Boye Dendritic Cobalt???

J

jiggyfly16

Joined
Feb 11, 2009
Messages
1,345
hey guys quick question: what is Boye Dendritic Cobalt steel and what modern steel is it compared to?
 
IIRC it's not a steel at all, since it contains no iron. The closest things it compares to are Talonite or Stellite. I believe Boye casts those blades to rough shape, whereas Talonite or Stellite are purchased in bar stock form and shaped by stock removal.
 
It will cut all day long even when if feels dull! Just use an Arkansas stone to get the edge back. It is only mint for cutting and not using it as a screw driver because you can break the blade if used like that. It will cut anything like rope all day long. They have a special going right now and it would be a good time to get one if you want it. GOOD LUCK! Kevin :D
 
Can't find mine, but I think they are a little over 1/10 inch thick - average thickness for most locking folders.

I look at these knives as being in the same vein as some of the Spyderco offerings - the money in the blade material. BDC is a premium blade material that appears to have some superiority to many common blade materials - the toothy edge and lack of rusting being the materials "calling card".

If buying, look for the "BDC", since many sellers "inadvertently" sell "BDS" as being the pricier cobalt variety. BDS is good, too, but should be priced less.
 
The sound you hear is me kicking myself in the butt. I picked up one of the fixed blades along with a couple of the folders on clearance at a knife store several years ago, just to try the "miracle" blade material. The price was about $40 each. The folders got sold or traded and I gave the fixed blade to my sister in law for her birthday that year.
 
The cobalt is much softer and far more wear resistant than most steels. The material is completely rustproof as it contains little or no iron. Should hold up great around saltwater cutting ropes and stuff, which is what Boye intended it for.
 
I don't know the exact number, but those cobalt alloys are generally high 30's to mid 40's rockwell C scale. Some are as high as rc52, but most likely the BDC is around RC 40-45 .
 
I guess it is akin to Stellite and Talonite. Supposedly it is caste Cobalt alloy 6b.

That explains a bit of the cutting behavior of BDC.

Yep, I was confusing wear resistance with hardness.
 
It has some impressive cutting abilities. The edge will roll, but as the alloy is soft it will sharpen up pretty easily. It will cut for a long time, even if the edge feels "gone." I like Stellite and Talonite knives. Started with the Boyd BDC folders and then got a Mayo. Tom Mayo does some awesome 6k folders and IMHO is the King of 6k knives.
 
For customers making a decision between a Boye Dendritic Steel (BDS - cast 440C Stainless Steel) knife and a Boye Dendritic Cobalt (BDC - cast Stellite) knife, here is our experience.

Boye Dendritic Steel has a hardness of RC 57-58. It is great for everyday use, and is the best choice if one is going to use the knife for carving hard materials such as bone or hardwoods. Also advised for the "hard user." BDS has the additional advantage of being able to be enhanced with hand drawn acid etched designs.

Boye Dendritic Cobalt has a hardness of RC 40. It is David Boye's alloy of choice for his personal carry. It excels on fibrous materials such as cardboard, rope, paper, etc. It cuts longer and penetrates more quickly and deeper than BDS. It is entirely impervious to corrosion, even in salt water. And it is compass safe.

Blade Magazine's senior knife reviewer, Kim Breed, tested BDS and BDC against each other. He found that both knives were in the top 1% of all knives he had ever tested for cutting endurance. BDC held an edge 3X longer than BDS.

Consider the what, where, and how of your future life with your knife when you think about which alloy would be best for you. Both of these blade materials will deliver years of satisfaction and joy. If you still can't decide, talk it out with us...we can help you make the right choice.

From:
http://www.francineetchedknives.com/pages/choosing-bds-or-bdc
 
Just a bit of a caveat. David Boye style knives sold by Francine are not made by Boye. She has another maker use his methods and molds, but David stopped working with her a number of years ago. He has a separate company and focuses on his folder and Basic 3 model.

David Boyes website is: www.boyeknives.com. I don't believe they make knives with steel blades anymore. If you want the standard Boye product, I would go with David's company. He makes great knives, but he also can put a grind on a knife like the master he is. I have never seen Francine's output, but I have two Basics and a folder from David, and they are some of the best knives I own. Mine are in Boye Dendritic Steel.
 
I'm not even going to look at how much this would cost. I know it is way more than I can justify spending but OH GOD DO I WANT THIS

basic3-features.png
 
Comeuppance said:
I'm not even going to look at how much this would cost. I know it is way more than I can justify spending but OH GOD DO I WANT THIS

basic3-features.png
Click to expand...

($360:cool:)

I have the slightly smaller Boye Cobalt version of that one.

They are awesome slicing machines.

No good for the much loved batoning, but then they werent made for that.

Chrome, cobalt, tungsten etc - gotta love 'em.
 
I've got a Boye folding boat knife and I love it. As others have mentioned, the dendritic cobalt takes a very toothy edge. It's very easy to keep it sharp with a few swipes every so often on a Spyderco Sharpmaker.

gYP9tUP.jpg
 
fYI The Boye shop had a destructive fire somewhat recently. No idea how that affected production. Comeuppance, my dad found a Basic 2 in the 440 steel variant in new condition for about $7!!! He bought in a bundle with a bunch others. Now in my collection haha! Th 440c cast steel variants are very tough and recommended for tougher jobs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top