David Boye Cobalt folder

I've used the Sypderco Profiles which are the same material as the Sharpmaker
here's a shot of what I carry on the road with me;
Profiles, a Rust Eraser that cleans them off nicely, a double stuff diamond
that has fine and ultrafine sides and a leather strop;

sharpening.jpg


G2
 
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Update, been using this one for a while now, which is probably some kind
of record for me ;) still cuts like a demon and handles well, it is an unassuming
looking folder which helps with the sheeple community too.

Anyone pick one up since this thread started??
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Excellent review, and beautiful knife. I'll have to look into those.

I know what you mean about people's reactions to what I consider to be innocuous looking knives. I pulled my Delica out at work once to open a package and someone said, "Ooo, he's got the big blade." A Delica, big? I guess it's all a matter of perspective.
 
Thanks, I talked with David a long time ago and he mentioned that if it wasn't for
the find of the cobalt blade process, he wasn't sure what he'd do, but he is, as you
can see, finding it to be a very good process and cutting material.
He has a no nonsense way about him, he's been making/designing knives for a long
time, he wrote a book that a lot of knife makers have read and may have given them
their first start or interest into knife making, they have it available on their web site
and also available at several book stores on line such as Amazon dot com see this
Link for a look see, the book is called;
Step-by-Step Knifemaking: You Can Do It!

G2
 
Thanks for the review. It's great to see innovative, quality knives like this being made with FRN handles ... IMO it's ideal for practical carry when light weight and durability count. I like the blend of old and new technologies in this knife, tells me it's intended to be a useful tool, first and foremost.
 
I carry it as a 2nd knife for outings were it may get wet, and for picknicks - just keeps on cutting, can wash it off out in the mddle of nowhere, and it doesn't rust.
 
Gary,

Thank you for the wonderful review and awesome pics. I've been trying to decide what kind of minimalist all around blade to get and this fits the bill perfectly.
Of course after reviewing David's web page I've decided to get both folders starting with the pointed tip blade.

I like the looks of the fixed blade as well but that's a bit out of my price range at the moment.
 
Thanks guys and I agree, it's a very useful folder, as I mentioned when I did get it
I sharpened the bevels a little bit more and that really made a lot of difference, so
if you get it, just touch her up a little if need be and enjoy the folder!
G2
 
I have a Boye folder I bought from him back in the late nineties. It was sharp but not anything exceptional but after I touched up the knife on a Norton India stone it got very sharp and I basically have keep it sharp by stropping. I have carried this knife off on for nearly 10 years which is kind a record for me. I have used this knife to cut weed eater twine along with other things and have been impressed with how long this knife stays sharp and even when it loses it's edge it still cuts well. Weed eater twine is some tough stuff! I am impressed and am thinking about getting a Cobalt folder. I believe that is all he makes in his folder line now. I would like to try some of his kitchen knives and a fixed blade but they are a little pricey. Every knife nut needs one of these folders. A few years back I talked with Matt Conable with William Henry knives and he mentioned David Boye was his father-in-law and worked with him for a time. Said the BDS was great but a bitch to work with as it tended to warp. Don't hold me to exact words of our converstion but I think that is what he said. I have a William Henry Quest model 15 which I like a lot. That BDS really is the stuff Boye said it was. My 2 cents. Give em try.

RKH
 
Thanks RKH, good little review there in and of itself !

I've had several Boye knives over the years,
all three sizes of the Basics, but not the cobalt version
A neat small Boye/Loveless knife with ironwood handle
a nice small butterfly knife, like a knuckle head, traded it off !
Several of the BDS folders with various castings in the blade
and this makes at least the fourth cobalt folder I've owned and will keep, fingers crossed ;)

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Thanks Gary. I enjoy your reviews and love your photos. I look forward to more of your reviews. Keep um coming. All the best.

RKH
 
Thanks for the review Gary. Is the clip reversible for us leftys??
 
You're welcome David, unfortunately not, it's riveted in place and has the extra screw
to prevent twisting, the earlier ones would twist sometimes, so this was a nice
feature to see included.
BUT with the hole in the blade and mid lock release, it's pretty darn close to
being able to work left or right, just can't move the clip position...
G2
 
Thanks, for the information Gary. I may get one anyway. It doesn't look like the clip would be a bother anyway, for a Lefty. We are used to it. :)
Dave.
 
You know what they say, left handed people are not in their right mind ;)

I try to do things with both hands, not writing so much, but butterfly knife manipulation
even bought a left handed recurve bow to practice left handed
also use a bullwhip left or right handed, takes practice but I think it's a good idea to
be use to using both hands.

I'm a right handed guy, but, I mouse with my left hand, just something I figured would be
handier, that way you can mouse and use my right hand for the numeric keypad, saves time,
also people hate to borrow my computer at work, mouse is on the wrong side ;)

G2
 
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A long time since having one of these, when money's tight, knives/toys are often the ones we hurt the most :( but I recently got one of these back and when I opened the package and then the blade, it was having an old friend stop by, just very comfortable feeling with this knife and it arrived pretty sharp too, David does know sharp ;)

I was going to start a new thread but this one has such history and still tells the tale of the knife, I figured to bring it back to the surface with a photo I took last night of the knife, I added the braided leather lanyard with skull on there, works well for retrieving it from the pocket.

Boye_Cobalt_.jpg~original


Anyone else since this thread started give one of these a try?
G2
 
Great thread with good information. I'll need to get mine out of the knife drawer more often.
 
Thanks guys and thanks JD, it is an interesting knife, David is quite innovative, I have owned a few of his fixed blades as well as a very rare butterfly knife, which I should have kept! ;)
G2
 
Any pictures you can share? I have the dendritic steel version of the folder. I consider it the "best" overall designed knife. Boye has been refining it for about 30 years. Like a sebenza, delica...but not :) the edge on them is sweet. If you goober one up, he fixed mine for free in a week.
 
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