Help with choosing Dad's Christmas gift

Boker makes a fine barlow as well.

If you like the GEC 48 pattern charlie's diamond jack is tops.
 
Ok. My mom sent me a photo of the old Boker. It's a stockman, maybe about 3.5 inches closed (I am waiting on a measurement from her). She says it's got black handles and "silver" blades (oh, Mom, it's not silver lol).

I definitely do NOT want a knife made in China. A lot of the Boker's I'm seeing online have Tree Brand etched on the main blade, and most of the descriptions say "Boker Tree Brand" so I'm a little nervous about being about to choose one that is definetly made in Germany. Does anyone know about the Evergreen, Beer Barrel, and Appaloosa pocket knives specifically, are they made in Germany?

I really like those slim trapper designs, especially the 48 pattern from GEC. I think I'm going to order one of those, or the Boker Evergreen slim trapper, or both, for myself! : )
 
So after doing some more research on here (the Boker part of this forum), Boker knives with item numbers beginning with 1102 or 1107, or with "Germany" on the shield that's on the handle... are made in Germany but with parts from China.

If they have "Solingen" on the shield, they are 100% from Germany, parts, assembly, everything.

The Boker Appaloosa Copperhead has an item number beginning with 1126 but doesn't say Solingen on the shield (it's only a picture of a tree, actually), so I'm not sure about this knife.
 
I just did some cleaning house a few weeks ago and come across both a Boker Tang Stamp Series Stag Copperhead (above average stag) and a Boker Special Run Stag Copperhead (kind of stag he might want to put in a display). Both are several years old and most definitely all German. Also found a Red Bone Tang Stamp Series Copperhead. All are carbon. PM if these are of interest.

Otherwise, a German made copperhead is a great knife; whether it be Bulldog, Henckels, Eye Brand, Boker, Hen & Rooster. They made really good sowbelly stockman a few years ago as well. For a farmer I would definitely stick with a stockman or trapper. And if a full trapper (4 1/8") is too big, you might find a mini trapper.

GEC has a Calf Roper (#66) or Buckaroo (#68) stockman that might fit the bill as well. Or if the 80 year old look suits you and you want a pocket friendly knife, the #85 Bullet EZ Open Linerlock might be something to think about.
 
Mike, I sent you an email. I forgot to ask if they are new or used knives though. Thanks for the assistance and input!
 
I was just taking a look at other Boker patterns besides copperheads. Looking closer at the photo my Mom sent me of the old Boker, I think I was wrong in calling it a stockman, I think it is actually a whittler... here's the photo, is it a whittler?



Besides the minor blade configuration, what's the difference? Is one inherently more thin than the other, for example? I like the length, 3.5" is probably perfect.
 
Hello LutzSpearo,

Your father might get a kick out of something completely different, a high quality, pocket sized fixed blade knife with sheath.

BarkRiverKnives.com produces one two finger called the Emergency Preparedness Knife or EPK. It is easy to carry this one in the pocket all the time. One distributor is www.DLTTrading.com.


BRK also has a couple of very light weight three finger knives, the Pocket Bravo and the Mikro Canadian.

Just a thought.

Best,
Distelfink
 

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Distelfink said:
Hello LutzSpearo,

Your father might get a kick out of something completely different, a high quality, pocket sized fixed blade knife with sheath.

BarkRiverKnives.com produces one two finger called the Emergency Preparedness Knife or EPK. It is easy to carry this one in the pocket all the time.

BRK also has a couple of very light weight three finger knives, the Pocket Bravo and the Mikro Canadian.

Just a thought.

Best,
Distelfink
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Thanks for the recommendation, I'll take a look at them.
 
I think my head is going to explode, waaaaay too many choices out there! I keep looking at all these brands and patterns and models, they all look great, but I have a million questions about them all and it's clouding my head.

I need to take a break from this and revisit it tomorrow. Christmas is still 6 weeks away.
 
That is a whittler. The only difference, which is the main difference in most patterns, is the blade configuration. Looks like a saber clip with pen and coping instead of clip with sheepsfoot and spey on most stockman.

LutzSpearo said:
Mike, I sent you an email. I forgot to ask if they are new or used knives though. Thanks for the assistance and input!
Click to expand...
Not received. Their is a contact form at my website.
 
Can't go wrong with one the GEC #48's Slightly less than 4" in length.

GEC_western_zpsc2ad9fb1.png
 
Yup that old Boker is a whittler, you can still get a Boker in a whittler pattern and if he likes that I think it would be a good choice. I really like whittler pattern knives myself. Several other companies make a whittler pattern knife. I have a Queen whittler with D2 steel blades that I like quite a bit, and GEC makes the #33 conductor whittler which may be a bit pricey but is nice as well.
Case also makes a whittler pattern knife, haven't tried one from them yet. I do have a Case medium stockman that has the pen blade in place of the spey blade and a Texas jack, either of those would make a good choice as well I think

Maybe I missed it but were you looking for something with stainless blades or carbon steel?
 
pistonsandgears said:
Yup that old Boker is a whittler, you can still get a Boker in a whittler pattern and if he likes that I think it would be a good choice. I really like whittler pattern knives myself. Several other companies make a whittler pattern knife. I have a Queen whittler with D2 steel blades that I like quite a bit, and GEC makes the #33 conductor whittler which may be a bit pricey but is nice as well.
Case also makes a whittler pattern knife, haven't tried one from them yet. I do have a Case medium stockman that has the pen blade in place of the spey blade and a Texas jack, either of those would make a good choice as well I think

Maybe I missed it but were you looking for something with stainless blades or carbon steel?
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Thanks for the suggestions. I don't think it matters on the steel. Come to think of it, he is not known for taking good care of things, so stainless might be best. And I'm afraid GEC is too nice for him to carry everyday, I want him to use it. I'm leaning towards a Boker whittler, as it's exactly what his dad had. And it keeps it easier for me, otherwise the possibilities are overwhelming! The only other one I keep coming back to is the Boker Evergreen stockman and copperhead, but I'm afraid those may be too big.

I do have my eye on a GEC or two for myself though. I like the 06 and 48 patterns, and the 66. And the... I know one thing, I'm ordering the Boker Evergreen slimline trapper for myself when I place the order for his knife! : )
 
Well I made a decision, I chose the Boker Jigged Red Bone Whittler. Beautiful knife, just like his father carried except for the color, but my Dad likes dark red so I think he'll love it. I got a great deal on it, so I also ordered him a Case XX Bermuda Green Peanut as a stocking stuffer.

I did also order a Northfield UNXLD #06 Pemberton in Autumn Gold Jigged Bone for myself, as well : )

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions, and helping me work towards this decision. I'm pretty comfortable that I made a good choice because of the guidance, so thanks for the assistance.
 
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LutzSpearo said:
Well I made a decision, I chose the Boker Jigged Red Bone Whittler. Beautiful knife, just like his father carried except for the color, but my Dad likes dark red so I think he'll love it. ... I also ordered him a Case XX Bermuda Green Peanut as a stocking stuffer.

I did also order a Northfield UNXLD #06 Pemberton in Autumn Gold Jigged Bone for myself, as well : )
Click to expand...

GREAT choices all around. :thumbup: Please be sure to let us know how Dad likes 'em.

-- Mark
 
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