What is better?

H

hubby11

Joined
Nov 19, 2006
Messages
8
A while ago I picked up a Boker Tree Brand trapper knife, made in Germany (or so I thought) and of seemingly pretty high quality. Then I happened into a store (Sierra Trading Post) and saw a number of Puma knives that were Chinese assembled but using German steel for the blades themselves. They did not attempt at all to hide this fact. I picked up one for a song. The fit and finished were only "ok," but the blade seemed pretty good. Not bad, but no where near as nice as my Boker.

Well fast forward and based on my research here and elsewhere on the 'net, it appears that my Boker is in fact the opposite of the Puma; assembled in Germany from Chinese components. I was pretty bummed to learn this but it is still a nice knife.

So my question is which is preferable? Made in Germany (or USA) from Chinese components or Made in China from German (or other quality source) steel? My guess the answer is "it depends," but curious if this has been addressed.

Thanks,
 
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Unless you know the quality of the steel and the materials, it really doesn't matter where it derives from or is assembled.

Several German companies appear to have outsourced their production and many do not have the same reputation they once did.

I can't really speak to it. The one Boker that gets regular use by my wife in the kitchen was from their Argentinian operation, and while low end 440 steel, takes and hold a reasonable edge...which I touch up for her regularly when it gets dings and irregularities from contacting bone or other materials on the cutting boards.

Making generalizations may be more true than not...but they are not proof without testing and actual knowledge.
 
Boker is very hit or miss, regardless of country of manufacture and/or origin of parts. Many of their nicer items are farmed out to other companies for actual production, be that China, Italy, and a few other places.

For me, it really depends on the company. I will take a Chinese made Civivi/WE knife over a Boker made anywhere. Consistency of quality is what is important to me, not country of origin. While I would prefer not to send my money to PRC, no one else is really making great front flippers at this time for under $250 (that I know of).

And let me tell you, I have two Civivi's and two WE knives, and they are flawless and fantastic. As much as I like some of Boker's designs, I'm not willing to risk my money on a company with questionable QC. I don't care how great their customer service is. If you make it right in the first place, I won't need customer service. If I do something stupid like break the blade, well that's on me. If the company will replace the blade (free or for a fee) that's wonderful, but not necessary.
 
Bastler said:
Once again, Böker knives marked Solingen are entirely made in Germany.
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This is what I discovered - after purchase - about my knife. Mine has the Tree Brand logo on the blade, "Boker" on the hilt, and "Germany" on the handle's embedded tree emblem. My online pre-purchase research indicated that it was a German knife. Many online sources still claim all Tree Brand knives are German made, but as noted, I've since learned that "German made" is a loose term. And honestly, it should not take an internet query to figure all this out. Boker (and likely other companies) should be more forthcoming. Like Puma.
 
Unless the laws have changed, the German knives with "Solingen" on the tang stamp are made in Solingen, Germany with all German made components.
Allegedly those are the "best".
German knives without the "Solingen" tang stamps that are based in Solingen have imported components and/or were made outside of Germany.
They may be "inferior" ... or not ... other places know how to make a knife or components to the specifications required.
 
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Bastler said:
Once again, Böker knives marked Solingen are entirely made in Germany.
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hubby11 said:
This is what I discovered - after purchase - about my knife. Mine has the Tree Brand logo on the blade, "Boker" on the hilt, and "Germany" on the handle's embedded tree emblem. My online pre-purchase research indicated that it was a German knife. Many online sources still claim all Tree Brand knives are German made, but as noted, I've since learned that "German made" is a loose term. And honestly, it should not take an internet query to figure all this out. Boker (and likely other companies) should be more forthcoming. Like Puma.
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Different terms:
"Solingen"
"Germany"

"Germany" equates to "Assembled in Germany".
"Solingen" means 100% made in Solingen Germany.


To address your original question...
hubby11 said:
So my question is which is preferable? Made in Germany (or USA) from Chinese components or Made in China from German (or other quality source) steel? My guess the answer is "it depends," but curious if this has been addressed.
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It normally requires more skill to assemble a precision item than it does to make individual parts. The person performing the assembly is the one who needs to make sure of the fit and finish.
As an example: When Camillus and Schrade were still in business in the US, most of the employees just made parts and were not called "cutlers". There were only a few who assembled knives. Their job postion was "Cutler".

That being said, in my opinion such skill is dependent on the individual, (and on a company's ability to retain that skilled individual) not the country in which the work occurs. At this point in time, there are a number of skilled cutlers in both China and the USA.

The steel? that depends. I once had a nice chat with a technical rep from Bohler who had traveled in China looking at various steel facilities. His comment to me was that the tolerances on Chinese steel compositions are a fair amount wider than those on roughly equivalent US and European steel specifications. That leads to more variation in performance of Chinese alloys. So, I'd prefer the steel came from a German plant, even if that plant is in China. But I'd want the steel made to a German spec. Might make a difference. Might not. But I like to know what I have.
 
knarfeng said:
"Solingen" means 100% made in Solingen Germany
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No.

Again guys, my Boker Tree Hunter Trio has Solingen on the blade, and CPM Cruwear. CPM Cruwear is made IN THE USA.

They could have picked Z-Wear (the equivalent German steel) but they didnt.
 
ferider said:
No.

Again guys, my Boker Tree Hunter Trio has Solingen on the blade, and CPM Cruwear. CPM Cruwear is made IN THE USA.

They could have picked Z-Wear (the equivalent German steel) but they didnt.
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Sorry I was unclear. I wasn't including the steel being made in Solingen. The organization that enforces that logo does not extend to the steel. But they do require that all the parts manufacture and assembly be done in that city if the blade is so marked.
 
My experience with Boker in the Boker+ line is definitely satisfactory! I have three models and every one I would give an A to A+ rating! I often hear stories of how screwed up some Boker+ models are right out of the box, but this has not been my experience.

You can get a lemon.made by a hooman of any nationality!!! We are far from perfect on a daily basis.
 
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