All About Pocket Knives

My friend just gave me his 2023 Boker catalog. I had read a while back that Boker (Solingen) was stopping traditional (stockmans, barlows, copperheads, etc) models. Looks like that was correct - almost none of these shown in the Solingen (most expensive - $200-600) section of the catalog. These patterns are now in the Traditional line (made who knows where?) and Boker Plus (made in Asia). Glad I got some Soligen-made Bokers over the years while they were still reasonable.

I had not heard about this. Went to the Boker site and checked to see what "traditional pocket knives" were listed and you may be right. There were no "Solingen" stockmans, but they do have barlows and trappers. Some had the "coming soon" on the listing. I don't think Boker would stop Solingen made classics. From what I understand the pen and slip joints are some of the only legal knives that can be sold throughout most of Europe.

Vit_213 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 03, 2024 12:51 am https://www.bokerusa.com/pocket-knives/ ... knives?p=2

These are sort of weird, as they aren't really made in Solingen--as I understand, they are (at most) assembled in Solingen with Chinese parts.

For those prices it's probably true. Too cheap for real Solingen made

I've been jonesin for a Case Sodbuster with blue bone scales. Super good lookin. Almost pulled the trigger today but then remembered how disappointed I was with the last several Case purchases so I went with a Boker Solingen slimline trapper with desert ironwood scales. Will post pic when it arrives.

I got the slimline Boker in this week, posted pics in My Latest Boker thread

It is my understanding that unless is is marked "Solingen" on the tang or shield, it was probably manufactured in China. The parts are shipped to Germany and assembled in Germany. This is why they can mark them "Germany." Only the best Boker knives will be tang stamped "Solingen" and by German law, made and assembled in Solingen, Germany. The "city of knives." Knives marked "Plus" or "Magnum" are usually not made in Germany.

These are the last two Bokers I've bought. Both are slimline trappers marked Solingen. The brown desert iron wood was bought about 6 months ago, the blue curly maple about 2 years ago. Both are nice but not as nice American or Japanese brands I've bought recently. I don't think I will be purchasing anymore Bokers, especially no China knives. Ever. Both have decent run up, and good stiff springs but no half stops which bugs me.