Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1542142
Scissors: Foldable, spring-loaded scis- sors. The bottom blade extends and is rounded, effectively making them min- iature rescue shears—though their size and leverage will limit their use on thick materials. Saw: A classic 74 mm wood/hard mate- rial saw. File: This is a versatile tool. One side fea- tures a surface suitable for filing wood and metal. The reverse side includes both an imperial rule (2 inches) and a metric rule (7 cm), with the tip shaped into a wide flat-head screwdriver. Adjustable Wrench: This unique tool is an automatically adjustable nut wrench, resembling a small pipe wrench. It han- In a previous article, we reviewed the Badger Outdoor Solid—a true workhorse in their lineup, comparable to the classic Leatherman Wave. Today, we break down the overbuilt, armored BOA, which fea- tures some intriguing design choices. This is a large, heavy tool. Closed, it measures 118 mm length (the Solid is 107 mm, the Leatherman Surge is 115 mm, and the "tiny" Wave is 100 mm). It weighs at 295g, 40g heavier than the Sol- id (the LM Surge is another 40g heavier at 335g). The tool's core—the foldable plier han- dles that house the internal tools—is 420 stainless steel finished with a black protective coating. This coating increas- es mechanical scratch resistance and improves corrosion resistance. The deep stonewash texture also prevents reflec- tions, a key feature for some users. The design follows the Badger Solid's aesthetic: modern, aggressive, and slightly futuristic, with numerous cut- outs. Paired with the black stonewash, it looks sharp, though the aggressive styl- ing might not appeal to everyone. Features and Tools The BOA packs a total of 14 tools. The primary tool is, of course, the pliers. Pliers: They spring open automatically thanks to an internal spring—a hallmark of Badger tools. The handles are rolled outward at the edges for maximum com- fort when gripping and applying high force. The jaws are split into three sec- tions: a narrow tip for precision work, a wider, rounded section with large teeth for heavy-duty tasks, and, near the pivot, replaceable wire cutters for hard and soft wire, similar to those found on Leather- man tools. External Access (Closed Tool) When the BOA is closed, you can ac- cess seven external tools, all of which lock with a reliable liner lock and can be opened one-handed. They are all made from 440A stainless steel. Main Blade: A 73 mm sheepsfoot blade featuring a cutout hole for easy opening. dles nuts and bolts roughly 5 mm to 20 mm, regardless of metric or imperial siz- ing. It can also grip round objects with surface texture. This is the only tool on the BOA without a locking mechanism. Internal Tools (Open Tool) Opening the handles reveals the internal tools, all of which lock via a robust back lock mechanism with a large, comforta- ble release button located on the handle exterior. Bottle Opener / Small Flat-Head Screw- driver Phillips Head Screwdriver Awl / Punch ACCESSORIES