Kershaw Shuffle VS Crkt Squid: Best Everyday Carry Pocket Knives

An everyday carry (EDC) pocket knives are one of the most convenient items to keep with you. When it comes to the best budget pocket knives, you can choose between Kershaw shuffle vs Crkt squid.

The main difference between the Kershaw shuffle and the Crkt squid is their blade shape. Kershaw shuffle uses a Tanto Point blade shape, while the Crkt Squid uses a Drop point shape. Crkt squid has a full belly, and the cutting edge is shorter in the Kershaw shuffle.

When looking at their appearances and specifications, I found more dissimilarities. There are some similarities too. Let’s find out the detailed differences between Kershaw shuffle and Crkt squid to find which one is suitable for you.

Kershaw shuffle Vs crkt squid: Which one is better?

I hope now you have a clear idea between the Kershaw shuffle vs Crkt squid. Both of these knives come at a reasonable price and provide excellent value.

A few people feel the Crkt squid does not provide a good grip due to the stainless steel handle. Others are happy with the grip and also like the heaviness of the Crkt squid. When it comes to cutting, Crkt squid is excellent for slicing and cutting small items.

The Kershaw shuffle does not slip, but a few people found it difficult to place their fingers well around the knife. Apart from that, Kershaw shuffle II is an excellent knife for regular work, even for cutting heavy items.

Quick Comparison Chart: Kershaw shuffle Vs crkt squid

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Kershaw shuffle Vs crkt squid: Key Differences

In a quest to find the best budget EDC knives, I found Kershaw shuffle and Crkt squid most impressive. But some minor differences make them suitable for different usage. The following is a detailed discussion of the key differences between crkt squid vs Kershaw shuffle:

Blade Shape

The most identifiable difference between the Kershaw shuffle and crkt squid is the blade shape.

• Kershaw uses a tanto point blade shape, which gives the knife a nice corner edge with an angled grind from the edge to the tip.
• In the drop point blade shape of the Crkt squid, the top drops toward the tip to provide a good balance for slicing.

The drop point shape usually has a full belly. But the full belly is absent in tanto, which is why the cutting edge is shorter. There’s no doubt that both designs are excellent performers.

However, the American tanto in the shuffle II makes it a better choice for heavy-duty work. It is thicker and easily cut through hard-to-cut objects.

On the other hand, the drop point in the squid makes it an all-rounder. It’s excellent for everyday small cutting works.

Ergonomics

Both the shuffle and the squid have a compact design. The Kershaw shuffle II has a nice curve in the handle that makes it look shorter than it actually is, which is a good point. Crkt squid, on the other hand, has a straight handle design.

Their excellent ergonomics make them well fitted into the hands. But I feel the crkt squid could have a better design. Although it is shorter than the Kershaw shuffle, the Crkt squid feels a little bit larger, maybe due to its higher weight.

Locking Mechanism

Another major difference between the Kershaw shuffle and Crkt squid is their locking mechanism. The Kershaw shuffle has a subtle liner locking feature, and the Crkt squid comes with an internal frame locking system.

Liner locking: It acts like a spring, where one side of the inner liner is slightly bent. The spring-like liner slide prevents the blade from closing while it’s open.

Frame locking: Internal frame locking mechanism is similar to the liner locking, but here one side of the frame slides behind the blade when you open it.

You can easily lock the Kershaw with one hand. It makes a loud clicking sound when deploying to let you know that it has opened. The Kershaw shuffle blade stays fit when locked, and I haven’t experienced any movement.

The frame locking in the Crkt squid is also fair and simple. I have seen many expensive knives use this mechanism, and there’s nothing much to complain about.

Both of the locking mechanisms feel good. It comes to personal preferences about which one you like.

Construction Quality

Both Kershaw and Crkt use the same materials for their knives, which is 8Cr13MoV stainless steel. It’s a budget material, and you will find it in costlier pocket knives too. The steel works perfectly fine, considering the budget.

However, the handle material is different for both of these models. Kershaw shuffle II handle is made with Glass Reinforced Nylon, and the Crkt squid is made of stainless steel.

My opinion: The stainless steel feels slippery if you hold it with a wet hand. In contrast, I found the Kershaw shuffle has an excellent grip and good hand feel for the nylon material.

Portability

When you purchase an everyday carry knife, portability is a crucial factor. The Crkt squid is smaller than the Kershaw shuffle, which makes it a better fit in your pocket or belt.

However, the Crkt squid is also heavier. That’s mainly because of the stainless steel handle materials. The Kershaw shuffle II is lighter and feels better in the pocket.

Crkt squid vs Kershaw shuffle: A closer look

Those were all the main differences between the two fantastic EDC pocket knives. But you need to know more about them to make a purchasing decision.

Crkt Squid

Crkt squid comes with a black stonewash finish that protects the knife from rust and corrosion. It makes the knife a perfect option for long-term usage. Plus, it has a pocket clip. You can clip the Crkt squid into your pocket for secure carrying.

Moreover, the squid has spacers around the hinge pin. It prevents the blade from getting off-centered when it is closed. It has been a perfect companion for day-to-day use. 

Kershaw Shuffle

Kershaw shuffle II is an upgrade to its original shuffle model. The company made some minor changes, such as increasing the blade length to make the knife more useful.

Kershaw also uses a black stone washing coating to keep the blade in good condition for longer. Plus, I found the warranty policy of Kershaw impressive. Any problem you face with the knife, you will get a replacement from Kershaw without any questions asked.

Whether you are going on hunting or camping or trying to open some bottles and packages, the Kershaw shuffle will never disappoint you.

Best Alternatives to Kershaw shuffle and Crkt squid

If you are looking for more options, you may consider Crkt Drifter, which has an excellent liner locking mechanism similar to the Kershaw shuffle and also has a fantastic grip. 

If you are on a tight budget, you also can go for Sanrenmu 7010 Folding Pocket Knife. The craftsmanship of the knife is excellent and creates great ergonomics. This one feels great in hand and is suitable for carrying out regular work.

You also can go for the Kershaw Link if you have a good budget. It’s larger, sharper, and stronger. The price may be a little high, but Kershaw Link is absolutely worth it, considering the superior value.

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FAQs

Question 1: Is Kershaw a good brand?

Kershaw is a well-reputed brand that offers good quality knives at an affordable price. The company makes some of the best pocket knives on the market. Most Kershaw knives are USA-made, but many of their budget knives come from China.

Question 2: Where is CRKT made?

Crkt is a USA company that manufactures its products in the small town of Tualatin, Oregon. However, the company also makes some knives outside the USA, mostly from Asian countries, including China.

Question 3: Do Kershaw knives stay sharp?

Kershaw knives are pretty sharp and good for cutting different materials. They stay sharp for a long time. In case the sharpness gets lowered over time, Kershaw will sharpen your knives completely free of cost.

Question 4: Does Crkt have a lifetime warranty?

Crkt offers a limited lifetime warranty for its products. The warranty will cover any manufacturing defect that may cause malfunction or result in a broken knife.