8388 Help

[St0ckMan]

Before he passed my grandfather gave me an old 8388 he carried years ago. It was replaced by a case peanut I’d love to have but given family mess I’m satisfied to have what I’ve got. I’ve carried it a couple times just to remember him but would like to find another worth putting some miles on. I found a few on the net but they are either toast or Delrin. The one he gave me was bone with carbon blades. I found one that might be a candidate but I can’t get any info out of the seller. It looks to be bone but has an oval shield which seems odd. I’m not a Boker historian and can’t find any info on them using oval shields. If anyone would be able to help please let me know. Thanks folks.

I’ve attached a pic of his cause why not.

[Mumbleypeg]

Welcome to AAPK. The round shield, which your knife appears to have had at one time, is probably the most commonly seen Böker shield. You found the Böker sub-forum here so if you take a look through some of the other posts you’ll find many pictures of Bökers with round shields. The shields also often missing, like yours is. If you contact Böker they will send you a replacement. For a similar knife, I’d recommend looking on eBay (do a search for Böker 8388 (or similar). There are at least three with bone covers (and round shields) for sale when I looked. You might also search the AAPK member stores.

Ken

[St0ckMan]

Thanks Ken, I’ve had an account for s while but this is my first post. I’ve searched the site and forum many times over the years though.

I was actually looking for another 8388 so I could out this one up. Many of the ones I found are Delrin and I’d prefer bone if possible. I found one that looks like new old stock on an online auction but it has an oval shield. Was there a time that Boker USA made a change?

[Mumbleypeg]

I’ve never seen an 8388 that did not have a round shield. If you’ve seen one with an oval shield then at some point they must have changed, or it may be a random thing. The point being there are plenty of them with round shields if that’s what you want. Like I said there were at least three of them available on eBay with bone covers and round shields (including one with a missing shield). I’m sure you’ll find one if you keep looking.

For a similar knife, I’d recommend looking on eBay (do a search for Böker 8388 (or similar). There are at least three with bone covers (and round shields) for sale when I looked.

Ken