Boker Plus Epicenter, Yay Or Nay?

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Svs

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Sep 5, 2012
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Hello All,

I've been reading reviews and watching YouTube videos if the Boker Epicenter the last couple of days. I've found out that the first run had scale alignment problems, but the second run fixed that.

I really like the look of this knife but am seriously on the fence about making the purchase as the reviews seem to be 50/50. I found one for @$120 shipped so the price is good for what you get I suppose.

It would really help if there were anyone here with a second batch run that could tell me how it's holding up and if its a worth while knife to pick up?

I'm on a titanium kick, but would like to keep it in the low $100's.
I just got a Sage 2 so now I'm hooked on titanium! Lol.


Thank you for any feedback guys!


EDIT: It's either this or the Kershaw Rake. Yeah I know not titanium but def a good knife.
 
I live close to Solingen, and for some reason I really like Böker so bear that in mind when reading my post

That said, I was in the Böker shop last weekend, and they had it lying around in one of the displays, so I suppose it has been opened and closed a lot of times by visiting customers. It still felt very solid, no blade play whatsoever. The lock was surprisingly smooth for a titanium framelock, my HEST 2.0 lock is alot stiffer and stickier but like I said it was the shop's demo knife so its probably worn in to some degree.

No alignment issues with the handles, as far as I could see.
The handle is very smooth, and fits my size 9 hand quite well. The contoured titanium is nice as well

But due to the smoothness of the handle its not a knife for hard work with dirty hands etc. But I don't think I'd use it for that anyway.

The blade itself opens and closes smoothly too, but not as smooth as my Kershaw JYDII (I don't have any higher end knives for comparison)
The VG-10 blade steel is an upgrade to Böker's usual 440C I guess, the grind was even and sharp.

It is kinda large for my taste and not that much of a user knife, so I'm still a bit on the fence about buying one, but it is certainly a very nice knife with good materials. Its 175€ list price over here, so 120$ is not bad at all.

I have to mention that I did fondle it only for about 2 minutes, so I didn't look too close
I'm usually not a collectors anyway, I buy to use, so I'm not that picky about minor finishing issues.
If you care about such things, you better pick one out yourself in a store, because Böker seems to have some QC issues sometimes

My 0,02€ :cool:
 
C_Becker,

Thank you for the detailed reply. Sounds promising. I'm guessing that was a second run version you got to look at?
VG10 steel and Titanium Scales with a Ti pocket clip for $120 sounds very tempting!
 
Even better, just found it for $107.00 with $6.00 priority shipping!

Man Oh man! I'm getting squirley over here and might just pull the trigger!
 
I am pleased with mine.

It does need a pivot adjustment from time to time for blade centering.

Quite a good deal for a production version of a great custom knife.

I hope that they will offer more Todd Rexford folders in the future.
 
You can't go wrong with the materials at that price point, $120 shipped go for it you'll be happy! I have the 2nd run version with all the issues corrected, carried it off and on for a little less than a year and have zero problems. It's a beast of a knife in every way, thick VG10 blade stock and thick TI scales takes it to the upper realm of EDC. The knife is heavy duty and with that comes the price of weight and girth, not the most easy pocket carry clipped inside your pocket. However, the knife will never let you down and has proven it's worth in whatever I've thrown at it. I haven't baton-ed with it, but it handled everything else and stayed tight. In the beginning it was a little difficult opening the knife with the thumbstud, I found that if you deploy the knife using an upward motion with the stud and not outward made opening easy. You'll see what I mean when you get your hands on it.... It's a definite keeper for me!!
 
IMHO Boker makes overpriced knives with good materials but crap worksmanship. I think TuffThumbz has a video on the topic. Save your money and get a Spyderco.
 
ooitzoo said:
IMHO Boker makes overpriced knives with good materials but crap worksmanship. I think TuffThumbz has a video on the topic. Save your money and get a Spyderco.
Click to expand...

Yes, I have heard about some pretty major fit and finish issues with these particular knives. Scales totally out of alignment was something I've heard from a few people.

Here's the video you mentioned - it outlines a couple of the problems with this knife pretty clearly.

[youtube]HeFE1WhDW4I[/youtube]

I haven't tried the knife myself, but it does look pretty tempting - VG10 and titanium for around 120$?
 
All I am saying is that you can get comporable or even better materials for the roughly the same money withput worrying about getting a dud and having to ship the knife to Germany for warranty.
 
Ok. So i was in your position about a month ago. I wanted to get a TI knife but didnt know if i wanted to save up and get an umnumzaan or get this boker. I figured id hold off on my grail so id have something to work towards.

I recieved a Gen 2 Model and it is Perfect. Its solid, looks great, no alignment problems. Everything is wonderful. Definately the knife i will carry when i dress up untill i find the need to get an zaan..

Go For it its an awesome knife you really cant beat it for the price.

P.S. To be honest its better than any spyderco I have ever had and probably any spyderco in its price range/class


edit: all of the problems associated with the epicenter were in the first production(Including tuffthumbz). all gen 2 models have great reviews
 
Why so thick? That thing is huge, and not my style but it does look good.

Anyways, I am not a fan of most Bokers. Some cool designs, but I haven't had great luck with the quality/fit and finish of their products. Chipped Micarta on my Gnome, and a Chad Los Banos frame lock with a bent edge/tip. I am also not really impressed with their 440c. Yeah it isn't terrible but some of their knives are priced too high for 440c IMHO. I guess the blade steel is VG10 though and I do like that.

Like has been posted already I would check out some Spyderco's if I was you OP. The exchange has a few in Titanium right now. ;)

I just got a UK Pen Knife in Titanium for $100 off the exchange, and there are a few Techno's at the $150 mark. Far better knives if you ask me.
 
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