- Joined
- May 26, 2005
- Messages
- 567
When it first came out, I got the Kershaw Random Task in 440V mainly because of the Ken Onion speedsafe design. Then I got an Avalanche, also 440V but after it snapped open in my pocket more than twice, it got put aside. So I got a Boa because it could be locked closed but unfortunately the mechanism could easily drift from locked closed to not locked and vice versa.
For a long time, I put Kershaw in the back of my mind, until I saw the Spec Bump. Wow! 3D carved G10 handle slabs, maybe not as flat as some but definitely the most ergo friendly I have ever encountered. Speed safe mechanism with flipper. Like the Boa, it can be locked closed but the mechanism does not drift from one position to the other. The user is in control. The Spec Bump has great materials, great blade and a unique lock.
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Theat was what got my attention the most..... The Kershaw stud lock.
The lock is contained in a small slot at the top rear of the blade. In this slot is a stud, protruding from both sides of the blade so it is ambdextrous. There is a spring in the slot pushing the stud toward the handle, as far as it will go. The whole mechanism is trapped in the slot except for back and forth stud slide against spring pressure.
When the blade is opened, the stud climbs a ramp (sort of like a tiny ski jump) formed by the handles SS liners until the blade is locked open. To close the blade, push forward on the thumb stud (against spring pressure) until the stud leaves the end of the ramp. The thumb (or forefinger) can then continue pushing the blade all the way closed.
I have no idea how this lock will hold up in the long run but I am very impressed with its potential. It reminds me a little of the Benchmade Axis lock in reverse because, in both cases, a stud climbs a ramp. But the Kershaw design uses only one small coil spring that seems unlikely to break becasue of minimal flex. And on the Kershaw, the stud happens to be the thumbstud.
The mechanism is totally exposed for cleaning. And this lock is the only one I can think of which engages the blade forward of pivot pin; A big leverage advantage for holding the blade open.
My only criticizm is the coil spring could be just a tad longer to keep pushing the stud further up the ramp when wear inevitably takes its toll.
I do not intentionally perform abuse to failure on my knives so those tests will be for the willing. That being said, the Kershaw lock seems very strong and is impervious to reverse blade whacks on my Spec Bump. There is no up or down play with the blade open.
The new Kershaw stud lock is now available in three models that I am aware of: The Speed Bump, The Spec Bump and the Offset.
For a long time, I put Kershaw in the back of my mind, until I saw the Spec Bump. Wow! 3D carved G10 handle slabs, maybe not as flat as some but definitely the most ergo friendly I have ever encountered. Speed safe mechanism with flipper. Like the Boa, it can be locked closed but the mechanism does not drift from one position to the other. The user is in control. The Spec Bump has great materials, great blade and a unique lock.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Theat was what got my attention the most..... The Kershaw stud lock.
The lock is contained in a small slot at the top rear of the blade. In this slot is a stud, protruding from both sides of the blade so it is ambdextrous. There is a spring in the slot pushing the stud toward the handle, as far as it will go. The whole mechanism is trapped in the slot except for back and forth stud slide against spring pressure.
When the blade is opened, the stud climbs a ramp (sort of like a tiny ski jump) formed by the handles SS liners until the blade is locked open. To close the blade, push forward on the thumb stud (against spring pressure) until the stud leaves the end of the ramp. The thumb (or forefinger) can then continue pushing the blade all the way closed.
I have no idea how this lock will hold up in the long run but I am very impressed with its potential. It reminds me a little of the Benchmade Axis lock in reverse because, in both cases, a stud climbs a ramp. But the Kershaw design uses only one small coil spring that seems unlikely to break becasue of minimal flex. And on the Kershaw, the stud happens to be the thumbstud.
The mechanism is totally exposed for cleaning. And this lock is the only one I can think of which engages the blade forward of pivot pin; A big leverage advantage for holding the blade open.
My only criticizm is the coil spring could be just a tad longer to keep pushing the stud further up the ramp when wear inevitably takes its toll.
I do not intentionally perform abuse to failure on my knives so those tests will be for the willing. That being said, the Kershaw lock seems very strong and is impervious to reverse blade whacks on my Spec Bump. There is no up or down play with the blade open.
The new Kershaw stud lock is now available in three models that I am aware of: The Speed Bump, The Spec Bump and the Offset.