Boker or, the “Tree Brand” has been making knives since the 17th century in Solingen Germany. Soligen is of course one of the world’s most famous knife cities, and the Boker brand is steeped in this cutlery capital’s rich history. Originally Boker made sabers to fuel various war efforts. Today of course Boker is well known for their tactical, EDC and kitchen knives… although they do still make some inexpensive swords (always wanted to do a sword review…).
Boker Knife Reviews:
Boker Plus Kalashnikov AK-74 Automatic Knife Review
My recent review of the Microtech Stitch ignited my interest in automatic knives. I think it’s easy to see why. The Stitch is a beautiful and unique knife. It is also a $400 knife. That’s a significant chunk of change. I wanted to check out a more affordable segment of the market.
Boker Patriot Review
Last Updated: August 30, 2019 The Boker Patriot started with a great premise. A lightweight, affordable utility knife made in the USA with a 154CM blade. Who can argue with that? I for one was excited about the Patriot. Buy the Boker Patriot at BladeHQ But for whatever reason it hasn’t gotten a ton of traction. I ...
Boker Plus Tech-Tool Review
When I visited Smoky Mountain Knifeworks over the Thanksgiving holiday, one of my favorite parts of the store was the Boker booth. With a lot of production knife companies I already either handled most of their product line, or have a good feel for what their product line is like. Boker is a company I ...
Boker Plus Urban Trapper Review
If you have been following knife trends at all, you will know there is big interest in both titanium framelock flippers and traditional folding knives. So it shouldn’t take a rocket scientist to come up with the idea of combining these two trends, but they have really been viewed as two mutually exclusive phenomena. That ...
Boker Kwaiken Flipper Review
Last Updated: January 10, 20198 Back when the original Boker Kwaiken came onto the scene I was pretty excited. Modeled after knifemaker Lucas Burnley’s custom offering, this sleek design looked too cool to resist. That is, until, reviews started to pour in. People stated that the knife was difficult to open and the tip of the ...
Boker Plus 01BO188 Titan Drop Review
Last Updated: August 11, 2019 Have you ever bought a knife while drinking? I’m not sure if this is a common thing or not, but I was putting back a few beers one night while recording yet another morally suspect episode of GearGeeksLive when I decided to pick up this Boker Titan. Buy the Boker Plus ...
Boker Pipsqueak Review
Last Updated: September 17, 2019 The Boker Pipsqueak is a “little big knife” designed by Neil Blackwood of Blackwood Custom Knives and manufactured by Boker in Solingen, Germany. As an urbanite who primarily carries a knife for utility purposes, I have grown quite fond of smaller EDC blades. In fact, I am perfectly alright with toting ...
Boker Plus Vox BOB Review
Last Updated: August 11, 2019 Designed by Jesper Voxnæs of Vox Knives, the Boker Plus Vox BOB is an interesting blend of chunky fixed blade and simple Scandinavian design. Mr. Voxnaes has done a number of collaborations with Boker, perhaps most notably his small Gnome neck knife, but this was my first hands-on experience with some ...
Boker Plus S2 Review
Last Updated: August 30, 2019 I’ve been drooling over Sniper Bladeworks custom knives for a long time now. For the uninitiated, Sniper Bladeworks is the brainchild of Lance Abernathy and Jody Muller. Jody handles fabrication and Lance comes up with the designs. The result has been a number of award winning tactical knife designs and superbly ...
Boker SubCom Review
Last Updated: September 16, 2019 Boker has recently done some great collaborations with custom knife makers (like the previously reviewed Boker Eskelibur). The Boker SubCom is another collaborative effort, this time with designer Chad Los Banos. A native of Hawaii, Chad has done a lot of really cool collaborations with production knife companies and ...
Boker Plus Exskelibur I (01BO001) Review
Last Updated: August 11, 2019 Every now and then I see a knife that I absolutely have to own. Now, believe it or not, my collection of knives is small in comparison to the size (and value) of many knife collectors, so I like to think I exercise some “restraint” in my purchases. This might have ...
More on Boker
The Boker logo originates from a chestnut tree growing outside their facility in Remscheid, Germany. The story goes this tree lived by the building for over 100 years before being struck by lightening. A local artist turned the tree into a piece of art that now stays in the office of the Boker president.
It’s interesting because Boker actually split into two separate companies very early on giving us Boker USA and Boker Germany. Boker USA never actually made anything, they just imported the German knives and started created a long and profitable relationship between the two companies. The various members of the Boker family also moved the company into Canada, Mexico and South America. It’s interesting to see how a company like Boker was progressive enough to understand the importance of a global market so long ago and it’s no surprise to me that they are still in business today.
However, it wasn’t always easy for Boker. During WW2 Boker’s Solingen factory burned completely to the ground with all the tools and paperwork inside it. Amazingly the business put the factory together after the war and resumed production.
Boker today is still very much a global brand. Their central and south American businesses are still vitally important to the firm. Boker also produces a line of knives in Asia, the Boker Plus series, which has proven to be exceptionally popular in the US and abroad. There are a lot of nice small to medium sized blades in the collection. The Boker plus line is characterized as high value offerings that don’t sacrifice quality. My experience with the line would hold that is true and I like how the steels and materials they use are slightly better than most “value” priced knives.
What I especially enjoy about the Boker Plus line is the great collaborations Boker has done with custom knifemakers and designers. Notable people to collaborate with Boker are high end custom maker Jens Anso and Hawaiian designer Chad Los Banos. Boker has really been pushing the envelope with their “Plus” line and I look forward to seeing what is on the horizon and of course, reviewing more of their knives.
I have a boker plus 9855 440c and to be very frank … Its junk ! A sorry poor excuse for a quality knife and a disgrace to even bear the name Boker.
Please explain why it is “junk.” All my old timers are inherited Schrades, so i cant compare. All my Bokers though, preform beyond expectation. I have a Karambit in my pocket right now that I ground an Emerson wave into and have abused cutting outlet holes in drywall, opening boxes and slicing mail for 6+ years without sharpening the Ti coated blade and only added a little locktite to the hinge. If you want to sway someone with a review please explain why. I was not a fanboy until they mailed me parts to fix a old ass knife, with 0% proof of even knowing I owned it, knowing I hadn’t registered my warranty.
The Böker Plus knives I have, a Stockman and a Trapper, say “440C Blades” on the packaging.
The tang stamps on both knives say “440A”.
I sent an email to Böker USA asking about this discrepancy on December 2, 2017. As of December 30, 2017, they have not responded.
False advertising?
Fraud?
I’ve heard that Böker USA’s Customer Service and Warranty Service is horrible. I cannot speak for their Warranty Service, but their Customer Service is definitely sub par, which leads me to believe any warranty service will be as well.
While the two knives I have are (so far) O.K., I doubt I will ever buy another Böker knife, based on their customer service.
Either this is BS or you just need to call in. Jan got back to me in less than an hour today and made my repair issue on a 6+ year old knife right in less than a minute. Be nice and reach out, spend a few more seconds contacting a company than you did typing this. Boker is a quality company and will make it right. Please take the crap you read with a grain of salt as happy people are using their knives more than writing reviews
I own several Boker knives, I can skin 2 pigs before I have to sharpen the hunting knife I use. However, I recently bought a Stockman’s knife and it appears to be of good quality, but, the thumbnail opening slits are rounded rather than square and it makes opening almost impossible!
Just got off the phone with Jan, amazed I waited a month to do this. A 30 second call and the replacement part I need is in the mail. Do not hesitate with Boker, I’ve had the same knife from them for 6 years and lost my paperwork. I dropped my knife and damaged a hinge nut. If the problem was with their knife, they WILL fix it. I recommend these guys to everyone. Hand on heart Emerson isn’t getting a dime for what Boker has done 10x better.
I just recently bought a new Boker tree brand classic red smooth bone handle stockman with the 4034 German carbon stainless steel blade made in Solingen Germany i had one for about 8 years and carried it all the time before it got lost. So I just went and replaced it September 2018 and have been carrying it all the time since and I really like it very well and can’t wait to keep using it. The only time it will not be with me is when I go in the woods to hunt cause at $75.00 I don’t want to lose it I’ll just carry one of my Gerber knives that would be cheaper to replace.
what else are you planning on losing out in the woods? you’re not supposed to just lose them any time you find yourself near trees???
“…cause at $75.00 I don’t want to lose it I’ll just carry one of my Gerber knives that would be cheaper to replace.”
It really depends on what Gerber knives you’re talking about. I paid hundreds for some of their best knives 40 years ago…
I am just trying to get a replacement screw for a knife here in the usa and the customer service is horrible! Will never buy a Boker knife again.
For replacement screws, I would take a look at some of the companies that serve independent knife makers. That probably would be the easiest way to find a new part.
I bought a boker repo M3 trench knife, blade Chinese hilt Germany. Whole thing just so so, blade has machine marks and finish looks like it was sprayed on creosote. $100 knife no better than other repos costing half as much. Boker should be ashamed to put their name on it.
After buying a handful of Boker-branded knives, I’m starting to develop some thoughts on this:
– The Boker Tree Brand knives are excellent. Workmanship is excellent, as is the choice of materials. They’re pricey, but you won’t be disappointed.
– The Boker Plus knives made in Taiwan are OK. They seem very nice until you hold a Boker Tree Brand.
– The Boker Magnum knives are a bit below the Taiwan-made knives. Fit and finish are average, at best. I received one knife that still had wood chips in the lanyard hole.
I think that the non-German knives can be hit or miss. I love the Kalashnokov Damascus, even though it’s blade arrived surprisingly not sharp.
As well, I have two Boker Gents (I and II). On both, the pivot screws were not even close to being tightened. And the blades on both (again) were not sharp.
On the other hand, all three knives sold for less than $80 each.
I have a Boker Plus bowie made in 2014. It has a heavy 3/8 thick 440C blade and a great field craft knife. Only complaint I have is they only made it one year.
I also have a 1989 single blade lockback 4034 with a 1/4 thick 440C blade. I won’t use this knife because it was only made one year. The knife is beautiful. I have many other Boker knives no complaints.
I have a Boker Plus Escrima fixed blade and it is held securely in its kydex sheath even upside down. Amazing balance and just a great design. Works wonderfully as a pig poker with its nice wide double edged blade able to dispatch a hog with the quickness keeping me and my dogs safe. 440c blade holds an edge quite well having been heat treated by the professionals at Boker. Solid brand making solid knives for a very long time, buy with confidence.
Read the warranty information at Boker before you buy a Boker automatic. The website warranty warning says “WARRANTY is not valid on NON-USA Manufactured automatic Knives, or any other altered products. All non-USA manufactured automatic knives shipped here will be immediately destroyed.”
In other words, since Boker doesn’t manufacture anything in the U.S. their automatic knives (Kalashnakov, Plus, Strike, et al) are sold AS IS, with NO WARRANTY.
I sent my Boker intention knife off to be repaired under warranty as the safety switch wasn’t working properly but I was told the screws looked worn and tampered with so it wasn’t going to be covered by the warranty. However, Boker made it right when they sent me back my knife they also sent me a replacement knife. This company has gained my respect and makes a great product I highly recommend them.