Stud Lock?

[beefangusbeef]

Ok after looking through many threads I am wondering about the stud lock on the newer kershaws, particularly the offset. Looking for a good folder to take the place of my small fixed blade. Something to carry when i'm not loaded down , but still want something fairly strong. Will the stud lock hold up as well as a frame lock or backlock to torque and light prying. Mainly for openining small crates, cutting through boxes, etc... It's so far come down to these 4 or 5 knives: Manix, Strider SNG, Kershaw Offset, Emerson HD-7, extrema ratio Fulcrum. I know it's quite the range of price, but Anything 400 or under is pretty much feasible. More worried about durability than edge retention. Love the blade on the offset and so far it and the recurve SNG are on top. Thanks! Oh also looking at combat elite RRF (non assist).

 

[SpyderJon]

Well, as to the Stud-lock, its plenty strong. In order to get the blade to fail you'd either have to shear through the liners/scales or the blade. I'd say that's plenty strong. If you're looking to open crates (as your first priority), I'd honestly go with the ER Fulcrum. Its got a 1/4" blade. Not so good for cutting, but throw the locking bolt on it and the handle will split before it breaks the lock.

I love the SNG, but if I were going to get a Strider for the work you're talking about it would be a GB as the tanto tip and the blade are overall better at that kind of thing IMHO. So, for MY purposes (Cutting being first, prying being second, with a need for a lot of strength), my list of preference would be thus:

1. Strider SnG (like I said, for a Strider I'd go with the GB, but since cutting is first priority, and staying to your list...)

2. ER Fulcrum (thick blade that CAN cut with some work)

3. Offset (Its got that big nose, and I'm not thinking it'll be a weak blade, but I wonder about it since it's a cast blade)

4. EKE HD-7 (chisel grind makes for a VERY thick blade that is still able to cut very well- you just have to adjust your cutting technique)

5. Manix (the manix is a brute, but the tip isn't the kind of thing I'd like to pry with at all).

6. Combat Elite RRF (very Sebenza-like in most of its qualities, but again not a blade I'd like to pry with)

Good luck with your search, and please let us know what you end up with!

ETA: Reasons for my pics, and also to say that you should always respect the fact that the darn thing is broken in the middle, so it's not a fixed blade.

 

[Stephan]

I think you'll like the stud locks, i perfer them because they are very easy to manipulate . but yet to do any real hard testing . . I am curious as to how much pressure they can take, but assure that they are pretty strong. Maybe Thomas can answer this question better.