Review Boker Plus Tech-Tool City 1

[miso2]

After purchasing Manly Wasp and Benchmade Proper (Krein regrind), I am severely hooked with modern-traditional slip joint folders.

I own a few GEC knives and several Case Sod Buster.
What I like about them is the thinness at the stock and behind the edge, and the resultant supreme cutting ability over modern folders.
But I've always wished if they come with better stainless steels.
The recent modern traditional trend brings just that.
Unfortunately, though, most of these modern slip joint knives seem to come with thick edges.

I have been looking for other modern slip joint ground deep to a thin edge.
Manly Wasp I purchased recently was a pleasant exception.
Maserin Plow and Viper Key seem fit to this specification but little too large (>3") for my carry.
Then I found this little guy mentioned several times in the traditional forum.

It was sold out in most of online shops, but I was able to snag one at $35.
Mine is the city version (black G10) out of few other options (green G10, wood handles, and some exclusives in G10 and Micarta).


The specs

  Overall length:                       165 mm (6.5”)
  Closed length:                        96 mm (3.78”)
  Blade Length:                         71 mm (2.80”)
  Blade thickness:                      2 mm (0.079”)
  BTE at 15 DPS:                        0.25 mm (0.01”)
  Edge angle:                           20 DPS
  Blade material:                       12C27
  Blade grind:                          Hollow
  Handle thickness:                     11.5 mm (0.45”)
  Handle material:                      Black G10
  Weight:                               53 g (1.87 oz)
  Nail nick:                            Single
  Stops:                                None
  Pull (5 for SAK):                     5
  Pinchable:                            Yes
  Pocket clip:                          Yes
  Internal stop pin:                    Yes

It is truly a fantastic knife for the price!
Internal stop pin, contoured G10 handle, milled liners, 2-way pocket clip, and the evenly ground blade for $35?
And they come in a very well constructed package.
Unbelievable.
I would take it any day over Case Sod Buster Jr (similar price point), or even Benchmade Proper ($120).

 

[miso2]

Pull is similar to that of SAK and little weaker than GEC #15.
Walk and talk is also similar to SAK and Sod Buster Jr with the cam tang, although the stop pin somewhat degrades the talk.

The blade tang and top of the spring are rounded, so
But they are quite flush to each other.
Interestingly, the spring is stone washed, while the blade and the spaces are mirror polished.

The blade nicely sinks deep into the handle.
It is still pinchable to open, thanks to the large nail nick and relatively weak pull.

It sports a beautiful drop point blade.
I prefer this pattern to Sod Buster blade, primarily because of the pointier tip.
Left Boker, right Case.

The blade is deeply hollow ground.
The thickness behind the edge is not as thin as some GEC knives, but its slicing capability is on par.

 

[miso2]

The handle is slim and as thin as Case.
It disappears in pocket.

G10 is smooth and yet grippy.
It is finished just right.
I really like how they contour G10.

It has the glass breaker, which I feel unnecessary.
It is not too robust to bother hand and pocket.
I am glad that Boker dropped the tweezers, which come with the Ruike equivalent.

I took off the pocket clip right away and carry it in a pocket slip.

 

[miso2]

As a modern slip joint knife, it shares some common features with other modern slip joint I have, Benchmade Proper and Manly Wasp.

They all have internal stop pins, which prevents blade from hitting the spring.
The liners are milled for weight reduction.
And of course screw construction instead of pins.

Size-wise, Proper is comparable.

The construction and fit&finish of Tech-Tool are excellent and quite comparable to Proper.
Considering the price difference ($35 vs $120), it is remarkable.

This is my first time with 12C27 steel.
Boker catalog says it is hardened to 58~60 HRC, which agrees with Ruike catalog.
So far, the edge retention seems quite good and feels better than GEC 1095 and Case Trusharp.

 

[miso2]

Conclusion:

This is a very well constructed modern slip joint knife with good design choices and at a incredibly low price.
I especially like the blade shape, grind, G10, and the slimness when closed.
I can definitely recommend the knife to those looking for a modern slip joint knife.
For those needing a stout slip joint, Manly Wasp would be a better option.

 

[J D Wijbenga]

Excellent review with lots of good information! Thanks!

 

[fishface5]

Ditto - Nice review!

 

[miso2]

Thanks guys!

 

[Rich S]

I have Boker you reviewed. Carry it a lot. Good knife as you said.
Rich

 

[miso2]

Forgot to write.
When removing or switching the position of the pocket clip, you need to swap the secondary screws.
The one securing the clip is longer than the other secondary screw.
I did not do it and found that the screw penetrate the liners and was pushing the blade.

 

[Pr3inar]

Nice review!

I own one of the Bökers in this line, don’t remember the number, but it has a a philips driver and the awl on the back, and a saw, flathead driver and that weird, angled serrated blade/driver.

I love the bladeshape, handleshape and the fact that they have put the nailnick on the awl on the «downside», so it’s always closest to a liner and much easier to open than Sak’s, and especially thicker Sak’s.

the only thing I don’t like with this line is the serrated, angled blade.. Even if I don’t have to use it, it just annoys me that it’s there. Maybe I will try one of this one-bladed oes instead!