Iridium Reverse Tanto Folding Pocket Knife, Sleek 3.4 inch D2 Steel Blade, DuraLock Locking Mechanism, Aluminum Handle, Designed in the USA

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....

I lost my go-to knife so needed another EDC. Saw the reviews and went for it. This knife is just about perfect in every way. Scary sharp right out of the box, hefty enough for tough jobs but still light enough not to be obtrusive. Thinner than my last knife, so more comfortable to carry. Silky smooth action, solid locking mechanism, and gorgeous finish. Love the copper colored spine. Overall, worth every penny. It’ll break my heart if I lose this one.

This is a very smooth operating knife. The blade opens with a flick of the wrist. It can be opened with the ambidextrous thumb stud, or pull back the Duralock button, and swing the blade open. With a release of the button lock, the blade effortlessly swings back into handle. The Duralock locks the blade securely. The knife fits well in the hand, as well as in the pocket. The pocket clip is tip up oriented only. This knife was received in arm-shaving sharpness right out of the box. The thickness of the blade is adequate for EDC and light duty work. There isn't any side to side play with the blade in any position, and feels solid. Overall, I'm happy with this knife and feel it will serve me well.

Kershaw is a brand that I’ve had mixed feelings about for a long time. I’ve generally had a soft spot for Kershaw knives, but they’ve definitely tested those feelings and put out some real turkeys. Still do. BUT, they’ve also put out a lot of good stuff as well. This knife falls firmly into the “good” category and maybe even into the great one. It’s a very sleek and attractive looking knife. Sensible, but without being boring. This DuraLock (axis style lock) is tuned really, really well. Just the right amount of tension, and everything locks up tightly. Deployment via thumbstuds or through using the lock is smooth and fast. The aluminum handles are very well done and the grip is comfortable. The blade shape is great. It’s a drop point with a swedge, it’s almost a spear-point blade. And, like most Kershaws I’ve had, it came very sharp from the factory. D2 steel is fine, it holds an edge quite well for this price range - but at the expense of rust resistance to an extent. Semi or almost stainless is how I normally hear it described. It’s not a bad choice, but for my money I’d rather have 14C28N or Nitro-V. That a personal preference thing though. I hope Kershaw will stick with designs and quality at this level going forward. If they do this and jettison some of the junk steel knives they make or spin those off into another line - it will be a game changer for how they are perceived in the market.

Feels very smooth in my opinion. Was sharp ish straight out of the box. Frame lock is great as a lefty who can't use liner lock knifes. Pocket clip is reversible. Has been my edc for months and has never let me down. Apparently the d2 steel the blade uses rusts, but I haven't had that problem even though it's often humid where I live.

A beautiful and well designed EDC. The Duralock mechanism is impressive and has a positive lock that will prevent accidental closure of the knife while in use. It is also easy to close the knife with either hand and you never have to get your fingers in the path of the blade as it closes. The blade is very sharp and the tanto design is exactly what I was hoping it would be. I cannot speak now about edge retention, as this knife just arrived. I will try to write an update when I have that information. Kershaw has a good reputation for blade steel, so I have high expectations that this knife will be a good fit for the heavy use I put my knife to during the course of a week.

This is my first high-end blade, I’m so happy I purchased this one, Kershaw is extremely high quality, the blade is super balanced, and it has cut through everything so far like butter. It opens quick in case of emergency, the safety switch feature to close the blade is very nice, and the finish on the handle/blade is soft to the touch. I’m able to carry this easily with the clip on the side and it doesn’t slip off at all. The size is perfect for me, I’m very happy with this item.

I thought I'd lost my Benchmade Bugout, but hoped it might turn up. On the premise I'd just mislaid it somewhere in the house, I looked for something a little less pricey until I had given up finding it. My expectations were that this Kershaw Iridium would be just OK. As it turns out, I think it's a very worthy contender. It is very light yet sllightly larger, but sturdily built. Viewing it on edge, the blade lies exactly in the center and has no side-to-side play. It's not a Gillette razor, but it won't miss it far - it'll shave hairs from one's arm. It MAY be that the Kershaw is a little less easily flicked open and shut, but that may just be because I haven't used it multiple times a day for the past 4 or 5 years. And it opens and closes very smoothly. The texture of the cheeks isn't better or worse than that of the Benchmade, but it is different - the Kershaw is a smooth finish, the Benchmade, rougher. You might have a preference. After the years of use/abuse, the Benchmade blade is still centered, swings easily, and has little to no side-to-side play. i've only had the Kershaw a week, it seems like a very good knife as well, but who knows how it'll weather the same time and use. My guess is that it'll do just fine. It's a third of the price of the Benchmade but i'm pretty sure it'll survive more than a third of the lifespan of the Benchmade. I'll continue to carry the Benchmade because i'm more accustomed to its feel, but you'll be quite happy with the Kershaw. All in all, I think anyone would be very pleased to have this knife as an Every Day Carry.

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

ziemlich gut