The Blade: 8Cr13MoV With a Gunmetal Gray PVD Coat and a Classic Drop Point
Kershaw builds the Seguin around its tried‑and‑true 8Cr13MoV blade steel, a Chinese‑produced stainless that occupies the broad middle ground of the production knife market. It is a steel that invites neither scorn nor adoration; it simply works. It takes a keen edge with minimal effort, resists corrosion adequately for everyday pocket carry, and touches up quickly on a pocket stone or ceramic rod. The edge retention is not on par with S30V or D2, but for the typical EDC tasks—opening packages, breaking down cardboard, slicing rope, trimming threads—it holds a working edge for days of use before requiring attention. The blade is shaped into a classic drop point, the most versatile and widely recommended profile for general everyday carry. The belly provides ample slicing surface, and the tip is acute enough for piercing without being fragile. The entire blade is coated with a gunmetal gray PVD (physical vapor deposition) finish, which provides a measure of corrosion resistance and gives the knife a subdued, professional appearance that contrasts pleasingly with the lighter gray of the stainless steel handle. The PVD coating is thin, hard, and well‑bonded; it resists scratching better than paint or oxide coatings, though it will eventually show wear at the high points with extended use. For those who appreciate a knife that develops character over time, that wear will be a feature rather than a flaw.
Deployment and Locking: SpeedSave, Flipper‑Only, and a Frame Lock That Means Business
The Seguin deploys via Kershaw's SpeedSafe assisted‑opening mechanism, actuated exclusively by a finger flipper. There are no thumb studs on this model, a design choice that streamlines the blade profile and eliminates visual clutter. I am personally a finger‑flipper enthusiast and consider the absence of thumb studs a positive attribute; they are not missed. The flipper tab is generously sized and textured, providing excellent purchase for the index finger even when wearing light gloves. Overcome the detent, and the SpeedSafe torsion bar snaps the blade into lockup with Kershaw's characteristic speed and authority. The action is smooth, consistent, and deeply satisfying—the kind of mechanical feedback that makes you want to open and close the knife repeatedly. The lock is a frame lock, which I generally prefer over a liner lock for its greater strength and its aesthetic integration with the handle. The lock bar on the Seguin engages the blade tang fully, with no hint of slipping or walking under spine pressure. The lockup is solid, with zero blade play in any direction. Disengaging the lock is a simple, one‑handed operation: press the lock bar inward with the thumb, and the blade can be pushed closed with the index finger. The frame lock also contributes to the knife's substantial feel; there is a reassuring solidity to the way the lock bar clicks into place, a tactile confirmation that the blade is secure.
The Handle: Bead‑Blasted Stainless Steel, Notched for Grip, and Heavier Than You Expect
The handle of the Seguin is constructed from bead‑blasted stainless steel, a material choice that gives the knife a weight and presence that is increasingly rare in an era of lightweight G‑10, carbon fiber, and skeletonized aluminum. The Seguin weighs 4.9 ounces, which places it on the heavier side of the EDC spectrum. For some users—including this reviewer—that weight is a positive attribute. It conveys a sense of quality and durability that lighter knives sometimes lack. The knife feels substantial in the hand, like a tool that will not flinch when asked to cut through thick material or apply lateral pressure. For other users, particularly those who prioritize lightweight carry in thin dress pants or shorts, the weight may be a drawback. This is a knife that you will know is in your pocket, and whether that is reassuring or annoying depends entirely on personal preference. Our office was split on this point, with half the team favoring the Seguin's heft and the other half finding it excessive. It is a characteristic to consider carefully before purchasing.
The handle surface is not smooth. Les George machined a series of notches around the entire perimeter of the handle—small, evenly spaced indentations that provide additional grip security and visual interest. These notches are not merely decorative; they create dozens of small edges that catch the skin and prevent the hand from slipping during cutting tasks. Additional jimping on the rear blade spine, the backspacer, and the rear handle further enhance grip. The overall effect is a handle that is visually distinctive and functionally secure, despite the inherent slickness of bead‑blasted steel. The backspacer is also the anchor point for the pocket clip, a single‑position design set for right‑hand, tip‑up carry only. Left‑handed users will need to adapt to a cross‑draw or accept the inconvenience. The clip itself is a thin, curved piece of steel that rises away from the handle, making it exceptionally easy to slide onto a pocket seam. Despite its slim profile, the clip has good tension and holds securely. It is a deep‑carry design—flush with the butt end of the handle—so the knife sits completely hidden in the pocket, with nothing visible above the seam. From the outside, you cannot tell whether the wearer is carrying a knife or a pen. That discretion is valuable in environments where an openly visible pocket clip might raise eyebrows.
Kershaw Seguin Folding Knife Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | Kershaw 3490 |
| Steel | 8Cr13MoV, gray PVD coating |
| Handle | Stainless steel, bead‑blasted finish |
| Blade Length | 3.1 in. (8 cm) |
| Closed Length | 4.25 in. (10.8 cm) |
| Overall Length | 7.25 in. (18.3 cm) |
| Weight | 4.9 oz. (139 g) |
| Deployment | SpeedSafe assisted, flipper only |
| Lock | Frame lock |
| Clip | Single‑position, right‑hand tip‑up, deep‑carry |
| Price | $31.98 (street) |
Who Should Carry the Kershaw Seguin?
The Kershaw Seguin is a knife for the person who appreciates substance, who likes the reassuring weight of a solid steel handle and the authoritative snap of a well‑tuned assisted opener. It is for the Texan who wants to carry a blade named after a hero of the Revolution, a conversation piece that connects to the history of the Lone Star State. It is for the budget‑conscious enthusiast who wants a frame lock, a deep‑carry clip, and a PVD‑coated blade—features often associated with more expensive knives—at a price that does not require a purchase order. And it is for the collector who appreciates Les George's design language and wants to add a production version of his work to their collection. The Seguin is not for everyone. The weight will deter ultralight enthusiasts. The single‑position clip will frustrate left‑handed users. The 8Cr13MoV steel will not satisfy those who demand premium edge retention. But for those who connect with its particular combination of attributes—the history, the heft, the deep‑carry discretion, the SpeedSave snap—the Seguin is a knife that will earn its place in the pocket and stay there. It is, like its namesake, a quiet, resilient presence that does not demand attention but richly deserves it.
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