Boker Plus Brad Zinker FR Flipper

abbazaba · Dec 1, 2016

When the new Boker Plus Brad Zinker FR Flipper dropped I was instantly intrigued. I liked the idea of the Urban Trapper, but found its length and flimsiness only served me as a gentleman's steak knife. This knife looked more like what I would EDC, and the same simple elegance really attracted me.

After getting burned by quality control issues with three (!) Exskeliburs and a few other Boker disappointments, I was a little hesitant. By hey, I'm hopeless when it comes to knives so I took delivery of one anyway.

It was a beauty right out of the box, small light knife with great ergos and a nice wide blade that seemed to hide inside the handle very well. Rounded spine, great finish on the blade. However, the flipping action was gritty and tight, refusing to deploy all the way despite being on bearings. The lock stick was also unbelievable. After the usual attempt at cleaning and "working it out", I decided it was time to investigate.

It was instantly apparent that the screws that held the scales on were too long and were rubbing the blade tang right at the pivot. Loosening the scale screw helped, but it still feels like the action was permanently affected. This is really too bad, because this knife is otherwise wonderful IMO, but another example of poor quality control. Perhaps the all Ti version without scales will be perfect.

Misanthropia · Dec 1, 2016

abbazaba said:
When the new Boker Plus Brad Zinker FR Flipper dropped I was instantly intrigued. I liked the idea of the Urban Trapper, but found its length and flimsiness only served me as a gentleman's steak knife. This knife looked more like what I would EDC, and the same simple elegance really attracted me.

After getting burned by quality control issues with three (!) Exskeliburs and a few other Boker disappointments, I was a little hesitant. By hey, I'm hopeless when it comes to knives so I took delivery of one anyway.

It was a beauty right out of the box, small light knife with great ergos and a nice wide blade that seemed to hide inside the handle very well. Rounded spine, great finish on the blade. However, the flipping action was gritty and tight, refusing to deploy all the way despite being on bearings. The lock stick was also unbelievable. After the usual attempt at cleaning and "working it out", I decided it was time to investigate.

It was instantly apparent that the screws that held the scales on were too long and were rubbing the blade tang right at the pivot. Loosening the scale screw helped, but it still feels like the action was permanently affected. This is really too bad, because this knife is otherwise wonderful IMO, but another example of poor quality control. Perhaps the all Ti version without scales will be perfect.

Boker really kills me when they team up with great custom makers but execute the stuff (most of the time) terribly. I got an Urban Trapper Grand recently that developed lock slip in a day, although the replacement seems solid (though I haven't touched it much out of some fear that it may happen again). I watched a YouTube review of the FR and the reviewer was similarly unimpressed with the quality.

As usual, it seems like rolling the dice with Boker, even though some models seem to be consistently pretty good (the Kwaiken series, the F3's, the new Burnley Kihon).

WilliamCody · Dec 1, 2016

Besides Böker and Boker Tree Brand I stay away from Boker. Those 2 divisions are the only remaining Boker brands made in Solingen Germany. Everything else (inculing Boker Plus) is made in China (predominately) and that leads to the poor construction, oversized screws, fit and finish, etc...

Just say no to Chineese knives.

Hackenslash · Dec 1, 2016

Thanks for the observations. This is really disappointing. I've looked at the Boker FR with Cocobolo scales several times and almost bought it. It seems to be a near perfect Office EDC for me and the wood handles adds a touch on sheeple-friendly class.

It's too bad that the knife didn't deliver. Maybe Brad Zinker will work on a collab with Kizer next...

abbazaba · Dec 1, 2016

Hackenslash said:
Thanks for the observations. This is really disappointing. I've looked at the Boker FR with Cocobolo scales several times and almost bought it. It seems to be a near perfect Office EDC for me and the wood handles adds a touch on sheeple-friendly class.

It's too bad that the knife didn't deliver. Maybe Brad Zinker will work on a collab with Kizer next...

I should have mentioned that mine was the Cocobolo version (it is gorgeous), and posted some glamour shots. I had the same thought about office EDC... Something about wood helps (Benchmade 484-1601 in pocket today).

Kizer is killing it right now with the smoothest flippers and an attention to detail lacking in most production knives. I'm kinda addicted to Kizer's Laconico knives... The Ursa Minor has seen more pocket time than most new knives and I finally broke down and ordered the Mini Intrepid (as well as a Ursa Minor clip for it). I'll post a family pick of the whole family when they are united.

Glenn056 · Dec 1, 2016

WilliamCody said:
Besides Böker and Boker Tree Brand I stay away from Boker. Those 2 divisions are the only remaining Boker brands made in Solingen Germany. Everything else (inculing Boker Plus) is made in China (predominately) and that leads to the poor construction, oversized screws, fit and finish, etc...

Just say no to Chineese knives.

Even to Reate, Kizer, Rike etc?

Sent from the BatComputer

miso2 · Dec 1, 2016

I am not sure if this is on the topic. But I have had the same experience with Boker Plus. I got two Boker Exskeliber I Ti, one of which was near perfect, the other not so. The better one was still far from the level of Spyderco knives. I have to say that they are otherwise great knives, and the grind is fantastic.

Miso

brancron · Dec 1, 2016

abbazaba said:
However, the flipping action was gritty and tight, refusing to deploy all the way despite being on bearings. The lock stick was also unbelievable. .

I ordered a cocobolo one the day it became available on Blade HQ. The action on mine was just fine, but the lock stick was too much for me to bear, so I returned it. (I have tried the Sharpie trick, and the graphite trick, and have even used electrician's anti-oxidant compound, but for certain levels of lock stick, nothing really works.)

It's a shame, because I really liked everything else about the knife, especially the design. Makes me miss my custom Zinker, which I sold a while back:

mugwump867 · Dec 1, 2016

I've been eyeing that Ti FR since they came out but can't justify that price for a Boker knife. On paper it sure seems like the perfect EDC for me but I'll hold off.

Seneca18 · Dec 2, 2016

I gave up on the Plus line (minus the new USA made Patriots) really a shame. I have never had an issue with any of my many Solingen made Bokers though, every single one has been perfect. The last Plus line I got was a Subcom decade edition that I had to exchange due to QC issues.

popedandy · Dec 2, 2016

I have never had any problems with my Boker Plus knives.

BTGuy · Dec 2, 2016

I picked up one of the cocobolo models and was, at first, similarly unimpressed. The flipping is okay up until the detent ball on the lock bar falls off the blade. That last little bit of the opening action is very gritty as the lock bar rubs on the blade. Still opened reliably with just a quick push on the flipper tab. The lock did stick quite a bit the first few days, to the point that the "ting" sound of the lockbar unsticking when closing was almost as loud as the sound when flipping open the blade. The sticking has settled some after flipping hundreds of times over the last couple weeks. Only other gripe would be the poor sharpening job on the blade itself. It did come very sharp (in fact, sharper than most other knives I've received), but one side was ground up into the choil a bit.

I did my usual tear down of the knife and things looked fairly good on the overall fit and finish of the parts. I guessed I lucked-out on getting one assembled properly from what others are saying. No issues with improper length screws or anything like that. The cocobolo scales were cut out very well, fitting over the blade pivot nicely and even having a nice notch for lock bar travel. Bearings are okay and are recessed into the blade making for a very thin knife, especially with the scales taken off. Decent detent, a little on the lighter side maybe, but just enough to keep the blade shut and provide good flipping action. No blade play at all when opened. I also like how the screw heads are flush with the scales on the pocket clip. Makes it slide in and out of the pocket very easily. I cleaned out a little gunk in the bearings, oiled it up, and it opens super smooth now. Still feeling that little grinding from the lockbar touching the blade after detent ball rolls off, but only noticeable if I open the blade slowly with my other hand.

Very nice knife! I can certainly tell that quality in manufacturing is not a big concern based on the things I've noticed with mine. Can't say I'd be confident getting another one, but I'm very happy with the one I have now.

abbazaba · Dec 2, 2016

The overly long screw I had trouble with is between the bearing and the lock bar in the photo below (after I backed out flush).

Boker Plus Brad Zinker FR Flipper

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