Wich Would You Choose: Boker vs. Al Mar

T

TLoFP

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Oct 22, 2011
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The two contenders:
Boker: http://www.boker.de/us/fixed-blade-knife/boker-arbolito/02BA303G.html
AlMar: http://www.almarknives.com/product/sere-operator/

These knives are very similar, both are five inches long and have similar blade profiles. They also both weigh about the same amount at 5.7oz/6oz.

Price (Boker): Boker is 1/3 of the price of the AlMar (street price).
Sheath (Boker): The AlMar sheath is just pathetic for such an expensive price it is also the primary reason why I haven't bought it yet. I just don't want to get a custom sheath, too much trouble. The Boker has a nice leather sheath.
Form (Boker): WoW. The Boker is beautiful. The AlMar is just plain/all function. The wood handle on the Boker is just gorgeous.

Edit: The Boker is about 5mm thick. The AlMar is only 3.5 mm thick. I wonder how this effects balance. They probably feel different in hand.

Function: Equal.
Finish: While the AlMar is made in Japan and I know the quality produced there, the Boker is made in south america (I have a couple of knives from there and am happy). Boker does consider the South American made knives to deserve the treebrand, maybe this implies made in Germany like fit and finish.

Steel (AlMar): The AlMar has VG10. The Boker has Bohler 695 which is 440C from my research. I didn't think I would buy another high end blade in 440C, but I might be wrong.

It seems like the only thing the AlMar has going for it is the steel. Now I have used 440C before. Yes, it is inferior to VG10. No, it hasn't let me down before. Am I too fixated on the steel, have I become to much of a steel snob? What would you pick and why? Please also mention if you are familiar with both or one of the steels mentioned.

Thanks
 
Wow, that Boker is beautiful. In CPM154 it would be a steal. The Al Mar is a fighter. Very different. Personally I don't want anything with so much of a double-grind.
 
I'd buy the Boker based on past Arbolito purchases, the wood handle, and the reasonable price.
Al Mar knives are nice, but $300, not that nice.
 
You might be able to find something similar from Bark River for a little more than the Boker's MSRP... just an idea :)

-Brett
 
daizee said:
Wow, that Boker is beautiful. In CPM154 it would be a steal. The Al Mar is a fighter. Very different. Personally I don't want anything with so much of a double-grind.
Click to expand...

I know the AlMar is a fighter. I already have a SERE Operator and love it. But mine is out of production so I have been wanting to replace it.
 
Bob W said:
I'd buy the Boker based on past Arbolito purchases, the wood handle, and the reasonable price.
Al Mar knives are nice, but $300, not that nice.
Click to expand...

Throw in the sheath too. It is said that AlMar includes such a shady sheath with the Operator now-a-days.
 
Thanks. Right now I am leaning towards the Boker. Sounds like people have had positive experiences with that brand. Unless someone comes swooping in warning me of Bohler 695. What wins me over is the overall package and price.

Thanks
 
I'm a big fan of Al Mar....but,

First, you like the Boker better. And you already have an Operator. The sheath is important. The prices speak for themselves. The Boker is more attractive. And the steels....what, you afraid you're going to wear out the Boker?

I think you will be happiest with the Boker.
 
EChoil said:
I'm a big fan of Al Mar....but,

First, you like the Boker better. And you already have an Operator. The sheath is important. The prices speak for themselves. The Boker is more attractive. And the steels....what, you afraid you're going to wear out the Boker?

I think you will be happiest with the Boker.
Click to expand...

Yes I am afraid that I will be disappointed by the 440C, but it sounds like that is unfounded.
 
timberweasel said:
You might be able to find something similar from Bark River for a little more than the Boker's MSRP... just an idea :)

-Brett
Click to expand...

Not with the direction that Bark River prices have gone. :eek:

That Boker retails for around $90.00. Not sure what kind of BRKT you could get for ninety dollars nowadays. Maybe if they make a neck knife? :foot:
 
Bob W said:
Not with the direction that Bark River prices have gone. :eek:

That Boker retails for around $90.00. Not sure what kind of BRKT you could get for ninety dollars nowadays. Maybe if they make a neck knife? :foot:
Click to expand...

True, but the MSRP on the Boker is about $140. ;) For a little more than the MSRP, I'd rather get a BRKT. Just my mileage... :)
 
From your two candidates I assume that you are looking for an about 5" blade fixed in a good Stainless that excludes Aus6/Aus8. And that you are not looking at the drop point/semi drop point hunters blade design. I am also toying with picking up a 5" fixed blade in a good Stainless so I've been looking around. The decision should first be based on whether you want to buy an actual user or a collectible(aka safe queen). For practical use I'd take a synthetic handle like on the Al Mar over the Boker. Although you consider the blade design similar, I consider the Al Mar more of a fighter whereas the Boker is more Hunter. But that's just personal style preference. I won't address the sheath because if you have three people, you'll get three different opinions on why leather. nylon or kydex is best. Again, personal preference, and it's not very hard to pick up an aftermarket sheath as many folks do for a real "user". I am a bit picky about where a knife is made though. While Boker's Buenos Aires products are most likely far better than their Magnum China line, it still holds no light to Seki. And Al Mars are made by G.Sakai in Seki who makes a ton of OEM knives for all the big names. Just to throw 2 more options that you may want to consider, Jeff Hall's Nemesis Equaizer is a 5" fixed in VG10 that shares the same blade style as the Al Mar. In fact it's probably made in the same factory, and offers G10 handle as well. The price would fall between the Boker and Al Mar.
http://www.nemesis-knives.com/fixed.htm
(at bottom of page)
The other knife you may want to consider is the Linder Super Edge 3, made in Solingen Germany with ATS-34. This one can be had for under $120 and comes from a good stable.
http://www.linder.de/en/artikel/edge3_102513/ATS_34_Super_Edge_3
Then of course there's the Fallkniven S1, a VG10 laminate made in Seki for the Swedish company. High quality and price if that's your cup of tea.
I am not aware of any US made 5" fixed NOT in a Hunter style in Stainless that would fit the price range but if anyone knows of any I'd appreciate hearing about it so I can look into it myself.
 
For the kind of money they ask for Al Mar I would certainly find another knife that I liked better. Something from Pro-Tech most likely (and would save some money too!). Al Mar makes great knives, and Shiva would be my first choice (and would be totally worth at that price point), not S.E.R.E.
So given the choice, I would go for Boker: seems more practical, both the blade shape and the price.
 
KenHash said:
From your two candidates I assume that you are looking for an about 5" blade fixed in a good Stainless that excludes Aus6/Aus8. And that you are not looking at the drop point/semi drop point hunters blade design. I am also toying with picking up a 5" fixed blade in a good Stainless so I've been looking around. The decision should first be based on whether you want to buy an actual user or a collectible(aka safe queen). For practical use I'd take a synthetic handle like on the Al Mar over the Boker. Although you consider the blade design similar, I consider the Al Mar more of a fighter whereas the Boker is more Hunter. But that's just personal style preference. I won't address the sheath because if you have three people, you'll get three different opinions on why leather. nylon or kydex is best. Again, personal preference, and it's not very hard to pick up an aftermarket sheath as many folks do for a real "user". I am a bit picky about where a knife is made though. While Boker's Buenos Aires products are most likely far better than their Magnum China line, it still holds no light to Seki. And Al Mars are made by G.Sakai in Seki who makes a ton of OEM knives for all the big names. Just to throw 2 more options that you may want to consider, Jeff Hall's Nemesis Equaizer is a 5" fixed in VG10 that shares the same blade style as the Al Mar. In fact it's probably made in the same factory, and offers G10 handle as well. The price would fall between the Boker and Al Mar.
http://www.nemesis-knives.com/fixed.htm
(at bottom of page)
The other knife you may want to consider is the Linder Super Edge 3, made in Solingen Germany with ATS-34. This one can be had for under $120 and comes from a good stable.
http://www.linder.de/en/artikel/edge3_102513/ATS_34_Super_Edge_3
Then of course there's the Fallkniven S1, a VG10 laminate made in Seki for the Swedish company. High quality and price if that's your cup of tea.
I am not aware of any US made 5" fixed NOT in a Hunter style in Stainless that would fit the price range but if anyone knows of any I'd appreciate hearing about it so I can look into it myself.
Click to expand...

This is going to be a user and not a safe queen. I am rather fond of the "fighter" style blade. The Boker is close enough in that respect, considering that I already have two S.E.R.Es (one folder, and one safe queen). The Nemesis looks nice but violates one of my primary rules: No Re-curves. Already have the Fallkniven A1 and love it. So I want to try something other then Fallkniven. The Linder Super Edge looks really unappealing to me. Guess it just has the wrong flavor of knife.

Anyways, I talked to my wife and she had a really great suggestion to my problem: "Buy both! Problem Solved." :D
 
Poez said:
For the kind of money they ask for Al Mar I would certainly find another knife that I liked better. Something from Pro-Tech most likely (and would save some money too!). Al Mar makes great knives, and Shiva would be my first choice (and would be totally worth at that price point), not S.E.R.E.
So given the choice, I would go for Boker: seems more practical, both the blade shape and the price.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I really do agree with most people here. But what I didn't make clear in the beginning, and I didn't realize at fist: what I am looking for a knife that is primarily a quick fighter.
 
If you like Boker then get the Boker. I've never owed an Al Mar that didn't compare well to a custom as far as quality is concerned. If it were me I'd wait, save some more money and buy the Al Mar.
 
Keep in mind the Al Mar can be bought any day of the week for about $100 less than the price on their website. Yes, it is still almost double the Boker, but I don't see this as apples to apples at all.
 
Ive sworn off of Boker. The knives that have shipped to me should not have been sold, horrible quality control.
 
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