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View Full Version : First Impressions: Kershaw Junk Yard Dog II


b.c.molin
20-03-2009, 11:53
I had not purchased a folding knife since 1989.

Deciding to get the Kershaw Junk Yard Dog II 1725ST (JYDII) (http://www.cuttingedgeknives.com.au/product_details.php?pID=2266) has been a big learning experience for me.

Special thanks to Apatari, Waldanger, Th232, TiNi and CMOT here and some folks on BF for helping bring me into the 21st Century.

http://www.cuttingedgeknives.com.au/images/product/small/151_24593824_22.jpg

Some details of the JYDII:

Blade Steel : Sandvik 13C26 stainless-steel
Blade Length : 3 3/4 in. (9.8 cm)
Handle : Textured grey G-10
Closed Length: 4 7/8 in. (12.5 cm)
Locking Liner.
Flipper opening.
Weight not advised.

After looking at YouTube video's of the JYDII versus the ZT0200 I decided that I would go for the smaller and lighter JYDII as I intended for it to be used as an EDC, and as much as I liked the ZT0200, it was even bigger and heavier plus an additional $130 than the Kershaw.

The JYDII arrived as per my post (http://laventrix.net/showpost.php?p=15286&postcount=17) in the Cutting Edge Knives thread. Upon opening the Australia Post padded bad I found that the Kerhaw box had been crushed in transit. Not an issue for many but disappointing for the collector and also for resale value. I hope any future purchases are dispatched in a more protective manner.

But the JYDII is no light weight in the pocket, coming in at about 5ounces or 160grams on my old kitchen scales. You certainly can feel its weight and size when carrying it.

Overall fit and fit is very good, the only issue is that the black debris protector insert on the back of the knife has not been entirely ground even with the liner, being slightly raised in parts.

The grind on the blade is very even and the matt polish has been smoothly done with no blemishes. The G-10 scales are amazing, not ever having handled this handle material before, I am now a convert to it. On this knife the texture is like sandpaper and it gives a very secure feeling, with the impression being it would not slip in your hand even if it was wet! Personally I find the grey colour most appealing too.

The blade came very sharp out of the box, with the partially serrated section being especially so.

It peeled and cut oranges with little pressure upon the blade. The point easily pierced empty plastic milk containers with ease, again with only a little pressure being necessary.

The big issue I had with the knife was that it arrived with the pivot screw so tight it was impossible use the flipper to open the blade. To get the blade open required the use of both hands, one on the knife and the other pulling on the exposed section of the blade.

To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. In a phone call with CEC I was told that this was done so as to have no problems with Customs. Upon inspection it was obvious that it had been tightened as who ever had done so had marred the finish on the pivot screw.

All that I had to do was loosen the Torx head pivot screw. That would have been easy if I had a Torx head screw driver and a T-8 bit. Of course my local hardware store had none in stock, so it was necessary to source a Chinese made 32 piece mini screw driver set from the nearest big town some 35kilometer return trip away. Thanks to the local courier I had them by 4.30pm the following day. This added an extra $18 to the cost of the knife. Maybe the seller could look into this issue before on-shipping the knife in future?

Can't say I was very impressed by this aspect of my new JYDII ownership, having to stare at the knife for another 30 hours before being able to use its flipper opening device.

But after a few adjustments it was flipping open whether help upside down, sideways, or pointing with the blade downwards using either left or right hand. This feature was a major factor in why I decided on this knife and I'm very impressed with it.

In conclusion I am happy with my JYDII but with these provisos ...to be honest during the wait for it to arrive I tried to upgrade my order to a ZT0200 as I decided I really wanted a big tactical knife, and in that role the JYDII falls a tad short. As a Every Day Carry I fear it is a bit too big and heavy.

But it is a fine, well made knife and at $90 is great value and has provided the means by which I have gotten into 21st Century folding knives.

CMOT
20-03-2009, 02:53
LOL I once travelled 2 hours and spent $45 all up to get a torx bit when a knife arrived too tight :rolleyes:

Thanks for your thoughts on this knife, and welcome to the new world of modern folders! Did you bring your credit card?:p

One of my favourite resources for reviews and info is Nutnfancy's Youtube page on folding tacticals http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=4EF1CA080A6C47FE unfortunately many of them are hard to get here, but it's an interesting and educational place to browse if you have some spare time (and bandwidth!). You may well have found this already in your research (I know there are many but I just like his style for some reason).

TiNi
20-03-2009, 03:40
Munchi,

excellent mate, no more no less review :).

Good on you for mentioning the pivot to the seller, something for him to look at before dispatch.

On the subject of flippers, the smoothest one i've handled is the CRKT 'Desert Cruiser Special Forces'.

Smooth opening and LAWKS is a bonus.

Apatari
20-03-2009, 04:59
Great review.

Tightened pivot screws ex USA is common nowadays.
So are Torx heads so cool you got a driver set now.
My old set did not go up to T20 size (which I needed for an exteme folder) so I bought a set from Dick Smith locally.

Value buy that JYDII. Enjoy.

soguser
20-03-2009, 09:51
My SOG Spec Elite 1 I got from CEK today was tight as was the Emerson CQC7 I got a couple of months ago, If thats what they need to do to get them through customs I'm fine with that. Fortunatly I have a set of Torx head tools I bought from Dick Smith a few years ago when I had to tighten some screws on another knife I have so no problem. :)

Th232
21-03-2009, 02:07
Good buy and good review.

On the up side with the torx set, at least if you buy any more folders you now know what to look for, and you've got the tools to deal with it.

b.c.molin
24-03-2009, 08:03
After reading these posts (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=631646) on BF I ckecked my 1 week old Kershaw JYDII 1725ST this afternoon under direct sunlight and sadly found pin point size rust spots on both sides of the blade and along the spine.:eek:

How very, very disappointing. :(

Apatari
24-03-2009, 08:33
That sucks.

TiNi
24-03-2009, 09:03
Kind of sucks, do you use any sort of oil/ protectant to coat the blade at all ?.

You could lightly sand the blade for a new look, takes out the pitting.

On a side note, i noticed that my Emerson HD-7 has developed rust spotting also, it originally was a black blade but was blasted.

So i spent an hour cleaning my knives with Lanolin and proceeded to SLICE MY FINGER OPEN on the Strider i have for sale Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

syme6079
25-03-2009, 06:48
Yep, I had a Kershaw Vapor a fews years back and it too would rust just by looking at it, both the blade (AUS6) and the handle. I steer well clear of bead blasted knives now.:(

b.c.molin
25-03-2009, 10:11
I steer well clear of bead blasted knives now.:(

From my reading it appears that the bead blasted finish is at the heart of the problem despite whatever the steel type being used.:confused:

I really have become fond of this knife over the last week and will look at getting the blade (and maybe the frame?) polished when I return from my first holiday in 12 years.


TiNi ...ouch! I too have bleed on my blades during the cleaning process.:o What is the make of Lanolin you are using?

As I bought the JYD to use to cut fruit and prepared food stuffs while travelling on the highways and by-ways of my road trip holiday, I did not put any oils or rust inhibitors on the blade...plus with it being made of Sandvik 13C26 steel I didn't think rust would be a long term issue, let alone appear after less than a week.:eek:

ps. I should mention that I have had a Cold Steel BraveHeart with a polished blade made of AUS8 steel in its sheaf in the side pocket of my recliner chair for almost 12 months and it does not have any rust spots on it at all after being used to cut tomatoes, cucumbers, oranges, apples, open boxes, cut wrapping paper for Christmas presents and countless other chores.

As for any future Kershaw's, I am certain none will have a bead blasted finish on its blade.

MDG
25-03-2009, 12:47
I looked up the sandvik site. 13c26 has 0.68 C and 13.0 Cr. This puts it at the lower end of martensitic steels as far as Cr content. Aus6 has 0.55 - 0.65 C and 13 - 14.5 Cr. The unfortunate thing is that Cr is not distributed evenly across the grain. It can be below that required for corrosion resistance at the grain boundary. Add the rough surtface from bead blasting and you get potential for corrosion. Small grain size and polished or at least fine sanding are needed for corrosion resistance. Just remember that martensitic stainless steel is not stainless. It is corrosion resistant. Still needs care.

b.c.molin
25-03-2009, 01:04
Small grain size and polished or at least fine sanding are needed for corrosion resistance. Just remember that martensitic stainless steel is not stainless. It is corrosion resistant. Still needs care.

I really appreciate your efforts and explanation regarding the Sandvik steel.:)

I will get the blade polished as soon as I return from my trip.

Any ideas on what blade care products to use until then, keeping in mind its food cutting duties on the trip, very eagerly sought?:confused:

MDG
25-03-2009, 03:58
If others have better ideas, please jump in. I would keep it as clean and dry as possible. I have had success with light mineral oil (no additives). Chemists used to sell a suitable oil. A light wipe with it leaves a light film on the blade (also keeps the pivot working). If you use too much (i.e. drink it) it sends you to the toilet (i.e lubricates the lower end) but is safe for food in small quantities as suggested.

dhc4ever
25-03-2009, 04:10
munchi,
try canola oil or similar, a very light wipe after washing it.
A quick wipe or wash before next use and you're set the go.
A pain yes ,but I havent come up with anything better and edible as yet either.

TiNi
25-03-2009, 04:51
Hey Munchi,

the product i use is made by LANOTEC 'Liquid Lanolin - general purpose'.

From memory i bought it at Bunnings for about $18.00, 750ml pump spray bottle which will last for years.

- Lubricant
- corrosion inhibitor/ moisture barrier
- non-toxic

Its great for everything and made in QLD, www.lanotec.com.au

Stewart Townsend
25-03-2009, 08:18
I think the finishes in order in corrosion resistance are:
1. Mirror finish
2. Satin
3. Bead blasting

As MDG said:
I looked up the sandvik site.............. Still needs care. I have read somewhere that the percentage of the C and Cr is important (obvious) and the extra Cr is where the stainless qualities come in, however as intimated, bead blasting is "attacking" the Cr.

Having said that "she who must be obeyed" has customkitchen knives, some are bead blasted, some satin and some mirror finished and no problems (except she won't sharpen them:(). But they are 440c.

MDG
26-03-2009, 10:30
Munchi,
So long as you keep it clean and dry on the trip you should be right. Here is photo of a Boker, carbon steel stockman (top one in photo) that I used for over 20 years. I didn't mollycoddle it. Just kept it clean and dry. I never closed it without cleaning. The only grease it got was from my fingers. As you can see it may be worn and well used but no corrosion. just some patina.

All of the suggestions are good and will work. Just choose the one that you are most comfortable with.