Make sure you check out David directly. I believe there have been some incremental improvements in the knife (e.g. titanium clip). He also has un-advertized specials. Do a search or maybe it's at
www.boyeknives.com, or a variation thereof.
I have the stainless steel version. The handle is Zytel with a pattern that matches the electron micrograph of dentritic steel. It's the best all around pocket knife I have. Much better than a Sebenza and a lot cheaper too. David puts a wicked fine edge on all his knives, he rounds the spine (something not even Spyderco can't bring themselves to do) and has been refining his designs for years. The knife is just under 3 inches and thus is legal vitrually everwhere. If you get one with a cast design for the opening knick, it's a stealth one-handed opener. The blade shape cannot be considered "tactical" but that sucker can part flesh and with a 4" handle is very tactile. The dendritic 440C will still cut even when it feels a little dull. Spend a little extra and get one with a cast design, or an etched design. They are pretty.
Per fragility, if you use any dendritic knife like it is designed to be used, i.e. no hard prying, not as a screwdriver, it will last forever. If you ever need maintenance, David will fix it free of charge, even if it's your fault. If you're worried about the cobalt, get his dendritic 440C, it won't rust very easily, particularly with his mirror finish. His knife has been tested by boating mags against about 5 others and was the hands down winner. David has boating in his blood and designed a perfect piece, both the cobalt and steel versions.
To paraphrase a Sebenza lover, drooling over their fetish, David Boye's zytel pocket knife is the perfect overall pocket knife design, the one to which all should be compared...and it can be had for less than $70. This knife in either blade material is best in the category of "Every Day Carry", i.e. a knife that would please knife knut and joe public, one hand opener with clip, suitable for construction site, dock, office or camping.
David has an incredible list of testimonials. He is a knife maker w/o compare, other well known knife makers buy his denditric blades for their own use. Many knifemakers learned the beginnings of their trade from his seminal book. His etched blades are truly unique works of beauty.
You can buy from him direct. He no longer distributes to the internet stores, but he does go to shows. Some knife stores (Country Knives in Intercourse, PA) may still carry his stuff.
