Last year, I bought one of the Kershaw Knockouts and really liked it. The fact it was one of their models that is made in the USA, the heft, the blade contour and how well it held an edge rapidly made it my EDC. Seriously, it’s a lot of knife without a lot of weight and I did a blog post about it – click here. I was reading on the web and came across a version of the Knockout with a damascus blade – I had to order it 🙂
Basically, the 1870OLDAM is just like the 1870OLBLK but with a damascus blade. The name, “knockout” has to do with the riveted blade lock they insert in the handle. This makes for a knife that is slim, very easy to open but locks solidly open.
Here are the stats:
- Length when open: 8.875″
- Length when closed: 4.625″
- Blade: Damascus
- Blade length: 3.25″
- Blade thickness: 0.12″
- Handle: Aluminum colored olive drab
- Liner: Stainless steel
- Handle thickness: 0.40
- Weight 3.88 oz
I bought the 1870OLBLK – the one with a monolithic blade – in December 2018 and have used it a ton. I bought the 1870OLDAM in March 2020, and so far it is holding up well. I’ve used it but not to the extent I have the older one.
Click on one of the thumbnails below to see the full size photos:
Good view of the 1870OLDAM 
Here you can see the knock out in the handle 
Comparing the two models 
From the top down: Hogue X5 with a Wharncliffe blade, ZT 0350, the 1870OLBLK and finally the 1870OLDAM 
From the top down: Hogue X5 with a Wharncliffe blade, ZT 0350, the 1870OLBLK and finally the 1870OLDAM 
Looking at the damascus layers 
Close up of the damascus at the tip 
The knock out 
Another view of the knock out in the handle
Summary
If you want a really useful knife that is made in the USA, get a Kershaw Knockout. If you really like damascus blades, get that one … or maybe both 🙂
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