Affordable Boker Slippy Brief review.

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nickadolin

Joined
Feb 19, 2012
Messages
39
I'll start off with saying I'm a hawkbill/pruner fan. Besides slicing I don't feel like there is a cutting job the hawkbill can't do, even if the knife is on the dull side. I own several of this pattern, 2 by Case, 1 GEC, and now one Boker Plus 01BO207, Brown Jigged Bone in 440c.

Initial Impressions;

This is a handsome knife that looks much more expensive than the $15ish paid for it. The box it comes in is basic but so is the price. Obviously this is an imported knife but I get the impression that you all realize that imported knives can offer a lot of value, I appreciate the non-snooty atmosphere here. I digress. The pins are all flush, the shield looks nice with a brushed finish. The blade doesn't have a half stop, but does have a very smooth action. I'd rate the pull at a 4-5 with "ok to good" walk and talk. The spring could stand to be stronger and is the biggest con of the knife, I don't have as much confidence in the backspring as I do the GEC or Case versions. It definitely doesn't snap like my 10 Dot Case Hawkbill but is adequate and I've received weaker from Case in other patterns (I have a brand new Muskrat that one blade has no snap at all). Overall fit and finish for me seems to fall above RR but below Case/Buck. The 440C blade came out with below average sharpness but a few pulls through a cheap sharpener brought a working sharpness to it. Ultimately I bought this as a "work" knife. I work in food and often end up with salt and such in my pockets for some reason. Plus, if I lose it/beat it up I can replace it for under a $20 spot.

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At that price point I may have to play with a hawk bill for the first time. Thanks for the post, and review. :thumbsup:
 
Nice review and pics. I recently bought my first Boker Plus knife. I wanted a white knife and didn't want to spend a lot of money. I would say it's a fine Canoe for the $15 that I paid for it. This one also has 440C blades. Hope you don't mind if I add a pic or two.

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The finish looks nice, a lot better than some Case and Queen knives that I have gotten before! 440C is actually pretty good steel if the HT is well done, not bad for $15!
 
Thanks for the review, nickadolin. :thumbsup::cool::thumbsup: (Unfortunately, none of your photos show up for me. I just see the dreaded photobucket speedometer icon. :mad:)

That Böker Plus canoe looks good, Rick. :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:

- GT
 
As the traditional slipjoint companies in the US & European nations fade away (because of more modern knife trends & product pricing no longer being competitive), it seems that decent quality imports from China may actually be throwing a temporary lifeline to these types of knives. The new knife trends were bound to push the traditional out of favor... And, the traditional imports coming in from China, and such, have also been nails in the western made traditional slipjoint.
How weird that China, being part of the reason for the popularity demise of the western made slipjoint (because of price), may now actually be slowing down the demise of the factory made slipjoint (and again, because of price). There are simply less and less folks willing to pay $40, $70, or $100+ for a slipjoint that is made in the USA. But, for $10 to $25, a foreign made slipjoint may hold on for quite a bit longer.
 
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PocketKnifeJimmy said:
As the traditional slipjoint companies in the US & European nations fade away (because of more modern knife trends & product pricing no longer being competitive), it seems that decent quality imports from China may actually be throwing a temporary lifeline to these types of knives. The new knife trends were bound to push the traditional out of favor... And, the traditional imports coming in from China, and such, have also been nails in the western made traditional slipjoint.
How weird that China, being part of the reason for the popularity demise of the western made slipjoint (because of price), may now actually be slowing down the demise of the factory made slipjoint (and again, because of price). There are simply less and less folks willing to pay $40, $70, or $100+ for a slipjoint that is made in the USA. But, for $10 to $25, a foreign made slipjoint may hold on for quite a bit longer.
Click to expand...
Demand for traditional pocket knives made in Europe and the USA may remain stable putting aside collectors. There seems to be a trend of people in search of quality and 'authenticity' when it comes to purchasing certain products. The days when most people carried a knife are gone, but people do still carry and use knives. I expect most current manufacturers of traditionals will stick around for a while yet. I can't refer to any numbers, and can only point to the continued existence of the producers we have as proof of demand for traditional slipjoints. Quality may never go out of style completely.
Michael
 
PocketKnifeJimmy said:
The new knife trends were bound to push the traditional out of favor... And, the traditional imports coming in from China, and such, have also been nails in the western made traditional slipjoint.
Click to expand...
I dunno, but I have seen the opposite in my area. People tend to get interested in cutlery with the newer trendy stuff, but most folks that carry on a daily basis down my way favor the slippies when they require more discretion. I guess this is perhaps more age and job related. I would also wager that the demand for traditionals in general has risen, based on numbers sold. Granted these are mostly made overseas, but most folks that carry a knife own several (if not quite a few!).

I recall the first fellow who knew what he was about when it came to knives used to chuckle at our fancy made in Japan lock backs, saying "Well I reckon that fancy knife of yours makes my knife (a plain carbon steel stockman) obsolete!"

I smile whenever someone new starts carrying traditional, and think "Well, I reckon it didn't...."
 
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