- Joined
- Oct 3, 2012
- Messages
- 63
I recently acquired a Boker Magnum Smooth Operator aty local knife shop after looking for a more appropriate weekend carry knife. I was initially impressed by the fit and finish and the price of the knife, milled g10 scales for less than $20.
The knife itself is a linerlock. The lockbar is scalloped for better thumb grip when closing. There is also some jimping on the back of the blade. The g10 is rounded and has a pocket milled out for the clip, the knife is very comfortable because of this as well as the ergonomic design. There is a small forward finger choil similar to what spyderco likes to use, but the edge of the blade goes all the way to the choil so be careful.
It opens with thumbstuds, which are on both sides normally but I put a screw in to make it easier to get into and out of a pocket. The detent on mine is a little strong, but I handled another one in the store and I felt the detent on that one was weak, so there are going to be some variances from knife to knife. The lockup is nice and feels like a higher priced knife. It does come with nylon washer, which I changed out to phosphor bronze, but the original ones were not bad.
The blade steel is listed as 440 stainless, which means that I assumed the worst but it has not disappointed me so far. I re-profiled the edge to 15 degrees per side and stropped it to shaving sharp with ease, and I have used it for light stuff all week and it has held that edge. The steel did feel a little on the hard side for such an affordable knife when I was re-profiling it.
So far, this knife does not feel like it should be a Magnum, it seems like it should be in Bokers plus line.
The knife itself is a linerlock. The lockbar is scalloped for better thumb grip when closing. There is also some jimping on the back of the blade. The g10 is rounded and has a pocket milled out for the clip, the knife is very comfortable because of this as well as the ergonomic design. There is a small forward finger choil similar to what spyderco likes to use, but the edge of the blade goes all the way to the choil so be careful.
It opens with thumbstuds, which are on both sides normally but I put a screw in to make it easier to get into and out of a pocket. The detent on mine is a little strong, but I handled another one in the store and I felt the detent on that one was weak, so there are going to be some variances from knife to knife. The lockup is nice and feels like a higher priced knife. It does come with nylon washer, which I changed out to phosphor bronze, but the original ones were not bad.
The blade steel is listed as 440 stainless, which means that I assumed the worst but it has not disappointed me so far. I re-profiled the edge to 15 degrees per side and stropped it to shaving sharp with ease, and I have used it for light stuff all week and it has held that edge. The steel did feel a little on the hard side for such an affordable knife when I was re-profiling it.
So far, this knife does not feel like it should be a Magnum, it seems like it should be in Bokers plus line.
