Everyone has a different set of requirements or preferences for their everyday carry knife. In this case, when I first received the Kershaw Seguin (said Sig-een, and named for a hero of the Texas Revolution), I didn’t think I was going to like it very much. The handle material is stainless steel and I have a strong preference for a more textured, pliable material. After carrying it for a couple weeks and using it in a variety of environments it grew on me.
Let’s get the basics out of the way first: features and specifications –
Designed by Les George, this pocketknife is an assisted opener activated be a flipper nub and locked open safely by a frame lock. Given that the handle is entirely stainless steel and with the frame lock integrated into on grip slab, the locking mechanism is robust. The blade edge is plain; no serrations. While many prefer a mixed blade edge or a majority serrated edge, the plain edge is very efficient for the large majority of utility work. The pocket clip is sturdy and securely affixed, but it’s not adjustable. The knife is carried pivot-down, right side only.
The specifications are published as:
- Blade Length 3.1 in. (8 cm)
- Blade Steel 8Cr13MoV
- Blade Finish/Coating Gray PVD coating
- Blade Thickness 0.147 in. (3.75 mm)
- Closed Length 4.25 in. (10.8 cm)
- Handle Material Stainless steel
- Handle Finish/Coating Bead-blasted finish
- Handle Thickness 0.46 in. (11.6 mm)
- Overall Length 7.25 in. (18.3 cm)
- Weight 4.8 oz. (138 g)
A 3” blade is more than enough for most day to day uses. The clip point design is common and serviceable for everyday use. While many lockblade folders have a 1/8th inch thick blade, the Seguin has a slightly thicker blade than that, adding to its strength and durability. The closed length, at 4.25 inches, isn’t overly large to put in your pocket but makes the handles long enough to fill your fist when you need a secure grip. The weight, at not much over a quarter pound, is appropriate for a knife this size and for daily carry.
Now, I live near the Chesapeake Bay. Quite often when I’m tasked to test knives, I expose them to the salt water for a period of time to see how they stand up. In this case, I took the Seguin and put it in a construction bucket of bay water, leaving it there for a week to see how it would take the exposure. After the week, I took it out, rinsed it with fresh water, put a drop of 3-in-1 oil on the pivot and examined it. There were no signs of rust, corrosion, etc. The opening mechanism was smooth and the lock still sure.
After the knife was completely dry, I double checked the function of the opening mechanism and the lock, and then proceeded to carry the knife daily for about three weeks. Throughout that time I used it to cut everything from the ugliest ¼” yellow plastic rope you’ve ever seen to fishing line, string, twine, 1” nylon webbing, bits of leather and more. The edge held up well and I experienced no challenges cutting through the various materials.
MSRP on the Kershaw site is mid-$60s. A Google search of “Kershaw Seguin knife” revealed several online outlets selling it for a bit less: about $40. That’s an excellent price for a knife with these capabilities and design features.
