Kershaw Speed/spec bump: the difference?

J

jjstocky

Joined
Oct 10, 2008
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I have been looking to buy a kershaw speed/spec bump knife, and i'm just confused a little about some differences:

First off, I want to get the all black handle if im going with the speed bump. I noticed that there seems to be two ALL black handles, and then a grey/black one. It appears that one of the black handles seems to be flat and smooth, while the other one seems to have a rigged section on the handle (i believe this one is called a g10 handle.). What is the difference between these two handles and which would you recommend getting/why? How will they feel different in the hand, as far as weight, teture, etc.? (i am new to knives, so i dont know much :-))

Second, I read somewhere that the spec bump has the on/off safety switch, and the speed bump doesnt? What exactly does this mean?

Thanks, JJ

Also, I want this knife to be an every day carry knife, so perhaps one is better? or perhaps this is not a good every day casual knife?
 
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first off. welcome to the forums. excellent choice on the bump design. the 1595 is made with injection molded akulon handles with a santoprene over mold (essentially inexpensive plastic handles) and the 1595alblk (has the safety switch that prevents accidental opening) has black aluminum handles for a bit more money i'd say its the better bargain overall. both should come in the same steels either 13c26 or whatever they were before the switchover. there are some rare ones with g10 and polished blades and then there is 1596 spec bump with 3d machined g10 handles and a tungsten DLC coated (black) s30v blade and the safety switch. this is a step above everything, just depends on whether you want to spend the extra money. all in all you can't go wrong with any of them but for the money ($60 street) the 1595alblk is the best bargain out there and the stud lock is truly a great design.
 
jjstocky said:
[...] Also, I want this knife to be an every day carry knife, so perhaps one is better? or perhaps this is not a good every day casual knife?
Click to expand...

When you say "casual," are you talking about, like, "business casual?" The Speed Bump might be a tad large for that. I guess it depends on how much "printing" bothers you. I've been carrying a R.A.M. for the last week or so, and it's a bit smaller than the Bump. It still prints a fair amount. I mean, you can tell there's something in my pocket (happy to see me?). A Leek, or the smaller Ener-G...not so much. They are certainly smaller knives, though. Depends on your work environment, if we're talking business casual.


Oh, and welcome to the forums.

Now, hide your wallet.
 
The handle...it fits like a glove, but it is a large knife. I have the top end production model, the Spec Bump. G-10, S30V (NIIIIICE steel).

In 50% of the common use situations, even around people who arent "knife aversive" they will say "Holy crap, thats a knife"...and to be honest, it isn't the worlds easiest knife to sharpen. However, if you want a knife with style, a serious knife for self-defnese, wear loose jeans, and/or live in a pretty knife friendly area, I would definitely get one.

It is a very interesting and ergonomic folder.
 
Thanks to Brad, I have the 1595ALBLK. The black aluminum handles are pretty smooth; opening the blade sometimes makes one think the knife is going to jump out of one's hands...not because of the speed of opening, but just the mass of the blade. Sharpening the 13C26 steel was a breeze using a Sharpmaker. I used the corners exclusively, and the diamond rods to set the initial bevel. It may not be scary-sharp, but it's certainly VERY-sharp! :)
 
jjstocky said:
First off, I want to get the all black handle if im going with the speed bump. I noticed that there seems to be two ALL black handles, and then a grey/black one. It appears that one of the black handles seems to be flat and smooth, while the other one seems to have a rigged section on the handle (i believe this one is called a g10 handle.).?
Click to expand...

Keep in mind that some early photos of the speed bump showed a black handle. This version was never made. The only speed bump produced had the grey akulon with black santoprene, or the black aluminum handles. The SPEC bumps have G-10 handles in two styles: one with a spiderweb pattern and S30V steel and one with a more uniform G-10 texture and 154CM steel. The latter is pretty hard to find, but the S30V version is the currently produced version.
 
nygiantsfan3342 said:
Keep in mind that some early photos of the speed bump showed a black handle. This version was never made. The only speed bump produced had the grey akulon with black santoprene, or the black aluminum handles. The SPEC bumps have G-10 handles in two styles: one with a spiderweb pattern and S30V steel and one with a more uniform G-10 texture and 154CM steel. The latter is pretty hard to find, but the S30V version is the currently produced version.
Click to expand...

Jeremy,

There are actually at least 3 Spec Bumps...the third is the 1596SVBL, sometimes referred to as the Spec/Speed Bump, and it has a bead-blasted 13C26 blade along with the swirl-style G10 handle of the older CPM154 Spec Bump.

Unfortunately I need to sell my whole knife collection so all 3 Specs (and a black aluminum Speed) are currently available in the For Sale: sub-forum.

Ray :)

Edit: The 1596SVBL is gone...
 
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