Kershaw Spec Bump or CRKT Triumph?

A

Avl

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Jul 12, 2007
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Hi All

After a long search I have narrowed my choices down and I would like to hear your opinion on which of the following knives are considered to be superior: Kershaw Spec Bump or CRKT Triumph?

I want a recurve type blade for EDC. I like Tanto's quite alot, but I have been unable to find any dealers in South Africa that sells Triumphs. I will therefore have to buy it "blind" on the Internet if I want to go in that direction. I didn't like the feel of the Kershaw Tanto Blur, but I have handled a Spec Bump and REALLY liked it. Is the AUS8 (Triumph) comparable to S30V (Spec bump)? Are there any other factors which I should be aware of?

I appreciate your input.
 
I own both. The SpecBump is all around excellent knife. I was, however, a little disappointed with the Triumph. Poisitves first: nice blade shape and size. Strong A/O. Ergonomic handle (shapewise). Negatives: when the knife opens - the handle vibrates which I find very annoying and which I never encountered with other AO knives including Hissatsu. Second, the G10 is way too grippy and rough on the hand - it feels like you are holding rough sandpaper.
 
Kershaw tends to have better QC and more reliable knives in my experience than CRKT, and S30V is the standard for premium stainless where as AUS-8 is pretty much outdated in a high end folder. Also, the blade shape on the Bump will be much more useful in daily task, as well as looking much less intimidating(and somewhat silly, if you ask me) than the Triumph.
 
I handled the Triumph and will second the very rough G10. It's good if you have gloves on, but with bare hands, it will blister your hands if you use it hard. Having to disengage the autolawks also makes releasing the lock very very difficult 1-handed due to the position of the lock and the pressure needed to push it out of the way. The lock needs to be further out for more engagement. I can't see closing the knife a 1-handed task with gloves on. With all that said, I think the Spec Bump is the better knife. It is considerably more comfortable to hold and fills the hand well. For steel, I actually like AUS-8 and have a much harder time sharpening S30V, but both are fine for me.
 
The spec bump is in a whole different class from the triumph. It really isnt a fair comparison. If money isn't an issue I am sure that the Spec Bump will be superior to the triumph in every way.
 
Just comparing brands, I prefer Kershaw, particularly the Ken Onion designs. Comparing blade steels, S30V and AUS-8 are not even in the same class. AUS-8 is a good mid-grade, easy to maintain steel, but S30V is one of the most preferred high end steels on the market. Yes, S30V will be harder to sharpen, but that is because it is harder and will therefore hold an edge better. When you do sharpen S30V, it will take longer, but you will have to do so less frequently, so it balances out.
Welcome to the forums. :)
 
yeah, go with Kershaw all the way. the spec bump is a great knife. i cant speak for the triumph personally, but i do know that the S30V will last alot longer than that of the CRKT. go with Kershaw
 
Be careful though... if you haven't handled a Spec Bump actually in your hands and tried one out, this is a rather large knife. Is has authority when snapping open and even though the blade shape and S30V is amazing for the knife, it is also a thick knife. Consider this before hauling one around an EDC. I had the exact same love affair with the Spec Bump and was ready to order one when I saw one in a local shop... changed everything for me, and I went with a Kershaw ZDP-189 Leek which is a total different class (purpose) of knife, but it's like comparing a piece of paper to a phone book when carried.

My .02,
Ryan
 
Thank you for all the insightfull info. I think that I will go with the Spec Bump. It felt quit comfortable in my hand when I handled it in the shop and I don't think that the size will be too much of a problem - I used to haul a CZ75 around:)

These days I carry a Shurefire tactical flashlight and a telescopic baton around with me. The baton will remain my primary weopon, I just think that a knife will be a good thing to have around. South Africa has extremely restrictive gun laws which makes it impractical to carry one legally (but to carry one illegally and kill and mame with it seems to be the national passtime).
 
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