David Boyle dents on lockbacks

[ArmaliteKnight]

Question for all,
Why isn't the dent on the lock bar on most knives standard on spydies?
Looking at the '17 catalog I notice some knives have the dent and some don't. While most do have the dent, I have to wonder why others don't. I find the dent incredibly useful.
The police 4, native series, chappies and the new Jess Horn mini don't have this. It's not a complete turn off, but like I said, I find it useful.
Has anyone added this feature to a knife that doesn't have the dent? What would you recommend to mod a knife to have the dent? Think a dremel would grind it down enough?

[Jazz]

I like the dent. Some don't, so that's why some don't have it. If you grind it, make sure when you press it down, it'll still unlock with a dent. I hope that made sense.

[dplafoll]

Question for all,
Why isn't the dent on the lock bar on most knives standard on spydies?
Looking at the '17 catalog I notice some knives have the dent and some don't. While most do have the dent, I have to wonder why others don't. I find the dent incredibly useful.
The police 4, native series, chappies and the new Jess Horn mini don't have this. It's not a complete turn off, but like I said, I find it useful.
Has anyone added this feature to a knife that doesn't have the dent? What would you recommend to mod a knife to have the dent? Think a dremel would grind it down enough?

I'm 99% sure that the Chaparral, Sage, and probably the Jess Horn are "gents' folders" and the dent is not present for aesthetic reasons. The Police may have had some feedback from LEOs that use it and prefer not having the dent. I dunno about the Native.

I would love to know what Sal would say about this question...

[paladin]

strong feelings on both sides of this issue...

I like the dent...basically I just like the way it feels.

Having a traditional "dentless" lockbar however, has never been a feature that has kept me from buying a model I really wanted.

I think it's good that Spyderco has varied their models' lockbars. And I appreciate the ones they decided to leave dentless and think it was good judgment to make them so.

[Liquid Cobra]

strong feelings on both sides of this issue...

I like the dent...basically I just like the way it feels.

This is the main reason I like it. It's a tactile reference point for my thumb. I find it helps me unlock the lock without having to look. Sure I can do it without the dent but it helps. It is a bit unsightly though.

[Bugs]

I prefer the dent on the lockbar. It provides a point of reference when unlocking the lock. I believe it is also supposed to be a deterrent from accidentally unlocking the lockbar while the knife is in use but I've never had this issue.

[bearfacedkiller]

Boye Dent, no L.

On one hand it is added as a safety feature. Although many like it as an indexing feature for their thumb it is my understanding that this was not it's intended purpose. On the other hand it is omitted to cut cost and for aesthetic reasons. I heard that Boye gets a royalty on it but I cannot confirm this.

Where is the Deacon? Letting the dead horse lie?

Get your search on my man. This topic has come up a bunch over the years.

[bearfacedkiller]

Oh yeah, I hope all is well with the new fam!

if you decided to add one just make sure that you do not remove too much or you may not be able to unlock your knife. :eek: A simple mod could turn into a costly mistake if you go too far.

[ArmaliteKnight]

Boye Dent, no L

Yeah sorry about this, I was close though!!

[ArmaliteKnight]

Oh yeah, I hope all is well with the new fam!

if you decided to add one just make sure that you do not remove too much or you may not be able to unlock your knife. :eek: A simple mod could turn into a costly mistake if you go too far.

Our little new addition is doing well, I however am very tired
He still has his days and nights backwards and I find myself just sleeping whenever I can.

On the removal of material from the lockbar to make a dent- I feel like you're right on target about not being able to unlock it and well...I have met my quota on fixed blades this month haha

[The Deacon]

It's relatively easy for someone who wants a Boye dent to add it, or have someone add it. OTOH, if a knife has a Boye dent, the only way to remove the **** thing is to replace the entire lockbar.

Do agree that Spyderco's use of it defies logic. They say it's for safety on hard use, tactical, and SD folders, yet knives like the original Manix (large and small) and the first three versions of the Chinook did not have it, while the Ladybug, Jester, and Kopa did. If that's not a world class WTF, I don't know what is.

[Jazz]

I really like how you can feel the lock without looking or fumbling. Long live the Boye dent (except on Paul's knives ).

[Evil D]

You guys who say you use it to find the lock, isn't it easy enough to feel for the cutout in the handle?

[The Deacon]

You guys who say you use it to find the lock, isn't it easy enough to feel for the cutout in the handle?

I've wondered the same thing as I've had reduced feeling in my hands for years and never had a problem finding the lock on a Kiwi or other "dentless" Spyderco midlock. Heck, even if having the dent can shave a couple fractions of a second off your closing time, what's the significance? The case for "rapid deployment" is weak enough, can't believe anyone has ever suffered negative consequences from being marginally slower closing a knife.

[SpyderNut]

strong feelings on both sides of this issue...

I like the dent...basically I just like the way it feels.

Having a traditional "dentless" lockbar however, has never been a feature that has kept me from buying a model I really wanted.

I think it's good that Spyderco has varied their models' lockbars. And I appreciate the ones they decided to leave dentless and think it was good judgment to make them so.

+1

I guess I really don't mind either way regarding the Boye dent. Some models seem to "look" better without the dent, but I've never not purchased a model because of the Dent.

[Jazz]

Obviously, we're in disagreement. It's just easier to feel it. It's not like we're handicapped and need it to find the lock. It also feels better to me pushing on a curve than flat. I had to smooth the edges on my Chap's lockbar. Would have made a Boye dent if the cutout was curved, not angular. Yet, the Natives feel fine.

[Evil D]

You guys who say you use it to find the lock, isn't it easy enough to feel for the cutout in the handle?

I've wondered the same thing as I've had reduced feeling in my hands for years and never had a problem finding the lock on a Kiwi or other "dentless" Spyderco midlock. Heck, even if having the dent can shave a couple fractions of a second off your closing time, what's the significance? The case for "rapid deployment" is weak enough, can't believe anyone has ever suffered negative consequences from being marginally slower closing a knife.

I've had back locks close on me from squeezing the handle too hard but I was also doing something really stupid at the time. I understand the idea behind the dent as far as safety goes, but before Spyderco I had no idea such a thing existed and never felt the need for it.

[yablanowitz]

I still feel it's a solution in search of a problem. I'm with Paul, if every Boye dent on Earth vanished tonight, I'd still be happy if and when I noticed.

[Liquid Cobra]

You guys who say you use it to find the lock, isn't it easy enough to feel for the cutout in the handle?

Yeah it is easy enough to unlock without one, you're right. But when the OP started this thread I thought about the dent and how it effects my uses. A reference point for my thumb came to mind. it's probably not the best answer or use for it but it's the one I came up with :o

[zenheretic]

It's relatively easy for someone who wants a Boye dent to add it, or have someone add it. OTOH, if a knife has a Boye dent, the only way to remove the **** thing is to replace the entire lockbar.

Do agree that Spyderco's use of it defies logic. They say it's for safety on hard use, tactical, and SD folders, yet knives like the original Manix (large and small) and the first three versions of the Chinook did not have it, while the Ladybug, Jester, and Kopa did. If that's not a world class WTF, I don't know what is.

Since I can''t remember my opinion from the old days, I must not have been strongly opinionated one way or another on the Boye dent debate. It has been there since the early 2000s.

But I have to go with Deacon on the logic on which models it goes on. I'm looking at the new catalog and the Police 4 is right next to what looks like the model 3. The handles are barely different. One has it, one doesn't, will it make a difference?

If I remember correctly one of the martial knife guys (probably Keating or Janich) showed Sal why it was a good idea. Apparently it was convincing enough for them to put it on blades for last 15 or so years. However, it does seem like a bit of voodoo.

Besides aesthetically, the dam dent is almost always off center, so it looks bad as in these Delicas:

http://imgur.com/y9I3Sr5