Case vs. Boker...??

MikeyJ

MikeyJ

Joined
Apr 30, 2010
Messages
1,499
I have a long passionate history with all things sharp and pointy, but have never gotten into traditional folders until recently. I've lurked here in this subforum a little here and there, but this would be my first post.

I've decided that I'm going to pull the trigger on a Trapper pattern, and have narrowed down my first to be either the Case XX Amber Bone CV, or the Boker Tree Brand Appaloosa. They're both similarly priced, both companies have a long standing tradition of quality, and both are very attractive knives.

So my question for you fine folks is... Do any of you have a preference for one over the other? I know Case is made in the good ole' U.S. of A, and that carries a lot of weight with me, but I know that German made steel is also good quality.

Just looking for a little advise from those who know better than I...
 
Bob, thanks for the links to your reviews! I appreciate that. More than likely, I'll end up with both anyway, and then I can just decide for myself which one I like better!! :D

Bob W said:
In my experience, Boker puts out a consistently good product while Case can be hit-or-miss. I also prefer the 'pure' carbon steel of Boker over the Case CV.

My Accumulation contains plenty of both though.

Purchase reviews:
Case: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/725901-Recent-Case-knife-purchases
Boker: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/709097-New-Boker-traditionals.-Huge-Thumbs-Up.
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MikeyJ said:
Bob, thanks for the links to your reviews! I appreciate that. More than likely, I'll end up with both anyway, and then I can just decide for myself which one I like better!! :D
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A very good idea.

More recently than those Grenadil folders, I've purchased Boker slipjoints from the Beer Barrel and Brown Washboard Bone series. Each has been excellent.
 
Don't know if you saw it already, but this topic includes some close-up pictures of some recent Case knives and compare them to a Northwoods. These are peanut pattern knives instead of trappers, but I'm not thrilled with what I see in the Case.

Unless you're set on carbon steel or CV, you should also investigate the current Canal Street Cutlery trappers. I don't have one, but they are beautiful.
 
I guess you have looked at all the options, but in the nice 4 1/8" standard spey/skinner set up there's also the lovely Queen in D2 and amber bone and the Moore Makers to look over.

Going German, I'd take another peep at the Eye version (in bone or stag), and note that on a well-known site there is a ravishingly beautiful Fight'n Rooster specimen in white bone/carbon available. Just one :)

GEC make several nice ones, but their all on an even-ender frame.

How did you get to the choice between the Case and the Boker?
 
MikeyJ said:
I have a long passionate history with all things sharp and pointy, but have never gotten into traditional folders until recently. I've lurked here in this subforum a little here and there, but this would be my first post.
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First of all, welcome aboard! Pull up an orange crate and hang out awhile. Might be a good idea to hide your wallet, though. ;)

MikeyJ said:
I've decided that I'm going to pull the trigger on a Trapper pattern, and have narrowed down my first to be either the Case XX Amber Bone CV, or the Boker Tree Brand Appaloosa.
Click to expand...

I had a bone-handled Boker trapper that I liked a great deal, but didn't love. I traded it for a Case yellow cv trapper that I like a great deal, but don't really love. They're both well made knives with a great grade of carbon steel. If I were do to it all over, however, I'd probably save up a few extra pennies and go with something from Great Eastern. Specifically, I like the looks of their Tidioute Trapper (GEC ID: GEML488210CS) with bone handles. Like the Bokers and Cases, these come in carbon steel, but they're a bit smaller at 3 7/8" instead of 4 1/8". You can find these for less than $80.

They're all find knives, though. U.S.A. or Germany -- I don't think you can go wrong.

One way or the other, let us know what you chose and how it worked out for you.

-- Mark
 
Boker knives generally have a lighter pull than Case knives, I love German knives. but for a first traditional I say go Case all the way. The "Case Trapper" is a true icon in pocketknives.
 
I buy basic slipjoints at gun and knife shows. I've found several case over the years that have come home, but never found a boker whose fit and finish warranted a place in my pocket. Although I've found many patterns I've liked. Boker's quality level can really vary and it's hard to tell what's a "premium" knife sometimes...can't always tell by price. They also move their production to whatever country offers the best wages. They pulled out of the US and have cut back on production in Argentina and moved work from taiwan to china. If you buy Boker, I'd suggest stick to the german product it's usually their better knives.
 
Thanks to everyone for their thoughtful responses! There seems to be a number of choices available beyond the two that I have chosen. Case and Boker have made it to my top two simply because of the name recognition. I'll admit that I'm not familiar with some of the other brands, ie: Queen, GEC, Canal Street, etc.

But you all have given me plenty of food for thought! If I like the Trapper pattern as much as I think I will, there will be plenty added to my collection. Then of course I will have to pursue Stockman's, Copperheads, Whittlers, etc... :)
 
I have both carbon steel Boker trappers and Case trappers in cv. In my experience the Case holds a better edge tho the Boker is no slouch. The Boker has carbon steel back springs which I like while the Case back springs are stainless. The Boker is a little thinner but they both feel good in the hand. The spey on my boker has more belly than the Case.
I really like them both and don't believe you can go wrong with either.
Jim
 
I have to say I had an Amber Bone Case Trapper that was perfect. It was an amazing knife. I would recommend one easily. But do stay away from stockman knives if you like your wallet being full. Just a word of advice.
 
MikeyJ said:
Thanks to everyone for their thoughtful responses! There seems to be a number of choices available beyond the two that I have chosen. Case and Boker have made it to my top two simply because of the name recognition. I'll admit that I'm not familiar with some of the other brands, ie: Queen, GEC, Canal Street, etc.

But you all have given me plenty of food for thought! If I like the Trapper pattern as much as I think I will, there will be plenty added to my collection. Then of course I will have to pursue Stockman's, Copperheads, Whittlers, etc... :)
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And so it begins.. There have already been responses to the two choices you listed, but I'll throw another at you just to fuel the fire.
U.S Schrade trapper... The old Schrades have great 1095 steel and take a wicked edge. Their trappers are a little different in size (3 7/8 inch IIRC). They fall betweeen a mini trapper and full size trapper. With a little searchin, they can still be found for a very reasonable price.
 
Boker and Case make some great knives! In my very honest opinion USA and German made knives are the best you can get.
 
Two of my most used and carried pocket knives were Bokers. They got bumped by an older Hen & Rooster, but I still have both. For a long time Boker offered more choices in carbon steel than Case. Lately Case has upped the ante of CV blades. Both Case and Boker are very good users. I've only had one GEC and quickly traded it. The fit and finish were great but the springs were so stiff it tore my nail twice.

Frank
 
MikeyJ said:
I have a long passionate history with all things sharp and pointy, but have never gotten into traditional folders until recently. I've lurked here in this subforum a little here and there, but this would be my first post.

I've decided that I'm going to pull the trigger on a Trapper pattern, and have narrowed down my first to be either the Case XX Amber Bone CV, or the Boker Tree Brand Appaloosa. They're both similarly priced, both companies have a long standing tradition of quality, and both are very attractive knives.

So my question for you fine folks is... Do any of you have a preference for one over the other? I know Case is made in the good ole' U.S. of A, and that carries a lot of weight with me, but I know that German made steel is also good quality.

Just looking for a little advise from those who know better than I...
Click to expand...
Personally I prefer the German made knife in this case. I have collected knives for 48 years now and Boker Tree Brand is at the top of the chart as far as quality, price for the quality you recieve, (thier warranty is one of the best in the industry) design, function, and one of the smoothest operating (opening, closing, locking etc)knives I've ever had the pleasure of owning. Thier knives take a great edge and hold it well. Now Case XX knives have a spot in my collection as well, and they are one of the best American made knife companies in America. The thing I find with Case is thier inconsistencies I have purchased 5 Case knives of the same style from the same distributor for gifts and of the 5, one was completely unexceptable, one had a blue that felt slightly loose and the remainder could compete against any knife in the world.
I to love to buy American made products but in this case I chose the Boker made in Soligen Germany. The Boker brand has knives made in different countries China, USA, and Argentina. Believe it or not the Argentine made knives rank 2nd in my opinion with the Chinese and American made Boker products tied for last, I'm not impressed with either of them.
Hope that helps
Choose what feels good to you and enjoy your knife.
Roger D.
 
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