Is the thumb stud lock on high end Kershaw's worthwhile?

Unable to play with a spec bump in real life, I was forced to substitute a mini mojo at the Knife Shoppe. The lock is very cool, but unless the spec is significantly different (which is entirely possible), there are a few things that make it difficult to use as a hard use folder.

The single spring design seems a bit dangerous. The eventual failure of the spring, unlike the axis lock, will mean the end of the lock.

It was easy for me to unlock the folder, which is a good thing. However, the placement of the lock makes it fairly easy for me to imagine accidentally disengaging it during use.

And, quite simply, it just looks like it wouldn't have that much strength available to it. I imagine it would close with a reasonable amount of force against the spine.

Thoughts?
 
I wonder if the little spring channel is a dust-and-dirt magnet. It looks like a rust pit too; how could you dry out that little spring if a raindrop fell right in there? Could the little spring and ball be pulled out for cleaning and drying?
 
I have a Mini-Mojo and I don't have any problems with the lock's reliablity or with corrosion.
 
Well, on the plus side, you can at least see the spring to guage its health. Would you mind doing the basic lock tests on your mini mojo from my "it's hell being a liner lock" post? Perhaps not so intensely, of course, the Mojo is probably not intended for as serious a use as the Bump or the M16 that was tested. I'm a bit concerned that if I order a Spec Bump, it could disengage.
 
Artfully Martial said:
The single spring design seems a bit dangerous. The eventual failure of the spring, unlike the axis lock, will mean the end of the lock.
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Wow, good point.

One reason the Axis is so secure is that it releases to the rear; so, if you manage to accidently release it, it'll be by pulling on the kniferather than pushing, and in that direction, it's hard to imagine the blade folding on the fingers.

The omega springs in an Axis lock can break, too, but because there are two of them, it's unlikely that both would break at the same, hence it's unlikely the lock would fail completely. That's a big advantage over every lock that relies on a single spring, like this Kershaw stud lock.
 
I've played with the minimojo and the spec bump. I find the lock ok on the small knife but I did not like it on the spec bump. It felt very uncomfortable to close and I didn't like anything about the spec bump. Heavy, bulky, bad lock (in my opinion of course :) ).

Go with the paramilitary..
 
I dont like the way you can see the spring ;it just does not have a good look to it,even if it works good, i'd rather have it hidden somehow........
 
I've had the Spec Bump for a few weeks and it works great.

The lock is solid. I spine whacked the blade very hard and the blade and lock didn't move. To unlock the blade you have to deliberately move the studs forward. When I hold the knife in my hand I can't imagine how someone would unintentionally unlock the blade. The flipper acts as a guard when the blade is open. If the lock were to fail the flipper would hit finger and stop the blade from moving.

If you look at different types of springs, coil springs are always used over leaf springs because of their durability. A coil allows an extended length of spring to be used in a minimal amount of space. The longer the spring the less torsion the spring must turn over a given length.

I like the 3D textured G10 scales. They are grippy without being rough. I don't have an opinion about the blade steel. I'm still testing. The ergonomics are great. I don't know if the locking mechanism can be removed from the blade. I like the Speed safe the best. It opens hard and forcefully. When it hits the Stud Lock it slows down and quietly locks open. I play with the knife while watching movies and for the first time my wife doesn't get irritated with me.

I like the knife. I'll be giving them as gifts for Christmas.
 
In my opinion, the Mini-Mojo is as solid a lock-up as you'll find. My problem with this knife is the 440a steel. Shame that Onion (or Kershaw) uses such plain steel in such otherwise nice knife designs. I really like this knife.
 
I bought a Mini Mojo, and hated the lock. It worked great, but I just didn't like the location of the lock. I think it was a terrible idea.
 
wwells20 said:
In my opinion, the Mini-Mojo is as solid a lock-up as you'll find. My problem with this knife is the 440a steel.
Click to expand...
Kershaw makes knives for all price levels. The Spec Bump is the high end knife with the high end blade steel and the highest price.

Having said that I wish they would offer the same model knife with different blade materials. I would love to have a Mini Mojo with high end steel. I know it would be significantly higher priced but I willing to pay.

My name is Chuck and I'm a knife junkie. ;)
 
I usually carry a mix of customs, primarily custom Onions. I got my Spec Bump a few weeks ago and after carrying and using it daily, I have to say this is in my opinion the best knife Kershaw has ever made. CPM-154 - primo steel. 3D machined/textured G10 scales on steel liners. The studlock is by far my favorite. As a lefty it's totally ambi (save for the pocket clip, but I got over that really quick). As chuck has pointed out, I don't think that accidentally releasing the blade is an issue. Buy it, try it, and see for yourself - if not, it leaves more for the rest of us ;)

~Mitch
 
Hope there's any left for ya ;) Word is they're gonna only do them in small runs. There will be different variations in the future though.

~Mitch
 
After playing with SpecBump for a while. I found this lock most convinient - it is unusual all right, but same confusion I have first with axis lock. It is solid - no doubt, it is hidden in G10 scales - I intentionaly tried to open it "accidently", as it was mentioned before. This may happen only if you hold knife edge up and intentionaly sqize it hard between top of thumb and top of index fingers, otherwise scates prevent it from open.

But I can open it with thumb or with index finger by right or left hand with one move (axis need two moves). Really after I get used to it I realized that it is most convinient lock I know.

Ken Onion did great job as usual. Looking forward to Offset.

Kershav-Bump-G10-20.jpg


Thanks, Vassili.
 
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