Boker Beer Barrel

[Wheat_]

I'm thinking about getting a Beer Barrel Congress, can anyone tell me their experiences of the beer barrel knives and how they hold up over time/how their fit and finish was out of the box?

 

[r8shell]

The ones I have are very well made. As good as any Solingen made Boker.

The "beer barrel" wood is not stabilized or polished, though. I'm hesitant to use these on anything wet or smelly, since I suspect it might absorb.

 

[JohnDF]

Really good looking knives.

 

[christusvictor]

I only had the whittler, and I returned it. It is the only knife that has ever given me a wood splinter. I once got a metal splinter from a Schatt and Morgan whittler though

 

[r8shell]

Really good looking knives.

Thanks!

I only had the whittler, and I returned it. It is the only knife that has ever given me a wood splinter. I once got a metal splinter from a Schatt and Morgan whittler though

Ouch! That's a shame, because they are otherwise fine knives, mechanically speaking. I've been tempted to sand and wax one of mine, just to see if it makes a difference.

 

[Scott J.]

Thanks!

Ouch! That's a shame, because they are otherwise fine knives, mechanically speaking. I've been tempted to sand and wax one of mine, just to see if it makes a difference.

Not a bad idea.
Why not use polyurethane instead if wax?

 

[r8shell]

Not a bad idea.
Why not use polyurethane instead if wax?

I'm not sure. I haven't worked with that stuff. Will it make the wood shiny and plastic feeling? I want the wood to still feel like wood.

 

[Scott J.]

I'm not sure. I haven't worked with that stuff. Will it make the wood shiny and plastic feeling? I want the wood to still feel like wood.

Good point, you'd probably looses a bit of the feel , but maybe not all of it. I was thinking like a thin coat or two of satin finish min wax poly.

 

[cudgee]

Thanks!

Ouch! That's a shame, because they are otherwise fine knives, mechanically speaking. I've been tempted to sand and wax one of mine, just to see if it makes a difference.

What you could do is, if you have some old wood lying around or scrounge some with a similar rough surface, use it for practice. Try sanding it with a 400-600 grit sandpaper, just to smooth out any really rough edges, then apply some tru-oil, rub it right in, let it sit for about 15 minutes, then wipe of any excess, and let it cure for 1 week. See how it turns out, the tru-oil should seal the wood, and if it is too shiny, buff it back with some 0000 stell wool. I have been experimenting on different woods to fill in time in lockdown, it's amazing what you learn and achieve. The tru-oil will seal the wood, but 1 coat does not change the appearance all that much. Just a suggestion, but you could just sand some old wood and see what you think.

 

[Ernie1980]

I have one of the Congress versions, it is a great knife! Nice fit and finish and the blades hold an edge well. The wood is nice, but I did sand mine a bit and added a layer of wax to make it feel more finished.