Unsolicited Kwaiken Product Advice for Boker

Molle Ninja

Molle Ninja

Joined
Jul 15, 2013
Messages
248
From the backorders at dealers and numbers of them that I've bought, I'm guessing Boker scored big with Lucas Burnley's Kwaiken. It's the type of knife that I could envision having several more of in my small collection.

With that in mind, here are some ideas Boker might consider to keep us buying. Limited runs would probably add to their desirability. Having owned both the folder and flipper versions, I think the flipper is the version on which to focus.

  1. Upgraded blade steel
  2. Carbon fiber or Kevlar scales and backspacer
  3. Ultralight version with titanium liners and micarta or g10 scales
  4. "Mini Kwaiken" that brings the blade to just under 3" to comply with carry laws in some jurisdictions. Same dimensions and angles except for shortened length
  5. Damascus blade

Please feel free to add your ideas.
 
I know many of us would like a lighter flipper model with better steel. I think Carbon Fiber and N690BO.
 
If they moved production to Solingen and went full Ti handle with N690 or even S35VN I would definitely be in. I love the quality that comes from Solingen, my Pipsqueak is a badass knife that's made exceptionally well. The 3" blade idea is also a good one I wouldn't mind seeing that as I am a sucker for smaller blades.
 
Blade-fiend said:
If they moved production to Solingen and went full Ti handle with N690 or even S35VN I would definitely be in. I love the quality that comes from Solingen, my Pipsqueak is a badass knife that's made exceptionally well. The 3" blade idea is also a good one I wouldn't mind seeing that as I am a sucker for smaller blades.
Click to expand...

I agree on the quality of the Solingen Bokers. Both my Pipsqueak and Minos are of the highest quality.

Either S35VN or N690BO will be a marked improvement on the AUS-8.

Definitely agree on a version with a 3" blade.

A lighter version with CF would suit me better.
 
I would love upgrade steel. Even VG10 would suffice. I also wouldn't mind one without a pocket clip. It would be a somewhat dressy, gentleman knife especially if it were coupled with carbon fiber scales. I would have to disagree on a framelock though. A framelock takes away from the symmetry inherent to the design. It just wouldn't flow right in my mind. The kwaiken folder/flipper design is just so clean that a framelock would disrupt the lines.
 
I think it's just fine as a liner lock although it'd be nice to use titanium instead of stainless steel for the liners.

I also recommend some jimping on the flipper because due to the down-slopping angle you can misfire (specially if either your trigger finger or the flipper is less than dry).

At 5.5 ounces it's a little too heavy as is and replacing the outer titanium scales with Carbon Fiber should bring it down by an ounce.

Boker has good access to N690BO so that's what I recommend for quite a step up from the current AUS-8.

Of course, a version with above and a 3" blade would definitely have more people carry one since either they're limited by local laws or they just want something smaller and even lighter.
 
Here's a crazy idea. I don't think they will drop a pocket clip even if the knife is more or less a gentleman knife. For something wild, how about mounting the pocket clip on the backspacer in line with the spine? That would really make the knife symmetrical from all sides. heh. I can only think of one other production knife that mounts the pocket clip on the backspacer in line with the spine. Beyond production knives, there is only one custom maker I know of that does a backspacer mounted clip.

Just throwing ideas out there.

Boker bladeforum kwaiken anyone?

EDIT for pics:

Custom:
Caswell EDC:
JC_6620_3_800.jpg


Production:
Mcusta:
MCU144.2.jpg
 
Last edited:
Molle Ninja said:
Good news--I have it on good authority that at least one of these things is in motion.

:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Awesome! Anymore news you can divulge?

On a related note, I wonder how many minimum orders would be required to start a bladeforum Boker kwaiken run assuming they would be cool with that. 50 run minimum? 75? 200?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top