Boker knife

[PeterJ]

Was at the LGS the other day when this knife caught my eye. Was in a display of Boker knives, of which I am not familiar but it appeared to be well made and the assisted action was very smooth and seemed to be a slimmed down version of the Kershaw Leek, of which I have 6. After the clerk praised the Boker brand and stating that it was made in the U.S., I paid the $60 and took it home. Research showed it to list for $105 so it seemed like a pretty good deal. After getting home I saw, printed on the box, Made in China. So I am torn,,, take it back, or keep it. Seems to be very well made and I just really like it. What say you ?

 

[H Richard]

Boker knives are originally from Germany, and are of fine quality.

 

[glenwolde]

Boker makes some fine knives and has for a very long time. My first boyhood knife was a Boker "Tree Brand". Their best are German made, but like everybody else they had to build them cheaper to compete. I still carry a Boker everyday, though now it's an automatic. I have several others. Sometimes they have some really good deals on closeouts/discontinued knives on their company website.

I've seen dozens of Bokers, many Chinese, and never seen a bad one. It's still their steel I believe. I'm not aware that they make any knives in the U.S. Their German stuff is wonderfull.

 

[Papa Lee]

I would take it back.

 

[glenwolde]

Wait....that says Burnley. I don't think that's a Boker brand. Maybe they used his design? Does it say "Boker" on it?

 

[PeterJ]

Wait....that says Burnley. I don't think that's a Boker brand. Maybe they used his design? Does it say "Boker" on it?

Yep. Boker box and case also. I guess that Burnley was the designer.

 

[glenwolde]

Yep. Boker box and case also.

Huh. Burnley must be selling designs. Boker likes to buy up knife brands but this looks like they just bought the design. CRKT has a "Brunley" design too. Boker likes to crank out a lot of different knives. The number of offerings is sometimes bewildering.

knifecenter.com

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Speaking of Boker - Burnley’s.
Was taking a look when I saw this one.
I like it more than a Little!

 

[bearfoot]

2" Boker, made in taiwan, CLD design. EDC

 

[s&wchad]

Nice knife PeterJ! I believe that model is called the Kwaiken, which has obvious Japanese influences.

Lucas Burnley collaborated with Boker and designed some knives for them. I bought one of their large Kwaiken autos when they first came out. Automatic knives can't be imported into the US because of our ridiculous Federal switchblade laws, so Boker contracted with ProTech to manufacture them in the US. They're marketed under the Boker Plus brand. I went with the stonewashed blade and grey aluminum handle. Like all ProTech's, it's snappy and razor sharp!

 

[Patrick L]

Didn't Paul Bunyan use a Boker?

 

[diyj98]

Boker has been having a lot of their knives made in China for a number of years now I guess like Buck, they've discovered a big cost savings by going to China.

 

[Maddog 521]

Chinese stuff is like the plague. It's everywhere and they want us to buy it even though it has a good manufactures name on it, it's still Chinese.

 

[Narragansett]

I would take it back. My rule is knives and footwear USA made. Some German OK. I just have a problem with what the Chinese have done to the knife industry. Schrade going out of business in their 100th year, changed an economy in 3 counties. Just me

 

[Papa Lee]

Boker makes some fine knives and has for a very long time. My first boyhood knife was a Boker "Tree Brand". Their best are German made, but like everybody else they had to build them cheaper to compete. I still carry a Boker everyday, though now it's an automatic. I have several others. Sometimes they have some really good deals on closeouts/discontinued knives on their company website.

I've seen dozens of Bokers, many Chinese, and never seen a bad one. It's still their steel I believe. I'm not aware that they make any knives in the U.S. Their German stuff is wonderfull.

Boker made good pocketknives in the USA for a period of time in the early years of the 20th century (~1920). Tariffs were high on imports so they set up USA manufacturing of their pocketknives. The tang stamp on these old knives will read "BOKER USA".

 

[Erich]

Gotta know your marques: Boker makes knives in Germany. Boker Plus brand is their Chinese one (and some of the designs are fantastic - I use some Chad los Banos designs from Boker Plus frequently). Arbolito is their Argentine one.

It's more complicated than that thumbnail summary, but I always check what I'm buying before I do.

 

[s&wchad]

Lucas Burnley is a well respected knife maker and designer. Boker is a well respected name. I love ProTech autos!

Farming knives out is nothing new. Blackie Collins designed knives for S&W, Myerco and other manufacturers. Even Buck Knives, Henckel's, Cutco and Wusthof has products made in various countries. I'd love to be in Lucas's shoes!

 

[PeterJ]

Well,,, I looked this knife over real closely before I bought it and any other knife I have come across that was made in China always had China somewhere on the blade. Cripe,,, even Smith & Wesson has knives made in China,,, if that means anything. Since the box is the only thing that has "Made in China" on it, I have decided to keep the knife and throw the box away.

 

[Narragansett]

Well,,, I looked this knife over real closely before I bought it and any other knife I have come across that was made in China always had China somewhere on the blade. Cripe,,, even Smith & Wesson has knives made in China,,, if that means anything. Since the box is the only thing that has "Made in China" on it, I have decided to keep the knife and throw the box away.

Most S&W knives are contracted to Taylor Cutlery I believe and made in china. NRA knives are China. They go in saltwater tackle box

 

[diyj98]

Gotta know your marques: Boker makes knives in Germany. Boker Plus brand is their Chinese one (and some of the designs are fantastic - I use some Chad los Banos designs from Boker Plus frequently). Arbolito is their Argentine one.

I believe Boker Magnum is also a Chinese line. Bottom line, unless a Boker says "Solingen" on the blade, it's Chinese or someplace else besides Germany.