Böker Optima folder first impressions w/photos

[sasu]

I jost got a new Böker (Boker) Optima folder, with Thuja wood handles. Product code is 113002TH, price about $150 in Europe.

The folder feels very solid and it is decently finished. The handle fits my largeish hand nicely, which is the reason I bought this largest version of Böker's "bowie" bladed folders. It is heavy, 220 g/8 oz according to Böker.

The edge does newspaper push cuts with ease. There are a couple of slight inaccuracies in the fitting of parts, but they give a personal touch to the knife rather than make it feel shoddy.

The Cordura sheath takes the folder itself and one spare blade.

A couple of shots of the knife.

Here you can see the level of fitting, which is very nice.

The pouch and spare saw blade.

A size comparison with CRKT M16-03Z.

This is how the blades are changed: put the blade at a 90 degree angle and push the lock all the way down, the blade just slides out.

A slight disappointment was the fact that the saw blade teeth do not protrude to the sides as they really should. Is there a single knife on the market where the saw teeth did that like on a real saw? Anyway, the saw is good enough to take off my fingers if they attempt to use my credit card again to buy a knife I do not really need.

 

[rebeltf]

Nice looking knife

Thanks for the review. :thumbup:

 

[MDG]

Sasu,

Nice looking knife. I have been thinking about an Optima for a while but have been put off by the thickness of the blade and exchange blade. How do yoy find the thickness of the blade. Is it too thick for slicing e.g. have you tested it on things that need a thin blade such as oranges?

How is the lock. Does the blade have any sideplay when open?

I like those Thuya wood scales.

 

[Dr. Mudd]

Sasu, that's a great looking Boker knife you have there. You expressed some concern about the teeth on the saw blade not having any "set" to them. Try cutting some wood with that blade in case it works well just as it is. The saw blades on my Victorinox Swiss Army Knives achieve the same effect as having a set to the teeth by tapering the blade from edge to back. The edge where the teeth are is thicker than the unsharpened back edge on these blades. That allows the saw blade to slide easily in the kerf without binding. Could it be that your Boker is designed this way, too?

 

[sasu]

Does the blade have any sideplay when open?

Indeed it has. It goes click-clack from side to side. I guess it is unavoidable because of the quick exchange mechanism. You have to have a bit of clearance to be able to slide the blade in and out.

If there are other owners of this knife, I would like to hear if they have sideplay, too. I am happy with mine anyways, sideplay or not.

I will test the saw, maybe I was too quick to pass judgement.