Boker Congress question

S

SD33T

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Apr 26, 2015
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Hi everyone. This is my first post to the site and I think I have a simple question, but I’ll give you a little (or a lot) of background first.

For years I’ve had an old pocket knife knocking around my workbench in the basement. I vaguely recall it winding up in my possession after my grandfather died a decade ago. No story behind it, just an old pocket knife we found in a desk drawer. I would use it from time to time when I didn’t have my regular knife on me, and every time I was impressed with how sharp it was, and how it had never seemed to dull.

So last week I was up late at night making wooden whistles out a ¾” square poplar as a whittling project for my son’s Cub Scout den. I decided to make an extra, and then whittle it to use as an example of what it could look like when they are done. I was too lazy to trudge up two flights of stairs to my bedroom to fetch my “good” knife out of my nightstand, so I grabbed this old knife and dug in. I shaves wood SO much better than any other knife I have. I keep all of my knives sharp, but this one seems so much sharper. My son really enjoys whittling, so I bought him a decent Victoronox knife when he earned his whittling chip. It doesn’t come even close to cutting as well as this tarnished old blade. Neither my old Victoronox nor my Leatherman are any better or worse than my son’s knife. I’ve also let him buy a couple of other decent, small, locking, single blade knives, and they are just the same. I started thinking maybe I’m buying the wrong type of knife and I need to search for something specific to whittling.

The next morning I google for reviews of whittling knives, and I quickly zero in on the Boker Congress. It’s a nice looking knife, lots of great feedback for whittling, and not outrageously priced. Then I started wondering who made the old knife on my workbench. That evening I pop open the blade and notice for the first time a little tree stamped on the tang. I’ll be darned! I start digging around and as best I can tell it was made in Germany between 1924 and 1935. If this knife is still solid 80-90 years later, I’m willing to spend a little more on a purpose built knife for the task.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8797126@N04/17259057876/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8797126@N04/17259056176/

So now I come to my question. I’d like to get the Boker Congress for my son for his birthday. There are two seemingly identical knives listed on the Boker website, but one is almost twice the price of the other. I can’t figure out what the difference is between the two. Neither is a “plus” or a “magnum”, so both should be made in Germany. Can anyone here enlighten me on what I’m missing?

$85:
https://www.boker.de/us/pocket-knife/boker/classic-pocket-knife/115465.html

$44:
https://www.boker.de/us/pocket-knife/boker/classic-pocket-knife/110721.html

Thanks in advance for the help!
 
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First off, welcome to the forum!

The more expensive "carver's congress" is made in Solingen, Germany with carbon steel. I would recommend this one.
The less expensive congress is made with components manufactured in China, and partially assembled in Germany. And it has stainless steel blades. Not necessarily a bad knife, but judging by your appreciation for the carbon steel in your old Boker, I don't think you would like it as much.
 
I figured I was going to want the more expensive one. Thanks for the quick post!

Also, I tried to post pictures of my old knife, but I must be doing it wrong. Switched to links instead. Hope everyone can see them.
 
A few of the folks have noticed that "country of origin" is sometimes difficult to tell on the current generation of Bokers.

I believe the current rule of thumb is that if the blade is marked "Germany", it is manufactured in Germany from parts made elsewhere. If it says "Solingen" it is made in Germany from parts made in Germany. The ones made completely in Germany are more expensive.

I also note that the more expensive one has blade shapes spec'ed out by a master carver. The blade alloy is carbon steel, which can rust if not cared for, but is very easy to sharpen to a very fine edge.

The less expensive one has stainless blades and says "Germany".
 
And Rachel types faster.
 
That old Boker is a treasure. Especially because it belonged to your grandfather. How wonderful to make something for your son using his great grandfather's knife!

And because pictures are fun, here's a picture:

 
the bone IMO has China written all over it.I would love anyone forever who could prove otherwise.
On a happier note I really like those whistles .They are cool.
 
That old Böker is a grand knife! Tip bolsters and Equal End frame make it different from the current Böker Congress, more svelte in my view and that bar shield plus what could be stag? Very decent, such a knife would get a lot of appreciation here so thank you for sharing it.

Regards, Will
 
Thanks everyone for the advice both here and in the visitor messages and e-mails I received. This is the most welcoming forum I've ever posted in. All of your feedback has been much appreciated!
 
That old one is fantastic! The small bolsters and nail file blade just reek prewar. So many of those knives have no blades left.

I find it interesting that the Boker carver's model has a spey blade (with the curve in the blade toward the tip). We have frequent discussions here about the utility, if any, of the spey blade now that 90%+ of us have no need to defenestrate animals.

I mentioned once that the extreme belly of the spey makes it kind of handy whittling for "scooping" out sections of wood. Seems like someone agrees with me. It is definitely not a typical choice for a congress pattern.
 
MarkPinTx said:
That old one is fantastic! The small bolsters and nail file blade just reek prewar. So many of those knives have no blades left.

I find it interesting that the Boker carver's model has a spey blade (with the curve in the blade toward the tip). We have frequent discussions here about the utility, if any, of the spey blade now that 90%+ of us have no need to defenestrate animals.

I mentioned once that the extreme belly of the spey makes it kind of handy whittling for "scooping" out sections of wood. Seems like someone agrees with me. It is definitely not a typical choice for a congress pattern.
Click to expand...


"defenestrate" is to throw someone out of a window. Very mean thing to do to livestock, but you don't need a knife for it. :D
 
I mentioned once that the extreme belly of the spey makes it kind of handy whittling for "scooping" out sections of wood. Seems like someone agrees with me. It is definitely not a typical choice for a congress pattern.[/QUOTE]

I have to agree. I have found the spey blade design on the carvers congress to be extremely useful. You will find it perfect for creating concave surfaces, basically digging holes. I also use the to which is a bit flat as somewhat of a chisel. I keep the coping blade as my all-purpose/general use blade. I use it the least. My last congress that was not the case and used the coping quite a bit. I think the reason is the large sheepsfoot blade which I find extremely useful and is on both knives in one form or another. Also, on the carver's congress the sheepsfoot blades do stick out a bit when closed...might be the case on both. the carver's can be had much much cheaper..somewhere in the mid to upper 50s. I'm assuming the other could also be found lower also...sems a good knife. I don't know about the origin of the parts. Should serve you well though...with the extra sheepsfoot.

You might want to note that the link to the cheaper blade also states carbon steel. I know the carver's
 
IMG_2467copy_zps13bad068.jpg


I think you'll be very happy with the Carver's Congress quality, steel and blade selection, which was designed by a champion wood carver. I'm beyond pleased with mine. :D
 
the prewar craftsmanship of the old one you own would be hard to find nowadays (check the old knives sticky thread for similar). In general the carbon steel of the slipjoints is harder than victorinox, who do run their steel quite soft.
 
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