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Kershaw Goes Monster: $30 XL Skyline

nutnfancy
Published on February 13, 2018
Category: Reviews
Duration: 21:26

This review focuses on the Kershaw Skyline XL, a larger variant of the popular Skyline model, highlighting its suitability as an EDC knife. The reviewer praises its hollow-ground blade, G10 handle, and the value offered by the 8CR13MOV steel, especially at its price point. While acknowledging the lack of jimping as a long-standing criticism of the Skyline design, the reviewer finds the XL version to be a significant improvement for those who found the original too small, making it a capable tool for various everyday tasks.

Tags

Kershaw Skyline XL
EDC Knife
Hollow Grind
8CR13MOV Steel
G10 Handle
Blade HQ Exclusive
Folding Knife
Budget Knife
Utility Knife
Cardboard Cutting
Pocket Carry
Knife Review
Nutnfancy
Tactical Doodle

Quick Summary

The Kershaw Skyline XL is a well-regarded EDC folding knife featuring an 8CR13MOV steel blade with a hollow grind, ideal for slicing tasks. Its larger size compared to the original Skyline makes it more suitable for general use, and the G10 handle offers a comfortable grip. While it lacks jimping, its overall value and performance make it a strong contender in the budget knife market.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Initial Impressions
  2. 00:12Weight & Carry Assessment
  3. 00:23Blade HQ Special Edition
  4. 00:44Catalog Numbers & Variations
  5. 00:55OD Satin vs. Black Variants
  6. 01:13EDC Usage & Fresh Out of Box
  7. 01:22Blade HQ Special Pricing
  8. 01:55Standard Version & Steel Type
  9. 02:038CR13MOV Steel Discussion
  10. 02:16XL Size & Initial Reaction
  11. 02:31Comparison to Original Skyline
  12. 02:49Knife Size for EDC
  13. 03:01Handle to Blade Ratio
  14. 03:10Designer & Design Philosophy
  15. 03:17Skyline Design Faults
  16. 03:32Folding vs. Fixed Blade Skyline
  17. 03:38Philosophy of Use: EDC
  18. 03:43Tactical Blade Assessment
  19. 03:48Traction & Jimping Criticism
  20. 04:09EDC & Food Prep Knife
  21. 04:17Cardboard Cutting Performance
  22. 04:29Hollow Grind Benefits
  23. 04:38FFG vs. Hollow Grind
  24. 04:438CR13MOV Steel Properties
  25. 04:50Steel Care & Sharpening
  26. 05:01Advocacy for 8CR13MOV
  27. 05:11Price Point Analysis
  28. 05:19Steel Upgrade Cost Comparison
  29. 05:27Blade Shape & Grind
  30. 05:32Blade Length
  31. 05:38Model Number & Tip Strength
  32. 05:45Stabbing Test
  33. 05:59Thumb Studs & Deployment
  34. 06:06Handle Occlusion Check
  35. 06:09G10 Handle Preference
  36. 06:16Tactical Doodle's Opinion
  37. 06:21XL vs. Smaller Skyline Preference
  38. 06:31Carry Criticism: Tip Up
  39. 06:45Carry Recommendation: Tip Down
  40. 06:57Deployment Speed vs. Carry
  41. 07:01Ambidextrous Flipper
  42. 07:06Centering & Lockup
  43. 07:16Durability & EDC Wear
  44. 07:20Adjustability
  45. 07:27Price & Value Proposition
  46. 07:38Skyline XL vs. Tenacious
  47. 07:44Blade Shape Comparison
  48. 07:53Slicing & Cutting Tasks
  49. 07:55Spyderco Tenacious Blade Shape
  50. 08:06Handle Material & Traction
  51. 08:11G10 Quality
  52. 08:16Liner Material & Construction
  53. 08:24Liner Lock Side
  54. 08:33Handle Lining
  55. 08:43Skeletonization Discussion
  56. 08:56Satin Finish Variation
  57. 09:02Steel Type Visibility
  58. 09:03Handle Design Appeal
  59. 09:08Size & Usefulness
  60. 09:12Weight Considerations
  61. 09:19Kershaw Clip Design
  62. 09:24Clip Depth & Car Scratching
  63. 09:30Car Door Scratching Anecdote
  64. 09:35Steering Wheel Damage
  65. 09:45Clip Attachment Method
  66. 09:56Speed of Attachment
  67. 10:01Pivot Bushings
  68. 10:03Ball Bearing System Absence
  69. 10:05Deployment Effort
  70. 10:10Out of Box Adjustment
  71. 10:13Loosening Over Time
  72. 10:16Edge Out of Box
  73. 10:19Blade Sharpness
  74. 10:24Fixed Blade Skyline Introduction
  75. 10:30Fixed Blade Review Date
  76. 10:38Fixed Blade Skyline Color & Steel
  77. 10:4614C28N Steel
  78. 10:50Fixed Blade Transformation
  79. 10:52Size Comparison
  80. 10:56Rig Check
  81. 10:59Skyline XL Comparison
  82. 11:01Size Differences
  83. 11:03XL Preference
  84. 11:06Spec Lookup
  85. 11:10Spec Details
  86. 11:13Fixed Blade Specs & Price
  87. 11:20Past Price Value
  88. 11:23Kydex Sheath
  89. 11:27Paracord Modification
  90. 11:30Year of Review
  91. 11:32Paracord Type
  92. 11:36Neck Knife Philosophy
  93. 11:39Homemade Jimping
  94. 11:44Jimping Necessity
  95. 11:49Jimping Benefit
  96. 11:53Guilt-Free Modding
  97. 11:56$20 Knife Modding
  98. 11:59Sheath Details
  99. 12:01Black Kydex Sheath
  100. 12:0614C28N Steel Variation
  101. 12:09Steel Availability & Preference
  102. 12:13New Variation: Premium Steel
  103. 12:15S30V Steel Upgrade
  104. 12:18Black Stone Wash Finish
  105. 12:21Steel Upgrade Details
  106. 12:23S30V Enjoyment
  107. 12:28Same Knife, Different Steel
  108. 12:31Philosophy of Use: Fixed Blade
  109. 12:32Price for S30V Version
  110. 12:35Camp Knife Use
  111. 12:39Competitive Fixed Blade Options
  112. 12:45Formula Consistency
  113. 12:47G10 Scales, Drop Point, No Jimping
  114. 12:52Hollow Ground, Full Tang
  115. 12:55Lanyard Hole
  116. 13:01Right Heel
  117. 13:04Black Stone Wash S30V
  118. 13:15Sheath Inclusion
  119. 13:20Carbon Fiber Version
  120. 13:261084 Steel & Carbon Fiber
  121. 13:27Black Stone Wash Finish Appeal
  122. 13:30Industrial Finish
  123. 13:34Care of Finish
  124. 13:38Peel Ply CF Scales
  125. 13:40Black Fasteners
  126. 13:43Aesthetic Appeal
  127. 13:45Different Look
  128. 13:47Black Handles, Silver Blade
  129. 13:51Original Sheath Condition
  130. 13:54Sheath Fitment
  131. 14:02CF Scales Impact on Fit
  132. 14:07G10 Scale Fitment
  133. 14:11Sheath Fit Improvement
  134. 14:15Kydex Sheath Fit Quality
  135. 14:21Variations Shown
  136. 14:23S30V Steel Enthusiasm
  137. 14:30Value of Original Skylines
  138. 14:3314C28N & 8CR13MOV Folders
  139. 14:40Inexpensive Options
  140. 14:42Competitive Price Range
  141. 14:44Spyderco Byrd & Tenacious Comparison
  142. 14:48Inlet B Comparison
  143. 14:50Awesome Options
  144. 14:52Excitement Level
  145. 14:56Good Option Against Competitors
  146. 15:01Cabela's/Walmart Options
  147. 15:05Kershaw Heavier Models
  148. 15:07Heavy & Chunky Design
  149. 15:09Stainless Steel Frame Lock Dislike
  150. 15:11Affordable Frame Lock Option
  151. 15:13Different Color Option
  152. 15:14Plain Blade Option
  153. 15:17Frame Lock Garbage Comment
  154. 15:19Different Color from Norm
  155. 15:21Blade Plane Okay
  156. 15:23Liner Lock Preference
  157. 15:25All Black Option Desire
  158. 15:28TMP Special Site-Wide
  159. 15:30Blade HQ Contact
  160. 15:33Video Posting Time
  161. 15:39Competitive Fixed Blade Options
  162. 15:42Off-the-Wall Comparisons
  163. 15:45Cold Steel Mini Pendleton Hunter
  164. 15:50Mini Pendleton Hunter Blade
  165. 15:52Skyline Fixed vs. Mini Pendleton
  166. 15:58Neck Knife vs. Mini Skinny Knife
  167. 16:02Regular Pendleton Hunter
  168. 16:07San Mai III Steel
  169. 16:09VG-1 Steel
  170. 16:12Pendleton Hunter Purpose
  171. 16:14Blade Thickness Criticism
  172. 16:17Mini Pendleton Thickness
  173. 16:19Blade Thinning Desire
  174. 16:22Classic Drop Point
  175. 16:24Cratex Handle
  176. 16:25Airweight Design
  177. 16:28Roach Belly Comparison
  178. 16:30Roach Belly Video Reference
  179. 16:33Fire Making with Roach Belly
  180. 16:37Roach Belly Knife Love
  181. 16:38Weight & Cost
  182. 16:41Price Point
  183. 16:44Steel Type
  184. 16:47Rotoforming
  185. 16:50Quality of Rotoforming
  186. 16:52Works Against Colts
  187. 16:54Skyline Comparison
  188. 16:57Number of Comparisons
  189. 16:59Cost of Skyline
  190. 17:01Roach Belly Value
  191. 17:04Neck Knife Purpose
  192. 17:06Kydex Sheath for Neck Carry
  193. 17:08Fun Comparison
  194. 17:10Neck Carry Roach Belly
  195. 17:12Kydex for Anything
  196. 17:14Roach Belly Weight
  197. 17:17Disposable Knife
  198. 17:20Morakniv Clipper
  199. 17:23Morakniv Clipper Model
  200. 17:27Morakniv Presence
  201. 17:31Morakniv Philosophy of Use
  202. 17:33Price Comparison
  203. 17:35Inexpensive Morakniv
  204. 17:37Value Proposition
  205. 17:39Handle Comfort
  206. 17:42Camp Knife Use Case
  207. 17:45Trioxane Use
  208. 17:49Morakniv for Camp Tasks
  209. 17:54Comfortable Handle vs. Skyline
  210. 17:56Neck Carry vs. Morakniv
  211. 17:59Inside Waistband Carry
  212. 18:02Boot Carry
  213. 18:07Motorcycle Boot Carry
  214. 18:09Harley Davidson Boot Carry
  215. 18:12Fixed Blade Skyline Question
  216. 18:14Morakniv Bushcraft
  217. 18:18Bushcraft Knife
  218. 18:22Complaints about Lack of Morakniv
  219. 18:24Morakniv Bushcraft Delivery
  220. 18:26Morakniv Bushcraft
  221. 18:30Morakniv Grind
  222. 18:32Scandi Grind Opinion
  223. 18:35Scandi Grind Acceptability
  224. 18:37Quality & Sharpening
  225. 18:39Bushcraft Enthusiast Grind Preference
  226. 18:43Sharpening on a Rock
  227. 18:47Competitive Option Introduction
  228. 18:50Knives of Alaska Elk Hunter
  229. 18:54Elk Hunter Excitement
  230. 18:57Elk Hunter Weight & Steel
  231. 19:01Blade Sharpness
  232. 19:03Shaving Sharpness
  233. 19:03Price & Sheath
  234. 19:06Leather Sheath
  235. 19:08Hunting Knife Purpose
  236. 19:10Review Enthusiasm
  237. 19:13Hunting Blade Focus
  238. 19:15Jimping Feature
  239. 19:17Jimping Comparison
  240. 19:19Kershaw Jimping
  241. 19:20Thoroughly Jumped
  242. 19:23Double Toil
  243. 19:23Control
  244. 19:23Thin Flat Ground
  245. 19:23Drop Point
  246. 19:26Knife Weight
  247. 19:30Sheath Weight
  248. 19:34EDC Knife Suitability
  249. 19:37All Day Carry
  250. 19:39Fixed Blade EDC Dislike
  251. 19:41Kidney Jamming
  252. 19:45Watch Review Mention
  253. 19:47Seiko SSC 233 Chronograph
  254. 19:54Solar Powered Watch
  255. 19:55Orange Face Watch
  256. 19:57Watch Availability
  257. 19:59JDM Only Watch
  258. 20:01Solar Powered Functionality
  259. 20:04Lume Demonstration
  260. 20:06Watch Charging
  261. 20:07Embarrassing Lume
  262. 20:11Watch Return
  263. 20:15Watch Ownership Fear
  264. 20:17Watch Charging Status
  265. 20:19Lume Comparison
  266. 20:29Seiko Lume
  267. 20:32Citizen Lume
  268. 20:36Seiko SSC 233
  269. 20:36Kershaw Fixed Blade Nice
  270. 20:39Skyline XL Special Price
  271. 20:44Blade HQ Availability
  272. 20:46Sell Out Speed
  273. 20:48Limited Runs
  274. 20:50Color Batch Size
  275. 20:53Collectible Potential
  276. 20:55Somewhat Collectible
  277. 20:58Advanced Review Mention

Frequently Asked Questions

What steel is used in the Kershaw Skyline XL?

The Kershaw Skyline XL features a blade made from 8CR13MOV steel. This Chinese-made stainless steel is known for being easy to sharpen, holding a decent edge, and offering good value, making it a popular choice for budget-friendly knives.

What are the main advantages of the Kershaw Skyline XL for everyday carry?

The Kershaw Skyline XL is praised for its larger size compared to the original Skyline, making it more comfortable for users who found the smaller version too diminutive. Its hollow-ground blade is effective for slicing tasks like cutting cardboard, and the G10 handle provides a good grip. The knife offers excellent value for its price point.

What is a common criticism of the Kershaw Skyline design, including the XL model?

A recurring criticism of the Kershaw Skyline design, which extends to the XL variant, is the absence of jimping on the spine of the blade. This feature would typically provide enhanced traction and control for the thumb during more demanding cutting tasks.

How should the Kershaw Skyline XL be carried for optimal comfort and concealment?

The reviewer recommends carrying the Kershaw Skyline XL in a tip-down orientation. This is because the handle's shape can create a noticeable bulge when carried tip-up, whereas tip-down carry allows it to conform more discreetly to pocket contours.

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