Tiny pocket knives have proven over and again that in everyday scenarios, size doesn’t count for everything. Kershaw’s Chive demonstrates the point perfectly. The Chive is the smallest in a line of veggie-themed blades designed by renowned knifemaker Ken Onion; the biggest of the group is the Leek with a three-inch blade, and then there’s the middle child Scallion at 2.4 inches. Kershaw knocks another half inch off to bring the Chive’s blade down to 1.9 inches.
Like its larger counterparts, the Chive has a drop-point blade that deploys on Onion’s SpeedSafe System, which is an assisted opening mechanism that helps the blade pop out rapidly with a construction that doesn’t fall under the classification of a switchblade (which means it’s legal, but not everywhere). The Chive uses a frame lock to keep its blade safely open, and there’s also a sliding Tip-Lock to keep it closed when not in use.
Over time, Kershaw has released the Chive in various builds, but right now a version with a Damascus steel blade is on sale at Massdrop for 33 percent off.
Gear Patrol also recommends:
Gerber Kettlebell ($27)
The James Brand Elko ($60)
Benchmade Micro Pocket Rocket ($340)
A note on Massdrop:
Massdrop is not like other online retailers. It’s a members-only site that requires signing up (all it takes is an email address). If you’re not a member, you can sign up here. When you place an order from Massdrop at a discounted price, you’re not buying from them directly. The site works by taking orders from consumers, then bulk ordering product at a discount directly from brands and other wholesalers. For more information on how Massdrop works, click here.
