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Boker Apparo: Newton Martin Designed Hollow Handle Survival Knife

Discussion in 'Knife Reviews & Testing' started by B Griffin, Feb 22, 2013.

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  1. Feb 23, 2013 #21
    thedemonbeast

    thedemonbeast

    357
    May 8, 2011
    This will probably be the next knife that I buy, except to get the longer blasde, I will probably just have Newt Martin handmake me one. I just got a handmade big extremely high quality Rambo 3 style survival knife (Rambo 3 knife look, except it has the Rambo Missions type serrations) at an amazing price from Ebay. this beast has a 5/16ths inch thick blade made of 1095 high carbon steel and is 12 inches long and almsot 3 inches wide at widest part. Blade is straight as an arrow and came with a beautiful handmade leather sheath! If I told everyone what I won this massive beast of a knife on Ebay for, they'd probably either call me a liar, that I didn't win it for the price I say, or that I didn't win it at all, LOL! So I will just leave the price talk alone. but lets just say that the Seller of it is Extremely Pissed that, for one, his new employee got this knife listing mixed up with anoither much lower end one( got the prices mixed up) and also is extremely pissed that even with the listing error made by his employee, is made because they feel they still should of gotten several hundred dollars bid on the knife!

    And my wife just bought me a SWEET TOPS Knives Condor Alert aka CA99 knife for my Birthday/ Wedding Anniversary present! Plus, I got a handmade high quality First Blood movie knife for Christmas that cost $850! That knife is badass just like in the movie. Super thick D2 steel blade and guard, and 440C steel heavier handle and endcap! made my an exceptional knifemaker, and no, it's not the normal knife makers that make the First Blood tribute knives. This knife maker is much more superior than those typical tribute makers. And not at all taking away from their skill. But what I mean is that the guy that made my FB knife has about 45 yerars of knife making under his belt. And he also used to work with the late great Jimmy Lile. I will not say anymore! But, awesome pics my friend. iw as wondering how the Boker Plus Apparo knife held up in comparison to the Newt Martim handmade version. Definitely not like a cheapo United Cutlery First Blood knife-handmade First Blood knife comparison! Again, great job and if I didn't just get my brand new TOPS Condor Alert knife, I would be buying that Boker Plus Apparo knife right away, and will be doing so anyway in a few months!
     
  2. Feb 23, 2013 #22
    gundy

    gundy

    4,835
    Apr 6, 2001
    Excellent review MW. Thanks for your time and effort....great photography!
     
  3. Feb 23, 2013 #23
    jimh0220

    jimh0220

    3,010
    Apr 15, 2008
    Very Cool review. I love the knife, but I wondered if it was as good as described. Looks to be. Thanks!
     
  4. Feb 23, 2013 #24
    JD Mandrell

    JD Mandrell

    18,423
    Apr 20, 2001
    Yep, I am officially saving up for this one. I'll admit, it's probably bigger than I'd ever carry much, but it's as close as I've seen on my budget, to the Randall #18/Jimmy Lile "First Blood" knife as I'll get, while being a good quality. It may be the overgrown kid in me, but I have always had a craving for one since the movie, I've just never been able to buy any of the many "First Blood" licensed copies, because they all felt like junk.
     
  5. Feb 24, 2013 #25
    trentu

    trentu

    1,120
    Mar 2, 2006
    I got one when they first came out. Love it! They are the toughest hollow handles out there besides the Schrade models for the money. I battoned so much wood with it that I rubbed through the cord handle. Going to KG Guncoat it. Actually like the knurled handle better. Will get another one once I save up some cash. I cut my compass into the end cap with the lathe. Left me more room in the handle for stuff. Thanks for posting such a cool review!
     
  6. Feb 24, 2013 #26
    B Griffin

    B Griffin Gold Member Gold Member

    18,541
    Dec 22, 2007
    The width works well with the thickness of the blade. It bites deep when chopping.


    Thanks man, I'm glad you liked it! I know the feeling, I've been staring at them off and on for about four years.


    I'm sure it will seem bulky to some, but it doesn't get in my way. It's not the first double-guard knife I've carried in the bush, not even the largest, so I am used to working with big guards.


    I've spent a lot of time staring at the Lile knives on the website, I really like the Vietnam commemorative model, and the new generation of the first blood knife a lot. I have had the chance to handle Newt's knives on a few occasions at Blade and have really liked how they felt. Now that I have had a chance to put his system to the test in the field I have been talking to him about available options in something with a shorter blade.


    Thanks man, glad you enjoyed it. It's a rather complex design so I wanted to use enough pics to illustrate how I used it, and how well it did.


    Thanks man. Me too. Some of my experiences with not so cheaply priced, but very cheaply made hollow handles from the 80s had left me with reservations about hollow handled knives with joined handles. I am glad some people can still make them functional. I also like Newt's saw design better than some others so now one made by Newt is definitely next in line.



    Yep, it's not exactly small that's for sure. But a much better value for the money than some imports I gave over $100.00 for almost 30 years ago. So with the price point on this one I am extremely happy with it. I really want a Martin original at this point :)


    Thanks man, glad you enjoyed the post. I'm also glad I'm not the only one who has seen how tough the knife is. This system of handle attachment has really impressed me so far. I am wanting to put a compass in the handle of this one too to save space.
     
  7. Feb 24, 2013 #27
    caine

    caine

    3,901
    Nov 9, 2003
    I am so getting one of these. I have the 9 1/2 custom one on order
     
  8. Feb 25, 2013 #28
    B Griffin

    B Griffin Gold Member Gold Member

    18,541
    Dec 22, 2007
    Cool, looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it. I know how much you like the hollow handles too. I thought about it a lot, and then put in a request for thoughts on something with a 6 inch blade for when I head back into the southern swamps. From the pictures I've seen of his concept for it, I am extremely stoked.
     
  9. Feb 25, 2013 #29
    Tenbeers

    Tenbeers Gold Member Gold Member

    1,960
    Dec 6, 1998
    Hello MistWalker!
    Great review as usual.
    One question I have is about the inside bottom of the hollow handle where the tang joins.
    Does it look like epoxy? The old Buckmaster looked like that so I am curious.
    Thanks!
     
  10. Feb 26, 2013 #30
    B Griffin

    B Griffin Gold Member Gold Member

    18,541
    Dec 22, 2007
    Hello Tenbeers!

    It's been a while. Thank you, glad you liked it. Yes, it definitely looks and feels like epoxy.
     
  11. Feb 27, 2013 #31
    Dorito Monk

    Dorito Monk

    3,654
    Nov 17, 2008
    Friggin' great review. I was looking forward to seeing someone actually use one of these - I'm not usually a fan of big knives, or hollow-handled knives, but this design really caught my eye.

    How has the sheath held up?
     
  12. Feb 27, 2013 #32
    B Griffin

    B Griffin Gold Member Gold Member

    18,541
    Dec 22, 2007
    Thanks man, I'm glad you enjoyed the review. I like hollow handles, but have had issues with some in the past. I'm really liking this one so far.

    The sheath is holding up fine so far. Though it's only had about 60 to 80 hours of belt time so far, I don't see any signs of fatigue or stress yet. I am ordering a spec ops sheath for it anyway, since the knife will live out it's life in a temperate rain forest and see a lot of time in high humidity and wet environments.
     
  13. Mar 8, 2013 #33
    B Griffin

    B Griffin Gold Member Gold Member

    18,541
    Dec 22, 2007
    Just an update on the sheath. It has been on my belt daily since it has alternated between the Apparo, and a similar but smaller Martin prototype. It has been wet in creeks and has been bounced around a lot climbing over rocks and is still holding up just fine. I do have a couple of the new multi-cam Spec Ops sheaths coming soon for both of them, but just thought I'd throw out there that the sheath is has been carried quite a bit lately and even with the weight of these knives, it is so far doing just fine.
     
  14. Mar 8, 2013 #34
    Tenbeers

    Tenbeers Gold Member Gold Member

    1,960
    Dec 6, 1998
    Let us know how it fits the Spec-Ops sheath.
    Pics please when you get it.
     
  15. Mar 8, 2013 #35
    Maddogg774

    Maddogg774

    1,944
    Sep 19, 2011
    Great review. I've been impressed with Boker's 440.
     
  16. Mar 9, 2013 #36
    B Griffin

    B Griffin Gold Member Gold Member

    18,541
    Dec 22, 2007
    The Spec Ops sheath fits it like it was made for it size wise. Initially it's a bit tight but I can fix that with boiling water if I want. I'm going to leave it alone for a bit and check it out as is though because I like that there is no rattling.

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    Thanks you. So far I have been too. I am more familiar with their D2 and the N690CO, but the 440 is doing really well.
     
  17. Mar 9, 2013 #37
    Tenbeers

    Tenbeers Gold Member Gold Member

    1,960
    Dec 6, 1998
    Thanks for the pics!
    Any trouble keeping that handle wrap secure?

    Tell us more about the smaller piece in the photos.
     
  18. Mar 9, 2013 #38
    B Griffin

    B Griffin Gold Member Gold Member

    18,541
    Dec 22, 2007
    No problem. The wrap on the Boker tries to roll off the handle during really hard chopping, but nothing some McNett wrap would solve.

    It's a Martin prototype. I'll say more about it later. Right now trying to take advantage of the peace and quiet and catch up on some work while the wife and her clone are gone for the day :)
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2013
  19. Mar 10, 2013 #39
    trentu

    trentu

    1,120
    Mar 2, 2006
    The little prototype is giving me goose bumps! Why do you tempt us so? :)
     
  20. Mar 11, 2013 #40
    B Griffin

    B Griffin Gold Member Gold Member

    18,541
    Dec 22, 2007
    Yeah, it had that affect on me too :) . Eh, you know me man...it's just my nature :D
     
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