The Boyd Dent - Why can't manufacturers get it right?

[retzius]

Hello all.

I've noticed that most lockback production folders put a Boye dent on the lockbar but VERY few get it right. AFAIK, the purpose of the Boye dent is so that if you're pushing really hard on the lockbar and depress the lockbar slightly the lockbar won't disengage because enough material has been removed from the top to prevent the bar from disengaging.

Even many of the great production manufacturers like Spyderco put a half ass little dimple on the top of the lockbar that is completely ineffective. if you don't believe me, next time you have out your Delica or Endura give it a test.

Do manufacturers test these things when they put them on the knife? I'd really like to see some thought put into these things rather than just putting them on there as a marketing feature. This can't be that hard to get right. Right?

 

[1SHOT1KILL]

Its Boye...named for David Boye...

 

[retzius]

Its Boye...named for David Boye...

Thank you sir! I can't even spell it right!

It must be the most misunderstood feature ever made

 

[yablanowitz]

I've always thought it was a solution in search of a problem, and I'd be much happier if they didn't bother with it at all. If it was going to be truly effective, you wouldn't be able to unlock the knife at all. If that seems like a good idea, you should consider using a fixed blade instead of a folder.

 

[TriviaMonster]

I think Spyderco's Boye dents work just fine. I think its half there to prevent, and half there to give you some sort of indication where the lock is so you can be concious about it while using your knife.

Plus, the larger the Boye dent, the harder it is for Captain Fatfingers to get his knife unlocked.

 

[A.L.]

I don't know how much deeper the dent could be without making the lock impossible to disengage? For me, the dent has always been more of a spot that you feel so that you can close the knife without much looking at it.

 

[idaho]

I don't know how much deeper the dent could be without making the lock impossible to disengage? For me, the dent has always been more of a spot that you feel so that you can close the knife without much looking at it.

AFAIR it is the purpose of Boye dent according to Sal.

 

[JNewell]

I've always thought it was a solution in search of a problem, and I'd be much happier if they didn't bother with it at all. If it was going to be truly effective, you wouldn't be able to unlock the knife at all. If that seems like a good idea, you should consider using a fixed blade instead of a folder.

Totally agree. Never had any hint of an unintended unlock without the Boye dent. OTOH, it makes intended unlocks a fair bit less convenient. YMMV, but that's my experience.