German folding knife for wife... recommendations please

[RC15]

Have you looked at the Boker Turbine? It's made in Solingen, Germany. "Normal" grey one is around $200, has rosewood insert in the handle. Blade length is 3.75 inches. On knifecenter, they have a blue version that is on sale right now for $121 (blue one has a smaller 3 inch blade and also the blue one is numbered/limited to 350 units worldwide). I have the blue turbine (called the facebook edition but dont worry it doesnt actually say it anywhere on the knife, just has the blue color). It feels good in the hand, solid and good quality. Opens easily via flicker or thumb stud. Steel is X15TN on both Turbine models which is an excellent stainless steel. Here is a pic of mine in hand. Good luck in your search!

 

[A.L.]

You'd have much better luck if you were looking for Germany made traditional knives. Plenty of choices there.
But as it has to be modern, you are pretty much stuck with Böker.
There's also Pohl Force but I think they are mostly made outside Germany.

 

[RipD]

Appreciate all the helpful replies.

A cool honorary German knife is the German Army Trekker from Victorinox.

Not a bad option. Unfortunately the one handed model only has a serrated blade. Still not a bad choice as a gift.

Have you looked at the Boker Turbine? It's made in Solingen, Germany.

This fell off my short list. That's a good option.

You'd have much better luck if you were looking for Germany made traditional knives. Plenty of choices there.

I am starting to widen my search and am considering different options. Am now looking at traditionals as well.

 

[RipD]

Have you looked at the Boker Turbine? It's made in Solingen, Germany. "Normal" grey one is around $200, has rosewood insert in the handle. Blade length is 3.75 inches. On knifecenter, they have a blue version that is on sale right now for $121

They did have. Guessing people here grabbed the last few after reading your post. I'll keep looking.

 

[Byrom Hermo]

If traditionals are on the table check out the Boker Jagdtaschenmesser Trio:



The main blade is made from 4mm stock. Very heavily built and has excellent stag as well.

Here is a comparison shot. The Boker Quadro is on the left, the Case 6445R camp or scout knife, then the Boker Trio. There's a Hubertus Camper on the far right which is also very stout for a pocket knife/automatic.

 

[RipD]

Thanks Byrom. That's a great comparison. That knife is nice. But... not sure she'll go for stag, and she probably won't use a nail nick. But I'm moving that direction. Just found a Boker single blade traditional with a thumb stud. Going down that path...

 

[RipD]

ok guys, could use some more advice. The FB Turbine came back in stock and I ordered one. The good news is that she very much likes is (surprisingly). Likes the handle, weight, balance, and blade shape. Loves the look of it.

The bad news is that the deployment on this copy is terrible. Out of the box it would not flip open for anything - way too stiff. I loosened it up a little it got better, but now it doesn't lock up as securely. The locking-in "click" we all want to hear is gone. If I loosen it up enough to deploy well it doesn't lock or does so poorly and dangerously. She could probably live it with being stiff, but than it will look nice and go unused. If I could get this work as well as a $20 Kershaw or CRKT she'd be happy.

My guess is that we're at the point where the only copies of this knife left have some issues. So what to do? The options I see are:

1. Send it back and hope to get a better copy? This seems unlikely.
2. Try to fix it myself. Could try polishing the washers and lubricating. Not sure how much this would help.
3. Send it to Boker to get it fixed.

Any advice appreciated.

 

[A.L.]

I would not try fixing it yourself, I mean, that knife isn't exactly cheap so you should get good functional knife for that money.

You could ask if the retailer could check out if there are better individuals in his stock.

Or send it to Böker.

 

[RipD]

I would not try fixing it yourself, I mean, that knife isn't exactly cheap so you should get good functional knife for that money.

You could ask if the retailer could check out if there are better individuals in his stock.

Or send it to Böker.

Thanks. None left in stock. Will send to Böker US.