Spec Bump: this dog will hunt!

C

Cyril Statum

Joined
May 16, 2002
Messages
37
After a fair amount of research on getting a new EDC, I settled on the Spec Bump. It arrived today and I must say I am very impressed. Over the years, I have had many high end folders and I am pleased to say that the Spec Bump rivals some in fit and finish.

The blade is perfectly finished and is honed to a very high level of sharpness. The G10 scales are machined precisely and provide a nice "grippy" feel. In fact, the grip design is the most comfortable I can remember. The blade is centered; and the liners are a perfectly flush with the scales.

Function gets a slightly mixed review. Engaging the blade in the open position is fast and positive. It's nearly on the level of a certain well known manufacturer of auto knives. Closing the blade is a snap one handed. The only issue with function is that about 50% of the time the safety will engage when I clip the Spec Bump to my jeans pocket. The friction of the denim against the safety "button" pushes the safety up and into the on or safe position.

I called Kershaw. The phone was answered by a very nice lady who suggested that I speak with Thomas, who picked up after about a minute wait. Thomas stated that it might be the particular knife and that it's not endemic to the model; however, it can be adjusted by simply tightening the nut on the safety. That simple. BTW, these days it's almost unheard of to get this level of customer service. Great folks to deal with. Well I made the adjustment and no more problem.

Got to say that for my needs, this is a near perfect EDC. It carries very comfortably and the blade shape is very versatile. One can do very fine work with the point; draw cuts are excellent and the grip shape provides great control, plus S30V is one of my favorite blade steels.

So next on my wish list is the OffSet with the G10 grip.
 
It sounds like a great knife....in so many ways ! Congratulations on your new Bump. I only own one Kershaw AO....a Boa, with those colorful, "splashy" handles; it is an excellent knife, very precisely built, with great attention given to the details. I am very fond of it.

I am happy to hear that all of your research is paying dividends...and hope your new Bump will serve you well for years to come.

-Cheers
 
Cyril, great conversation with you yesterday, thanks very much for the call.

Enjoy the SB, and look for the G-10 Offset in Jan. (fingers crossed).
 
Hi Cliff,

Let me preface my obseravtions a bit. The Spec Bump is actually the second Bump I have owned. The first was the original version with a green titanium handle. The Spec Bump I received yesterday has had no use.

My folding knife usage falls generally under three main areas: work knife on the ranch; cutting leather, and dressing out deer.

I would rather call the blade design rather radical.

Ranch chores include cutting bale twine; the fine point easily slips under the twine and when the twine hits the bump, the job is done. Opening feed sacks is easily accomplished with a quick draw cut, again using the bump. It cuts like a razor. Mequite thorns can be a problem with calves and again, that fine point is very useful when removing an infected thorn from a kicking and squirming calf. Of course, one handed operation is essiential.

I do some leatherwork from time to time. I often trace or draw a design on leather and then cut out the deign with a knife. I don't like dedicated leather or craft knives because you always have to keep a supply of replacement blades around and I generally don't have any on hand when I need one. Once again, with the Bump you have the fine point that is followed by an almost warncliff section that leads to the bump. This design really excels in fine work and draw cuts; ideal for leatherwork.

When I hunt in South Texas, we sometimes need to cull out the does. This has entailed killing and dressing up to ten does a day. We have a walk in freezer with many butchering amenities; but it amounts to a lot of hard work and your wrist gets pretty worn out after skinning half a dozen deer. Again, the bump section of the blade is a good feature for skinning. I will admit that for gutting, I have a fixed blade with a gut hook, some Finnish brand I can't remember the name right now.

The blade area behind the bump is useful for a variety of camp craft chores, mainly whittling sticks.

I don't view knives as especially good primary defensive weapons; that's why I carry a .45; however, as a last ditch do or die weapon, I think the bump would work well. The grip works well in conventional and reverse grips and the blade would do well in penetration and slashing techniques.

Well, these are some of my obsevations. All the best.

Cliff Stamp said:
How do you find the rather unique blade shape for general work.

-Cliff
Click to expand...
 
Cyril Statum, thanks for the details, I have had similar experiences with knives like Spyderco Dodo. Have you had any issues with sharpening due to the curvature.

-Cliff
 
Cliff Stamp said:
Cyril Statum, thanks for the details, I have had similar experiences with knives like Spyderco Dodo. Have you had any issues with sharpening due to the curvature.

-Cliff
Click to expand...

I have an Edge Pro Apex and a Spyderco SharpMaker. I use one of the triangular sharpening rods from the Spyderco kit on the Edge Pro. I just put it on with a stout rubber band and go slow.

For field sharpening, I've got an old EZ Lap Diamond hone. I use a sharpening motion much like one would with a chef's knife.

Not the easiest to sharpen. Do you have any methods you would like to share? Thanks.
 
Yeah, heavy curvatures are problematic to sharpen because you can't directly use benchstones. Not is is common to see people refer to even light recurves as being field impractical because they don't respond as easily to such methods and the Dodo, Bump, etc. are far more extreme.

You can use the corners of stones though to get around the curvature. The biggest challenge is keeping the hone perpendicular to the edge as otherwise the angle will vary all over the edge, unless you want that of course and it may be a good thing depending on your use.

Since I microbevel everything it isn't as much of a concern as it used to be as the edge is restored with just some light work and then I recut the primary grind as necessary (week/month) when I have the time. My biggest concern with such knives is that while the curvature often comes in very useful it also gets in the way at times as well.

A more neutral orientation is often a little behind in cutting ability but also is never as awkward either. When I carried the Dodo as an EDC I also tended to carry something like the Paramilitary as well. The Bump doesn't look that restrictive though and the handle looks nice.

How did you find the clip?

-Cliff
 
Hi Cliff, Thanks on the sharpening methods. I had not thought of using the edge of a stone. Good idea. BTW, I also carry one of those little Fallkniven U2s; very useful scapel. I just use a strop on the U2.

My Spec Bump clip seems a little bit of a tight fit in my jean's pocket. I'll give it awhile to break in. If it does not cooperate. I will remove it and put a little more bend in it and it should be fine.

It's probably perfect for slacks (which I don't wear); just a little tight with the thicker denim.
 
My Spec Bump is several months old and has become my favorite EDC folder.
I will try to add to C. Statum's observations.

For me, the most comfortable grip yet on a folder and the pancake clip goes a long way to make it fit well in the hand. My pants are made of Nylon Supplex and the clip is neither too tight or loose. I was never enthusiastic about recurves until I used the 'radical recurve' on this knife. I find the bump to work agressively on thin materials like corrugated cardboard and thin plastics. It also works well push cutting things on flat surfaces. The straight section and point are also very useful as already pointed out.

Sharpening is a snap with the Sharpmaker. You can use the corners but I find it is not necessary. The flat section may be used on the full length of the blade, making it very sharp. Just consistently use one or the other (corners or flats) so the angle is repeated for each sharpening. On my Spec Bump there has been no chipping as has happened with some of my other blades of S30V.

I recently ordered one of Kershaws two piece diamond rods for sharpening in the field.

The Spec Bump has a unique and effective lock which is easy to work and is actually forward of the pivot pin; A leverage advantage. On my copy of the knife, there have been not problems with the safety. It moves decisively from one detent to the other and stays put.

The Spec Bump seems really durable but I guess only time and widespread use will tell. One of Cliff's comprehensive torture tests would be informative.
 
Artfully Martial said:
I'm curious, how do you feel it compares to your Green Bump?
Click to expand...

Sorry on the late respose, I overlooked your post.

The green Bump was a very nice build. Again, great attention to detail and quality throughout. My only negative was that the nicely machined titanium grip felt a little slick in my hand and I think the current generation speed safe system is faster.

This did not keep my son from talking me out of it.
 
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