How good is that knife?

Z

ZIVANOVIC

Joined
Aug 27, 2019
Messages
18
Hi everyone!

Sorry for my english. I hope it's okay, that I opened a new thread.

I'm looking for a strong and durable knife as a buscraft/camping knife. Primarly for heavy work, like chopping and splitting wood, building strong shelters. So heavy batoning. I've found a knife for bargain price (80$ instead of 190$). It's called the Böker Plus Rold Black.

Some details:
  • Brand: Boker Plus
  • Blade Material: D2 Tool Steel
  • Blade Length (cm): 15.7
  • Blade Thickness (cm): 0.5
  • Overall Length (cm): 27.9
  • Blade Colour: Black
  • Handle Material: Micarta
  • Blade Finish: Black
  • Sheath: Kydex®
  • Product Weight (g): 293
For me, It's a very attractive knife. What do you think? Is it worth the 80$? Can I expect a good performance from that knife in point of batoning?

Boeker_Rold_Black_11.jpg

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It's a decent enough knife and people seem to have used it to baton with and not had a problem.
 
For the tasks you list, that knife will perform very will. For 80$ it is a very good deal.
 
My experience with Böker knives has taught me they're a bit of a gamble when it comes to their knives. 50% chance you'll get a perfect knife with perfect fit and finish which will be awesome for the price. 50% chance you'll get a badly finished knife, or a knife that's been ground by a blind monkey, which is really bad for the price.

The knife looks thick and it's in D2. I think it will baton reasonably well, through most types of woods, except really hard wood or big knots. However, IMHO, you shouldn't be batonning unless you've got no other options. My preferred combo to cover the bushcrafting bases is: small axe + lightweight folding saw + thinner fixed blade + victorinox huntsman. This particular knife would not work well in that setup. But you gotta do what works for you.

the 5mm thickness is a bit on thick side for my tastes and will impact cutting ability somewhat negatively as compared to a 3 or 4 mm blade. You will notice this when carving wood or doing foodprep or so on.

The handles look decently ergonomic and the blade shape is a tried and tested variation, so I see no issues there.

If you are set on buying a knife for the main purpose of batonning, I think this knife may pleasantly surprise you, but I'd buy it in a place where you can inspect it or with a good returns policy. Just in case you get one with issues.
 
Lodd said:
My experience with Böker knives has taught me they're a bit of a gamble when it comes to their knives. 50% chance you'll get a perfect knife with perfect fit and finish which will be awesome for the price. 50% chance you'll get a badly finished knife, or a knife that's been ground by a blind monkey, which is really bad for the price.
Click to expand...
From what I've seen, that depends on where the Boker was made. They get iffy on quality control in their Chinese made knives and seem to think those factories can/will build to a higher precision than they consistently have the ability/willingness to.
Their Solingen made knives, in my experience, are excellent. Of course you have to pay for German labor and benefits.
The D2 alone points to China, so as you say it's a coin flip.
 
Boker has 4 lines.
"Boker" is designed and made in a Boker factory.
"Boker Arbolito" is designed by Boker buy made by the Boker factory in Brazil.
"Boker Plus" is designed by Boker, but contracted out to another company to be made.
"Boker Magnum" is designed and manufactured by an outside company. Boker just markets them.

I have several Boker Plus knives. The ones that I have are well designed and well made.
 
Welcome to the forums Zivan.

There is nothing wrong with that Boker knife. D2 is a good steel and it a classic shaped knife that should serve you well.
 
knarfeng said:
Boker has 4 lines.
"Boker" is designed and made in a Boker factory.
"Boker Arbolito" is designed by Boker buy made by the Boker factory in Brazil.
"Boker Plus" is designed by Boker, but contracted out to another company to be made.
"Boker Magnum" is designed and manufactured by an outside company. Boker just markets them.

I have several Boker Plus knives. The ones that I have are well designed and well made.
Click to expand...

The Arbolito line factory is located in Argentina, not Brazil. (Source: https://www.officer.com/tactical/swat/company/10028521/boker-usa-inc )

The worst issue I ever had (very bad grind) was from a Arbolito. But at least it gave me good sharpening practice.
 
Boker isn't cheap, true. It's outrageously expensive IMO.
This "bargain" is actually a realistic price it should have.
Boker is good, but there are bigger names in the industry.
Also, under $80 you can get many other knives which will offer same performance.
 
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