Kershaw Boa

C

Cargun

Joined
Dec 30, 2002
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152
How do you Boa owners like your knives? How do you think they compare to other ~$100 folders such as a Benchmade 710 or an Emerson CQC-7? Thanks!
 
I can't hardly compare this knife to ohers because I don't own them.I just got this one on trade and it seems pretty sturdy.It is the Black Boa half serrated.It opens quick with little effort.Lock is solid.I think it would make a reliable blade.This one has never been carred or used.But since I am not a folder man I will prbably just sell or trade it agan.
 
I like mine. It's the most expensive folder I own so I really don't have anything similar to compare it to. I liked it a lot better than the Spyderco Police I got in a trade. I don't carry it as an EDC, although it makes it into the rotation occasionally. One thing I plan to do once I get a Dremel is to round off the tip of the flipper and a few other sharp edges it has. The Speed-Safe on mine has held up well over the last two years and the blade is very well ground and takes a nice edge. One thing though; unless you are an experienced sharpener or you have an Edge-Pro, this can be tough to sharpen. The recurve and the 440V would be very challenging freehand or with a sharpmaker. I also like the handle; it fills up my hands well. I have long fingers so I often have problems with handles being uncomfortable. Overall, I think the Boa is a good choice for EDC, but for a hard use tactical folder I would prefer a Benchmade or an Emerson.
 
Boa Good!!!!

Mine has been used for the last couple years and is holding up very well. Compared to a CQC7 -- I like it better. Like comparing a sportscar to an SUV.
 
I use mine as my EDC now. I've taken the edge off the flipper, did that right away! Other than that, it is a bit of a challenge at sharpening time. Also, mine has folded up on me a few times. I believe that it's because I'm a lefty. On the positive side, I have gotten good mileage on the edge, and it has cut quite well. It has also been well received, when in crowds of sheeple. This has been important because it is often used in other people's homes.
 
truck makes a good point about the sheeple. I have the splash handles and my grandmother told me she though it was pretty. Plus it's a nice departure from the standard black-and-bead-blasted tactical look. I've had a few of my Army buddies laugh at me for my 'purple' knife though, so YMMV.
 
Yeah, the fruity one is what I'm looking at as I don't like black blade. Knife looks like an excellent design, I'm just worried about quality. Emerson knives are about the lowest quality I'll accept, a roommate of mine had a CRKT M16 that I thought was horribly made.... I'm hoping Kershaw is better than that because I've always thought of them along the same lines as CRKT, that is that they make an excellent knife you can buy for $40. But the Boa isn't a $40 knife ;) Can it live up to its price tag?


My spelling sucks tonnight!:o
 
I definitely think that the Boa is capable of holding its own with similarly priced folders. I had the chance to try one and fell in love with it. I'd personally take it over my Benchmade 710, but that's clearly a matter of personal preference. I love the design.
 
I carried my Boa every day for almost a year before a custom finally took its place. The Boa can definitely hold its own against the other knives in its price range. It is a tough, functional, and well-made knife. If they made a larger version I might still be carrying one. :)

--Bob Q
 
How solid is your Boa when open?

Mine is great in every way except for a little more side-to-side blade play than I like. I almost traded it but wanted to settle this issue first. If they are all like this, fine. If they lock up rock solid, then this one needs attention...

I'm thinking about sending it back to Kershaw.

Any thoughts?
 
I had a boa for a bit and there was zero blade play..
I also handled a few (three) and they also had no play.
Boa's a great knife
Tom
 
Send it back or try tightening up the pivot yourself. Mine has zero play in any direction. Coincidentally I just had to send mine in last month because the assist spring broke. Kershaw's warranty department had it repaired, oiled, sharpened (very very well BTW) and back in my mailbox within a week of recieving it. I was impressed to say the least.
 
For RoadRunner to say it came back sharp is quite something.
He's among the best in edges there is.

I guess I need to send a blade in to Kershaw for refurb!
Danged if I can remember the name of it tho.
Tom
 
Thanks fellas

Yes, I tried tightening it up. If its tight enough not to move, it won't fire.

I have it boxed and will send it out to Kershaw on Monday.

I'll let you know how it goes...

Thanks
 
I've had two of them - first one was jinxed, nasty blade play, liner lock didn't engage fully. I could never get it right.

Got a second one, and it was fine. Still think the liner is too thin tho.


Kershaw have probaby the BEST customer support of the lot tho.
 
I would steer away from S60V (440V) for heavy duty work. If heat treated to be hard it is brittle. If you make it soft (Like Spyderco) it just doesn't hold an edge when you bump into something tough (like bone). I would look at a Benchmade 710 with M2 alloy blade as a better performing combination. Alternately I would look for a blade made from S30V like a Blade-Tech Wegner Professional Hunters Knife if you need stainless.
 
I have the black serrated Boa and I like it for an EDC. Getting off the topic and comparing the opening speed of the Boa to the Leek or Chive. Why does my Boa seem to open slower than the Leek or Chive? Is it because the blade is heavier?
 
Most certainly. I haven't seen inside the Boa so I don't know the size of the torsion bar, but the blade is significantly larger. Also, compared to the Leek, which has a very pointed blade, the Boa is very broad with a lot of metal towards the tip. This means a lot of rotating mass which slows acceleration (just like heavy tires on a car). The blade lockup might be tighter as well, but a lot of that will depend on the pivot tension you have on your individual knives.
 
Mine does not always lock up after flipping the thumb stud or the index finger lever.
This is my second Boa, and I seem to remember that my first one had a much stronger spring(though even it was not as fast as the smaller bladed ones!)
My first was lost just a couple of days after I started carrying it, and I could not afford to replace it until a month or two ago.
I have been told to try loosening it up, but I am not suer that that is such a good idea...It does not seem to be very tight....The assist just seems VERY weak. Guess I got a lemon(I HATE sending things to the manufacturer for repaires...)
 
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