FS Boker Apollo 17 Commemorative Auto Convert LNIB

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robotech

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Here's one for the books.
This is a Boker Apollo 17 Commemorative. It is based on the Boker Top Lock frame. Button lock.
These were released in 1997. All were manual release. The SN # is 416.
The blade is 2 3/4" and is 420 Stainless made in Solingen Germany. It is the same steel and shape as the Boker that was carried by the Astronauts who went to the moon in 1969. The blades were special made to those original specs, and no more can be made.
I originally purchased two of these a few years ago, NIB.
One, I have since gifted it to my Son-In-Law. His # is 048.
I kept this one in the safe.
Last year, I got an urge to convert this to Auto.
I had to buy the tiny carbide bits to drill the sprue hole in the blade. Extremely hard blade. Broke three bits to drill ONE tiny hole!
The coils spring recess was already milled as these frames were very popular to be converted.
It has a Stainless coil spring and the blade fires HARD! Better be holding firmly when you push that button!
So, I cannot sell this as new, but once I converted it, I put it back in the box and locked it away. It has NEVER been carried or sharpened.
You can still find a few of these fairly reasonable. $80-90.00. But you can't find one converted to auto!
It comes with the Display box and COA.
I will take SOLD shipping to lower 48 and PayPal fees included.

View attachment 232826

Disclaimer. I WILL check to see if your state laws prohibit delivery of an Auto Knife before agreeing to the sale. If I can't ship it to you, and you know it, don't even ask. You MUST know your State Laws about Auto knives as even if I can ship it to you, you may NOT be able to take it out of your house! That is YOUR responsibility. You MUST be 18 to buy any blade from me, and this is no exception.
 
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I have just had a discussion with a prospective buyer.
It ended when they said that 420 is crap steel.
Well, it isn't Spyderco's S30V.
However, in 1969, NASA approved the Boker Top Lock to be the go to knife for the Astronauts that went to the Moon. If 420 was crap steel, would NASA have approved it as the emergency choice?
No. And here's why.
As any knowledgeable steel guy knows, a steel is only as good as it's heat treatment process and the content. 420 SS done right is better than S30V done wrong.
The steel in the above knife was done right by the same company in Solingen Germany as produced the original NASA approved blades. And the blades for this Commemorative were a one shot deal. No more is ever going to be made.
And to prove my point, is anybody here willing to say that Buck Knives has used crap steel in their 110's and 112's since the early 70's?
You know what steel they use?
420HC. `nuff said.
 
Hey robotech,

I'll take it for $95. I think it is pretty neat and I have no problem with 420 steel. PM sent.

Thanks, Roger
 
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