Kershaw Pares Award-Winning Design into a Rugged High-Performance EDC Knife

Kershaw has gotten a jump on the new year with a slate of new EDC knife releases. And while they’re all pretty spectacular, as we’ve all come to expect, there are a couple that stand out.

One, in fact, seems downright familiar. And that makes sense, as the USA-made Kershaw Bareknuckle DuraLock actually draws from a design from the brand’s past — or rather, its sister brand’s past.

Kershaw

Lucky number 0777

As mentioned, the Bareknuckle DuraLock (a new version of the now-discontinued standard Bareknuckle) owes its design to a different knife: the discontinued Zero Tolerance 0777. Even a cursory glance between the two proves their stylistic connection.

Their silhouettes, especially, are pretty similar. Both feature blades that are technically drop-point shapes, but it could be argued that they’re akin to a modified sheepsfoot, given the curvature of the spine toward the tip.

The handles are similarly… similar. They both have a relatively large finger guard — to protect from accidentally choking up on the edge — as well as a distinct spinal “hump” and an ergonomic curvature.

Of course, there are also quite a few differences. For instance, the 0777’s handle scales were more multi-stepped, while the Bareknuckle’s are smoother and more refined. Similarly, the Bareknuckle has thumb studs for deployment instead of the 0777’s flipper.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg…

Kershaw

Bareknuckle brawler

It would be easy to look at the Bareknuckle DuraLock and call it a copy-paste job. However, that would be discounting it perhaps unfairly. Yes, it owes much of its design to the Bareknuckle before it, as well as the 0777, but it also has an identity all its own.

The most obvious bit can be gleaned from its name. DuraLock refers to its locking mechanism — Kershaw’s take on a crossbar lock, which is sturdy, reliable, easy to operate and ambidextrous.

The handle, while a stylistic departure (to a degree) from the original Bareknuckle, is still crafted from anodized aluminum. But the blade is a much larger departure.

Kershaw

Instead of Sandvik 14C28N, this one gets a serious upgrade to MagnaCut — more in line with the ZT’s M390 steel. That makes for a truly high-performance blade. Plus, it gets bonus points for its black PVD coating, which adds some more durability.

Altogether, the Bareknuckle DuraLock is an interesting blend of the brand’s past and future. It will be interesting to see what Kershaw comes up with next.

Kershaw

Available now

The Kershaw Bareknuckle DuraLock is now available on the brand’s site for $240, a 20 percent dip from its $300 MSRP.

Kershaw

Kershaw Bareknuckle DuraLock

• $240 at Kershaw
  $300 (20% off)

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