Boker Urban Trapper Brad Zinker Flipper

Just got mine in, my first Boker knife. I see this is one of those rare instances where you can get VG-10 in a non-Japanese made knife. The 'subtle' flipper takes some getting used to but this is one of my favorite production knives and certainly my favorite under $100.
 
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What a nifty design? Its like a trapper, crkt m16 with a little kwaiken flipper knob all in one package!
 
Sonnemann said:
Just got mine in, my first Boker knife. I see this is one of those rare instances where you can get VG-10 in a non-Japanese made knife. The 'subtle' flipper takes some getting used to but this is one of my favorite production knifes and certainly my favorite under $100.
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I call it the nail flipper. Seems to work best just to use your finger nail to flip it.
 
I hated to send mine back, but I just couldn't get the thing to open properly! Beautiful knife, though.
 
This looks like another instance of Boker hitting the nail right on the head. I recently had to get rid of most of my knives to help out a sick family member and that included my Federal. Been looking for something to replace it for a fun flipper and this looks like just the ticket. Definitely my next purchase.
 
Picked one up today at a local shop. Great knife and also my first Boker. Titanium, VG10, and after a light stropping it'll whittle hair. The flipper is a little tough at first, but it gets easier after a few flips. Great knife, $80 price tag was just a bonus! Also, may need a drop of oil on the pivot screw. Just a heads up.

matuhebu.jpg


Next to a dragonfly for reference.
 
After a few weeks with this clipped to my pocket, just wanted to give a few thoughts.

The slim profile and light weight are amazing. I am almost exclusively interested in traditional knives but the thin blade and shorter blade profile (literally like a traditional trapper) are huge advantages in carry and actual cutting. The blade on this came LASER sharp, love the VG-10. The framelock has broken in to about 65%. There is no lateral play but a little vertical wiggle on closer examination. Not something that bothers me.

What has bothered me is that darned flipper. I was ok at first using my fingernail but it really only works for me when you get the angle just right; otherwise you're going to end up with split fingernails. I can't get it to work reliably with a fingertip unless I'm using a lot of wrist force either. My eventual solution is the same that you'll see a lot of bikers apply to a Buck 110...namely, the clamp-on 'kwik' thumbstud:

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This really turns the knife into a different animal, and the fact that Brad Zinker makes his real slim Ti knives with flippers as well as thumbstuds makes me feel better. With the stud the little wicked blade comes flying out with hardly any effort. I think with the added thumbstud this becomes one of my favorite carry knives and I'm looking into saving up for an actual BZ custom as a result.

Here's a video. I managed to work the flipper at first, but note that you can do a Spyderco-style middle finger flick with the added thumbstud as well.

[video]http://smg.photobucket.com/user/sonnemann/media/IMG_2828_zpscf6db116.mp4.html[/video]
 
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I've been carrying one for a few weeks. It needs a bit of tuning out of the box.

I found that after a bit of lube and a little reduction in lockbar tension, it flips easily with just about any technique I use.

I personally think it could use a nail nick for more subtle opening.
 
Guess what, you have to be REALLY careful if you want to take this apart to clean or lube it. If I had sneezed, coughed, or looked sideways I never would have found all of these miniscule loose bearings. Even then it took a loupe, magnetized fine tweezers, and an hour of my time to get it all back together. I probably should have known better...either way, highly recommend against it!

74A3CEF1-1A2B-4B53-8605-40DACF86B35B_zpsgtzyznlx.jpg
 
Sonnemann said:
Guess what, you have to be REALLY careful if you want to take this apart to clean or lube it. If I had sneezed, coughed, or looked sideways I never would have found all of these miniscule loose bearings. Even then it took a loupe, magnetized fine tweezers, and an hour of my time to get it all back together. I probably should have known better...either way, highly recommend against it!

74A3CEF1-1A2B-4B53-8605-40DACF86B35B_zpsgtzyznlx.jpg
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Probably have to use the ikbs assembly method. Grease the races and then use the grease to hold the bearings in place for assembly.
 
I got the chance to speak to Brad at the Blade show and he said that Boker used one of his knives with a smaller flipper than he normally uses and that he understands the problem with the tiny nail nick.
Being one who never likes an I solved problem, I think I have a good fix that still keeps the knife's great aesthetics. Ground two indents/grooves that allow better access to the nick and corresponding blade grooves to function as gimping when open.




My iPhone did not wanna focus that close but hope ya get the idea... Also roughed the curve of the flipper to allow better traction. Can try to take higher res photos if someone needs them but main idea was to create a dip which allowed better depth/traction on the flipper. (And keep from looking bootleg!)
 
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Nothing much to add but I just recieved this nkive and I really like it. So bumping this up for more people to see.

Very nice EDC. Decent very stainless steel (VG-10)
Ultralight weight (1.7 oz, 48g )and useful blade length (3 3/7 Inch, 87 mm)
The drilled holes in the handle not only look nice but also add some traction.

Flipper works without problem for me.
Even the goofy lookking clip does not look quite as goofy as on the pictures (due to the slimmness of the handle)

Obviously this is not a hard use knive but for EDC it will do just fine. Papers and packages, food preparation makes the bulk of my pocket knive tasks.
No knive wirks well as a crowbar or screwdriver ;-)

In short highly recommened. Check it out
 
KnifeCenter has a sale on their exclusive version of the Urban Trapper with a black blade. Here's the link:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1221835

Ordinarily this would be a knife that would be right up my alley. But the itty-bitty flipper just doesn't do it for me. A slightly more substantial flipper such as the one used on the CRKT Eros coupled with a strong detent for reliable opening probably would have done the trick. But the design of the UT flipper seems to be geared more toward aesthetics than functionality. In addition, I'm a guitar player and I can't afford to split a nail trying to get the UT to open. So as much as I'd like to buy a UT, I'm afraid I'll have to pass.
 
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Mine flips open without problem and without using a fingernail. Just oiled the bearings and adjusted the pivot a little. Just got a ZT 0562CF that flips incredibly well and this Boker can't be as good as that but it is still Damn good. I Still carry the Urban Trapper more than any other Knife.
 
Active-Shooter said:
Mine flips open without problem and without using a fingernail. Just oiled the bearings and adjusted the pivot a little. Just got a ZT 0562CF that flips incredibly well and this Boker can't be as good as that but it is still Damn good. I Still carry the Urban Trapper more than any other Knife.
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Ditto on that. It takes a small amount of adjustment, but it's a great knife. All I did was reduce the lockbar tension a smidgen and add a drop of oil.
 
Been waiting for these to get back in stock! Almost went with the KC exclusive, but I really like the mirror polish and the visual appeal as you see it through the handle. VG10 + titanium + IKBS + custom collaboration for around $80....this should be good :thumbup:
 
Because everyone loves pictures...Loving it so far! Carries extremely well, lightweight with a nice blade length. F&F is well done on mine, no adjustments needed.
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