Boye Knives

I own a Boyes knife

  • Yes

    Votes: 8 28.6%

  • More than One

    Votes: 4 14.3%

  • No, But I Would Like To

    Votes: 14 50.0%

  • No Interest

    Votes: 2 7.1%
  • Total voters
    28
C

Chance Mc Call

Joined
Apr 18, 2022
Messages
142
These seem like super cool knives that would be lifetime EDC but they are rarely discussed. If you have one or more of them please share your knowledge here. Thanks!
 
XJKu7t1.jpg


Boye trout and bird game knife. Dendrick cobalt.
 
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eisman eisman will you kindly share some info about the pic you posted?
 
eisman said:
XJKu7t1.jpg


Boye trout and bird game knife. Dendrick cobalt.
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Those were cool little blades. The last time I was at Blade Show, I spoke with David. Really fascinating guy - oddly enough, we shared more than a few parallels in the course of our lives. I bought a couple of his dendritic cobalt blade ‘blanks’ and finished them out, including one of those blades:


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I used some curly Myrtle wood I got from my buddy J. Doyle J. Doyle for it.



Meeting David was a big deal, for me. His book was one of the very few resources available when I started making knives. It pains me that he’s not yet in the Blade Hall of Fame.
 
Would have to make a convincing argument for me to get one over a Spyderco Salt series knife.
 
The True North said:
100% true. But his stuff has been fully eclipsed.
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I'm not trying to convince, or convert you, because Spyderco makes great knives. And the Boye isn't cheap. But the folder may offer a couple of advantages, if they are important to you.

The cobalt knives are completely non-magnetic. They won't have any effect on a compass (I've tried it). The folders have a marlin spike, with a shackle key built into it. And, not that you will need to very often, it is extremely easy to sharpen. A few swipes (as few as two, according to Boye) on a soft Arkansas stone is all you need. I use a small 1" x 3" stone.

Of course, no knife is perfect, but this is a good boat knife, that I use in my EDC rotation.

YMMV, etc. :)
 
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I owned a clip point f.b. from yrs ago in the cobalt steel with a ray skin underlayment and a paracord wrap, turks head knot, kydex sheath. It was on the smaller side but easily edc able. Sharp as all get out and should never have sold it but I did. Dumb ass me.
 
My experience is that, while the new stuff is good, Dave's knives cut better, are non-magnetic, and absolutely will not rust. Cobalt just seems "toothier" on stuff like nylon. I've been looking for the right kitchen knife for a long time. And his book, which is 50 years old, is still one of the better ones available.
 
eisman said:
My experience is that, while the new stuff is good, Dave's knives cut better, are non-magnetic, and absolutely will not rust. Cobalt just seems "toothier" on stuff like nylon. I've been looking for the right kitchen knife for a long time. And his book, which is 50 years old, is still one of the better ones available.
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What's his book called?
 
Boye Dendritic Cobalt blades are made of cast Stellite 6-B. This alloy is about 1/2 Chrome and 1/2 Cobalt. It is very expensive compared to knife steels, but David can bring his knives to market at a reasonable price because the casting process has little waste. When the blades cool from the casting process, macro crystals (Dendrites) form in the micro edge creating a mini buzz saw. Edge retention is exceptional as is corrosion resistance.IMG_2577.pngIMG_2578.png
 
I had one of his cast dendritic 440C knives years ago. I used it as a work knife and actually wore it out. I was amazed at how easily it cut and how thin it was ground (0.01” behind the edge). I had his book too but it was ruined by water/leaking. I need to get another copy.
 
I’ve got 3 in cast 440C, two fixed and 1 folder. Great knives in both design and execution. Holds an edge and easy to sharpen. I’ve given two of his cobalt folders to family who work in marine and water sports, they love ‘em.
 
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