is the Boa too short for a combo blade?

B

Big Bubba Daddy

Joined
Jun 19, 2005
Messages
4
Hi guys,

I'm new to the forum and really don't want to stir up the serrated vs. plain debate (I searched the archives). It seems most guys lean towards plain mainly for ease of sharpening and precision of cuts. I completely understand this point of view.

I have decided on a Kershaw Boa as my every day carry. My work doesn’t require much in the way of cutting requirements so this will principally be carried for protection, odd jobs and into the field when I go hunting/camping/fishing.

With that in mind, I was thinking about a combo blade for utility, BUT, I have read enough archived posts on here to make me wonder if the blade on the Boa is too short at 3 3/8” to function well as a combo (part plain, part serrated) blade.

Your thoughts?

Pete
 
The boa in combo edge works fine, it has enough belly on it for the plain edge portion, the serrations dont get in the way and can still be used for ropes and fibrous material. I own quite a few combo edge knives and I dont really understand the point of view stating that combo edges dont have enough of either to be useful, but I would reconsider the thought of using this for self defense. I would go for something that had a blade with more point to it.
 
I have a Boa with a plain blade and generally like the knife. The only down side of the knife in general—to me—is that the back (not liner) lock will sometimes engage when the knife is open. This results in the Boa not closing completely as the blade’s finger-guard will hit the back-lock. It’s done it a few times and one resulted in a nice cut.
As to the Boa’s serrations, in a picture it appears that the serrations are cut pretty deeply into the blade, very much like my BM Mini Stryker. I just don’t like the looks of a blade when the serrations are cut that deeply into it. Looks aren’t the most important part, but they do influence my choices some.
Good luck,
Rats...
 
I carried a Boa as an EDC for almost a year, I think. It was a good knife until the liner lock gave out and almost took my fingers off. Now I can't make it pass even a light spine whack test. I know some people don't believe a knife should have to stand up to the spine whack, but I personally feel more comfortable carrying a knife that won't fold under pressure. :)

The Spyderco Delica I've carried since then has been wonderful, though a tiny bit at the tip broke off pretty early, as I understand they're prone to doing. I like the full serrations I got on the Delica, and I find them more useful than the half-serrated Boa. They seem to stay sharp longer, though I'm not sure if I should attribute that to the style or the steel.

A half-and-half, IMO, is a great knife to start out with. If you find that you're using the serrations almost all the time, you may want to pick up a fully-serrated knife. If you almost never use the serrations, then you might want to carry a plain-edge. If you use both, then enjoy your 50/50, or--better yet--pick up one of each. :)

Chris
 
When I bought mine the shop only had the partially serrated version and I've wished ever since then that I'd bought a plain edge. Like ratstuph said, the serrations are cut very deeply into the knife and are very pointy which tend to catch on things as you cut. Just my opinion which ain't worth a whole lot but I'd go with a plain edge. It's easier to sharpen too ;)
 
On any normal knife I would not recommend a part serrated blade, but on the Boa, it may not be too bad. I find that when cutting with my PE Boa I almost never use the first inch of blade. I like the PE version but I don't think I'd mind having a part serrated edge.
 
I bought the plain edge and I am very happy with it, except for one minor and cosmetic issue. The tab on the back to push the blade out has two ridges cut in it as it should, trouble is, inside of the second ridge, closest to the pivot of the blade, it apears there is a casking problem or there was supposed to be a third cut and the mill went goofy.

it won't hurt the function of the blade, but it kind of bothers me, being my new toy and all.... :(
 
BBD, that's lame... I just got a Boa from a trade and mine has no machining issues... the three cuts are clean and crisp.

If you bought it new, you might want to exchange it if you still can.....
 
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