Kershaw Bump - Review Request

Geode

Geode

Joined
May 12, 2001
Messages
2,947
This knife has been around for a short while now - any comments from owners?
 
I have a blue one and a green one. The blue is the original style blade and handle. The green one is the revised blade style and handle. Ken Onion desired some changes so Kershaw abliged. I think the new style is cooler looking (bumpier blade shape, tapered handle edges). Both are mighty functional. Maybe someone else could post come pics of the revised model. I don't own a camera.

The lockup on the blue is poor, only about 0.5 mm of contact, but I've contacted Kershaw and they are going to fix it for me. Otherwise the framelocks seem strong enough without any blade play.

I haven't done much actual cutting yet but the blades are damn sharp OOB. It's just amazing how those recurve blades glide through corrugated cardboard! Kershaw provides some of the best stock edges I've ever come across. I think this knife will be able to WHISP through field cleaning my deer (pl.) this year with aplomb.

If you plan to EDC one of these knives around sheeple be prepaird for some glares and the usual childish comments. The Speedsafe mechanism makes quite a THWACK!!! when it opens. You can open the knife the traditional two handed way if this could be an issue.

Oh, the handle could be a tad longer but that's my opinion of most larger knives I've ever handled. A larger handle would make upside down cutting, like cutting through a big game brisket, more controled and comfortable.

Bumps are just too cool!
 
I'd like to see a pic of the new Gen that you guys are chattin about!!! :)

Here's a pic of the Bump lock. It doesn't engage as much as I'd like to see.

bumplock.jpg


Here's a pic in hand for a size. It fits my hand very well

bump01.jpg


I really like this knife and am very interested in any improvements or changes.
Tom
 
I called Kershaw to get more info about generation 1 and 2. They made some design changes after the first run of 300 knives in each color. Therefore, serial number 300 and lower in each color is gen 1 and 301 and higher is gen 2. If you check out websites that have a picture of the Bump, you may be able to make out the serial number and see the differences between the 2 designs.
 
Yes, anybody with the Gen 2 please post a pic, maybe we can find just what changes occurred.

also can anybody with the green colored handles post a pic. in some pictures it looks really "neon", but other pics have it much toned down. some real pics would be helpful.
 
madfast, check out Arizona Custom Knives. They have sharp pictures of the green and blue, open and closed. Based on the serial numbers visible on the blades, they're gen 2. BTW, I spoke to Julie at ACK and she said the actual color of the handles is about 1 shade lighter than the color in the pictures.
 
TOB9595 said:
Here's a pic of the Bump lock. It doesn't engage as much as I'd like to see.
Click to expand...

Yes, Yes! Same deal here with my first generation Bump - poor framelock engagement. Just email Kershaw Warranty (under Contact at their website). They will be happy to fix it for you. Below is their recommendation:

"On the Blue Bump, try "slamming" it open a couple of times. Sometimes this
will get the parts to settle in and the lock will engage more. If not, we
will be happy to fix it for you. Just send it back to us with a note and we
will take care of it."

How the heck do you "slam open" a Bump?

My second Gen Bump has a much better lockup. Maybe this was an issue with the first Gen production run???
 
SharpNJ said:
madfast, check out Arizona Custom Knives. They have sharp pictures of the green and blue, open and closed. Based on the serial numbers visible on the blades, they're gen 2. BTW, I spoke to Julie at ACK and she said the actual color of the handles is about 1 shade lighter than the color in the pictures.
Click to expand...

Thanks! i just checked out those pics but i couldn't find any real differences.

Hmmm...i rather like the darker green, but i guess 1 shade lighter won't hurt. either way, the knife looks awesome.
 
madfast said:
Thanks! i just checked out those pics but i couldn't find any real differences.
Click to expand...

One big difference is that the handle edges have been tapered for better comfort. Blade shape is different. You really need to see the knives side by side to get the full effect.

The green handle changes from light green to dark green with varying light angles.

The blue handle changes from blue to purple - VERY COOL!
 
Maybe opening and closing the knife over and over will help the lock settle in. It's just a good excuse to play with a coooool knife. Kershaw knives keep getting nicer and nicer.
 
TOB9595,

Thanks for the picture of the lockup. Looks good to me because there is plenty of room for wear - so long as the lockbar is secure against the back of the blade, all should be well.

1/3 of the base of the blade is about what the Mayos seem to cover and I feel confident with their lockup.
 
The pic of the lock seems to have turned me off to this knife, unless with some wear it starts to engage much more than is shown?
 
i have a green number 0068 so im assuming thats a first gen. It has perfect lock up though, about 40-50% of the lock bar engages the tang and everything else seem to be in perfect order. It's pretty much what i would expect from a "good" high end production knife (150-200 dollar range)
 
dennisb1975 said:
The pic of the lock seems to have turned me off to this knife, unless with some wear it starts to engage much more than is shown?
Click to expand...

You might find Tom Mayo's posts and those of some other people in the Buck forum interesting. The Buck Mayo has a lockbar that doesn't come that far over on the base of the blade and there were some threads expressing and addressing that concern. These threads are dated around when the Buck Mayo folder came out last year.
 
I'm glad to have an earlier model as the less "bumpy" blade suits me fine. Great lock-up, quick action, sharp blade with nice, even grinds. Mine is green #32, and it's nice to hear the only changes were to improve the design and not correct any problems.
 
stjames,

One of your past posts about the Bump was the one that caused me to take a second look at the Bumps. I found them a little too funky on first look - total change of mind on reconsideration.

BTW, the lock up issue is improving with my first gen model. I've been carrying, using, and working with it and I do see better engagement - acceptable now :D.
 
Hello, I happen to have the Green version #21! I like the knife's handle & blade alot. Perfect size for my hand & the blade is the perfect size too IMO. The lock doesn't engage as much as I would like it to, but it hasn't failed me yet. The blade is wickedly sharp too! The one thing that I don't like about it is the fact that it opens too easily. I tried tightening up the pivot a bit & it helped, but still opens too easily for me to feel comfortable with carrying it. So it has been sitting around my house now collecting dust. :(

Oh well...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top