Question about a few boker plus knives

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ocnLogan

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Jul 31, 2011
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I'm looking for two different types of knives, and have a few ideas about which knives I want for each style and use.

I'm looking for a EDC for the office. Something that won't scare any of my bosses (I work IT, and occasionally do something like open a package, wrap some cords in zip-ties and then cut off the excess, etc). For this useage, I've kind of narrowed it down to about three knives. Boker Plus Elegance G10, Boker plus Exskelimoor II, and the A G Russel 3in Carbon fiber lockback. Now, I generally prefer knives with clips, so I'm leaning towards the bokers. My question for all of you boker-ites (or at least boker owners), is if anyone has experience with either of these blades, and which one they would choose if they were in my circumstance.

Right now I'm thinking I really like the William Henry-esq look of the G10 Elegance, but the cutting edge seems to be quite a bit smaller than I would like (2in?).

The Exskelimoor II seems to look great, but the knife seems a bit larger than what I was looking for (2.5-2.75in ideally, and thin and light). I know the weight is ok, but it looks a bit thick, and I've heard its harder to open than the larger version.

The other Boker knife I am looking at is for more "casual" EDC use. I like the look of the trance (kinda "tactical" looking to me, but not too bad), I like how thin and light it is, and the blade length. The other knives I am considering for the same use are the CRKT Drifter, and the Kershaw Skyline or Zing. Once again, does anyone have experience with the trance that they would like to share?

Thanks for the help.
 
I had a Trance that I recently gifted to my Dad, who really likes it and carries it every day. I liked the Trance a lot too, but I have a lot of knives and it made a nice gift so...

More specifically, the Trance seems like one of the best values out there. Price is very reasonable for the quality of the knife, which is excellent. Mine had perfect early lockup, centered blade, excellent sharpness out of the box, and a great blade grind. The knife is an excellent cutter with a thin edge. You can use the flipper to open, or flick the knife open with the thumbstud. Generally though, I prefer to do a 'boring' 'regular' slow open with the thumbstud rather than flicking. The handle shape is very secure with the flipper as a guard in the open position, and can be gripping various ways comfortably. The blade is the right shape and size to be useful for most daily tasks. The clip works perfectly and is positioned at the end of the handle and offers tip-up carry (which I prefer) or tip-down.

So, I think the Trance is a great knife!

I don't know anything about the other knives you mentioned, though.
 
Thanks for the help so far guys, I appreciate it.

I'm liking the look of the trance for my normal style EDC.

The Titan drop is nice, but I can't handle a knife that large in the office. I'm mostly split right now between the Exskelimoor II and its natural style, vs the more "formal" stile of the G10 elegance. Its just the blade size on the elegance that bothers me about it, and the Eskelimoor has me worried about opening the blade.
 
I own Trance, Drifter and Skyline -- three of the best sub-$50 folders I've found.

Trance is one of my favorite knives at any price. It is it small, thin and light-weight, with a wide grip that feels good in the hand. AUS8 steel is ok. Open with thumb studs or flipper, which takes just a bit of wrist flick. Both easy to use. Highly recommended. About $30.

Drifter comes in either G10 liner lock or all-metal construction frame lock. I like the frame lock but the G10 is lighter weight for EDCing. The metal version is similar to the popular $10 Sanrenmu 710. Open pillar construction, easy to use. About same length as Trance with more traditional and thinner shape. About $20-$22.

Skyline is highly popular with good reason: Thin and light like the others, best steel of the three (a Sandvik) and an easy-to-use flipper. Longest blade of the three at 3.25 inches. Kershaw's specs said or used to say thumb studs but those are really blade stops, not for opening. The company also used to claim that the blade was stone-washed. It's not. It's the cheaper bead-blasted (like many Boker Pluses, unfortunately) and some owners have reported early rusting. I've had no problems with three lightly-used Skylines.

I wouldn't want to be without any of these high-value folders. Take your pick -- can't go wrong.

I also have the Exskelibur II, one of the best Boker Plus models I have seen, usually selling in the $40 range, give or take a few dollars. The design is just beautiful. No thumb studs or flipper but opening is easy and fun with just a bit of practice. A gentleman's (or gentlelady's) folder. Also highly recommended.

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks for the thoughts on these knives flash, that was very helpful.

I'm really strapped for cash, but really value quality, so I'm glad to hear that these knives would be considered some of the best in the category.

I think I'm leaning towards the trance for right now. I like the small blade length (I like relatively small-ish folders), but the hand filling handle while still being small in profile in my pocket. I like the skyline, but wish it was a bit smaller (The discontinued ENER-G looks great actually). And I like the look and profile of the Drifter, but don't think I could decide between the frame lock SS version or the G10 version right now.

For the more formal carry though I'm still weighing the options. Its just more of a decision I have to make I guess, than anything else. I just haven't heard much about the elegance version.
 
I know the strapped for cash feeling, I wanted to give Bokers as Christmas gifts to friends and colleagues, ended up going with cheaper folders, made by someone else.
 
There are several sites on evil-bay that still have Solingen-made, mostly carbon steel, slipjoints at decent gift prices - Boker Tree Brand 'Classics'. They spoiled me for Case knives!

Stainz
 
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