but these are the favourites that we’ve fallen in love with so far:
Kershaw Eris
I had to start with this one, because it’s one of my favourites from Kershaw. It has everything I look for: a solid steel body that fits my hand, a handy pocket clip, and effortless one-handed opening. The rugged construction is designed to last for decades, and the steel is easy to sharpen but won’t chip easily. What more could you ask for?
Kershaw Culpepper
After something more traditional? This classic slipjoint knife features an excellent fit and finish, perfect for an heirloom knife. The locking mechanism is smooth yet won’t close unexpectedly as you get to work with your knife. Whether you’re looking for a meaningful gift or your new favourite knife, the Culpepper is the way to go.
Kershaw Pub
One of my favourite things about Kershaw is the tiny knives they make. Despite my love of knives, I often leave the house without one because I’m incredibly forgetful. I adore the idea of having one permanently attached to my keys that’s impossible to forget, and for me, the Pub is the perfect choice. This folding blade designed by Belarusian custom knifemaker Dmitry Sinkevich is the ultimate keychain knife; it works as a bottle opener, a flathead screwdriver, and of course, a pocket knife! The modified sheepsfoot blade easily flips out to address any of your daily cutting tasks.
Kershaw Shuffle
Yet another adorable and handy mini-knife! This ultra-handy little flipper features a flathead screwdriver that doubles as a lanyard attachment and ice-breaker, as well as a bottle opener. The small, curved blade excels at any task, from opening boxes to making feathersticks. The contoured handle makes for a comfortable grip while you put this knife to work.
Kershaw Tumbler
Now we’re getting to the creme de la creme. The Tumbler is one of Kershaw's finest offerings, constructed with rugged D2 stainless steel and a rock-solid G10 and carbon fibre handle. The one-handed opening mechanism and liner lock make operating it a breeze for daily use. If I had to pick only one folding knife, this would likely be it.
If you’re ready for a knife that’s as reliable as it is affordable, look no further than Kershaw. I encourage you to visit our Calgary shop to handle them if you’re able, or shoot us a message in the chat box so we can help you pick the right one! Whichever you end up with, I know it’ll serve you for a lifetime.