Kershaw Boa vs. Kershaw Spec Bump vs. Buck Strider Policeknife vs. BM Presidio

J

JSR

Joined
Apr 4, 2006
Messages
338
Been thinking about picking up a larger folder. Not sure yet as I don't really like carrying larger knives, but been thinking. What's your guys/gals opinions on these following folders? All can be had in the $90-$105 range.

Kershaw Boa
http://www.kershawknives.com/knivesTools/boa.htm
Blade Steel - S30V
Handle/Scales - Aluminum
TiNi Coated Black Blade
Features I like:
1. Love the recurve blade!
2. Aluminum handle feels nice.
3. SpeedSafe (not a necessity, just fun to use).

Kershaw Spec Bump
http://www.kershawknives.com/knivesTools/specBump.htm
Blade Steel - S30V
Handle/Scales - 3D G10
Tungsten DLC Black Blade
Features I like:
1. Like the recurve blade, but I like the shape of the Boa's blade better.
2. Stud lock is very interesting to me!
3. Tungsten DLC blade...my other Kershaw with DLC coating has been holding up well.
3. SpeedSafe.
4. G10 handle feels nice, but IMO looks ugly.

Buck Strider Policeknife 882BKX or 882SBTG
http://www.buckknives.com/images/uploads/882-Updated.jpg
Blade Steel - ATS-34 882BKX, 154CM 882SBTG
Handle/Scales - TACCOM 882BKX, G10 882SBTG
Features I like:
1. Looks very beefy, combat-like.
What's TACCOM?

Benchmade Presidio 523
http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=523
Blade Steel - 154CM
Handle/Scales - Aluminum
Features I like:
1. AXIS lock.
2. Interesting looking handle and I like the feel of aluminum handles.
3. Interesting looking blade.

What would you choose and why? If you've had experience with all, a comparison would be appreciated.

Thanks.
JSR
 
The Buck looks stupid, and I don't really like many Buck's (except for the 100 series- 110, 112 etc.). I also don't get the triangular Strider-ish handle thing. The Kershaw Boa is just bleh. The SpecBump is my favorite, because I'd like to try a recurve blade, the handle looks awesome, and overall I'd really like to have one. I love Benchmade, but I'd take something like a Griptilian or another similar knife over the Presidio- like one of those HK folders they have. I think the Presidio looks a little uncomfortable for some reason. I really love the Spec Bump, and I don't like most Kershaws because of their slim profiles.
 
NeedleRemorse said:
The Buck looks stupid, and I don't really like many Buck's (except for the 100 series- 110, 112 etc.). I also don't get the triangular Strider-ish handle thing. The Kershaw Boa is just bleh. The SpecBump is my favorite, because I'd like to try a recurve blade, the handle looks awesome, and overall I'd really like to have one. I love Benchmade, but I'd take something like a Griptilian or another similar knife over the Presidio- like one of those HK folders they have. I think the Presidio looks a little uncomfortable for some reason. I really love the Spec Bump, and I don't like most Kershaws because of their slim profiles.
Click to expand...

you dont like much do you? :jerkit:
 
Originally Posted by NeedleRemorse
[yakkety yakkety]
Click to expand...

Originally Posted by a223cat
you dont like much do you?
Click to expand...

It's always easier to have a firm opinion
when you're not actually familiar with the knife in question! :D

---

JSR, I would say get the Benchmade, but ... they are all good knives.

Kershaw Boa - classic, great grip, early AO & not as snappy as some, but that blade can slice.

vs. Kershaw Spec Bump - all the Bumps are an excellent choice although I like the Ti framelocks best. The strange-looking blade is actually very efficient at different tasks.

vs. Buck Strider Policeknife - that's derived from the Strider SnG style. It suffers from comparison to those much more expensive and more durable knives. It's also the only one you've asked about that I haven't got much experience with. :p

It's also a good way to find out if you like that style of knife, before investing in the original Strider. I have an SnG and I find the grip on it to be exceptionally good.

vs. BM Presidio - best of the bunch for the real world. Straightforward design, excellent grip, good blade shape, although I like the original blade over the tanto in this case.
 
you dont like much do you?
Click to expand...

I'm very particular about knives. If something doesn't have the right ergonomics or aesthetics, why would I lie? There are features of each knife that he listed that I do like, but at the end of the day I would choose 1 over the other 3 for just one or two main reasons. That's the point of a "vs." thread. Maybe you coud try not being so sensitive! ;)

JSR- I know you think that the Spec Bump is ugly- and it is a little different, like most Kershaws- but I really think that the comfort of the handles will outweigh the looks. The handle and blade are both very curvy, so at least they flow together well. The Boa and Strider both have very flat handle slabs, and as you probably know the shape of your closed hand is not quite so linear. I got to handle a Spec Bump in person, and the grip felt pretty hard to beat for me. I was also taken by the stud lock. Part of the reason that I wouldn't get the Presidio is just because it's too close to my 550 in size/design/function. They are a lot nicer in person, but I'm with Artfully Martial on not being too fond of the handles. (Close your eyes, a223cat, an opinion!) :p
 
I own 2 of mentioned knives - Buck Strider and Bump. Buck is nice, I just hate its half-serrated blade. Great handle, fits hands big and small. Spec Bump is also good - handle a bit short for me, very acute edge (~18 inclusive) so I have difficulties honing it on Sharpmaker. I always loved slim profile of Boa and never handled a BM Presidio.
 
I would recommend the Spec Bump. Its a great combination of blade shape and steel, handle material, AO, and locking mechanism. IMO, there are no compromises with the Spec Bump. Plus, its only about $100 online!
 
I own two of the four , the Buck Strider 882 and the Speed/Spec Bump. For an all purpose EDC I'd pick anything in the Bump series. If you look you can find a few cheaper variations of the Spec Bump. I paid $75 for mine, it's the Sandvik and g10 version, the neoprene molded version is even less ( around $50.00).

The Buck is also a good knife, IMO the handle shape isn't an issue because it can be gripped several ways, I prefer to hold it close to the blade near the narrowest part of the handle. I got mine as a hunting knife , I think the blade is perfect for that purpose.

I'm not too crazy about aluminum handled knives, I've passed on the Presidio a number of times, but you say you like it, so get what appeals to you both visually and functionally.
 
I've owned/played with all of them and I'd go with the Bump personally. And if it was me I'd get one of the Ti Framelock Bumps instead of the Spec. There's nothing wrong with the Spec but I still like the Ti ones better.:thumbup:
 
I have a Boa - its nice, somewhat heavier than I like, speedsafe is a nice toy. It cuts well. The handle is not too slippery.
The Buck is a nice cheap alternative to find out if you like the SnG ergonomics. I do. I don't like Buck's liner lock. I sanded off the extreme checkering on the TACCOM ( which is just cheap injection molded fiberglass and nylon.)

Both knives have failed lockup, and the Buck which was replaced folds up under spine pressure, too. I recommend the Axis lock or the Bump ti.
 
NeedleRemorse said:
As an aside, is it possible to remove the speedsafe on the Spec Bump and use it as a manual folder?
Click to expand...

Yes. The Stud Lock works with or without the AO. However, the Speedsafe mechanism also helps keep the blade closed. Without the torsion Bar, the blade might not want to stay closed.
 
Great info guys! Keep em coming!

Seems like the Bump is getting the most votes thus far. I've handled shortly both the Boa and Bump, but not for cutting tasks, just holding them and feeling the action. Both felt good. I didn't consider the Ti Bumps due to the price...these are already stretching it for me, so the Ti Bumps are too far above my limit.

tirod3 - you said both the Boa and Buck have failed your lock tests. What did you do?...spine whacks?...during actual use? That's a bit scary for me, especially for longer blade.

I plan on feeling all the knives before I purchase, but haven't had time to go to a local store (there's only 1 store around me and I think they're tired of seeing me play with their stuff). But actual user info and experiences is always great info to have.
 
Here's a picture of my Speed/Spec Bump and Buck Strider.

S3600021B.jpg
 
JPD1998 - great picture! That actually helps a lot to really see how the folders compare.

Ok, a bit of bad news...my wife didn't like the prices of the folders I listed above, so if I were to pick one up, I'd only have half the budget now. So, considering this, my new options are the following:

Kershaw Speed Bump
http://www.kershawknives.com/knivesTools/speedBump.htm
Blade Steel - Sandvik 13C26
Handle/Scales - akulon with santoprene (????)
Features I like:
1. Recurve blade is interesting.
2. Stud lock is very interesting to me!
3. SpeedSafe.
4. The handle looks like cheap plastic. How does it feel? It's not 3D right?

Buck Strider SBMF 889OD or 889BK
http://www.buckknives.com/images/uploads/889OD-700x700.jpg
Blade Steel - 420HC
Handle/Scales - TACCOM
Features I like:
1. Beefy, combat look.
2. ODG handle looks interesting.

My main concerns are:

1. How does the handle of the Speed Bump feel? It looks cheap honestly. And it still has that ugly shape of the Spec Bump that I'm not very fond of. But if it feels good, I can live with the ugliness.

2. How does Buck's 420HC compare to Kershaw's 13C26? I've read many times here that Buck's 420HC is much better than other brands'. How does it compare to 13C26? Which would hold it's edge longer?

3. I've read reports of the 889's liner lock giving. That's a bit scary.

4. How smooth/easy is the opening of the 889? The only Bucks I've handled are the Pilot and Mantis, both of which has the thumbstud in a location that makes it very difficult to leverage the blade out with my thumb. Is the 889's thumbstud better placed?

The Buck 889's actually a bit cheaper. I'm just wondering if the 420HC would lose it's edge too quickly. I don't sharpen my own knives, I give it to my friend to sharpen on his Sharpmaker, but he often laaaaags. I like the 440A on my Kershaws ok. Would it hold as well as Kershaw's 440A (which I also heard is better than other brands' 440A, similar to what's said about Buck's 420HC).

Thanks!
 
I wouldn't get the Speed Bump unless you just needed a beater. I'd definitely save up and get a pseudo (spec/speed) bump instead. The pseudo bump, as I'm fond of calling it, is the real-deal G10 handle from the spec bump, but uses the 13C26 uncoated blade from the speed bump. Honestly, I like it more (don't like coated blades) than the spec bump. You can pick them up online for 70.

If you insist on saving the 15 though (seriously, just save up one more month...) the handle on the Speed bump definitely looks cheap, and even feels cheap, but that said, it's fairly grippy and comfortable. As a beater, the Speed Bump will be a real winner for those who like AO. At around its price, however, you have so many decent Benchmade/Spyderco options...

you want a beefy tactical for 55 dollars, I'd say get the d`allara drop point
spyc82pbk2.jpg
 
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