All About Pocket Knives

Posted: **Sun Dec 19, 2021 10:44 pm**

I’ve tried to do the research, so tell me if I’m understanding this correctly. I was trying to figure out why I paid twice as much for the green bone as the red bone - both are Tree Brand, so Germany is the country of origin. However, what I have read on Forums is that if it says “Solingen,” then it’s made from German manufactured parts and assembled in Germany. If it only says “Germany,” then its made from parts manufactured elsewhere but, indeed, is assembled in Germany. (The tang on the green says “Solingen.” The tang on the red only says “Boker.”) So, is that accurate?

Posted: **Sun Dec 19, 2021 11:35 pm**

Good question. I too would like to know the answer.
Can you see much difference in fit and finish between these 2 Boker knives ? And are blades similarly ground and of equal sharpness ?
Regardless of where made or source of parts, are you getting an obviously better knife for twice the money ?
kj

Posted: **Mon Dec 20, 2021 12:21 am**

The green one looks German.
The red one looks chinese.

Posted: **Mon Dec 20, 2021 3:38 am**

From the differences in the jigging patterns, the shape of the frame, and shape of the clip blade, I would say that they were manufactured in different countries. I don't know enough to say where the red-handled knife was manufactured, but it does not have the same look to it.
You are correct in stating that the green-handled knife was manufactured in Solingen Germany, in order to carry the Solingen stamp. That knife was completely made in Germany.
Whereas the red-handled knife just says "Boker", with no country of origin. I may misremember, but I think I read that Boker produces some knives in South America and some in China, as well as having parts made overseas then assembled in Germany.

Posted: **Mon Dec 20, 2021 4:44 am**

For a knife to be stamped "Solingen" it must have been manufactured in Solingen, Germany. There are very strict laws regarding this. Boker has been having knives made in China for a few years now. Their rep told me that the parts were made in China then assembled in Germany. I call BS on that claim. It does not make sense and as Judge Judy says, if it doesn't make sense its most likely not true. My strong suspicion is that the knives are made to near completion in China where the labor is dirt cheap, then the knives are shipped to Germany for the final steps of the manufacturing process which MIGHT include sharpening the blade or perhaps wiping off the knife before boxing it for shipment. Bottom line is that if it does not say "Solingen" on the tang stamp and the shield, it's not a real German made Boker.

Posted: **Mon Dec 20, 2021 5:00 am**

philco wrote: ↑Mon Dec 20, 2021 4:44 am For a knife to be stamped "Solingen" it must have been manufactured in Solingen, Germany. There are very strict laws regarding this. Boker has been having knives made in China for a few years now. Their rep told me that the parts were made in China then assembled in Germany. I call BS on that claim. It does not make sense and as Judge Judy says, if it doesn't make sense its most likely not true. My strong suspicion is that the knives are made to near completion in China where the labor is dirt cheap, then the knives are shipped to Germany for the final steps of the manufacturing process which MIGHT include sharpening the blade or perhaps wiping off the knife before boxing it for shipment. Bottom line is that if it does not say "Solingen" on the tang stamp and the shield, it's not a real German made Boker.

Posted: **Mon Dec 20, 2021 2:48 pm**

Thanks for all the comments, guys.

As for fit and finish, no, I can’t really tell a difference in the two.

I do know we’re consistently told that if it has the Tree Brand on it, it’s made in Germany. But, Phil, as you said, what does “made” mean? The knife came from SMKW, and, as y’all know, SMKW lists a country of origin for all their knives, and this one was Germany.

Formerly American made knife brands being bought out and moved to China, knife parts made in China but assembled in Germany (or here), an American knife brand that has some made here and some in China (so you can’t just buy the brand and think it’s American made), etc., etc. Knife collecting ain’t what it used to be, is it!!

Posted: **Mon Dec 20, 2021 4:17 pm**

You are correct. Another thing is that the Solingen made knives are normally C75 carbon steel, where as the one's with domestic parts assembled in Germany tend to be a 400 series stainless steel to reduce cost.

Posted: **Mon Dec 20, 2021 11:01 pm**

philco wrote: ↑Mon Dec 20, 2021 4:44 am For a knife to be stamped "Solingen" it must have been manufactured in Solingen, Germany. There are very strict laws regarding this. Boker has been having knives made in China for a few years now. Their rep told me that the parts were made in China then assembled in Germany. I call BS on that claim. It does not make sense and as Judge Judy says, if it doesn't make sense its most likely not true. My strong suspicion is that the knives are made to near completion in China where the labor is dirt cheap, then the knives are shipped to Germany for the final steps of the manufacturing process which MIGHT include sharpening the blade or perhaps wiping off the knife before boxing it for shipment. Bottom line is that if it does not say "Solingen" on the tang stamp and the shield, it's not a real German made Boker.

I think you're onto something.

It's my understanding that "Made in Germany" has much less stringent critera compared to "Made in Solingen". The whole thing has to be made in Solingen to be marked so, but only minor finishing and packaging work allow it to be marked "MADE IN GERMANY".

Posted: **Mon Dec 20, 2021 11:26 pm**

Boker made excellent quality knives in the U.S.A. until the mid-1980s, which were also known as Tree Brand and stamped with a tree on the blade. Just to clarify that having a tree stamp is not necessarily indicative the knife was made in Solingen.

Ken

Posted: **Wed Dec 22, 2021 8:12 pm**

The green one is Solingen made. C75 carbon steel blades. Etched nail nicks. A "REAL TREEBRAND"
The red one is made in china. There are sellers on the bay in china selling these for around 25.00. Some people say there assembled in Germany from china parts. I don't think so. Why do sellers in china have them for sale?

The price difference tells you a lot. Plus if you look at the knives closely there night and day different.

The sure fire way to tell the difference is Solingen on tang and or shield.
The china one's will have Germany shield.

Posted: **Mon Dec 27, 2021 4:26 am**

In my opinion the red one being made out of stainless would be the giveaway that it is from china.

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