Kershaw Link Review

One of the bulkiest and heaviest pocket knives we have tested, the Kershaw Link stands out with a large blade and ergonomic grip for big cutting jobs that may take hours. Although it sports a pretty standard blade length, it is one of the bulkiest, heaviest knives we have ever tested. This extra mass allows you to really throw your weight into tasks that require some extra oomph.

Performance Comparison

Blade and Edge Integrity

The Kershaw Link's blade is 3.2 inches long and is constructed with 20CV stainless steel, one of the strongest alloys used to make knives. The blade's sharp factory finish will last longer than most other knives on the market, and the blade won't dent or deform easily.

The blade is also extra thick: at 0.11", it is 22% thicker than other knives in Kershaw's lineup, so you don't need to worry about it bending or flexing if you need to pry something. Although the blade's simple, plain edge would normally be easy to sharpen on your own, the hardness of the steel alloy will make it much more difficult to sharpen than other comparable knives. Everything has its concessions in life. The Link's long, strong blade is overkill for users who want a simple blade for occasional cutting like opening packages. But if you need a knife to handle extended outdoor use, endless food preparation, or professional performance, this blade is up to the task. After days of use, we couldn't detect a reduction in blade sharpness and weren't able to damage the blade during normal heavy-duty use.

Ergonomics

The Kershaw Link is an ergonomic knife that is easy to use. The pocket clip is oriented with the blade's tip facing upwards, so you don't have to rotate the knife in your hands after removing it from a pocket to flick open the blade. This is our preferred orientation of the pocket clip.

The assisted opening feature won't accidentally deploy in a pocket and is initiated by pulling down on a small flipper tab with the index finger. The flipper takes some force to kick open, but the action is fast, smooth, and feels very secure.

Once the blade is open, the grip fits comfortably into the palm. The knife is a full 0.5" thick – thicker than nearly any other pocket knife on the market – which makes it easier to use for serious cutting tasks where you need to maintain a solid grip on the tool. The pocket clip is out of the way of your fingers, which makes it more comfortable to grip. Our testers felt very secure holding this knife for consequential cutting tasks.

Portability

The Kershaw Link is a heavy knife, and its large blade creates a bigger footprint than other knives on the market. The result is a large-than-average package that is noticeable when worn in a pocket or carried in a backpack.

For professional users, serious outdoor enthusiasts, campers, and hunters, the portability shortcomings are worth the hassle, since the knife's performance is so strong. Many users looking for a pocket knife will only use the tool for everyday carry and occasional use, cutting tape away from packaging and similar tasks. For these users, a much smaller and lighter pocket knife will do. This is a seriously strong knife geared towards heavy-duty use, and as such, it has a larger footprint and heavier weight than most other pocket knives on the market. Everyday users will appreciate this strength and size, but occasional users won't.

Construction Quality

This knife is built to last. The Link's housing is built from aluminum, which is nothing to write home about, but the 20CV stainless steel in the blade is seriously strong. It is one of the hardest metals used in knife production, and the thick blade only tapers down to an edge at the last moment, meaning the blade is strong and can take a beating. There is no detectable flex or bend in the blade during use.

One downside to the design of this knife is the locking mechanism. Like other knives, the blade is locked into the open position by a thin internal metal flap that bends into place when the blade is open, preventing the knife from folding closed. This flap must be pushed to the side in order to close the blade. This is generally a great locking mechanism, but in the case of the Link, the flap only moves about a millimeter into the locking position, which is less than other knives. This means that it takes less debris to get stuck in the flap to render it impossible to unlock the blade and close the knife. This is a very minor concern and the only flaw we could find with this tool.

Should You Buy the Kershaw Link?

The large blade and heft of the Link ultimately compete with the sturdiness of a fixed-blade knife while offering the convenience of a folding pocket knife. Considering its quality construction, excellent blade steel, and ergonomics, this knife presents great value despite its price tag. It is a worthy investment for anyone who uses a pocket knife daily. If you work outdoors, camp, hunt, or cut things regularly for your job, then the Link will not let you down. But if you are looking for a low-profile pocket knife for everyday carry and occasional use for mundane chores, this knife is overkill.

What Other Pocket Knives Should You Consider?

The premium-made Benchmade Mini-Barrage 585 is an excellent choice if you want a slightly more manageable knife. Alternatively, the Benchmade 535 Bugout is a much lighter weight full-sized knife, which we like as an everyday carry option. If you're looking for a more affordable option, we love the Gerber Fast Draw - Plain Edge, which competes in size and heft to the Link but is much more reasonably priced.