- Joined
- Sep 7, 2006
- Messages
- 6,199
I have recently become intrigued with slipjoints, largely because of the new direction that they are moving in, with more modern materials and steel options.
So I decided to try some out... there are many places to start but my first port of call was to get the many talented South African makers to make me something. Easier said than done! But progress has been made in that area.... hint: more on that later.
As you know, custom knives take some time to make, so in the meantime I found something which caught my eye: the Boker Prime series. After looking at a few, I decided on the Prime EDC, which is a straightforward Barlow style in canvas micarta. There are two options: one in black micarta with SS hardware and N690 and one in green micarta with O-1 steel and brass hardware. Both looked good to me so to avoid choosing I bought both.
So I'm no expert but I think these are pretty cool... they are very cute to start with! Small at 3,5 inches closed, with a 3 inch blade that has a 2,5 inch cutting edge. Spring strength is very positive with a strong half stop and a resounding snap when closing.
I definitely favour the O-1 version because its got a cool acid-washed blade. Plus, its O-1 so you know that sucker is going to BE sharp and be a snap to GET sharper... and so it was. Plus green canvas micarta with brass hardware is a killer combo to my eyes. The N690 version wasn't that sharp out the box but with some work on the Sharp Edge it came up eventually. Fit and finish on both are excellent although the edge on the stainless one could've been better out the box.
I would say these are a great value at around $100 (if you get them from the right dealer, hint: they're in Finland) and I think a great starter, for a kid especially. If someone had given me one for my birthday at 13 or 14 I would've been tickled to death. There are also quite a few variations of these little Boker slippies if you want to 'collect 'em all'.
They come in a nice box with a fancy Boker zipper pouch that's way too much for the knife, I suspect its a generic one but it certainly does the job.
I hope these pics load!
So I decided to try some out... there are many places to start but my first port of call was to get the many talented South African makers to make me something. Easier said than done! But progress has been made in that area.... hint: more on that later.
As you know, custom knives take some time to make, so in the meantime I found something which caught my eye: the Boker Prime series. After looking at a few, I decided on the Prime EDC, which is a straightforward Barlow style in canvas micarta. There are two options: one in black micarta with SS hardware and N690 and one in green micarta with O-1 steel and brass hardware. Both looked good to me so to avoid choosing I bought both.
So I'm no expert but I think these are pretty cool... they are very cute to start with! Small at 3,5 inches closed, with a 3 inch blade that has a 2,5 inch cutting edge. Spring strength is very positive with a strong half stop and a resounding snap when closing.
I definitely favour the O-1 version because its got a cool acid-washed blade. Plus, its O-1 so you know that sucker is going to BE sharp and be a snap to GET sharper... and so it was. Plus green canvas micarta with brass hardware is a killer combo to my eyes. The N690 version wasn't that sharp out the box but with some work on the Sharp Edge it came up eventually. Fit and finish on both are excellent although the edge on the stainless one could've been better out the box.
I would say these are a great value at around $100 (if you get them from the right dealer, hint: they're in Finland) and I think a great starter, for a kid especially. If someone had given me one for my birthday at 13 or 14 I would've been tickled to death. There are also quite a few variations of these little Boker slippies if you want to 'collect 'em all'.
They come in a nice box with a fancy Boker zipper pouch that's way too much for the knife, I suspect its a generic one but it certainly does the job.
I hope these pics load!
