Kershaw Lonerock Folding Drop Point Review

Given the size of the Lonerock folder (which is substantially bigger than its non-folding counterpart), it would definitely not be considered an EDC knife, and its lack of clip would attest to the fact that it was never meant to be such a knife.  The spine of the blade throughout its length (until the last 3/4 inches near the tip) is 1/8 inch in thickness and the blade is attached to the handle very securely.  Ultimately, it feels very sturdy and I have used some force in prying sideways with the blade successfully.  My only concern is the handle construction which I’ll get into later.

Kershaw LoneRock Folding Drop Point Knife

Specifications

  • Weight: 5.3 oz
  • Weight w/ Sheath: 6.8 ounces
  • Overall Length: 8-3/8 inches
  • Blade Length: 3.5 inches
  • Closed Length: 4-3/4 inches
  • Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV with titanium carbo-nitride coating
  • Handle Material: Glass-filled Nylon and K-Texture™ grip
  • Hardness: 56 HRC
  • Opening: Thumb-Studs, manual opening
  • Mid-lock
  • Lanyard hole

Blade

The blade was not the easiest to open during my testing period, and it hasn’t gotten any better in the months that I’ve owned it.  This is a very small issue to me personally, but for those who care, the opening process is not as sexy as with other knives.  In other words, there was enough resistance that it was easiest to just use my other hand to pull the blade open.  If I used one hand (ie. my thumb) it most certainly could NOT be flicked open easily with a thumb.  Not only are there no thumb studs, but there are no real provisions made for a good thumb grip to help in the opening process.  There is a groove that allows for some grip, but it still takes longer to open with one hand than with two.

The Titanium carbo-nitride coating makes the blade look very slick, clean and modern.  It is a drop point blade with a full grind blade profile.  It has a full belly which is conducive to skinning game.  The over-sized sharpening choil allows your index finger to fit nicely, which in turn allows your whole hand to move closer to the blade for a “choked up” grip for better precise control.

The mid-lock (lock-back) mechanism along the top of the handle is very sturdy and solid.  So much so, however, that my 10-year old son could not even release the lock with two hands.  He’s not the Incredible Hulk for sure, but I mean seriously!  Two hands!  Actually, I find that to be a good thing since it’s not difficult for an adult, and it is a testimony to the solid construction and assembly of the metal parts.

Steel

The 8Cr13MoV steel is a Chinese designation of a metal that is remarkably similar to Japanese AUS-8.  It’s a decent steel that is far better than the cheapest stainless steel, but not anywhere as tough and hard as high carbon steel like VG-10 or 440HC, etc.  It sharpens well, but won’t stay sharp as long as a high carbon content steel.

Out of the Box

It’s always fun to check out the factory sharpness out of the box.  While a good sharpening can overcome any potential factory edge problem, we like to think factory sharpening quality reflects the level of care in the details of the knife.  This knife was just “okay” in the category of factory sharpness.  We’ve seen better, but it definitely could be worse.

Kershaw knife
Lonerock has a great-looking aesthetic

Design

Here I’m talking about overall aesthetic or looks.  The technical design ranges from not bad to excellent!  However, in the category of looks, we think it ranks near the top of the scale.  The designs on the K-Texture grip along with the overall profile, show a fairly aggressive design without a macho, overstated “Rambo” look that characterizes many survival knives.

Handle

My only criticism was that a portion of the handle was made from Kershaw’s proprietary K-Texture grip.  While it feels great in your hand, it is far too soft and gooey.  Yes, it is literally “gooey” in your hand.  That is, it is moveable and easily pliable.  In fact, you can even peel away the soft K-Texture handle material away from the metal parts of the knife (ie. the lock back mechanism).  It seems quite vulnerable to wearing and abrasions, etc.  It should last if you’re very careful each and every time you use it, but I’m not sure how realistic that is for everyone.  The Glass-filled nylon part of the handle feels much more sturdy and ready to take a beating.

The gimping on the handle (both in the thumb rise and the butt) are virtually useless since it is recessed into the glass part of the handle so your finger/thumb can’t even grip it well at all.  That’s an oversight on Kershaw’s design team but we won’t freak on them given the affordable price point on this pretty decent knife.

What Else?

I’m usually not a huge fan of sheaths that come with various knives.  They often seem like a cheap addition to an otherwise good knife.  However, I have to say that in this case, I was thrilled with the included nylon case.  It was extremely sturdy and holds its shape very well.  It looks (and feels) the same with the knife inside it or when it’s empty.  It has a lanyard hole in the flap cover and you can wear it horizontally or vertically on your belt.

Overall

Given the very affordable price point, I’m not put off by the fact that Kershaw is using Chinese steel.  I’m happy enough with the knife that it’s my official camping knife for wilderness canoe trips, and I plan on doing ZERO hunting excursions on such trips.  The size, sturdiness and sheath configuration make this my go-to camping knife for now.  To see more details, check it out on Amazon HERE.

If you agree/disagree with my assessment of this knife, please let me know in the comments below!

Save up to 50% on your new knife at BladeHQ

We have partnered with BladeHQ to offer the best deals on high-quality knives for our readers. The deals are always changing so click the button below to shop today.

Recent Posts

MKM Normar Review

MKM Normar Review

Introduction The MKM Normar is a fantastic bushcraft knife that truly shines in outdoor tasks as well as having utility indoors. The full-tang blade made from CPM 3V steel gives the knife excellent strength and durability, and the scandi grind is perfect for slicing through various materials with ease. The blade’s belly is ample and ... Read more

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Hawkbill Blade Knife.

There are different tools and equipment that we typically require to use in various situations in our lives. Knives are one such type of tool that is essential for multiple purposes. Whether for general kitchen usage or survival purposes, you need to select a knife that is ideal for the given situation in which it ... Read more
what is the best knife to cut meat

Best Knife to Cut Meat of 2022: Complete Reviews With Comparisons

Some of the sharpest kitchen knives in existence are meat cutting knives. That said, you can’t expect them to give their best cutting performance throughout the course of their service. If you’ve ever owned a kitchen knife for cutting meat before (and you likely have), you know they’re not built to last. Make sure to ... Read more
best ceramic knives for your kitchen

Best Ceramic Knives of 2022: Complete Reviews With Comparisons

While they aren’t a replacement for tough steel knives, ceramic knives are versatile and ideal for any kitchen. They are razor-sharp, rust-proof, and featherweight and are relatively inexpensive. If you’re shopping around for the best ceramic knives, then you have come to the right place. We reviewed 5 of the leading ceramic knife sets on ... Read more
what is a boning knife used for

What Is a Boning Knife Used For: Getting to Know This Handy Tool

Having a tool in your kitchen is essential, but the same tool becomes worthless if you don’t know how to use it effectively. Knives are the same; different types make your tasks easier only if you know what each type is best for. That’s why it’s vital to find out what is a boning knife ... Read more
best boning knife of 2022

Best Boning Knife of 2022: Complete Reviews With Comparisons

With a quality curved boning knife, you can break down fish and meat efficiently on your own and save money. In some knives, you even get the bonus of a filleting function where you can separate the meat fish from bone with relative ease. On that note, here are five of the best boning knife ... Read more

Looking for something specific?

Leave a Comment