Which Boker Plus?

M

Mr.Bojangles

Joined
Nov 11, 2008
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What would you guys recommend as a first and/or say your favorite CLB designed Boker is? I'm mostly drawn to the Trance and M-Type, possibly the Hyper as well. I will probably eventually get all three (as well as a Subcom :D), but funds only allow for one at a time (broke college student.) The Trance's design seems a little more appealing to me over all, but I have also been wanting a little bigger knife as well. The materials used on the M-Type seem to be a notch above the Trance. 440C and G-10 as compared to AUS8 and FRN correct? Same deal with the Hyper, right? So, essentially what I'm asking is which of Chad's Bokers do you think is the best value, and which is your favorite design? I've heard such good things about both of them that I'm having trouble deciding. Thanks guys. :thumbup:

-Wes
 
Just bringing up a few points which you may help make up your mind

Trance
-Knife rides lower when using the clip
-Has a flipper (requires some wrist work)
-The drop point version is out of production so it will be gone from the primary market soon
-The FRN is rather dense, feels better than some other FRN handles I've used

M-Type
-Has a slight recurve
-Handle is a wee bit thicker (someone mentioned ~.15")
-No flipper

I personally went with the Trance (DP), but am also planning on picking up a M-Type sometime down the road :)
 
I also have a DP Trance. I don't have any of the others so I can't say if it is better or worse but I can say that it is an absolutely EXCELLENT knife.

It does have one serious flaw.

It makes it very hard to justify what all your other knives are for ;)
 
You guys bring up some good points. The Drop Point is my favorite Trance variant...sucks they're getting discontinued. Maybe I should pick one of those up then. As I'm not the greatest knife sharpener in the world, the recurve on the M-Type may make sharpening a little difficult for me. Exactly how much better is 440C than AUS8? I have no problems with FRN. Glad to know the Trance's feels nice.
 
I'm pretty sure AUS8 and 440C are pretty close to one another?

I was under the impression that AUS8 was the Japanese (or Chinese? forget...) equivalent to 440C (American). I may be mistaken though :confused:
 
You know I think you're right. I know there's not a big difference either way. It's probably like comparing AUS8 to 8cr13mov.
 
I have the Trance. Fit and finish is near perfect.
The handle does not feel or look cheap.

I plan on buying a Hyper, because the overall length is even less but the blade is the same length. Also the pocket clip rides even lower.

I feel the Trance is extreme value for money, but the Hyper could be even more so.
Its only $7 dollars more but has G10 and 440c.

43c99682.jpg
 
I have not handled the Trance or the M-Type, but I have a Wharcom and a Hyper.
So I can provide some indirect input:

I prefer the G10 scale over the FRN by far.
The action on the Hyper is much much smoother than the Wharcom.
I was never a fan of recurves...but I love the blade on my Hyper.
My Hyper was one of the sharpest knives OOTB I've ever had. (I have had 3 kershaws and 7 spydercos...so that's saying something!)
 
I like both the trance & hyper.

I got the droppoint trance as the bladeshape is more appealing to me as the original tanto like shape.

I like them both equal . However the handle of the hyper with G10 feels a bit more comfy to me compared to the tilted handle of the trance dp. I also prefer the action on the hyper . It's a tad smoother as the trance . I think because of the Titanium nitrate coating of the steelparts and phosper bronze washers. The nytrolon washers on subcoms & trance feel a bit squishy to me.

The hyper has a very slight recurve. I have no problem at all resharping it on either a benchstone or the spyderco 204 set.

I'm comfortable with either 440 C or AUS 8
Allthough edge retention is a bit less then the late supersteels they touch up quicker. They raise a burr easier so some stropping may be needed in the sharpening process.

If you want bigger blades you could opt for an M-type our Direkt.
I see the Direkt as a Military on welfare;) More traditional droppoint/bowie bladeshape.
G10 scales phospor bronze washers Titanium coating . Larger flipper as trance which acts like a subhilt. Bombproof linerlock.
Very secure lockup and handling . Allthough the clip could be slightly improved strength wize.
:thumbup:
 
Thanks a lot for your input guys. I think maybe I'll grab a drop point Trance for now, since they're going to be gone soon, and pick up an M-Type or Hyper later on. The recurve on them really is pretty subtle. And that G10 + phosphor bronze sounds nice. Any more input greatly appreciated.
 
I fell in love with my SubCom F. That any blade so small can be a viable SD weapon just amazes me to no end. It is my money clip and weapon of last resort. The handle is what makes this knife what it is. It literally melds into your hand. Based on that I ordered a MPT that Boker is out of stock of right now and will ship mid month. With the same basic handle design as the SubCom added to a wicked stout full sized blade I expect the MPT to be an ideal EDC easy to carry conceal quick and nimble in the hand deadly on contact. I just wish they would make an all black non serrated version like this photoshoped MPT
MPT.jpg
 
Don't worry about your decision too much. All of the knives are fantastic designs and well built. I'd say the trance. Once you get that thing broken in the flipper makes one easy and fast to open knife. Light and thin yet strong enough for what most days bring a normal fella.
 
Long.Rider said:
I fell in love with my SubCom F. That any blade so small can be a viable SD weapon just amazes me to no end. It is my money clip and weapon of last resort. The handle is what makes this knife what it is. It literally melds into your hand. Based on that I ordered a MPT that Boker is out of stock of right now and will ship mid month. With the same basic handle design as the SubCom added to a wicked stout full sized blade I expect the MPT to be an ideal EDC easy to carry conceal quick and nimble in the hand deadly on contact. I just wish they would make an all black non serrated version like this photoshoped MPT
MPT.jpg
[/quote


I like your rendering bro..
I love my MPT i think it should get more attention for it compact awesome cutting power and modest carry..
:thumbup:
Click to expand...
 
Lock1454 said:
I'm pretty sure AUS8 and 440C are pretty close to one another?

I was under the impression that AUS8 was the Japanese (or Chinese? forget...) equivalent to 440C (American). I may be mistaken though :confused:
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think they are pretty close. But I think it is 440B that is roughly equal to AUS8 according to the Steel FAQ. 440C and AUS10 are comparable. I like AUS8 and 440C, so I guess I like 440B and AUS10 too.

My co-worker got the Trance and it was decent. The blade detent on his was weak though, opened up a bit in his pocket and sliced him good when he tried to take it out. Also, his Trance required a little wrist flip to deploy the blade. I like the blade to open with just the flick of the thumb or finger (for a flipper). I do not want to loosen it to the point where there is side to side blade play.

I do like the drop-point Trance though and may still get it. I also like the Direkt and Edit neck knife which are "on my list". :cool:
 
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UpChUcK said:
Yeah, I think they are pretty close. But I think it is 440B that is roughly equal to AUS8 according to the Steel FAQ. 440C and AUS10 are comparable. I like AUS8 and 440C, so I guess I like 440B and AUS10 too.

My co-worker got the Trance and it was decent. The blade detent on his was week though, opened up a bit in his pocket and sliced him good when he tried to take it out. Also, his Trance required a little wrist flip to deploy the blade. I like the blade to open with just the flick of the thumb or finger (for a flipper). I do not want to loosen it to the point where there is side to side blade play.

I do like the drop-point Trance though and may still get it. I also like the Direkt and Edit neck knife which are "on my list". :cool:
Click to expand...

after about a month with my trance, it's broken in enough to open with just a little wrist movement and the flipper. resting my thumnail on the thumbstud and applying force parallel to the blade flicks it open quick and smooth, with no wrist movement. haven't had any problems with it opening in my pocket.
 
I have all three, but find myself carrying the Hyper the most. I like the depth on the blade. It is one of the handiest knives I have ever owned. One word of warning though - the Hyper Black (partially serrated version) has been disco'd. So if you want one you should get it sooner rather than later!
 
Lock1454 said:
I'm pretty sure AUS8 and 440C are pretty close to one another?

I was under the impression that AUS8 was the Japanese (or Chinese? forget...) equivalent to 440C (American). I may be mistaken though :confused:
Click to expand...

I think I heard that the first Byrd knives where marked 440C, but testing revealed the steel composition was slightly different to American 440C thus the re-labelling to 8Cr13MoV, and I've heard a few guys comparing that to AUS-8.

I don't know the facts but it would seem 8Cr13MoV, 440C and AUS-8 are all fairly similar.
 
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I think that a Subcom would be a great starting place as it was Chad's first design for Boker, I think, and it is a great little knife. I especially like the Wharcom version! If into fixed blades, then thr Valkrie, and/or the RJ Martin Rampage would be a great start!:thumbup::thumbup::D
 
I like the Hyper. They are all good deals for the money but I like the Hypers feel and looks. Good Luck! Kevin :D
 
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