BOKER-MATIC: The Great Idea That Wasn't?

[rangerbluedog]

On April 25, 1989, Denis Lemaire of Quebec Canada was issued U.S. patent number 4,823,463 for his invention. It was a "POCKET-KNIFE HAVING A HANDLE PROVIDED WITH A SLIDABLE BLADE". The U.S. was soon to be introduced to the knife now known as the Boker-matic!
Switchblades had been declared illegal in the U.S. in the late 1950s. The 1980s saw its own public "menace" in the form of so called gravity knives. Lemaire recognized that gravity knives had been declared illegal in many countries. He wanted to fill the perceived need of the knife buying public for a knife that had a blade that slid from the front of the knife handle, yet was safe to carry and ergonomically friendly. A true one handed knife.
Lemaire stated in the patent registration:

"An object of this invention is to provide a pocketknife allowing sliding action of the blade in the handle but comprising a device which by restraining this action allows the knife to meet legal criteria.
Another object of this invention is to provide a pocketknife which is easy to use, safe, and ergonomical."

Boker presented the Bokermatic to a lukewarm public reception in the early 1990s. The knife was quirky, bulky, awkward to use, and didn't have the "feel" of a quality knife. When the blade is extended, it tends to move around in all directions. Yes, folks there is a little play.
I don't have any sales data but there must be some fans of this quirky little knife. This is evidenced by the fact that this knife has been made, and remade in the Solingen, Argentina, and now the Asian factories. Yep, you heard that right. The Boker-matic will soon show up in the international MAGNUM line.
I got mine from an online auction. It is a most unusual knife. In your pocket it is locked in the closed position by both the spring and the "rotating" handle. To extend the blade, you must tilt the handle clockwise and push forward on the thumb button. When extended, the blade is locked in place by rotating the handle back counterclockwise. To retract the blade, again rotate the handle clockwise. You'll hear the satisfying SNAP, as the spring persuades the blade back into its comfy home. Rotate the handle counterclockwise again to lock the blade in place for safe carry.

Love it or hate it, it is unique.

If you'd like a free electronic pdf copy of Denis Lemaire's patent for research or educational purposes, send me a PM.

[ddixon]

I wanted to answer "It's kinda wierd...where can I get one?"

[rangerbluedog]

to tell the truth, that's why I got one...