Boker "Tree Brand Classic" & Solingen made traditional knives

I got a question about durability of those absolutely awesome looking barlows in EDC routine tasks. I know that this pattern was made to be a workhorse but in some reviews I read that they (böker barlows) ment to be for small tasks and delicate work.
How do You find them? Would they make they ground with normal work?
 
CityFinn said:
I got a question about durability of those absolutely awesome looking barlows in EDC routine tasks. I know that this pattern was made to be a workhorse but in some reviews I read that they (böker barlows) ment to be for small tasks and delicate work.
How do You find them? Would they make they ground with normal work?
Click to expand...
I wouldn’t describe them as a “work knife” but they will handle anything you might do with a knife of their size. When I think of a “work knife” I think of something rugged, that fills the hand so a lot of pressure can be applied to cut something. These Barlows are not that type of knife only because of their size. This is just my opinion of course, looking forward to reading other’s opinion. 😎👍
 
CityFinn said:
I got a question about durability of those absolutely awesome looking barlows in EDC routine tasks. I know that this pattern was made to be a workhorse but in some reviews I read that they (böker barlows) ment to be for small tasks and delicate work.
How do You find them? Would they make they ground with normal work?
Click to expand...
I think size is the limiting factor with them, but they're tough little knives. I usually carry a bigger knife along with them to take care of tougher tasks but I rarely need it. I don't have a lot of tough cutting tasks in my daily routine. Usually I'm just cutting tape on boxes, cutting up cardboard, or slicing food. I wouldn't consider them to be delicate, just small. But I find them to be just about the perfect size for me.
 
Hey guys, I am looking at the copper barlows. I notice some are advertised as integrals, but the lower-cost SMKW exclusive isn't, I guess that makes sense?

Also, the sizing varies from retailer to retailer.

Basically I am confused.

Can someone give me the scoop on the variance in price and size?
 
wickettedge said:
Hey guys, I am looking at the copper barlows. I notice some are advertised as integrals, but the lower-cost SMKW exclusive isn't, I guess that makes sense?

Also, the sizing varies from retailer to retailer.

Basically I am confused.

Can someone give me the scoop on the variance in price and size?
Click to expand...
I have both the black Micarta and the store exclusive brown Micarta. I don’t have either with me today, and I can double check when I get home, but there isn’t any difference in size or construction, other than the handle color.
 
I’ve had this one for a few years and it’s kinda special to me. It was the worst F&F I’d ever seen on a Boker Barlow, and I have a bunch of them. The blade was touching the liner, wasn’t rubbing, but touching. It also had pretty bad blade play. Didn’t want to spend the money to return it so I tried to fix it myself. Fixed the blade play but still had bad centering. Fixed the centering and the blade play would come back. Fix the blade play again then the pivot pin would be proud and I’d screw up the auction…and on and on. Finally after chasing the issues round and round I got it centered, solid and good action! Put a satin finish on the bolster to hide the pin and dropped it in the pocket. 👍
1FD9E838-6C7F-4204-8E24-CD141DB2CA44.jpeg
 
bigfish64 said:
I wouldn’t describe them as a “work knife” but they will handle anything you might do with a knife of their size. When I think of a “work knife” I think of something rugged, that fills the hand so a lot of pressure can be applied to cut something. These Barlows are not that type of knife only because of their size. This is just my opinion of course, looking forward to reading other’s opinion. 😎👍
Click to expand...

pat9198 said:
I think size is the limiting factor with them, but they're tough little knives. I usually carry a bigger knife along with them to take care of tougher tasks but I rarely need it. I don't have a lot of tough cutting tasks in my daily routine. Usually I'm just cutting tape on boxes, cutting up cardboard, or slicing food. I wouldn't consider them to be delicate, just small. But I find them to be just about the perfect size for me.
Click to expand...
Thank You for Your answers. I thought it was the size matter. For me it's not a problem as I preffer knives that small :)
 
bigfish64 said:
I have both the black Micarta and the store exclusive brown Micarta. I don’t have either with me today, and I can double check when I get home, but there isn’t any difference in size or construction, other than the handle color.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I was trying to decide if the price variance was steel used or if the exclusive model didn't have the integral bolsters. Seems like these are all the size of a GEC 15, is that right?
 
wickettedge said:
Hey guys, I am looking at the copper barlows. I notice some are advertised as integrals, but the lower-cost SMKW exclusive isn't, I guess that makes sense?

Also, the sizing varies from retailer to retailer.

Basically I am confused.

Can someone give me the scoop on the variance in price and size?
Click to expand...

As Todd mentioned, same size. I noticed the differences listed for sizes when I bought mine, but the SFO is the same size as my other two. My SFO micarta appears to be integral, if it's not, they did a beautiful job building and finishing as I cannot see a seam. The SFO has a blade of O1 tool steel vs the standard production model blade of N690. Someone showed a photo of a Boker, 14 and 15, and the Boker is between the two, but more towards the 15.
original.jpg
 
OldHercDude said:
As Todd mentioned, same size. I noticed the differences listed for sizes when I bought mine, but the SFO is the same size as my other two. My SFO micarta appears to be integral, if it's not, they did a beautiful job building and finishing as I cannot see a seam. The SFO has a blade of O1 tool steel vs the standard production model blade of N690. Someone showed a photo of a Boker, 14 and 15, and the Boker is between the two, but more towards the 15.
original.jpg
Click to expand...
Good info Gordon, forgot about the different steel. 😎👍
pat9198 said:
Here you go, left to right: GEC 14, Boker, GEC 15.

View attachment 2069215

View attachment 2069217
Click to expand...
Nice size comparison. 😎👍
 
OldHercDude said:
As Todd mentioned, same size. I noticed the differences listed for sizes when I bought mine, but the SFO is the same size as my other two. My SFO micarta appears to be integral, if it's not, they did a beautiful job building and finishing as I cannot see a seam. The SFO has a blade of O1 tool steel vs the standard production model blade of N690. Someone showed a photo of a Boker, 14 and 15, and the Boker is between the two, but more towards the 15.
Click to expand...

Now that I think about it, it would be odd to make the SFO not an integral if you already have the machining set for an integral bolsters and liner.
 
bigfish64 said:
I’ve had this one for a few years and it’s kinda special to me. It was the worst F&F I’d ever seen on a Boker Barlow, and I have a bunch of them. The blade was touching the liner, wasn’t rubbing, but touching. It also had pretty bad blade play. Didn’t want to spend the money to return it so I tried to fix it myself. Fixed the blade play but still had bad centering. Fixed the centering and the blade play would come back. Fix the blade play again then the pivot pin would be proud and I’d screw up the auction…and on and on. Finally after chasing the issues round and round I got it centered, solid and good action! Put a satin finish on the bolster to hide the pin and dropped it in the pocket. 👍
View attachment 2069172
Click to expand...
Curious that yours were poorly constructed.

I have three and two had the tree medallion waaaaay off center.

Great knife, though, and I love the bog wood.
 
Can't speak for anyone else's Bog Oak, but mine has a couple small issues. Shield is slightly sunken and not flat, very minor amount of gapping between spring and liners, the blade has some play when closed but not when open, and it still has a slight gritty feel to the action. Those things are minor enough they don't bother me. Love the Bog Oak and I wish Boker would use the spear on more Barlows.
 
wickettedge said:
Now that I think about it, it would be odd to make the SFO not an integral if you already have the machining set for an integral bolsters and liner.
Click to expand...

It does make sense. I hope they release new models of the Expedition Barlow as integral with no shield.
 
OldHercDude said:
Can't speak for anyone else's Bog Oak, but mine has a couple small issues. Shield is slightly sunken and not flat, very minor amount of gapping between spring and liners, the blade has some play when closed but not when open, and it still has a slight gritty feel to the action. Those things are minor enough they don't bother me. Love the Bog Oak and I wish Boker would use the spear on more Barlows.
Click to expand...
Mine had an issue with excess blade play. I tightened that up but then had terrible action and proud pins. I set it back to original and the action came back to wonderful so I just decided to live with the blade play. It is now one of my favorite Bokers.
 
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