Boker Plus Folders - Worth it?

Comeuppance

Comeuppance

Fixed Blade EDC Emisssary
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
4,765
Boker Plus has been putting out very interesting collaborative knives for a little while now, but I've always been given the impression that they weren't particularly great about fit and finish. Off-center blades, poor grind jobs, obvious blemishes, vertical and horizontal play, etc.

I've been seeing better - or at least more positive - things about their products as of late. Have they stepped up their quality control? I'm really most curious about some of their older models, as I had stayed away due to how little tolerance I have for centering and play issues.

My experiences with Böker has been all over the place. My first Kwaiken was off-center and the blade extended beyond the handle when closed. My second Kwaiken had blade play. My Haddock was wonderful in every way, and the GTC Federal seemed poorly-detailed but well-made.

I'm trying to get my hands on one of the BHQ CF/VG-10 Kwaikens at the moment, despite my mixed experiences, but I'm curious as to whether I should look into getting some of the other knives I've been looking at - like the Uolcos or Squail.
 
If you didn't like the GTC, a premium Boker Plus product, you probably won't be satisfied with any of them.

My experience is that if you have high standards, don't buy any Boker w/o inspecting it first. If you can tolerate some problems as long as the blade works, don't buy Boker Plus. If you must have a Boker Plus model, spend the money and buy at a brick and mortar where you can hand pick your quality. Don't be suprised if you cannot be satisfied; I've seen Boker Plus knives I'd like to own, but none I'd take home.

The last and only Boker I have taken home is a soligen product made in 1992 that I got NIB a few months ago. It's a great knife.
 
Comeuppance said:
Boker Plus has been putting out very interesting collaborative knives for a little while now, but I've always been given the impression that they weren't particularly great about fit and finish. Off-center blades, poor grind jobs, obvious blemishes, vertical and horizontal play, etc.

I've been seeing better - or at least more positive - things about their products as of late. Have they stepped up their quality control? I'm really most curious about some of their older models, as I had stayed away due to how little tolerance I have for centering and play issues.

My experiences with Böker has been all over the place. My first Kwaiken was off-center and the blade extended beyond the handle when closed. My second Kwaiken had blade play. My Haddock was wonderful in every way, and the GTC Federal seemed poorly-detailed but well-made.

I'm trying to get my hands on one of the BHQ CF/VG-10 Kwaikens at the moment, despite my mixed experiences, but I'm curious as to whether I should look into getting some of the other knives I've been looking at - like the Uolcos or Squail.
Click to expand...

I am interested in this one as well.
 
I have a BokerPlus Kalashnikov AK-74 auto, 3.5 inch, and it's a hoot. Fun to play with, very fast action and a hell of a kick on opening. Had it a little over six months now and it's still fine. It's my in-home EDC and 'lawn' knife and rarely gets carried off property. It does see use though. No problems on F&F, grind, centering, play, etc.

It's a conversion knife. Of course the guy I bought it from on whim at a gun show told me Boker would replace the spring, or anything else, if it broke, which was a lie. So I'll use it and play with it until it breaks then replace the spring myself when it needs it .​

The BokerPlus line isn't the best of knives, as you know, and the AK is the only one I own. Been satisfied with it so far, but I did post the Switchblade/Auto forum here a while back asking what I could expect out of it and how long it might last. Replies were so-so but mainly positive.

Over time I've seen one or two other BokerPlus knives I like based on appearance, but haven't purchased any more. I would though.

Not sure what your question was but maybe this info will help.
 
I have a Boker Plus Exskelibur, and it's as good or better than any other $45 knife I've held. Positives are - it's lightweight, has decent steel that seems well heat treated, the blade is centered, and the assembled materials are well-aligned. I've also heard, however, that quality can be hit-or miss so I may have just gotten lucky.

edit - I will add that I've been wanted to try out some of their new-ish fixed blades like the Ginger, the Manero SM-10, and the Vox Rold. Those look pretty cool, but I haven't done much research on their performance. Maybe someone here can chime in???
 
Last edited:
Coworker has 2 Chinese Bokers; the Titan lockback and the Exscelibur or whatever it's called. Both are really nice knives, more so taking into account what they cost him. I have a Haddock as well that's solid and one of my favorites. There's a lot of Boker trash talk, in my experience they've been pretty solid knives.
 
I picked up a couple of the AK 74 auto's about 2 years ago for stocking stuffers. One went to my youngest son, and one to my son in law. They have been well used to the point of the finish being worn off the blade and the handle, but they are both functioning great. The AUS 8 is an adequate user steel, so I think they are a good value. They're also fun.
 
Boker Plus does offer many appealing folder designs, and though I haven’t seen any uneven grinds, or anything more than miniscule cosmetic issues, my last two (Manaro and Flint) as well as a couple others have had various issues with blade play/centering/lockup.

Overall, Boker Plus folders have disappointed me half the time (4 for 8), and cost is no indication of quality. I’ve seen stellar FnF on some of the less-expensive models, so it seems to be a crap shoot. I’ve also been eyeing up the Uolcos, but just can’t seem to buy another Boker Plus folder without handling it first. I have been very pleased with every one of their fixed blades that I have owned, though.
 
Boker has had a shaky past with QC on their import lines, but they do seem concerned with not only improving but in catering to their customers wants more closely. Look at the Kwaiken you're looking at. Make enough noise and they just might produce something. I have had good luck with the Boker Plus knives I've owned, few as they may be, but I am pretty optimistic about their new and future offerings.
 
Might depend a bit on the model. I've gotten a couple Nanos that we're flawless. But small knives hide blade play better than a 4" blade will.

My impression so far is they're above average for a Chinese made knife.
 
I own one, the Field Marshall. Its an absolute brute of a knife. Very happy with it. Great f&f and lock up. Liner lock is actually thicker than most framelocks. 440c hold a good edge (slightly better than Aus8 imo, about the same as 8cr). Despite a long, heavy blade on washers, still flips very good.
 
I'm pretty picky, but here's my take on the new CF kwaiken I got.

It's my first boker. Benchmade is my usual brand, usually always limited runs and I've never really been dissappointed. This year though, I've bought mostly ZTs and have been very impressed.

Anyway, the knife looks and performs well.

However, the blade is closer to the scale without the lock.


There is chipping around some of the holes in the carbon fiber. Being a scale maker myself, I wouldn't have been ok with how it was chipped out around those screws if it were one of mine. However, working with CF a lot, I filled the chipping with superglue and then resanded, which make them disappear.

Lastly, the lock is sticky and I feel like it's over too far. I'm not a liner lock expert, but it seems over farther than every other one of my liner/frame lock knives I own. Maybe some of you can tell me if that looks normal for a kwaiken.


Anyway, my opinion is it doesn't seem up to the quality that Benchmade/ZT/Spyderco are at for the same money.
 
Got a VG-10 Kwaiken today, no issues as the above poster mentioned except centering ( I got the same separation as the pics above). The blad eis off by a little and frankly I think it is not an issue. Opens super smooth, and there is no blade play whatsoever.
IMHO that particular blade is really sweet and is worth the money.
 
mainaman said:
Got a VG-10 Kwaiken today, no issues as the above poster mentioned except centering ( I got the same separation as the pics above). The blad eis off by a little and frankly I think it is not an issue. Opens super smooth, and there is no blade play whatsoever.
IMHO that particular blade is really sweet and is worth the money.
Click to expand...

Hey mainaman,
You're lock up isn't as far over as mine? I'm wondering if maybe i should contact them and see if I can get it replaced, doesn't seem quite right to me.
 
Comeuppance, old friend where have you been, for those not knowing, this is a good man, and a great collector of knives, Comeuppance is a fine fellow. that said, avoid the Bokers. unless they are 20 years old. I have them and not happy.
 
Ive got most of the Ti framelocks they make and guess im just lucky. All of them are pretty much as good as it gets for the price. I dont really put them thru any hard use, just like them to check out the knives they mimic but have to say im happy with them.
 
It looks just fine for a steel liner lock to me. Remember, the carbon fiber/liner lock model is steel. So steel on steel you wont need much room for break in.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top