Boker Brend Folder
- Thread starter ekaagan
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 20, 1999
- Messages
- 1,284
Me too.
Hopefully someone who has one could evaluate it for us. I've been contemplating about getting one for days now, coz I like the way it looks (specially the blade design, looks like a Carnivoure) although I would like to know more about the 440C blade steel that was used.
Dan
Dan
I bought one for a friend as a gift. After cleaning it up a little (lint, etc..) I was so impressed with it I'm getting another for myself.
As for the recurve blade design, that is one of Walter Brends most popular blade shapes, if not primary blade shape.
I have to say, this knife is for those of us with "paws". Big hands. It is a BIG knife!
On another note, I can't afford to give away a Walter Brend folder, so I bought the Boker version. A lot of knife for the money, I must say.
I have quite a few customs made in 440C. A lot of custom makers still use 440C. I like it. Sort of a "classical" steel. I figure, if Boker used ATS-34, or CPM-whatever, the price would have been too high to make money on the knife.
I'm still learning my digital camera, so bear with me as I try to figure it out.
ekaagan...I'm not a guru on this, but I think SOG uses 440A for most of their knives.
[This message has been edited by tobii3 (edited 03 August 1999).]
As for the recurve blade design, that is one of Walter Brends most popular blade shapes, if not primary blade shape.
I have to say, this knife is for those of us with "paws". Big hands. It is a BIG knife!
On another note, I can't afford to give away a Walter Brend folder, so I bought the Boker version. A lot of knife for the money, I must say.
I have quite a few customs made in 440C. A lot of custom makers still use 440C. I like it. Sort of a "classical" steel. I figure, if Boker used ATS-34, or CPM-whatever, the price would have been too high to make money on the knife.
I'm still learning my digital camera, so bear with me as I try to figure it out.
ekaagan...I'm not a guru on this, but I think SOG uses 440A for most of their knives.
[This message has been edited by tobii3 (edited 03 August 1999).]
- Joined
- Jul 17, 1999
- Messages
- 795
I got a Boker Brend this week, and I think I'm in love! It is big and feels good in my medium sized hands.It came sharp from the box, and a few passes on the Sharpmaker put it just the way I like it (shaving, but not delicate edge). The action is silky smooth with no grit to be found.Of course, it's a liner lock, but it compares very favorably with my Carnivour,and is much smoother from the factory.There is no "play" in any direction. Its lines are very pleasing to me, and I love the flag logo. Mine is going to get a lot of carry time starting now. Check one out and let me know what you think.I would be interested in a real professional evaluation.
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"To grow older is inevitable.To grow UP is optional."
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"To grow older is inevitable.To grow UP is optional."
440C is a widely variable steel in my experience, but quite a good one (comparable to ATS-34) when treated properly. Solingen 440C has impressed me in several knives - definitely "done right." Don't let the steel be the reason you don't buy this knife!
I am concerned by reports of poor fit-and-finish in the early models. Any owners care to go over their knives with a critical eye and report?
-Drew
I am concerned by reports of poor fit-and-finish in the early models. Any owners care to go over their knives with a critical eye and report?
-Drew
- Joined
- Jul 17, 1999
- Messages
- 795
The fit and finish on mine is the equal of any of my production knives.The blade is perfectly aligned, and the handle scales are fitted just about perfectly.All screw heads are perfect.Maybe I just got a good one, but this is a very finely made knife. Time will only tell how long it will keep an edge, but I am not hard on a knife, and sharpen them often whether they need it or not,so its not likely to be an issue with me.
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"To grow older is inevitable.To grow UP is optional."
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"To grow older is inevitable.To grow UP is optional."
- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 1,874
OK - the critical eye is on...
The first thing you notice is the heft. Nice solid feel to it. The G-10 scales have a good grippy finish to them. The Ti bolsters are angled - a nice touch. There is a noticable difference in the thickness of the scales and bolsters. There is a pretty good "step" where the bolsters and scales meet. This, combined with an extremely tight clip and the grippy G-10, can make unclipping the knife from your pocket a chore. The Boker shield is glued/epoxied into the non-clip side of the knife. The shield on my knife does not sit evenly into the scale.
The clip is a fairly standard Benchmade/Spyderco job with one major exception - there are only two screws. There appears to be room for a third screw, so I don't know why they didn't add one. The clip screws are Phillips head instead of the usual Torx. The clip is mounted high for deep pocket carry.
The dual thumb studs are very nicely done. They are big and have that William Henry Spirograph-type texture on them. These are some of the best studs on the market IMO.
The blade is centered when closed and has no side-to-side play. The back is an open design, whick IMHO is very nice. The edges where the scales and liners meet are even all the way around. However, the seams where the bolsters and liners meet are not finished well. It appears that there may be several places where these areas have been soldered, then ground down to create a seamless joint. This *may* simply be areas where they ground them without soldering, but whatever they did here created very uneven finish work. These outside seams show gaps in places and seamless appearances in others. My biggest problem is on the inside edge of the liners. All the way around the knife this edge is very sharp. I feel sure that if I slide my finger down this edge that I would get cut. I *will* be taking the dremel to these edges.
Opening the knife is a pleasure. The detent is decent. The opening/closing action is one of the smoothest I've ever felt out of a production knife. When open, there is no side-to-side blade play. There is, however, some up-and-down play. Using my fingernail, I can pull the locking liner over to the right just a little more which, when held in place, results in a good lockup. However, once I release the liner it goes back to the left leaving the vertical blade play.
I suppose that taking the knife apart and bending the liner more to the right would fix this, but I would rather not do that.
The blade itself is very nicely done. I like the design. The grind lines are all even. The satin finish is very nice. I also like the Brend logo. There is a slight recurve to the cutting edge. The edge bevels are even, but it didn't come as sharp as I would expect out of the box.
I like the new low-priced custom collaborations that the manufacturers are now producing. The CRKT Carson M-16's are extremely nice. I'm also eagerly awaiting the Outdoor Edge Magnas - Kit's Model 4 designs. A few months ago, I might have resigned myself to the fact that for the price (I paid $68 for the Boker), these shortcomings in the finishing touches were acceptable. However, having had the CRKT M16-03 for a few months has changed my thinking. The fit, finish, and execution of these Carson models are exceptional. I paid only $45 for my M16, and with the exception of the bead blasted blade finish, it far surpasses the Boker Brend in every single way. I may be disappointed in the future, but every one of these custom collaberations are going to have to at least come close to the CRKT/Carson models in the price/finish/performance categories to satisfy me. If Kit and CRKT can do it, others can too. Boker and Brend did not do it with this knife.
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Kelly
SenatorsPlace.com
AKTI Member #A000289
Deo Vindice
The first thing you notice is the heft. Nice solid feel to it. The G-10 scales have a good grippy finish to them. The Ti bolsters are angled - a nice touch. There is a noticable difference in the thickness of the scales and bolsters. There is a pretty good "step" where the bolsters and scales meet. This, combined with an extremely tight clip and the grippy G-10, can make unclipping the knife from your pocket a chore. The Boker shield is glued/epoxied into the non-clip side of the knife. The shield on my knife does not sit evenly into the scale.
The clip is a fairly standard Benchmade/Spyderco job with one major exception - there are only two screws. There appears to be room for a third screw, so I don't know why they didn't add one. The clip screws are Phillips head instead of the usual Torx. The clip is mounted high for deep pocket carry.
The dual thumb studs are very nicely done. They are big and have that William Henry Spirograph-type texture on them. These are some of the best studs on the market IMO.
The blade is centered when closed and has no side-to-side play. The back is an open design, whick IMHO is very nice. The edges where the scales and liners meet are even all the way around. However, the seams where the bolsters and liners meet are not finished well. It appears that there may be several places where these areas have been soldered, then ground down to create a seamless joint. This *may* simply be areas where they ground them without soldering, but whatever they did here created very uneven finish work. These outside seams show gaps in places and seamless appearances in others. My biggest problem is on the inside edge of the liners. All the way around the knife this edge is very sharp. I feel sure that if I slide my finger down this edge that I would get cut. I *will* be taking the dremel to these edges.
Opening the knife is a pleasure. The detent is decent. The opening/closing action is one of the smoothest I've ever felt out of a production knife. When open, there is no side-to-side blade play. There is, however, some up-and-down play. Using my fingernail, I can pull the locking liner over to the right just a little more which, when held in place, results in a good lockup. However, once I release the liner it goes back to the left leaving the vertical blade play.
The blade itself is very nicely done. I like the design. The grind lines are all even. The satin finish is very nice. I also like the Brend logo. There is a slight recurve to the cutting edge. The edge bevels are even, but it didn't come as sharp as I would expect out of the box.
I like the new low-priced custom collaborations that the manufacturers are now producing. The CRKT Carson M-16's are extremely nice. I'm also eagerly awaiting the Outdoor Edge Magnas - Kit's Model 4 designs. A few months ago, I might have resigned myself to the fact that for the price (I paid $68 for the Boker), these shortcomings in the finishing touches were acceptable. However, having had the CRKT M16-03 for a few months has changed my thinking. The fit, finish, and execution of these Carson models are exceptional. I paid only $45 for my M16, and with the exception of the bead blasted blade finish, it far surpasses the Boker Brend in every single way. I may be disappointed in the future, but every one of these custom collaberations are going to have to at least come close to the CRKT/Carson models in the price/finish/performance categories to satisfy me. If Kit and CRKT can do it, others can too. Boker and Brend did not do it with this knife.
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Kelly
SenatorsPlace.com
AKTI Member #A000289
Deo Vindice
Sennator:
You saved me a lot of work with that excellent review. I was all fired up to say the same think until I scrolled down to you. I totally agree with your comments, including those re; the CRKT M16-series ( I have 3 of those knives).
I bought my Boker Brend because I wanted a Brend design blade and that is the most affordable way to get one. My hands are large and the knife is a delight to open and close, very, very smooth. I am, however, disappointed in the fit and finish given it's a Boker. I can't understand how they let this happen.
By the way, did you know that CRKT is a few months away from releasing the smaller M16's with "flippers"?
[This message has been edited by Jumbi (edited 14 August 1999).]
You saved me a lot of work with that excellent review. I was all fired up to say the same think until I scrolled down to you. I totally agree with your comments, including those re; the CRKT M16-series ( I have 3 of those knives).
I bought my Boker Brend because I wanted a Brend design blade and that is the most affordable way to get one. My hands are large and the knife is a delight to open and close, very, very smooth. I am, however, disappointed in the fit and finish given it's a Boker. I can't understand how they let this happen.
By the way, did you know that CRKT is a few months away from releasing the smaller M16's with "flippers"?
[This message has been edited by Jumbi (edited 14 August 1999).]
I have had the advantage of having had several Boker Brends pass through my hands. My buddies all snatched them up with a frantic gleam in their eyes. I hung onto one for me and I am not letting this one get away. The blade grind is not perfect like someone with the shakes did it. Fit and finish of the scales is also less than perfect. But the action on my particular copy is super smooth and easy. The lockup is also rock solid. I don't care. The knife is worth owning, even with its faults. It is a big honkin' knife with some very classy lines to it. I suspect only people who visit these forums would notice the faults we are discussing. As for the 440C steel used on the blade, go to the Boker web site and you will see a very detailed and charted explanation including side by side test comparisons of Boker's 440C steel vs. ATS-34. Of course one can "prove" just about anything they have a mind to but Boker claims their steel holds up much better that the "other" steel. I like my Boker Brend very much, sloppy workmanship and all. As for the guys who snatched up the others I had, they are still grinning. Of course they aren't as fussy as I.
I am very glad you mentioned the Carson M-16's. I have had 5 of them go through my hands. Three were 03's and 2 were 14's. IMHO they are the best knife I have ever seen for the money. I gave two of the 03's away to best friends, as well as one of the 14's. To me the 03 spearpoint is an excellent size, not to big or bulky, yet with a decent sized highly utilitarian blade, and the quality is superb. The 14 I like but the blade is too big for utility use. It would make a decent defense weapon if it was easier to open.
To wrap this up in deference to people much more experienced than I, I find the M-16's to be startling in their quality and usefullness as well as price. I also intend to hang onto my Boker as I think the idea is superb. Now if Boker can only improve the build quality it too will be an amazing piece. I am very curious to see the cocobolo scaled Boker as it just might be built a little better. The Carson M-16's and the Boker are super bargain knives for the money, although I haven't tried the smallest M-16 as I have big hands.
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illigitimi non carborundum
SAS motto: He who dares wins.
Never bring a knife to a gunfight.
I am very glad you mentioned the Carson M-16's. I have had 5 of them go through my hands. Three were 03's and 2 were 14's. IMHO they are the best knife I have ever seen for the money. I gave two of the 03's away to best friends, as well as one of the 14's. To me the 03 spearpoint is an excellent size, not to big or bulky, yet with a decent sized highly utilitarian blade, and the quality is superb. The 14 I like but the blade is too big for utility use. It would make a decent defense weapon if it was easier to open.
To wrap this up in deference to people much more experienced than I, I find the M-16's to be startling in their quality and usefullness as well as price. I also intend to hang onto my Boker as I think the idea is superb. Now if Boker can only improve the build quality it too will be an amazing piece. I am very curious to see the cocobolo scaled Boker as it just might be built a little better. The Carson M-16's and the Boker are super bargain knives for the money, although I haven't tried the smallest M-16 as I have big hands.
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illigitimi non carborundum
SAS motto: He who dares wins.
Never bring a knife to a gunfight.
- Joined
- Nov 27, 1998
- Messages
- 2,602
As has already pointed out, topic drift is a fascinating thing. Who knows where a given thread will end up? Anyway, I'm one of the friends Foofytr is sending the gift of a CRKT M16 to. Imagine opening an email that tells you to watch for a package at your door soon. Wadda pal! Thanks Foo
I'm pleased that you guys like the M16. I'm really looking forward to it.
Thanks, fellas. That was exactly the kind of pros and cons, critical and honest stuff I wanted to hear. Something that makes this place great, because you could read a dozen magazine articles and never get that information. Sounds like this knife isn't "too good to be true" at that price, but definitely a lot of decent knife for the buck. Also, I've seen the M-16s and I agree that they flat-out change the standard of quality-per-dollar that I hold other knives to.
-Drew
-Drew
- Joined
- Jul 22, 1999
- Messages
- 187
I too love my CRKT M16-14. I don't understand why some people find them hard to open - just push the flipper, FAST, and the blade opens. I did have to back the big screw out about 1/3 turn, and lube up the bearing to get it to my liking... but I can open it very fast indeed without moving my wrist, or 'pressing down on the blade then releasing', or anything like that - just Flip. If I DO put my wrist into it, I get a very fast action with a loud SNIK sound.
It's the greatest thing since sliced toast (and before sliced toast, you had to toast a loaf at a time). The only improvement I can imagine would be a spearpoint blade on the 04 (or a flipper on the 03) ... and I can even imagine wanting a hypothetical 05, something with an open length of 10.5" or a little more, and a sharp false edge... Basically I guess I want an Applegate / Fairbairn that folds, with the flipper on it. (the Gerber doesn't count; it's tiny
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Namaste,
Jeff Paulsen