I picked the Boker Gaucho Sodbuster Jr, model 403Y, for a user. Here's how it fared.
Specifications: The handles are made of yellow polypropylene, and are 3.5" closed. It has brass liners and pins. The blade is made of high carbon steel, not stainless. The blade is 2.6" long, and ends in a drop point. It has a nail nick in the left side, and has the Tree Brand logo etched on the blade. The left tang is stamped BOKER above ARGENTINA, and above HIGH CARBON. The backspring is made of stainless steel.
Impressions: Umm... it's a sodbuster. These things were made for hard field use, and everybody knows what to expect from one. The blade doesn't lock open; it's a slipjoint. But the spring is stiff enough that the blade stays open, even if you nick something by accident with the back of the blade. The blade opens a little stiff due to the spring, but I think this is a good thing. The blade has enough thickness to it to avoid bending or chipping, but is ground thin enough for delicate work.
This knife costs $13 brand new, and that's a very good deal for a knife like this. High carbon steel, positive lock-up, and great edge retention make this a good user for anybody. This isn't a long review, mostly because we all know what to expect from a sodbuster. I'm glad that Boker made theirs out of carbon steel and not stainless, and I'm glad they made it reasonably priced. There's nothing new or groundbreaking here; just a good working knife for very little money.
Specifications: The handles are made of yellow polypropylene, and are 3.5" closed. It has brass liners and pins. The blade is made of high carbon steel, not stainless. The blade is 2.6" long, and ends in a drop point. It has a nail nick in the left side, and has the Tree Brand logo etched on the blade. The left tang is stamped BOKER above ARGENTINA, and above HIGH CARBON. The backspring is made of stainless steel.
Impressions: Umm... it's a sodbuster. These things were made for hard field use, and everybody knows what to expect from one. The blade doesn't lock open; it's a slipjoint. But the spring is stiff enough that the blade stays open, even if you nick something by accident with the back of the blade. The blade opens a little stiff due to the spring, but I think this is a good thing. The blade has enough thickness to it to avoid bending or chipping, but is ground thin enough for delicate work.
This knife costs $13 brand new, and that's a very good deal for a knife like this. High carbon steel, positive lock-up, and great edge retention make this a good user for anybody. This isn't a long review, mostly because we all know what to expect from a sodbuster. I'm glad that Boker made theirs out of carbon steel and not stainless, and I'm glad they made it reasonably priced. There's nothing new or groundbreaking here; just a good working knife for very little money.
