Opinions on Kershaw Boa?
- Thread starter Brian_Turner
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I received mine last Thursday, and it hasn't left my pocket since. Very nice piece, with great attention to detail. The only thing that keeps me from calling it "Spyderco Perfect" is that the handle/liner/backspacer are microns from being flush - visibly, it's almost imperceptible, but running a finger across it, you can feel the tiny ridges. Nothing I'd hold against manufacturers other than at the very top end, and at under $110 (the price I got), I definitely don't mind a bit. I'd say that the tiny detail of coloring the backspacer to match the handles more than makes up for it.
I could also use a little bit more pop in the SpeedSafe, but considering the concern over inadvertent opening, I can understand why they would have backed off. A little wrist, and it sings. The safety is definitely effective, if unnecessary, but also inoccuous enough where if you don't want to, you won't even notice it's there - something that had me worried. The finger trigger is much better and safer than using a thumber for the mechanism, IMHO.
I also like the tapering swedge on the blade. Very nice. And the brushing on the blade steel finish is consistent, with vertical brushing on the ground areas, with contrasting horizontal brushing on the flats.
Highly recommended.
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AKTI Member #A000832
"Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes, the bear eats you."
I could also use a little bit more pop in the SpeedSafe, but considering the concern over inadvertent opening, I can understand why they would have backed off. A little wrist, and it sings. The safety is definitely effective, if unnecessary, but also inoccuous enough where if you don't want to, you won't even notice it's there - something that had me worried. The finger trigger is much better and safer than using a thumber for the mechanism, IMHO.
I also like the tapering swedge on the blade. Very nice. And the brushing on the blade steel finish is consistent, with vertical brushing on the ground areas, with contrasting horizontal brushing on the flats.
Highly recommended.
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AKTI Member #A000832
"Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes, the bear eats you."
- Joined
- Nov 25, 1999
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Double Edge Dave
Moderator and Gold Member
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BTTT. Now that production pcs. have reached the field, enquiring minds want to know!
Thanks,
David
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AKTI# A000150
NC Custom Knifemakers Guild member
NC Knife Knuts member
Thanks,
David
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AKTI# A000150
NC Custom Knifemakers Guild member
NC Knife Knuts member
- Joined
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Received mine several weeks ago. I elected to wait and get the black blade and scales version.
First, keep in mind that this is a production knife with an approximate price tag of $115 (plus or minus a few cents).
- As with Brian's.....there are several places where the handle, liner and backspacer aren't flush. It's extremely extremely minute and which you have to really look hard to see (or feel) the differences. Personally, it's not a factor with this knife!
- The Speedsafe feature on the Boa isn't quite as strong or snappy as my Random Task. I think that the Boa's blade size and weight is the problem. It's still very fast.
- Nor do I care for the lock on the spine ~ actually, don't care for the lock at all! But not a problem ~ I don't use it!
Second, the above 3 minors aren't even a factor considering that the lock-up is extremely tight, no blade play, it's super sharp and the overall fit and finish is fantastic. Besides, that's why I buy a knife to be a user.
And that's why this one will be one of my keeper's!
Buy one! You won't be disappointed!
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GigOne
"Livin' Life - Full Throttle"
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"Happiness is a belt-fed weapon & a Walter Brend Model 2!"
First, keep in mind that this is a production knife with an approximate price tag of $115 (plus or minus a few cents).
- As with Brian's.....there are several places where the handle, liner and backspacer aren't flush. It's extremely extremely minute and which you have to really look hard to see (or feel) the differences. Personally, it's not a factor with this knife!
- The Speedsafe feature on the Boa isn't quite as strong or snappy as my Random Task. I think that the Boa's blade size and weight is the problem. It's still very fast.
- Nor do I care for the lock on the spine ~ actually, don't care for the lock at all! But not a problem ~ I don't use it!
Second, the above 3 minors aren't even a factor considering that the lock-up is extremely tight, no blade play, it's super sharp and the overall fit and finish is fantastic. Besides, that's why I buy a knife to be a user.
And that's why this one will be one of my keeper's!
Buy one! You won't be disappointed!
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GigOne
"Livin' Life - Full Throttle"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Happiness is a belt-fed weapon & a Walter Brend Model 2!"
I had one for 2 days to play with and I really liked the the index trigger. I found that the index trigger protects your thumb when opening the knife with the thumb studs so you don't get those pesky blade following cuts that happen with the Whirlwind.
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Ray Carr
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Ray Carr
- Joined
- Aug 8, 1999
- Messages
- 5,094
I have been really impressed with the Boa. I had had bad luck with Kershaw speed safe knives before and I was slow to get a Boa, however, the level of finish on the Boa is far above anything on the previous speed safes except for the Whirlwind and Blackout(for whatever reason, Kershaw was always more consistent with their low-end speed safes.) The Boa has some of the most scratch resistant aluminum scales I have ever seen! They can take keys, other knives, anythin and not really scratch. Benchmade needs a finish like this on their 720 and 940. I think the speed safe action on the Boa is just fine, it opens fast enough to me. The flipper feature is quite but it takes a firm touch to engage which is actually must better than a hair trigger. The safety is a good feature. Nobody wants a razor sharp recurved blade flying open in their pocket! This is definitely Kershaws best speed safe so far and it looks better than the new Whirlwind which is in the current issue of blade.
I received mine yesterday from Bayou Lafource. My only complaint is the blade is just about to touch the left liner. Other than that perfect, and scarrrrrrrrryy sharp. I have slashed through pop cans, cut rope, sliced through big chunks of scrap leather, whittled on plastic bottles. Still shaving sharp. My first 440V blade.
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EXCUSE ME WHILE I WHIP THIS OUT.
**Blazing Saddles**
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EXCUSE ME WHILE I WHIP THIS OUT.
**Blazing Saddles**
- Joined
- Apr 21, 1999
- Messages
- 739
Thanks for the good review guys !
Sory for the delays,I wanted to make sure it was de bugged as much as possable .Also the newer ones will be faster as we have increased the diameter of the mechanism .We were worried in the beginning about accidental opening (which I have never experienced )and so delayed the timing but with the safety installed we are advancing the cam and increasing the punch.
Any suggestions ?
Aloha!! Ken Onion
Sory for the delays,I wanted to make sure it was de bugged as much as possable .Also the newer ones will be faster as we have increased the diameter of the mechanism .We were worried in the beginning about accidental opening (which I have never experienced )and so delayed the timing but with the safety installed we are advancing the cam and increasing the punch.
Any suggestions ?
Aloha!! Ken Onion
- Joined
- Nov 27, 1999
- Messages
- 15,781
Ken,
I have a suggestion....... Send me one and I'll be more than happy to ops check it for a few days!
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GigOne
"Livin' Life - Full Throttle"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Happiness is a belt-fed weapon & a Walter Brend Model 2!"
I have a suggestion....... Send me one and I'll be more than happy to ops check it for a few days!
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GigOne
"Livin' Life - Full Throttle"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Happiness is a belt-fed weapon & a Walter Brend Model 2!"
I need to cut down on my knife purchases too...I can't believe I just said that--my wife's brainwashing must be taking effect--HELP!
Actually, I really want one of the multicolored Boas but my question is, how do you keep the wife from noticing? My wife usually can't keep track of the quantity of "another one of those black handled knives", but the colorful Boa...hmmmm. I guess she'll just have to get over it cause I really NEED a Boa!
Thanks for listening!
-DRC
Actually, I really want one of the multicolored Boas but my question is, how do you keep the wife from noticing? My wife usually can't keep track of the quantity of "another one of those black handled knives", but the colorful Boa...hmmmm. I guess she'll just have to get over it cause I really NEED a Boa!
Thanks for listening!
-DRC
hey dull i know where your coming from...lol!!!...my fiance cant keep track of my knives because i have so many, to her they all look alike, except for that kasper/crawford folder (she says it is way too big!), but i know i have to cut down, the Lord let me it kinda had gotten out of control, anyway stay out of truoble!!!...or try too!!!
- Joined
- Nov 27, 1999
- Messages
- 15,781
Here is a close-up of the lock....
It's a slide type lock ~ push the slide forward towards the flipper that protruding from the spine and the slide enters a cut-out near the flipper.
And yes, the liner lock on the Boa is exactly like the one on the Random Task.
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GigOne
"Livin' Life - Full Throttle"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Happiness is a belt-fed weapon & a Walter Brend Model 2!"
[This message has been edited by GigOne (edited 09-30-2000).]
It's a slide type lock ~ push the slide forward towards the flipper that protruding from the spine and the slide enters a cut-out near the flipper.
And yes, the liner lock on the Boa is exactly like the one on the Random Task.
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GigOne
"Livin' Life - Full Throttle"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Happiness is a belt-fed weapon & a Walter Brend Model 2!"
[This message has been edited by GigOne (edited 09-30-2000).]
The slide lock has no function other than to keep the blade closed.
Wait a minute!!! It has another function. It also slides forward inadvertantly, thus not letting the knife fully close. Best advice. don't use the darn thing.
Ken, when are the Kershaw Baby Boa's going to hit the market.
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EXCUSE ME WHILE I WHIP THIS OUT.
**Blazing Saddles**
Wait a minute!!! It has another function. It also slides forward inadvertantly, thus not letting the knife fully close. Best advice. don't use the darn thing.
Ken, when are the Kershaw Baby Boa's going to hit the market.
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EXCUSE ME WHILE I WHIP THIS OUT.
**Blazing Saddles**
- Joined
- Nov 25, 1999
- Messages
- 1,499
ORMie,
As to keeping knife closed - Speed Safe mechanism does it very well making slide additional safety pretty redundant in my honest opinion. But if you do not want to use it - you simply shouldn't engage it. I do not engage mine and I'm alive so far
Liner lock locks Boa blade opened, exactly as on Random Task. Though it has no additional safety it works very reliably. I couldn't cause mine to fail although I tried to do it intentionally. Of course get this with some distance, what one man have made another man always could destroy
I'm inviting you again: please visit my review here, I have described it quite in detail.
This slide lock does neither one nor another. It just prevents the possibility of unintentional "index trigger" engaging and as result - Speed Safe opening unintentional activating.
As to keeping knife closed - Speed Safe mechanism does it very well making slide additional safety pretty redundant in my honest opinion. But if you do not want to use it - you simply shouldn't engage it. I do not engage mine and I'm alive so far
Liner lock locks Boa blade opened, exactly as on Random Task. Though it has no additional safety it works very reliably. I couldn't cause mine to fail although I tried to do it intentionally. Of course get this with some distance, what one man have made another man always could destroy
I'm inviting you again: please visit my review here, I have described it quite in detail.
- Joined
- Nov 16, 1998
- Messages
- 647
I went to a gun & knife show here in Reno,Nevada yesterday, and there were numerous dealers there with all the latest.
I have been contemplating getting A Boa for a bit, but availibility has been slow til now.
I have the Random Task(5th run, as had to send in the first run for the refinements( which Kershaw replaced with the newer model), the Whirlwind, had the Blackout, but traded it off, as liked the Whirlwind, and Random Task better.
I wanted the colored one as I am not into the black blades, but for the price, and not wanting to wait any longer, opted for the black handled, black bladed one.
Over the last year, I have fallen in love with the Random Task with its 440-V blade, and have much opening and closing time(while sitting & watching TV), it works so smooth, and for the money ($115?), is one of the nicest folders I own for factory production.
On to the Boa.
I have only had it for 24 hours, but I am really impressed with quality, sharpness, and fuction of it.I backed off just a tiny on the pivot(like I did on the Random Task), and it is smooth, and qucik with no wobble!!It is not as fast as the Random Task, but that will come with more TV hours on it.
I put the blade on my Spyderco ceramic( as I always do with a new blade), to fine tune it, and gads the hairs jump off my arm before the blade gets there
.
I like the shape of the blade, and with the belly on it, I got the serrated blade so it works well for cutting rope, string, etc.The belly of the blade holds the rope,string on the serrations for easy cutting.I also have to say that I think the edge on it is even sharper than my Random Task, but that may be because of the difference in the shape of the blades.
I like the safety idea, although it is not likely to open on its own, it is a good safety precaution whether you use it or not, IT's THERE!!
I don't normally post reviews on my knives, but this one has really impressed me more than most of what I have, and I have many, as my wife will attest.Course she has many also being a knife knut too.
Her comment was, she likes it, and hopeful that they will come out with a Baby Boa for her.
One last thing, I am going to buy another, as a matter of fact, I immediately orderd one of the colored ones in plain edge from my dealer I buy from so I would have one of each.
Great design Ken Onion, and great quality Kershaw!!
Sorry for the long post, but I just had to put my .02 cents in on one of the greatest new knives on the market.
Larry
I have been contemplating getting A Boa for a bit, but availibility has been slow til now.
I have the Random Task(5th run, as had to send in the first run for the refinements( which Kershaw replaced with the newer model), the Whirlwind, had the Blackout, but traded it off, as liked the Whirlwind, and Random Task better.
I wanted the colored one as I am not into the black blades, but for the price, and not wanting to wait any longer, opted for the black handled, black bladed one.
Over the last year, I have fallen in love with the Random Task with its 440-V blade, and have much opening and closing time(while sitting & watching TV), it works so smooth, and for the money ($115?), is one of the nicest folders I own for factory production.
On to the Boa.
I have only had it for 24 hours, but I am really impressed with quality, sharpness, and fuction of it.I backed off just a tiny on the pivot(like I did on the Random Task), and it is smooth, and qucik with no wobble!!It is not as fast as the Random Task, but that will come with more TV hours on it.
I put the blade on my Spyderco ceramic( as I always do with a new blade), to fine tune it, and gads the hairs jump off my arm before the blade gets there
I like the shape of the blade, and with the belly on it, I got the serrated blade so it works well for cutting rope, string, etc.The belly of the blade holds the rope,string on the serrations for easy cutting.I also have to say that I think the edge on it is even sharper than my Random Task, but that may be because of the difference in the shape of the blades.
I like the safety idea, although it is not likely to open on its own, it is a good safety precaution whether you use it or not, IT's THERE!!
I don't normally post reviews on my knives, but this one has really impressed me more than most of what I have, and I have many, as my wife will attest.Course she has many also being a knife knut too.
Her comment was, she likes it, and hopeful that they will come out with a Baby Boa for her.
One last thing, I am going to buy another, as a matter of fact, I immediately orderd one of the colored ones in plain edge from my dealer I buy from so I would have one of each.
Great design Ken Onion, and great quality Kershaw!!
Sorry for the long post, but I just had to put my .02 cents in on one of the greatest new knives on the market.
Larry