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pedarius
38
Aug 25, 2016
Great even-handed video review of the base titanium/VG10 model here:
enkidu
313
Aug 25, 2016
pedariusWow, great review! I have to admit that it seems much more lightly built than my 1.2 oz Mnandi which is stiff and solid as pretty much any of my knives. Still, I like the size and the weight and if the price is right, will probably get this.
Samuel_Sturm
128
Aug 25, 2016
pedariusWow, talk about giving hope then crushing it. Severe problems with that knife. Hopefully they've stepped up their QC since then!
MDDoge
296
Aug 25, 2016
Samuel_SturmBoker's known for lackluster QC in their non-European lines. That doesn't mean the knife you receive will be poor quality, but there's a reason the design and materials for their plus line can be sold at such a low price.
Samuel_Sturm
128
Aug 25, 2016
MDDogeYep, there's a few reasons I don't own any Boker products. Mainly the materials they use, honestly. This knife looks good, though. If they can eliminate the rock lock it should make a nice dress-up carry. Not if only it wasn't hollow ground...
Maybe I'm just picky. The Ontario Rat folders spoiled me on the low-cost high-value stuff. ;-)
simioh
4
Aug 25, 2016
Samuel_SturmWe can chose to be picky, but from what you wrote Samuel, it seems like you've never owned a Boker. I have some Kwaikens, an S2, and their multi tool and they are all centered, flip great, and don't have any quality issues. Material wise only the S2 is 440C which made me think twice before buying but I decided to give it a try and for my light use I've been satisfied. When I have to fit a bunch of big boxes in the recycling bin at home I'll grab something in s35vn, M4, or even VG10 although I'm sure the 440c would do fine it'll just need a light touch up after the job.
simioh
4
Aug 25, 2016
Samuel_SturmOh, I forgot I also have a Kalashnikov automatic knife which is probably the cheapest (quality wise) of the Bokers I own. My complaints with that knife are the painted handles and coating on the blade which has started to wear. Wear doesn't bother me on any of my knives unless it's a dressy knife for weddings or when I wear a suit, just adds character
Samuel_Sturm
128
Aug 25, 2016
simiohIt is true that I've never owned a Boker. I have handled quite a few. I like the German traditionals they make, though I've never gotten one. Most of my traditional knives are GEC or Rough Rider.
I don't have anything against Boker in general, they make a serviceable product. I just don't usually find them appealing, usually because of the steel they use. I find that S35VN is a nice Sunday carry steel, balanced in all aspects. My knives that I actually use fall in 3 categories: Folders, for which I prefer S110V. Fixed blades, 3V. Beater machetes get 5160. I won't be touching VG-10 again. To many issues for me.
All that said, I plan to get at least one of these Bokers. I'm guessing that it will drop at around $65, and it should be a good value at that cost. I'll probably sharpen it down to hair-whittling, and carry it on Sunday once a month or so.
MDDoge
296
Aug 25, 2016
Samuel_SturmThose are some very high end steels. Honestly you just ruled out 90%+ of Spyderco, ZT, Benchmade, and even most other high end folding knife makers. Just about anything below these you also ruled out. It's great if you prefer knives above the $200 price-point, but I have no idea why you're in a Boker drop thread then, other than to tell people why you will never buy a Boker knife (hint, this one will probably not be at $65).
Samuel_Sturm
128
Aug 25, 2016
MDDogeAs I've mentioned a couple times, I am planning on buying this knife. Even though this drop has 3 times the requesters as knives available. ;-) The simple fact is, even though I may not consider this a EDC, hard use knife, I still like the design and the steel is plenty adequate for what I consider casual use. Also, I love how thin the blade is. Should make a great slicer.
Yes, for my hard use knives I have hard standards to meet. It's why I don't own a ZT, or an AdV. I have nothing against the brand or maker, I think they make a very high quality product. They just aren't what I want in a knife. Now, I have no hangups about cheap knives. I'll cheer the Ontario Rat 1 or 2 all day long, or Spyderco's Byrd line. They're great budget knives, and more people should own them. I own several myself. But they're not what makes it into my pocket consistently. They're the Timex Weekenders , the Seiko SNKs of the knife world. Great knives, great watches. But they're a gateway drug, and you'll soon end up like me. Surrounded by sharp things and ticking things, happy as a seagull outside a fish factory.
JonasHeineman told us on page one that it would be less than $90, and implied that it would be more than $61. So $65 is a low guess, but hopefully not that low. We'll find out in 13 hours!
MDDoge
296
Aug 25, 2016
Samuel_SturmI already am surrounded by sharp things :P Watches aren't my cup of tea, though I have plenty of other collector's interests.
If this drop is as low as $65 that'd be a phenomenally good deal; the G-10 UT can be had for as low as $60 and usually no more than $80, and aside from being MD exclusive (for now), this version has better steel, anodized titanium, and a coated blade. Some of those are subjective, but they would all add to the cost of manufacture.
JamesD
12
Aug 26, 2016
Samuel_Sturm"We can't announce the lowest drop price until the page is live, but it will be less than a standard production model with carbon fiber scales" I hope your interpretation of this is correct and it is indeed less than $90. I took it as less than if it was a standard production model with upgraded materials. Not comparing to their current model. We will see, I hope you are right.
Ryan28801
61
Aug 26, 2016
Samuel_SturmI'll put my INFI steel blades up against all of the high end steels you mentioned. I'd not hesitate to clash edge to edge with any of them. But, that is an expensive and unique steel. I've used S35VN used by well known makers who properly heat treat it, or send the blade to someone who excels in heat treating that steel and it has done everything I ever asked of it. The 110 scares me at that hardness comparatively as I just think brittle when folks talk about it. I AM a collector/user of many high end knives, but also plenty of under $100 blades grace my collection as well. Depends on the design, and the materials, not in that order. :-) Just chiming in to dispel the myth that if you collect some knives that cost more than $500 you wouldn't be seen looking a drops here. Massdrop is a neat site with some great deals on some great items. @Samuel_Sturm: I wasn't picking on your blades at all, no offence intended at all. Just my way of joining you in the "high end" club, while explaining that buying more expensive knives and shopping here are not mutually exclusive.
Samuel_Sturm
128
Aug 26, 2016
Ryan28801INFI is a good steel, though it is not what I prefer. I like my steel compositions known, thank you very much. :-) I use my knives for cutting things, not as prybars. There's a reason I said I like 5160 for beater machetes; it's a spring steel. It's not really a good steel for cutting things. It is great for beating on things, just like INFI or SR101. Love my SYKCO Chophouse, BTW.
I think you hit on something important there, when you said of S35V "it has done everything I ever asked of it". It's the same for me. I've never tried to use it as a work steel, or a beater steel. I wouldn't expect it to spend 8 hours straight cutting heavy cardboard without completely going dull. I also wouldn't expect it to survive in an Etoh machete, getting used as a hammer and chopping down trees all day. It's just not the right steel for that. However, it's less brittle than the S110V I'd use for those boxes, and will hold an edge longer than the 5160 on that machete will. If my use case was an apple for lunch, maybe the occasional box to breakdown at work, and a bit of whittling in the evening on the porch it'd be a great steel for me.
And in the end, isn't that what matters? You wouldn't use a Busse Battle Grade WTF to carve an apple for lunch, and you wouldn't use this fine Boker to cut down 4" saplings. Not every tool is a hammer, not every fastener is a nail. Use the tool appropriate for your task. In this case, the task for this knife is to ride in your khakis and do light tasks around the office, cut up a tomato at lunch. And I'm sure it will do that job excellently.
In the end, I have one thing to say. EVERYONE BUY THIS KNIFE! It's a good deal, and Massdrop needs to be encouraged to make more custom orders like this. I want these all gone by the end of the day people! ;-)
As a side note, the most expensive knife I've owned is the Kizer Gemini. I'm not quite as fancy as some people think, though you'd have a hard time convincing my coworkers otherwise!