Having read the reviews and comments on the AK101 I decided to take the plunge.
http://www.boker.de/us/index.php?c=3000&a=01BO101&s1=AK&s2=0&s3=999&p=&pp=0
I have just received this today and am -very- impressed. The knife was imported from the US to the UK. It came in a black box with no instructions or paperwork. You get a tiny spanner for the pivot bolt and the glass breaker (to remove clip). All other bolts can be adjusted using standard tools.
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best here is my evaluation
Overall Construction - 9.5
Fantastic construction!, the overall 'feel' of the construction and how everything is put together is just right I can't suggest any improvement. There is no rattling, no creaks, no blade play, the blade is always centered and no squashable parts. The clip is firm and once in the pocket, can completely hide the handle.
The knife has a liner lock which locks into place with a firm 'clack'. It requires quite a bit of pressure to release but that is a good thing w.r.t safety.
The material between the handles is stainless steel so rust problems should be at a minimum. The overall choice of materials is well thought out.
It seems that the construction of this knife will hold up after many years of hard use. The blade is 440C which is still classed as premium steel.
I've no suggestions for improvement other than a better blade material i.e. S30v, but this would increase the cost drastically.
Design - 10
Let's start with the handles. They are quite long about 5 7/8" (including the glass breaker) but they do not feel or look long compared with other knives that are similar in size. The handle material is some sort of plastic (i -think- they are FRN - Fiber Reinforced Nylon). The grip design on the handles are very effective and comfortable and seems like they will definitely keep the knife in the hand without leading to discomfort after long term use.
The handles also have a coarse and effective thumb grip when the knife is open as well as a thumb grip when you hold the knife in 'reverse'.
The clip design is very nice as it starts from the top of the handle. It has some humps in the clip which is a nice decision aesthetically.
The design of bolts and the large pivot nut look great on the black handle. I especially like the star and the AK branding on the pivot nut. It was this that first attracted me to the knife in the first place and will probably be the first feature you will notice.
The overall size of the knife is great and has a slim profile although some may think it is too long. The handle size is mentioned above but they are not wide so it doesn't look or feel that big. The finger grooves in the handles will certainly suit those with large hands but will also be comfortable for those with small hands. Once the blade is open the 'feel' given the size is just right. So no complaints here unless you are looking for a small folder.
There is a notch at the top of the handle which if you pull down with your finger will open the blade about half way - so it is very smooth and easy to open (because of the teflon and brass washers). When I -first- opened the knife I 'flicked' it open after pressing the notch. The blade opens very smoothly, quickly with a satisfying 'click' when the liner lock engages.
The top of the blade (near the pivot) has a ridge shape. This design is purposeful for one particular reason: If you put the closed knife in your pocket and quickly pull it out, you can make the ridge connect with the pocket joint causing the knife to open. To an observer, it will look like an automatic. Another well thought out feature added.
The blade size is perfect for me (4"). The shape of the blade is also very multi-purpose. It is quite large and has a quite a bit of 'recurve'. The thumb notch on the blade has a nice touch as it looks like a drum magazine on a machine gun with a star in the middle. I really like the blade shape and I can't fault it.
The glass breaker is another nice touch. I can really see this being useful for rescue teams or whatever. To have the feature is just comforting to know.
Overall, I can't fault the design either! Maybe if it had AutoLAWKS (additional locking mechanism) but since the liner lock on this is very firm I don't think it needs it.
Comfort - 10
Quite simple here. Whether you have large or small hands the knife is very comfortable to open and use for long periods. Given the design of the handles it will also be comfortable in your jeans pocket!
Weight - 10
Since the outer handles are made of some special plastic the knife feels light and easy to use. It makes you feel that you are in control rather than the knife.
The balance is good, the end of the knife doesn't feel like it is dropping when holding the handle.
No suggestions for improvement here. Again.
Finish - 10
I've looked and looked and looked and I can't seem to fault the finishing at all. It is as simple as that! I also love the bead blasted matt finish on the blade.
It has a very serious and professional look.
Factory edge - 9.5 (out of unsubstantiated guilt)
Factory edge is great - it easily shaved hairs no problem. Actually, this knife is sharper than my Leatherman Klamath (S30) and even my Leatherman Charge (154CM). Again I can't find any problem here but I can't give another 10 surely!
Usability - 10 (I had to, I'm sorry)
Very rugged and dependable knife for almost any purpose. You can use it while you dine or if you want cut down a tree (I'm kidding... or may be not?...). I haven't tested the glass breaker but I'm sure it will be up to the job.
Overall - 10 (Hmm... this doesn't happen very often)
Overall I'm -very- happy with this knife and that's putting it mildly. It's one of the very few knives where I'm having difficulty suggesting improvement. There is 'TAIWAN' written on one side of the blade under 440C and I can honestly say they have done an amazing job on this one - coupled with German engineering. I have many other folders from Kershaw, Leatherman, Buck etc. and I have to say that this is my favourite. The -only- thing I can suggest is more premium blade material i.e. S30-S90v and additional locking mechanism but that's all.
I feel a bit concerned that I've given '10' in almost every category but I don't have any reason to be, yet.
The only 'problem' with this knife, and it is a big problem for me, is that it is so nice that I feel reluctant to use it. Oh well...
Good job BOKER :thumbup:
Thanks.
P.S. for more pictures and better testing check out this German page:
http://www.messerforum.net/showthread.php?t=48486
And use Google Translate.
http://www.boker.de/us/index.php?c=3000&a=01BO101&s1=AK&s2=0&s3=999&p=&pp=0
I have just received this today and am -very- impressed. The knife was imported from the US to the UK. It came in a black box with no instructions or paperwork. You get a tiny spanner for the pivot bolt and the glass breaker (to remove clip). All other bolts can be adjusted using standard tools.
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best here is my evaluation
Overall Construction - 9.5
Fantastic construction!, the overall 'feel' of the construction and how everything is put together is just right I can't suggest any improvement. There is no rattling, no creaks, no blade play, the blade is always centered and no squashable parts. The clip is firm and once in the pocket, can completely hide the handle.
The knife has a liner lock which locks into place with a firm 'clack'. It requires quite a bit of pressure to release but that is a good thing w.r.t safety.
The material between the handles is stainless steel so rust problems should be at a minimum. The overall choice of materials is well thought out.
It seems that the construction of this knife will hold up after many years of hard use. The blade is 440C which is still classed as premium steel.
I've no suggestions for improvement other than a better blade material i.e. S30v, but this would increase the cost drastically.
Design - 10
Let's start with the handles. They are quite long about 5 7/8" (including the glass breaker) but they do not feel or look long compared with other knives that are similar in size. The handle material is some sort of plastic (i -think- they are FRN - Fiber Reinforced Nylon). The grip design on the handles are very effective and comfortable and seems like they will definitely keep the knife in the hand without leading to discomfort after long term use.
The handles also have a coarse and effective thumb grip when the knife is open as well as a thumb grip when you hold the knife in 'reverse'.
The clip design is very nice as it starts from the top of the handle. It has some humps in the clip which is a nice decision aesthetically.
The design of bolts and the large pivot nut look great on the black handle. I especially like the star and the AK branding on the pivot nut. It was this that first attracted me to the knife in the first place and will probably be the first feature you will notice.
The overall size of the knife is great and has a slim profile although some may think it is too long. The handle size is mentioned above but they are not wide so it doesn't look or feel that big. The finger grooves in the handles will certainly suit those with large hands but will also be comfortable for those with small hands. Once the blade is open the 'feel' given the size is just right. So no complaints here unless you are looking for a small folder.
There is a notch at the top of the handle which if you pull down with your finger will open the blade about half way - so it is very smooth and easy to open (because of the teflon and brass washers). When I -first- opened the knife I 'flicked' it open after pressing the notch. The blade opens very smoothly, quickly with a satisfying 'click' when the liner lock engages.
The top of the blade (near the pivot) has a ridge shape. This design is purposeful for one particular reason: If you put the closed knife in your pocket and quickly pull it out, you can make the ridge connect with the pocket joint causing the knife to open. To an observer, it will look like an automatic. Another well thought out feature added.
The blade size is perfect for me (4"). The shape of the blade is also very multi-purpose. It is quite large and has a quite a bit of 'recurve'. The thumb notch on the blade has a nice touch as it looks like a drum magazine on a machine gun with a star in the middle. I really like the blade shape and I can't fault it.
The glass breaker is another nice touch. I can really see this being useful for rescue teams or whatever. To have the feature is just comforting to know.
Overall, I can't fault the design either! Maybe if it had AutoLAWKS (additional locking mechanism) but since the liner lock on this is very firm I don't think it needs it.
Comfort - 10
Quite simple here. Whether you have large or small hands the knife is very comfortable to open and use for long periods. Given the design of the handles it will also be comfortable in your jeans pocket!
Weight - 10
Since the outer handles are made of some special plastic the knife feels light and easy to use. It makes you feel that you are in control rather than the knife.
The balance is good, the end of the knife doesn't feel like it is dropping when holding the handle.
No suggestions for improvement here. Again.
Finish - 10
I've looked and looked and looked and I can't seem to fault the finishing at all. It is as simple as that! I also love the bead blasted matt finish on the blade.
It has a very serious and professional look.
Factory edge - 9.5 (out of unsubstantiated guilt)
Factory edge is great - it easily shaved hairs no problem. Actually, this knife is sharper than my Leatherman Klamath (S30) and even my Leatherman Charge (154CM). Again I can't find any problem here but I can't give another 10 surely!
Usability - 10 (I had to, I'm sorry)
Very rugged and dependable knife for almost any purpose. You can use it while you dine or if you want cut down a tree (I'm kidding... or may be not?...). I haven't tested the glass breaker but I'm sure it will be up to the job.
Overall - 10 (Hmm... this doesn't happen very often)
Overall I'm -very- happy with this knife and that's putting it mildly. It's one of the very few knives where I'm having difficulty suggesting improvement. There is 'TAIWAN' written on one side of the blade under 440C and I can honestly say they have done an amazing job on this one - coupled with German engineering. I have many other folders from Kershaw, Leatherman, Buck etc. and I have to say that this is my favourite. The -only- thing I can suggest is more premium blade material i.e. S30-S90v and additional locking mechanism but that's all.
I feel a bit concerned that I've given '10' in almost every category but I don't have any reason to be, yet.
The only 'problem' with this knife, and it is a big problem for me, is that it is so nice that I feel reluctant to use it. Oh well...
Good job BOKER :thumbup:
Thanks.
P.S. for more pictures and better testing check out this German page:
http://www.messerforum.net/showthread.php?t=48486
And use Google Translate.
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