- Joined
- Jun 8, 2005
- Messages
- 4,761
Picked up a couple Kershaws today:
The larger of these is my new Blue Bump. I've been searching for a titanium frame lock for forever and a half, and I was just gearing up to buy a mini skirmish when some lucky poster mentioned this in a Bump vs Spec Bump debate and it clicked.
The first thing you'll notice about this knife is its WEIRDNESS. It looks very organic, like perhaps a sea creature. And things aren't much different when open. It takes awhile for you to appreciate the visuals of this knife, but when you do, it's a very unique piece and it's great to mix things up. Also, I believe that the shiny blue anodizing might make it more sheeple palatable. The anadozing by the way, is by far the most impressive example I've seen on a production knife. One of the things I've been trying to avoid among titanium framelocks are company's obsession with bead blasts, which scratch so easily. Truthfully, this is a big reason I chose the Bump.
It's a pretty sizeable knife. However, it carries like a small knife somehow. It has a noticeable heft to it also, which is surprising for extensive use of titanium, however, it's just under the noticeable in pocket level.
Fit and finish can be considered to be flawless.
The AO works really well, although it doesn't have the kick of the mini mojo.
The ergonomics are very good, although I dare say it feels VERY unspydery. Where Spydercos put lots of strong curves into their handles and choils for specific holds, this is a much less rigid design. It works about as well. It allows my full hand on the handle, something I enjoy, although not rare for a blade length like this. I really like the grip the 3D titanium ridges provide. In truth, this feels like one of the grippiest knives I own, even comparable to G10. My one ergonomic complaint is that it squishes my last two fingers together just a little as my pinking is pushed up and in by the last curve of the handle. Not a big deal, and the fact I get to compare it to Spyderco ergonomics is in fact a compliment.
But make no mistake, this is a very different knife.
The S30V blade looks to be very useful, although I haven't used it for much yet. I believe everything KO said about its versatility, as it appears that he's trying to combine the slicing superiority of recurves with the easier piercing of a drop point. Like the rest of the knife, it comes off looking weird, but it's growing on me. Of course, this is Kershaw weird, which is no way comparable to Spyderco weird (on the weirdness scale), so take that into consideration. Those who are looking for something different, well, here's your knife. I'm one of those.
Locks up like a vault. Very thick titanium slabs. Very confidence inspiring.
Great flipper, one of the best I've used.
So this is a great knife in general and one I have to recommend to other titanium framelock desirers. It's so often overlooked for its weirdness, but it does grow on you.
I have number 140.
New note: It more and more occurs to me that the factory sharpness of both Kershaws is not particularly impressive. I haven't made the effort to work on it though. I hate sharpening knives. Can just barely shave hair, though in all fairness, this sort of test is not very fair to knives with strong recurves--recurves provide some real world slicing advantages you don't see on the arm hair thing, I believe.
_______________
Update:
I've been EDCing this guy for awhile now, and here are some more observations.
This is a reasonably large (full sized) knife with a bit of heft to it, but it carries very well. A comparably sized (and also great) knife, the d`allara drop point, didn't suit me much because of just how much space it took up and how visible it was, the shiny blade (90% revealed) showing and everything. The Bump though seems to have all the proper dimensions for its blade length.
One of my initial concerns was framelock wear, as this is a knife that must always be flicked open hard (due to the AO). I'm pleased to report that there is absolutely no visible wear despite constant flicking. While my only other two titanium knives are not framelocks, so I have limited experience on the unique wear of titanium, it has been my observation with liner locks that if significant wear isn't seen fairly early on, it may never visible move. This is the case with my old Urban Shark, which never developed visible lock wear despite three or so years of hard use.
The anodized finish is holding up nicely with no new scratches. However, you can see some slight imperfections that came with it--there are a couple of tiny spots that aren't anodized and are shiny titanium underneath. They're very small and not at all noticeable, but something to look for I suppose. I recommend the anodized finish of the Bump line as opposed to the bead blast finish used by everyone else.
The pocket clip is quite attractive, and I do prefer mine with no paint on them (or whatever it is they use). However, it's a bit too lose. Sometimes it's loose enough that it concerns me (depends on the jeans I'm wearing). For the most part, it's just barely secure enough though, and I suspect that the looseness of the clip might also increase the longevity of the anodized finish directly underneath the clip.
The NIB sharpness is actually pretty dissapointing. This knife is definitely borderline dull. I've used my para for months now without sharpening it and it's quite a bit sharper than the Bump. Not a big a deal at all, in my opinion, but I do wish it came sharper. Kershaw seems to have a great reputation for NIB sharp, but both of mine must have missed out on it.
After extensively using AO, I've decided that I still definitely prefer manual openers--I like to have the choice to open it slowly. However, using AO is still a pleasure and a unique fun in itself. It's good to have a couple in my collection, but I have very few AO plans in the future, as a matter of preference, although I do intend to pick up a Spec Bump very soon for comparison.
All in all, fulfilling my expectations and I still highly recommend the Blue Bump.
The larger of these is my new Blue Bump. I've been searching for a titanium frame lock for forever and a half, and I was just gearing up to buy a mini skirmish when some lucky poster mentioned this in a Bump vs Spec Bump debate and it clicked.
The first thing you'll notice about this knife is its WEIRDNESS. It looks very organic, like perhaps a sea creature. And things aren't much different when open. It takes awhile for you to appreciate the visuals of this knife, but when you do, it's a very unique piece and it's great to mix things up. Also, I believe that the shiny blue anodizing might make it more sheeple palatable. The anadozing by the way, is by far the most impressive example I've seen on a production knife. One of the things I've been trying to avoid among titanium framelocks are company's obsession with bead blasts, which scratch so easily. Truthfully, this is a big reason I chose the Bump.
It's a pretty sizeable knife. However, it carries like a small knife somehow. It has a noticeable heft to it also, which is surprising for extensive use of titanium, however, it's just under the noticeable in pocket level.
Fit and finish can be considered to be flawless.
The AO works really well, although it doesn't have the kick of the mini mojo.
The ergonomics are very good, although I dare say it feels VERY unspydery. Where Spydercos put lots of strong curves into their handles and choils for specific holds, this is a much less rigid design. It works about as well. It allows my full hand on the handle, something I enjoy, although not rare for a blade length like this. I really like the grip the 3D titanium ridges provide. In truth, this feels like one of the grippiest knives I own, even comparable to G10. My one ergonomic complaint is that it squishes my last two fingers together just a little as my pinking is pushed up and in by the last curve of the handle. Not a big deal, and the fact I get to compare it to Spyderco ergonomics is in fact a compliment.
But make no mistake, this is a very different knife.
The S30V blade looks to be very useful, although I haven't used it for much yet. I believe everything KO said about its versatility, as it appears that he's trying to combine the slicing superiority of recurves with the easier piercing of a drop point. Like the rest of the knife, it comes off looking weird, but it's growing on me. Of course, this is Kershaw weird, which is no way comparable to Spyderco weird (on the weirdness scale), so take that into consideration. Those who are looking for something different, well, here's your knife. I'm one of those.
Locks up like a vault. Very thick titanium slabs. Very confidence inspiring.
Great flipper, one of the best I've used.
So this is a great knife in general and one I have to recommend to other titanium framelock desirers. It's so often overlooked for its weirdness, but it does grow on you.
I have number 140.
New note: It more and more occurs to me that the factory sharpness of both Kershaws is not particularly impressive. I haven't made the effort to work on it though. I hate sharpening knives. Can just barely shave hair, though in all fairness, this sort of test is not very fair to knives with strong recurves--recurves provide some real world slicing advantages you don't see on the arm hair thing, I believe.
_______________
Update:
I've been EDCing this guy for awhile now, and here are some more observations.
This is a reasonably large (full sized) knife with a bit of heft to it, but it carries very well. A comparably sized (and also great) knife, the d`allara drop point, didn't suit me much because of just how much space it took up and how visible it was, the shiny blade (90% revealed) showing and everything. The Bump though seems to have all the proper dimensions for its blade length.
One of my initial concerns was framelock wear, as this is a knife that must always be flicked open hard (due to the AO). I'm pleased to report that there is absolutely no visible wear despite constant flicking. While my only other two titanium knives are not framelocks, so I have limited experience on the unique wear of titanium, it has been my observation with liner locks that if significant wear isn't seen fairly early on, it may never visible move. This is the case with my old Urban Shark, which never developed visible lock wear despite three or so years of hard use.
The anodized finish is holding up nicely with no new scratches. However, you can see some slight imperfections that came with it--there are a couple of tiny spots that aren't anodized and are shiny titanium underneath. They're very small and not at all noticeable, but something to look for I suppose. I recommend the anodized finish of the Bump line as opposed to the bead blast finish used by everyone else.
The pocket clip is quite attractive, and I do prefer mine with no paint on them (or whatever it is they use). However, it's a bit too lose. Sometimes it's loose enough that it concerns me (depends on the jeans I'm wearing). For the most part, it's just barely secure enough though, and I suspect that the looseness of the clip might also increase the longevity of the anodized finish directly underneath the clip.
The NIB sharpness is actually pretty dissapointing. This knife is definitely borderline dull. I've used my para for months now without sharpening it and it's quite a bit sharper than the Bump. Not a big a deal at all, in my opinion, but I do wish it came sharper. Kershaw seems to have a great reputation for NIB sharp, but both of mine must have missed out on it.
After extensively using AO, I've decided that I still definitely prefer manual openers--I like to have the choice to open it slowly. However, using AO is still a pleasure and a unique fun in itself. It's good to have a couple in my collection, but I have very few AO plans in the future, as a matter of preference, although I do intend to pick up a Spec Bump very soon for comparison.
All in all, fulfilling my expectations and I still highly recommend the Blue Bump.
The pic comes from Pioneer Valley Knife and Tool, which is an online knife site @ pvk.com I used to buy my auto knives from them on Bladeauction.com