Kershaw Ken Onion Mini Mojo

[UnknownVT]

One of the knives I took notice of at the Blade Show 2005 was the new Kershaw Mini Mojo - another new design from Ken Onion.

New are the Stud-Lock (patented),
and a very innovative safety for the Speed-Safe assisted opening.

The Safety is so good that one might actually be operating the Mini-Mojo without realizing that there is an automatic safety deployed.

The Mini Mojo is about the size of the existing Scallion

Like the later Onion Speed-Safe folders the Mini Mojo has an Index-Open, or flipper.

There are thumbstuds which are double sided -
BUT you can't open the knife with them.

They are actually spring loaded and are used to lock the knife open - the "Stud-Lock".
The stud slides in the open groove cut into the blade and when the blade is opened the stud fits into the curved notch on the handle.

To unlock the blade simply pull the studs slightly up and out toward the blade tip and the Stud-Lock unlatches from the locked position.. Since the stud acts as the lock - and no longer the stop-pin - the Mini Mojo has a conventional stop pin.

The big PLUS for me is the very innovative automatic safety - I was operating the Mini Mojo without realizing there was a safety employed - until it was brought to my attention.

Look very carefully at the photo - there is a very slight protrusion on the flipper -
the other side reveals this fully -

- it is a black colored steel plate that needs to be lifted to unlatch the safety otherwis ethe blade cannot be opened.

The clever bit is the safety's profile - the way it's shaped - when using the Index-Open or flipper in the conventional way one's finger automatically lifts this safety and the operation of the flipper is almost as if there was no safety mechanism.

Yet pushing or knocking the flipper without lifting the safety the blade just will not budge.

I am very, very impressed with this added safety feature - that does not seem to hinder or detract from the instant accessibility of the Onion Speed-Safe knives.

It's pretty obvious that the Mini-Mojo's 2 3/8" 440A blade has a much more pronounced recurve shape, which is supposed to give more power to cutting slicing - but some may consider this harder to maintain/sharpen.

The only thing I didn't like too much is that when the knife is shaken side-to-side - the Stud-Lock thumbstuds rattle. I understand that the studs do have to move freely to enable the Stud-Lock to engage - otherwise the Stud-Lock might not operate reliably - I was told by Kershaw this looseness and rattle is normal to the Stud-Lock.

However I think one could still dampen the studs so that it doesn't rattle quite as easily - yet can still move freely - I thought of perhaps putting some non-flowing grease in the recess so that the stud can still move freely - but is somewhat dampened - but haven't as yet tried it - mainly because it might turn out to be messy getting grease on my clothing and pocket...... To be fair there is only rattle when the knife is shaken side-to-side and not quite as easily induced in any other direction - perhaps I'm just being fussy - but nevertheless the rattle doesn't sound nice to me, even if I am well aware of the purpose.

The minor point not withstanding I am overall very impressed with the Mini-Mojo - both with the new Stud-Lock and that automatic Safety.

I hope that Kershaw and Ken Onion would use both features on more knives.

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net

 

[gajinoz]

Thanks for the report, very interesting. I'd be tempted to buy one but I really can't come to grips with that recurve blade.

 

[Artfully Martial]

I really like the mini mojo....unless something changes, it's my next Kershaw and my first assisted opener....I did actually quite like the new lock, however, I did find it a little awkward to close. I'll bet it would go away with an hour of practice. Now if they'd just make a version in 440C.

Perfect size for office EDC. Smaller helps people not be afraid of assisted opening....

and it looks cool.

I love the recurve blade...probably a tie with tanto for my second favorite behind spearpoint.

 

[UnknownVT]

but I really can't come to grips with that recurve blade.

I can understand that - as do many others.

I quite like the recurve blade for the unusual looks and the efficiency when doing pulling slices. I have one of the original BlackJack folding Mambas which had a very pronounced and very sharp recurve blade.

I find that V-hone crock sticks (or the Spyderco TriAngle SharpMaker) are easy to use to maintain a recurve blade -
unless badly damaged/chipped - in which case it is a b*gger to resharpen them - I use a narrower flat stone/hone, as well as a ceramic sharpening rod with a bit of contortion to recut the bevels if necessary - but I try to avoid that like the proverbial plague..........

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net

 

[UnknownVT]

Just playing around with the Mini Mojo (I really like the innovations of the Stud-Lock and auto safety) to see how well the recurve blade cuts.

I cut through some corrugated cardboard across the grain - the recurved blade of the Mini Mojo was a strange mix - the blade seemed a little reluctant to "bite" initially (although it could have been the slightly rolled over edge on the cardboard) but once it started, the inner curve at the start of the recurve belly really showed its stuff by taking a good deep cut in the cardboard.

Overall it did better than the CRKT Lake's PAL that I also recently reviewed - but with the caveat that the inside curve near the tang seemed to lack a little initial "bite".

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net

 

[bjordan]

Thanks for the review!

I just ran across one of these and I'm thinking about picking it up. I need a new EDC to add to my rotation. I've been EDCing a Benchmade Benchmite, but I lost the it somewhere.... It's probably in my car somewhere under the seat. It likes to fall out of my pocket.

I really like what I've seen of Ken's work.

I've never owned a knife by Ken or a stud-lock. I think it's time I give them both a shot.

Thanks again!

 

[Cliff Stamp]

...the inside curve near the tang seemed to lack a little initial "bite".

Is it sharp?

...badly damaged/chipped - in which case it is a b*gger to resharpen them

Use a small stone, cut a 1/4" slab off a 220 SiC waterstone. This easily allows you grind the curves.

You can cut the waterstone with a cheap saw, just find an old junker wood saw that someone has let rust and wants to throw out.

Make sure the stone is fully wet before the cutting and keep it wet during it.

-Cliff

 

[UnknownVT]

Is it sharp?

It is sharp on the inside curve, it slices paper fine as I would expect from Kershaw knives -
but now that you mention it - there is an UNsharpened taper toward the tang -

Although I was aware of this - there may still have been a slight chance I inadvertantly started the cut too close to the tang so as to utilize as much of the edge as possible.

So I just re-did the cardboard cutting - there is still some "reluctancy" or resistance for the initial cut, but once into the cut and the inside curve of the blade before the recurve belly gets to work the cut becomes much easier.

Now that I had to do it again - I am quite impressed with the recurve - it seems quite a bit better than the old (and very sharp) BlackJack folding Mamba I have.

Use a small stone, cut a 1/4" slab off a 220 SiC waterstone. This easily allows you grind the curves.

You can cut the waterstone with a cheap saw, just find an old junker wood saw that someone has let rust and wants to throw out.

Make sure the stone is fully wet before the cutting and keep it wet during it.

Thanks Cliff, good advice - I just use some ceramic rods for the inner curve - and for maintenance simple V-hone crock-sticks does the job well.

Thanks for the input.

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net

 

[TT2Toes]

No offense to Cliff Stamp, but I've never had much luck using a narrow stone to sharpen tight inside curves on recurve blades. I always seem to drag a corner of the stone too long in one spot, leaving little grooves in what was a nice graceful recurve. However, I've had outstanding results using an oval shaped diamond rod on recurves. After the diamond I finish off the edge with a ceramic rod, then a 3000 grit polishing tape wrapped around the oval rod. Cost for an oval diamond rod is about $15.

TT2Toes

 

[Mordachai]

Ya I just got one the other day myself. It's a pretty nice little knife, and will be an EDC for me.


I just have a few things to say

Although the saftey is quite innovative, I would personally like to see in addition to the little flipper safety, is the type of lock used on the leek, scallion , etc. That type of lock has a on/off or lock/unlock position on it. It could be used in the off/ unlocked position, and you would still have the added benifit of the flipper safety, which the others do not.

If it had the little sliding lock in addition, you could almost be 100% positive that it would not open(kinda like 2 or 3 safetys on some guns) on accident, when closed/locked, and could still carry it in a ready to go(unlocked) position if you wanted.

Only reason I say this, is cause I personally carry it tip down in my left pocket, and can see it opening on accident. ( It comes with a reversible clip, so you can carry it tip up or tip down.)While the odds of this opening are super slim, and if it did open, the seam of my pockets is where it's spine would open into, and probably wouldn't open far. My concern is that with the flipper facing the open part of the pocket, I am hesitant that I will inadvertantly open it while reaching into my pocket for something else.

I have only carried it a few days, and am still slightly weary of it's design, but I suppose time will tell as to if this happens or not.

Kershaw's instructions say to not carry it clipped on your belt, or a similar exposed position, cause it could easily open if the flipper is touched.

I personally thought the flipper safety was not nearly as good as Vincent thought it was. (goes to show difference of Op.) It seemed a little too easy to open, there is about .5 to 1 mm of space that the 'lock' must be moved, and then it will both unlock the knife and be flush with the same level as the flipper itself. When I was looking at it , my personal thoughts were 'this is the safety!??!?!?'. really. It seemed like there should be more intention required to open the knife. Hopefully my feelings will change on this through use.

It just kinda irks me a bit, and to see kershaw give specific instructions to not carry it where the flipper could be accidentally touched somehow reaffirms my suspicions.

I do however feel the same as vincent about the stud lock rattleing. I think that with the incredible tolerances of all the speed-safe mech, and etc. that they could have made the stud lock a good bit tighter, while still making it move easily, and lock into position. I also agree that the 'exposed' spring is not my favorite idea about durability, I still decided to go ahead and try it out and see what comes of it.

And for my own personal cutting tests, as soon as I got it I tried to see what it would do. It shaved a little hair off my arm, didn't really pop them off, but wasn't very rough either. Then I used the box it came in to see if it would shave paper. to my suprise it did, and very well too. I did not use a sawing motion, simply a push with the blade. I used the 'belly' and the front curve and it worked wonders, shaving off the littlest bits. Just the printed ink part of the box was shaved off, the box itself is still in good shape, (I'll post a few pics this week of the cutting) with a decent amount of 'paper' still there holding it together.
Then I went into the garage and cut up a bunch of rope and cardboard. I did not even try to cut hanging rope, although it would probably cut some thinner hanging rope(1/4"?? 1/2"??) with ease. I just pulled it through the rope, and it cut quick, clean and efficentally for me. Then I sliced up at least 3 cardboard boxes into un-usable recyclable material!
After that it still shaved a little hair. and it sliced paper with ease. That belly made easy work of all that, and will probably continue to do so. I am did not even do the simplest things, like stropping the blade or anything of that nature so far.

Thanks for the sugg. about sharpening cliff.
Hopefully I won't get any major chips or anything, but if I do, I'll see how well that works.
In the meantime, I think my diamond rod / flat stones / strop should maintain it quite well.


anyways, that my addition and we'll have to see how all these mini mojo's hold up!

|M|

 

[BuckyKatt]

Mordachai,

I've been carrying my Mini Mojo clipped to my right front pocket for almost two months now, and it has never accidentally opened. I too had some reservations when I first got the knife, but I've never had a problem, FWIW.

 

[Mordachai]

Mordachai,

I've been carrying my Mini Mojo clipped to my right front pocket for almost two months now, and it has never accidentally opened. I too had some reservations when I first got the knife, but I've never had a problem, FWIW.

Good. I really hope to have the same experience!
|M|

 

[UnknownVT]

BuckyKatt wrote: "I've been carrying my Mini Mojo clipped to my right front pocket for almost two months now, and it has never accidentally opened. I too had some reservations when I first got the knife, but I've never had a problem, FWIW."

I've at home EDC a Leek for over 2 1/2 years now - also clipped to my right front pocket - and it's never accidentally opened.

The Leek does not have the "auto-safety" like the Mini-Mojo
(there is a sliding tip-block safety - but I do not use it).

When I first got the Leek I was also very concerned about accidental opening -
so I did quite a few tests including dropping and throwing the closed knife on to the floor, even deliberately trying to orient the knife to hit the flipper, also actually banging the closed Leek on its flipper - but none of those tests made it open. Please see this review thread and discussion -
Kershaw/Ken Onion LEEK (pics)

Of course, if I was going to do strenuous things like jumping about - I think I would then engage the sliding safety. Or just take the knife out of my pocket.....

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/

 

[T.K.C.]

I really like that Mojo!! It is another sweeeeeet Kershaw!!! That is going on my list of must buy.

 

[DavidW3]

Do you guys find mini-mojo looks pretty much like mini-boa?

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=KS1585BR

It's like mini-mojo is the bigger brother of mini-boa.

 

[Mordachai]

Of course, if I was going to do strenuous things like jumping about - I think I would then engage the sliding safety. Or just take the knife out of my pocket.....

--
Vincent

Vincent, I agree that if there is any serious physical activity going on, having a sharp blade in your pocket isn't a good idea period. Lock or no lock, auto or not.

I sure hope that the flipper with its new safety will be more than adequate, and I think that will be the case.
I think your reviews are great, witth great detail , and awesome comparitive pictures.

A friend has a leek, and I thought that it was actually very easy to open, and come to think of it, I'm pretty sure it had opened in his pocket without the tip lock engaged.( chime in anytime 'friend') That's what made me concerned. It does take effort to open the mini-mojo, I just thought it could be a better safety, or require a little more to engage that 'new lock'
I'd still personally like to see the tip lock in addition....... maybe it's just my worrysome father's upbringing, I don't know...
If it ends up opening in my pocket just once, I might bring it to a friend of mine(a machinist) to have him mill a recessed slot that I can put my own tip lock in. There seems to be more than enough room to do so. I doubt I'll ever use the lanyard holes.....

anyhow, like I said, I will EDC it, and really think that it will be fine. I am more and more doubting that it will open accidentally. I hope it will be my most used, and best liked knife ...........

|M|

 

[UnknownVT]

Mordachai wrote: "A friend has a leek, and I thought that it was actually very easy to open, and come to think of it, I'm pretty sure it had opened in his pocket without the tip lock engaged.( chime in anytime 'friend') That's what made me concerned. It does take effort to open the mini-mojo, I just thought it could be a better safety, or require a little more to engage that 'new lock'"

One of the major and important points that make the Speed-Safe assisted opeing knife legal and NOT a "switch-blade" or "automatic" is that it requires physically/manually moving the blade out of the handle before any (spring) assistance takes place.

On my Leeks (and I have 3) they require more than about 15degs of movement/extraction before the torsion spring even kicks in -
that's quite a lot of movement.
Here's a photo showing the amount of stand-off of all 3 of my Leeks, to show how much the blade actually has to be moved before the torsion spring kicks in.

Having said that - safety with knives is paramount and I agree one should always err on the side of safety.
I am not advocating any unsafe practices -
just wanted to show that in my (limited) experience the Speed-Safe mechanism using the index-open (flipper) is not really that "twitchy", and it actually takes quite deliberate effort to open the knife.

The fact that Speed-Safe knives still can be opened easily when one wants to - only goes to show how good this design is.

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/

 

[Mordachai]

Wow. That's pretty incredible. The pictures are a great visualization.


*EDIT* well, I've been carrying it around EDC and I think that Vincent is right on the money as to how good the lock is. I think I'd have to do something really stupid to make it open in my pocket.

Anyways, it's looking like a keeper
*EDIT*