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Kershaw’s Outstanding Fan-Favorite Crossbar EDC Knife Gets a Beefier Big Brother

The Bel Air is still made to the same high-quality standards but is a little more substantial now.

Close-up of a black folding knife handle with textured grip, showing a partially visible silver blade marked "610 USA" and metal screws near the pivot area.Kershaw

By Sean Tirman

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Kershaw’s Bel Air has been among its bestselling EDC knives for a long time. It has also seen numerous permutations, including a tactical reimagining, a USA-made carbon fiber version and more.

Now, it’s getting a version the brand hasn’t yet attempted — one that’s sure to be a hit for anyone with bigger hands. It’s called the Kershaw Bel Air XL. And it has more than just size on its side.

Folding knife with a stonewashed stainless steel blade and a black textured handle. The blade has a drop point shape and the brand name "kershaw" etched near the pivot. The handle features a thumb stud for opening and a lanyard hole at the end.
Boasting the same silhouette and materials, the Bel Air XL is bigger at 7.95 inches overall (up from 7.3 inches).
Kershaw

Size does matter

The original Bel Air is 7.3 inches long and has a 3.1-inch blade. While I wouldn’t call it a small knife, it’s definitely on the smaller side of the “sweet spot” spectrum.

Interestingly, the Bel Air XL isn’t hugely different in size. This new version measures 7.95 inches in total, and its blade is 3.4 inches.

The extra handle length means a more comfortable grip for anyone with larger hands.

That extra length makes a pretty big difference when it comes to a pocketable EDC knife, especially when more than half of that goes to the handle. Yes, the blade is bigger and that means more cutting power, but the handle is arguably more important in this case.,

For EDC purposes, an extra 0.3 inches on the blade will have minimal effect on its performance. However, the extra handle length means a more comfortable grip for anyone with larger hands. That’s the true highlight, as far as its size goes.

Folding knife with a black textured handle and a silver blade. The handle features a clip with the brand name "Kershaw" engraved on it. The blade has markings including "6110," an American flag, "USA," and "MAGNA CUT." The knife is displayed fully open against a plain background.
Like its other features, the knife retains its formidable crossbar lock and reversible deep-carry pocket clip.
Kershaw

No slouch

While size is a major selling point, it wouldn’t matter if this knife didn’t have the materials and mechanisms to back it up. Luckily, the Bel Air XL is plenty formidable.

The 3.5-inch blade, for instance, is made from MagnaCut — the hot-ticket super steel of the moment, renowned for its combination of toughness, durability, corrosion resistance, ease of care and more.

The handle is G10, which is lightweight, strong and stable. That handle also houses the brand’s DuraLock mechanism — Kershaw’s take on a crossbar — which is both powerful and ambidextrous. And the knife has a reversible deep-carry pocket clip.

It also boasts thumb studs for manual deployment and a lanyard hole toward the base, where you can attach paracord and beads.

Black folding pocket knife with a partially visible silver blade, textured handle, and a black clip labeled "kershaw." The blade has markings including "6110" and "USA.
The MagnaCut blade still tucks nicely into the G10 handle.
Kershaw

Available now

The Kershaw Bel Air XL is on sale now for $220 (down from $275) on the brand’s site. It’s also at Blade HQ for even cheaper: $170.

About the Author: Sean Tirman is an associate editor at Gear Patrol who specializes in EDC, cannabis and outdoor gear.

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