Boker Tree Brand Congress made in Solingen

M

mobenzowner

Joined
Oct 17, 2010
Messages
462
Found this Boker Congress in poor cosmetic shape. Thought I might go ahead and pick it up and see what improvements I could make to it. I dont know if the knife had ever actually been used, but it was obviously improperly stored and neglected. Other than some pitting on the blades it is structurally very sound. I spent about an hour on it last night with bronze wool, an old 3200 grit and 12000 grit sanding belts. Finished out the bolster and scales with a bit of metal glo.

The blades appear to me to be stainless which bums me a little as I would like to patina this one. Anyone have any ideas as to the age, blade materials etc on this knife? I know that question is a tall order without better pics of tang stamps.

I just have a couple before and after pics.

Befores:
BokerbeforeBuse.jpg

BokerbeforeCuse.jpg


Afters:
BokerafterBuse.jpg

BokerafterCuse.jpg
 
Nice work, it looks great. I really like the blade configuration.

Can't help you on the dating, sorry, but I'm sure others will have ideas.
 
I seem to think the 'stepped' bolsters are a fairly recent embellishment on these. Seem to recall seeing knives like this in some catalogs, or new online, not too many years back (maybe '90s or later). The 'Tree Brand' shield seems fairly recent also.

Very good-looking pattern, though. :thumbup:

Edit:
I'm seeing a 'sold out' Boker congress from an online vendor, in a different handle material, which otherwise looks to be the same (3-3/4" long closed, with the same stepped bolsters). The description on the vendor's site lists the steel as 'Solingen carbon steel'. I'm assuming that means it's not stainless, and that seems to fit, considering the pitting on your blades. Might try a little vinegar on one of your blades, and see if it darkens up. Should be able smell it reacting to the acid, too, if it's carbon steel.
 
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This is a 'discontinued' model (# BO70113T) listed on Knifecenter's site (BF member). It's listed as a 'Tortoise Celluloid Congress':

BO70113T.jpg
 
Yet another online vendor describes this one as a 'Boker Tree Brand 140th Anniversary 4 Blade Congress with Imitation Tortoise Shell Handle' (and also listed as 'out of stock').

Assuming it's one of these (140th Anniversary knife), that might pin it down to 2009 year of issue, based on this description from another vendor:
"Boker Knives 140th Anniversary

It's been 140 years since Heinrich Boeker started the Boker factory in Solingen, Germany in 1869. Boker wants to thank their customers and commemorate their long tradition of making knives. So each month of 2009 they have been creating one special edition collector knife.

You'll appreciate Boker's variety of materials and design in these 12 models. Each knife is serialized, shows the 140th anniversary logo, and comes with a certificate. They have strictly limited each anniversary knife to 140 pieces worldwide except for the Camp Knife which is 1,869 pieces. "
Click to expand...
 
Love those Boker Congress patterns. I had to pick up one myself, the "Carver" which has some different blade shapes than the standard 2 pen/2 sheepfoot. I took it to summer camp with me this week but with 19 Scouts I didn't any time for whittlin', never mind carving! :D Mine is definitely carbon, it's been really humid and I have some pepper spots already, and the blades had a coat of oil on them :eek:
 
Wow, thanks a lot to all of you for the great info. Obsessed - when I bought the knife I assumed the blades were carbon. It wasnt untill yesterday when I cleaned it up, alcoholed a test blade and apllied hot white vinegar that I began to think they were stainless. Nothing at all happened to that test blade. It didnt seem to change any kind of color. I will give the blade a more thorough cleaning and give the old mustard or vinegar thing another try. I didnt let it sit on it long yesterday. I think the blades with the pitting would be a better look patinaed..
Thanks again all.
 
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Obsessed with Edges said:
This is a 'discontinued' model (# BO70113T) listed on Knifecenter's site (BF member). It's listed as a 'Tortoise Celluloid Congress':

BO70113T.jpg
Click to expand...

The tang on this one is stamped exactly like the one I have as well. The sheepsfoot blade on mine(pile side) is marked Tree Brand although it is barely legible under the condition it came to me. This one probably has the same marking. Thanks for the research.
 
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