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To
me, a knife is a tool, much like a hammer or wrench. It is a
tool which I use daily, but still, it is a tool. I can’t get
really worked up over a knife like I can a gun. Reviewing a gun
is a very different experience for me than reviewing a knife.
Guns are what I love. Knives are tools.
Still,
just like with any other tool that I use, when I use a knife, I
want it to be of the highest quality. A knife that is cheaply
made or that doesn’t take a sharp edge and hold it well is a
liability, not an asset. Nothing is more aggravating than
a knife that will not perform its duties.
Since
the basic knife has been with us for several centuries now, and
bearing in mind that it has few component parts, it would seem
reasonable to expect every knife to be well made and hold a keen
edge, but the sad truth is that many knives are junk.
It
seems that for every good knife available, there are many knife
makers who will spare no effort to build a cheaper version out
of junk steel. For many years I would not even consider a knife
with a stainless blade, due to some of the stainless alloys used
in the past. However, metallurgy has come a long way in recent
years, bringing with it much improved blade steels that are
resistant to rust.
A
few months ago, we received here at the palatial offices of
Gunblast.com a few knives from various makers for testing. There
are included in the mix several good quality knives, and a few
of lower quality. I set the box aside and continued to spend the
majority of my efforts on shooting other people’s guns, a
pastime which I greatly enjoy.
About
four weeks ago, I decided that my pocket knife needed a good
sharpening, then I spotted the box of knives on the product
shelf. Looking carefully through the folders, I came across a
couple that were imported from far off exotic places, such as
China and Taiwan. That did not stir my interest. Asia is
perfectly capable of making a good blade, but most are built
there to achieve a low price. A good knife doesn’t have to be
expensive, but it is a sum of its parts. Just as they do not
grind up prime rib-eye steaks to make cheap hot dogs, you
can’t make a cheap knife from expensive parts.
Spotting
a small box marked "Kershaw" and "Made in
the USA", I proceeded to investigate its contents. What I
found is a knife that is the subject of this article; the Kershaw
Boa.
The
Boa was designed for Kershaw by the acclaimed custom knife
builder, Ken Onion, and his design influence shows. The
Boa has a very useful and practical blade design that works very
well for everyday chores and also as a knife to carry while
hunting. The blade shape is swept just right to serve as a good
skinning knife, and the liner lock secures the blade from
closing unexpectedly. One of the most interesting features of
the Boa is its easy opening "Speed Safe"
design, which allows the blade to spring open much like an
automatic, with the flip of an ambidextrous button on the back
of the knife. There is a sliding lock that prevents the knife
from opening unexpectedly. The stainless blade is 3.375 inches
in length, and has a black titanium nitride finish. The weight
of the knife is just under five ounces, and there is a pocket
clip attached to the right side of the black aluminum handle.
Like
any good tool, the Kershaw Boa feels just right in the hand, for
use without discomfort. I like my knives to have sharp, thin,
well-shaped blades. I use a knife for cutting, not prying or
chopping. The design of the Boa allows the blade to be guided
properly for cutting. It is built of quality materials, and
holds an edge very well. It looks good and feels good, and while
it is not inexpensive, it should outlast several cheap knives.
It is also backed by a lifetime warranty to the original
purchaser, and is made in the USA.
Check
out the Boa and other products from Kershaw online at:
www.kershawknives.com
Like
with any tools, you never regret buying quality.
Jeff Quinn
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Click pictures for a larger version.
The Kershaw Boa's blade is very well-designed, and is
equally at-home as a skinning blade or for everyday use.
The Kershaw Boa's blade features a well-located thumb
button.
The Boa comes with a handy pocket clip.
Kershaw's Liner Lock is an easy-to-use and safe design.
A unique feature of
the Kershaw Boa is the quick-opening Speed-Safe design.
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