The Kershaw Duojet is one of the latest spring-assisted knives in their late 2018 lineup. From design to price, there are plenty of talking points, so let’s jump in.
Pros
- Excellent value with current online prices
- Very attractive, sleek design
- Finger flipper and thumb stud opening appeals to both preferences
- Secure frame lock
Cons
- Single position, tip-down clip leaves no other carry options
Recommendation
With current prices running just over $25, this is a classy spring-assisted EDC with a more utilitarian design than a gentleman’s pocket knife. The single position, tip-down carry will be an obstacle for defensive-minded knife owners.
Blade
The Kershaw Duojet starts with their standard mid-grade 8Cr13MoV steel and shapes it into a standard drop point blade. The steel is a good balance of edge retention, ease of sharpening, and corrosion resistance. Kershaw improves the corrosion resistance and defines the look with a titanium-nitride coating.
The 3.25-inch drop point blade features a decent piercing tip followed by a prominent belly to help with slicing.
The coating gives the blade a gray finish rather than silver or black. It’s a theme that will run through the entire design.
Handle
The Kershaw Duojet handle is made from stainless steel and comes to a more angular peak on the back. This departure from a steady curve gives it a profile that you might easily mistake for a Zero Tolerance model.
The steel enjoys the same titanium-nitride coating as the blade and completes the full gray color scheme. Over the non-slip side are two carbon fiber inlays that contrast with the gray in a classy style and give the handle a subtle holographic look.
On the opposite side, the single position deep carry clip highlights a more utilitarian look. The clip sits in a tip-down carry position that you can’t move. That’s going to be an obstacle for you like to carry a knife with defense in mind and want the quick deployment that tip-up carry promotes.
Deployment and Locking
Now we come to where (I assume) the Kershaw Duojet gets its name. You get the best of both deployment worlds with a combination of a finger flipper and thumb studs. Personally, I’m a finger flipper guy and I don’t mind the thumb studs hanging out on the blade as decorations.
If you’re a thumb stud fan, this one is a mixed bag. I initially thought that the finger flipper might get in the way of a smooth thumb stud deployment, but that hasn’t been the case at all.
The issue is for Southpaws. The clip gets in the way of the left thumb stud a bit. It’s certainly still possible to open the knife, but you’re going to have to work with it for a bit and develop a feel for working around the clip.
A solid frame lock takes up 2/3 of the handle and this is really my preference between frame and liner locks. It’s a more secure feel and I like the tougher look of a handle with a frame lock.
Pricing
With an MSRP of $47.24, the Kershaw Duojet comes off as a nice mid-priced, mid-grade pocket knife. However, online prices are just over $25* right now, and that’s pretty much a steal for this build. If the single clip position isn’t a deal-breaker for you, buy several of these – one for your truck, one for your toolbox, and one for your tackle box.
*Price at the time of writing (early January 2019)
The Bottom Line
The Kershaw Duojet is a subtly handsome assisted folder that’s an excellent value. It’s an easy recommendation for an inexpensive EDC as long as you’re okay with a single position clip.
Kershaw Duojet Specifications
- Model: Kershaw 8300
- Blade Length: 3.25 inches
- Open Length: 7.75 inches
- Closed Length: 4.5 inches
- Deployment Mechanism: SpeedSafe spring assist with finger flipper and thumb studs
- Locking Mechanism: Frame lock
- Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV with titanium-nitride coating
- Handle Material: Stainless steel with titanium-nitride coating and carbon fiber inlays
- Clip Positions: 1 – tip down
- Weight: 4.8 ounces
- Price:
$47.24 (MSRP), $25.78 (Amazon)
