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Everyone and their mother told me I needed to review the Kershaw Bel Air. Now I get it. This simple, American-made EDC gives the Hogue Deka, my favorite coming into this review, serious competition. In fact, I'd give the Bel Air the very slightest edge.
Kershaw Bel Air Review
Pros
- Thin, full-flat-ground MagnaCut blade
- Excellent ultra-deep-carry clip
- Comfortable, slim handle
- Smooth manual crossbar action
Cons
- No real finger choil for a closer grip on the blade. The Para 3 feels better to me in that respect.
Bel Air vs. Deka, Bugout and Para 3
If you're shopping for an American-made everyday folder, these are the obvious comparisons. You want options, and all four deserve a look.
Hogue Deka
The Deka and Bel Air feel equally good in my hand, and I put their action on the same level. The Kershaw pulls ahead on two details: thinner blade stock and an ultra-deep pocket clip.
The Deka I'm comparing here has a 20CV blade and aftermarket scales. You can get both knives in MagnaCut, but keep that difference in mind when comparing the ones shown here.
Benchmade Bugout
The Bugout finishes last in my personal ranking of these four. I enjoy the Bel Air's action more, though the Bugout can vary from version to version.
Spyderco Para 3
I love the Para 3. I own one for a reason. It has a more distinctive shape than the other three, and its finger choil gives it that ergonomic advantage. It comes third for me here largely because I prefer the larger PM2 within Spyderco's lineup, not because the Para 3 is a bad knife.
A Thin Blade with a Shape I Really Like
I love the blade shape. I'd call it a modified Wharncliffe; Kershaw calls it a reverse tanto. Whatever label you prefer, it has a nice tip for piercing without looking like a spear point. The lines work really well with the rest of the knife.
The full flat grind and thin blade stock are the bigger attractions for me. This is a very thin, slicey blade. When I put it next to the Deka, the difference in stock thickness wasn't enormous, but it was there, and I like having that thinner blade in an everyday knife.
MagnaCut is a welcome part of the package, too. I like that combination of a thin blade and a tough steel.
The Pocket Clip Makes the Difference
The Deka has a deep-carry clip, and that's nice. But I really, really like the clip on the Bel Air. It's a regular-looking clip that sits exceptionally deep. Put the knife in your pocket and the top of the clip is essentially all you're going to see.
Comfortable, Slim and Missing a Finger Choil
The ergonomics are solid. The Bel Air and the Deka both feel good in my hand, and the Kershaw's slim handle makes for a package that feels like it will disappear in the pocket.
There is no real finger choil, though. You're left with a little more space between your index finger and the blade than you get on something like the Para 3. That isn't unique to the Bel Air: the Deka leaves me with a similar gap. But if you like to choke up close to the cutting edge, it's worth noticing.
The Para 3 has the better ergonomics for me in that respect. I still like the Bel Air's overall package more.
DuraLock Action: Right There with the Deka
This is a manual knife, not an assisted opener, and I'm very happy about that. The crossbar action is smooth and thoroughly enjoyable.
In terms of spring tension, smoothness and fidget factor, it's right there with the Deka and better than the Bugout for me. The Bel Air in front of me has been very nice.
Kershaw was last to this party, but it made it count. The Bel Air feels like a well-thought-out package.
Kershaw Bel Air 6105 Specifications
This is the aluminum-handled Bel Air 6105 with a BlackWash blade. Specifications below are Kershaw's published figures for this model.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Overall length | 7.3 inches |
| Blade length | 3.1 inches |
| Blade thickness | 0.09 inch (2.3 mm) |
| Blade steel | CPM MagnaCut |
| Published hardness | 62–64 HRC |
| Blade style / finish | Reverse tanto / BlackWash |
| Closed length | 4.2 inches |
| Handle | 6061-T6 aluminum, bright nickel Cerakote |
| Published handle thickness | 0.44 inch (11.2 mm) |
| Weight | 2.9 ounces |
| Opening / pivot | Manual thumb studs / KVT ball bearings |
| Lock | DuraLock crossbar lock |
| Carry | Reversible deep-carry clip, right/left, tip-up |
| Origin | Designed and manufactured in the USA with American and global materials |
Price and Value
At about $150 when I reviewed it, this aluminum Bel Air was right in Deka territory. I'd give the Kershaw a little more bang for your buck, but both are excellent choices.
Video Review
Watch my full Bel Air review for the side-by-side comparisons and action:
Verdict
If you're looking at a Bugout, Deka or Para 3, absolutely put the Bel Air on your list. This one isn't going anywhere other than my pocket. I could see it becoming a regular everyday carry for me.
