Vintage Boker Solingen Tree Brand Identification

[qwestsupply]

Hi there,

I am trying to identify this pocket knife. Since I'm new to pocket knives, I have no idea what I'm doing, so forgive me if I don't know the terminology.

If anyone can help me identify it and help me understand its value, I would be super grateful.

It's a three-blade pocket knife. The main blade has King Cutter and what I believe are the numbers 755. The base of the main blade has a tree and "Boker Solingen Germany" engraved. The handle has a round metal medallion (?) on it with a tree and "Solingen."

Any help would be absolutely appreciated!

[Reverand]

Hello from Alabama, and Welcome to AAPK!!!

You posted some good questions, and I will see if I can answer them to your satisfaction. If not, feel free to ask again! AAPK is a great place for questions.

There are two Boker companies: Boker USA, and Boker Solingen Germany. Your knife was made by the German company. Both made great cutlery.
The shield (medallion) is a standard Boker Solingen shield.
The style of knife (three blades, one shaped as a spey blade, and a serpentine-shaped body) is called a Stockman pattern. They are very common, and yours has a punch blade as well, which is a bit more rare.
The handles look like they might be Delrin plastic, which means it was made sometime after 1961 or 62. I would hazard a guess that yours was made in the 1970's or 80's, but that is more of a feeling than anything else. Boker did not use a dating system, so it can be difficult to pin down a date of manufacture.
The etch is faint on your Main blade, but it does say Keen Kutter. I believe that means it was made by Boker Solingen, for a hardware company. Others who are more knowledgeable than I might give more details there.
Lastly, your knife has carbon steel blades. They do not remain shiny like stainless steels do, but carbon steel blades can get scary sharp very easily! Many people prefer to carry knives with carbon blades. The patina (darkening spots) is actually an oxide coating that naturally occurs with use. It helps to protect the steel from rust. An attempt to clean that off would ruin the etch on the blade. I recommend just oiling the joints, then wiling that oil on the blades. Then sharpen it, carry it, and use it!
As far as value, that is hard to say. Knife values change a lot. Your best research tool is to search through "sold" listings on eBay. Not active listings (some people ask ridiculous prices on knives that never sell), but Sold listings for "Boker Solingen Stockman", find some that are similar to yours, then average the prices that you find.

Yours is a beautiful example of a great knife, and with care it could last you a lifetime.

[tongueriver]

Is your knife about 4 inches long closed (pattern 7374) or about 3 3/8 inches closed (pattern 7388)? I expected to see a four-digit pattern number stamped (they are not engraved) into the tang of one blade. Boker may at times also used a different pattern number for the same pattern, depending on the years in question. The medallion is more often called a shield. I am thinking 1950s, but there are Boker people here who know more about the dates than I. I believe that the covers (most folk call them scales or handles) are a pre-Delrin plastic. They are not celluloid either. It was a proprietary material used only on Bokers pre-1962, in my opinion. Your steel is indeed high carbon steel (non-stainless), however stainless knife steels are ALSO high carbon steel. I just trying to catch you up on some knife terms. I don't believe the Keen Kutter etch on those German Bokers had anything to do with the same term owned by an American hardware firm.

[Mumbleypeg]

Welcome to AAPK. I can’t add anything to the replies already given, but I can refer you to the Research section here on AAPK, https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... t/research where you can find a lot of info about pocket knives, including a glossary of terms. You can access Research using the link I provided, or by clicking on “Research” in the header at the top of this page.

Ken

[qwestsupply]

WOW, thank you so much for those detailed answers, @Reverand, @tongueriver, and @mumbleypeg!! I just learned so much! This knife was gifted to me, along with a couple of others. I will likely make a few more posts to identify the others as well, but this is a great start.

Hello from Alabama, and Welcome to AAPK!!!

You posted some good questions, and I will see if I can answer them to your satisfaction. If not, feel free to ask again! AAPK is a great place for questions.

There are two Boker companies: Boker USA, and Boker Solingen Germany. Your knife was made by the German company. Both made great cutlery.
The shield (medallion) is a standard Boker Solingen shield.
The style of knife (three blades, one shaped as a spey blade, and a serpentine-shaped body) is called a Stockman pattern. They are very common, and yours has a punch blade as well, which is a bit more rare.
The handles look like they might be Delrin plastic, which means it was made sometime after 1961 or 62. I would hazard a guess that yours was made in the 1970's or 80's, but that is more of a feeling than anything else. Boker did not use a dating system, so it can be difficult to pin down a date of manufacture.
The etch is faint on your Main blade, but it does say Keen Kutter. I believe that means it was made by Boker Solingen, for a hardware company. Others who are more knowledgeable than I might give more details there.
Lastly, your knife has carbon steel blades. They do not remain shiny like stainless steels do, but carbon steel blades can get scary sharp very easily! Many people prefer to carry knives with carbon blades. The patina (darkening spots) is actually an oxide coating that naturally occurs with use. It helps to protect the steel from rust. An attempt to clean that off would ruin the etch on the blade. I recommend just oiling the joints, then wiling that oil on the blades. Then sharpen it, carry it, and use it!
As far as value, that is hard to say. Knife values change a lot. Your best research tool is to search through "sold" listings on eBay. Not active listings (some people ask ridiculous prices on knives that never sell), but Sold listings for "Boker Solingen Stockman", find some that are similar to yours, then average the prices that you find.

Yours is a beautiful example of a great knife, and with care it could last you a lifetime.

Amazingly detailed information! Thank you so much. Do you have a recommendation for the type of oil to use or can I just use any 'ol lubricating oil?

Is your knife about 4 inches long closed (pattern 7374) or about 3 3/8 inches closed (pattern 7388)?

It is 3 3/8 inches closed.

Welcome to AAPK. I can’t add anything to the replies already given, but I can refer you to the Research section here on AAPK, https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... t/research where you can find a lot of info about pocket knives, including a glossary of terms. You can access Research using the link I provided, or by clicking on “Research” in the header at the top of this page.

I will check out that section. Keen to learn as much as I can!

Seriously thank you all for taking the time to provide that information

[Reverand]

Any oil will do, though I normally use Mineral Oil. It is not an especially great lubricant, but it is clear and odorless, and you can find it in the Pharmacy section of most any store (it is sold as a laxative!)
I often clean my pocket knives and use them on food, so I don't have to worry about a bad taste from the oil.
But 3-in-1 machine oil, gun oil, and many others will do just fine, and will help protect the knife.

[qwestsupply]

Any oil will do, though I normally use Mineral Oil. It is not an especially great lubricant, but it is clear and odorless, and you can find it in the Pharmacy section of most any store (it is sold as a laxative!)
I often clean my pocket knives and use them on food, so I don't have to worry about a bad taste from the oil.
But 3-in-1 machine oil, gun oil, and many others will do just fine, and will help protect the knife.

Thank you once again for that information! I have no idea when this knife was last used, but boy, is it ever sharp! I used a little bit of machine oil to lubricate the hinges so now it opens much easier than before. I think I will head to the pharmacy to pick up some mineral oil too.