Description:
Lucas Burnley's Kwaiken design has been a breakout success for Boker! The Titanium version improves on an already proven design, adding hi tech materials and the flipper feature for quicker deployment. The intuitive operation and the added security make the titanium Kwaiken a real treat. The knife has gray titanium scales which gives the knife a sleek appearance. Features the upgraded VG-10 steel stonewashed blade with a flipper opener that is paired with an IKBS pivot for smooth action.
I've been looking at the Kwaikens for awhile... can't believe it's taken me this long to pick one up! Blade centering is perfect. Lock up is perfect. Zero blade play. This thing is built like a tank and the IKBS makes the flip as smooth as glass. After holding it and spending some time with it I'm shocked this knife doesn't cost more than it does. This is my new favorite EDC blade! As always, Blade HQ customer service is amazing!
This knife has such a fantastic weight to it and feels incredibly solid. Beautifully and elegantly designed this thing is perfect for adding a little bit of class to any occasion.
The blade shape is just awesome. The slimness of the knife is another sweet perk. If you take this one apart though, be careful. Those IKBS bearings are loose, and they will go everywhere. There is more weight to the knife than you would think, but it doesn't take away to ergonomics. It is very comfortable to use, and fun to flip.
The Leek is one of my favorite EDC knives, but this will be replacing it. It's really just a fantastic size and profile for everyday carry and is low key enough where it's not going to scream "knife" to someone sees you carrying it. Flipper action is incredibly smooth. I didn't need to do any break-in for butter smooth deployment. Just a classy little knife.
I’ve been eyeing these Kwaikens since they first appeared, finally started my collection with this one cause it was on sale. Like others are noting, these things are surprisingly heavy and solidly built. I was surprised at the heft of this thing. I bought it at the same time as a SOG Trident Elite and the Kwaiken weighs more than the SOG. One other reviewer said their knife was dull out of the box but mine sure wasn’t. This thing is a razor. I’ll definitely be buying more versions of this knife including the fixed blade, carbon fiber, and brass/micarta versions.
Just got this beauty today and am very impressed. It is a beautiful knife and the fit and finish is perfect. The extra weight from the titanium makes it feel good in the hand. I have several mid-techs and it is nice to be reminded that you do not have to spend a fortune to get a really good knife. Highly recommended.
I wanted to comment in response to an earlier review to confirm that on later variations of the knife, the tip is down further inside the handle once closed. I own both an early and later model, and the difference is readily apparent. The later model also has knurling on the flipper. Anyway, when I first got one of these I was a little turned off by the weight. However it's so nicely balanced, easy to flip, and with an overall nice feel - I always went for it first. It's been my main EDC for a few years. Both of my examples were perfectly made. After losing my first one during a move, I immediately picked up a second because I liked it so much. Only real gripe I have is it's a bit slippery when wet.
I love this knife. It is easily one of my favorites, and definitely no doubts about that at all. BUT, whenever i received the knife, the edge on the blade was not sharp at all. Yeah, I know I can sharpen it myself, but thats not the point of this review. Other than the edge of the blade being ridiculously dull, all in all, this is an awesome knife. Just wished it would've came more perfect than it did haha!!
I recently purchased the Boker Kwaiken for myself as a Christmas present. I was trying to decide on the Kwaiken or a knife from Zero Tolerance but I've been wanting a Kwaiken for over a year, I've heard mixed reviews, alway the same: the best knife I've ever purchsed or just not quite right. The sleek design won out, and in anout a week I received my Kwaiken. First of all, this is a hefty knife which surprised me. As it weighs more than EDC knife the Kershaw Cryo 2. But the action was so slick and lighting fast, the build quality was also very impressive. What surprised me was sharp the blade was, in most reviews they talk about the dull edge but this knife is very sharp! I cannot get over the quality this knife exudes, add to that the style and it makes for one extremely impressive knife. Even ones more than double the price. Niw onto getting a Mini Kwaiken! Thanks Blade HQ!
While I love the looks and performance of this knife, there's kind of a big problem with it for lefties who carry it in their left front pocket, so I pretty much don't carry it anymore. The blade is not far enough down in the handle when it's closed, so left handed people like me can get their palm scratched/cut from the very tip of the blade being too close to the handle surface and catching your hand when you put it in your pocket (the side of your hand, below your pinky). It's a shame because it's a nice looking knife but I'm looking to sell it because of that. Btw I purchased this knife 2-3 years ago (it's Dec. 2019 now), so I don't know if maybe they fixed this problem in newer knives. But if you're a lefty, unless you can get confirmation they've changed something, I'd stay away and maybe go with a Mini Kwaiken because those might be ok (my brass/micarta one is).
This knife looks nice but the flipper action is very tight and hard to use. I thought maybe it was just me but I had about ten different people try to open it with the flipper and everyone had a hard time. I’ve tried other flippers since I bought this and they all had smooth quick and easy action. After only five months of use I’m going to have to buy another knife as I hate using this one. If my hands are damp it’s damn near impossible to get open and as a chef and butcher I need fast, easy and efficient one hand open that works every time. I was taking a chance on Boker as I’ve had everything from Spiderco, Emerson, Protech, CRKT, Gerber, Case, Buck, & Kershaw all having been great knives. I guess I fell for the esthetics of this knife but the functionality it very poor. Maybe I got a lemon.