Value priced and Kershaw solid

The Compound is a excellent knife for pocket carry—especially if you want a utility knife that’s built to do just about everything, and has a good, solid feeling and a value price. The blade is a modified drop-point with enough belly for excellent slicing capability and enough blade for just about everything else.

The steel is 8Cr13MoV, basically the equivalent of the more well known AUS8A. Kershaw precision heat-treats this steel to bring out its very best, high-performance qualities, including hardness and wear resistance. The Compound opens with a SpeedSafe assist for fast and easy one-handed opening. Just pull back on the ambidextrous flipper blade protrusion and SpeedSafe takes over, moving the blade out of the handle, ready for use.

A locking liner secures the blade open until you release it. Something you’ll definitely notice is the handle design. The handle’s strong contours and slim “tail” fit neatly into the hand and provide a surprisingly secure grip. Once opened, the flipper protrusion on the blade doubles as an extended hard guard. Glass-filled nylon handle scales make this good-sized knife lightweight and comfortable enough for easy pocket carry.