Knife makers Hall of Fame member, Frank Centofante, joins Ken Onion and Kershaw to bring two new folding knives that provide the elegance and function-plus the leading technology your expect from Kershaw.  The new Centofante-Onion collaboration combines the style of Frank Centofante with lightweight aluminum scales and 410 stainless steel, with Kershaw??s Ken Onion SpeedSafe assisted opening technology.  The results are knives that handle the tough tasks and look good doing it.

The Centofante-Onion (K1615) features:

• Steel ?? 440A stainless-steel
• Handle ?? 410 polished stainless-steel with Tungsten DLC coating and Pearl inlays
• Blade Length ?? 2 ?? in. (5.7 cm)
• Closed Length ?? 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm)
• Weight ?? 2.4 oz.
• Includes pocket clip
• SpeedSafe

What is SpeedSafe?

SpeedSafe is the patented, assisted-opening system built into many of Kershaw??s best-selling Ken Onion knives.  SpeedSafe assists the user to smoothly open the knife with a manual push on the blade??s thumb stud or Index-Open system.  (Index-Open uses a protruding portion of the blade??s finger guard to give the user an alternative to the thumb stud.  The user manually pulls back on the protrusion with the index finger to open the blade.)

How Safe is SpeedSafe?

Very.  SpeedSafe technology is designed to be safe and secure.  The blade opens ONLY when the user manually deploys it using either the thumb stud or Index-open protrusion.  Once deployed, a locking liner secures the blade in position so that it cannot be closed accidentally.  When releasing the lock, the blade does not snap shut due to the resistance provided by the torsion bar.  This bar also provides a bias towards the closed position (which holds the blade securely closed).  New SpeedSafe users can ensure safe use of the technology by practicing to proficiency. 

Is a SpeedSafe knife a switchblade?  NO!

There are many unique features of SpeedSafe knives that make them quite different from the knives considered to be switchblades.  Unlike a switchblade, SpeedSafe blades DO NOT deploy with the push of a button in the handle or by gravity alone.  Instead, the user must manually overcome the torsion bar??s resistance-using the thumb stud or the Index-Open protrusion on the blade itself-in order to engage the SpeedSafe system.  Because the user must manually overcome the torsion bar??s resistance, SpeedSafe knives fall fully outside the Federal definition of a switchblade.

Who are SpeedSafe customers?

SpeedSafe was specifically designed for sporting and work situations where one-handed opening is preferable and safer.  It??s safe, efficient opening has made it a popular choice for hunters, fishermen, and those who require the one-handed opening function on the job-site.

How does SpeedSafe work?

The heart of the SpeedSafe system is its torsion bar.  Closed, the torsion bar helps keep the knife closed, preventing it from being opened by gravity.  In order to open the knife, the user must apply manual pressure to the thumb stud to overcome the resistance of the torsion bar.  After the blade is out of the handle, the torsion bar moves along its half-moon track and takes over.  The blade opens smoothly and locks into position, ready for use.

Product SKU: K1615