Boker "Tree Brand Classic" & Solingen made traditional knives

[bigfish64]

I've looked at those a number of times... How do you like it?

I like it, it’s very well made and the wood is beautiful.

 

[Fixall]

I had some trouble with the router last night and decided to go to bed, rather than fix it and get the pictures uploaded, so I'm a bit late.

First I've gotta say that Boker has really stepped their packaging game up. I know stuff like this increases the price for the consumer, but I save my boxes and really appreciate nice touches like this.

Inside the box was a soft, knife case. It's a bit nicer than usual though, and even has a dual zipper that allows you to apply a lock to the case. Both the barlows I received had this packaging, not just the special edition.

And now for the stars of the show! First up is the Leopard Damascus and Desert Ironwood/Micarta Integral Barlow. I took these at about 2am, so no natural light unfortunately. I'll have to take some new pics outside soon to really show off the desert ironwood. Not a ton of figure, but it has fantastic color in person. The blade is the real cool part of the knife in my opinion though. It features 300 layer damascus, hand forged into the Pyramid pattern by Chad Nichols... Cool enough in itself... But the damascus was made from steel salvaged from the barrels of German Leopard tanks! Boker sure does some really cool projects. I also grabbed their Sherman tank knife, but that will have to be posted elsewhere since it's a more modern design.

The Burlap Micarta Integral Barlow also came in.

My first thought (aside from "holy cow that's a lot of oil on the knife") was that the lack of a metal bolster and liners REALLY make the knife feel very light. I do gotta wonder a bit about the durability. I'm not super hard on my traditional knives, but strength is the purpose of the extended bolster on a barlow so I'm not sure how I feel about that. I had forgotten that they used N690 on these knives (I was thinking it was 440c), so that was a nice surprise. Fit and finish is excellent. I think I would have chosen a slightly less polished finish on the Micarta had I been the designer though. All in all I like it, but I'm not sure I'll be grabbing the all black version. I think I'm more of a metal bolstered barlow kind of guy.

 

[black mamba]

Brian, that dark damascus is just superb!

 

[bigfish64]

I had some trouble with the router last night and decided to go to bed, rather than fix it and get the pictures uploaded, so I'm a bit late.

First I've gotta say that Boker has really stepped their packaging game up. I know stuff like this increases the price for the consumer, but I save my boxes and really appreciate nice touches like this.

Inside the box was a soft, knife case. It's a bit nicer than usual though, and even has a dual zipper that allows you to apply a lock to the case. Both the barlows I received had this packaging, not just the special edition.

And now for the stars of the show! First up is the Leopard Damascus and Desert Ironwood/Micarta Integral Barlow. I took these at about 2am, so no natural light unfortunately. I'll have to take some new pics outside soon to really show off the desert ironwood. Not a ton of figure, but it has fantastic color in person. The blade is the real cool part of the knife in my opinion though. It features 300 layer damascus, hand forged into the Pyramid pattern by Chad Nichols... Cool enough in itself... But the damascus was made from steel salvaged from the barrels of German Leopard tanks! Boker sure does some really cool projects. I also grabbed their Sherman tank knife, but that will have to be posted elsewhere since it's a more modern design.

The Burlap Micarta Integral Barlow also came in.

My first thought (aside from "holy cow that's a lot of oil on the knife") was that the lack of a metal bolster and liners REALLY make the knife feel very light. I do gotta wonder a bit about the durability. I'm not super hard on my traditional knives, but strength is the purpose of the extended bolster on a barlow so I'm not sure how I feel about that. I had forgotten that they used N690 on these knives (I was thinking it was 440c), so that was a nice surprise. Fit and finish is excellent. I think I would have chosen a slightly less polished finish on the Micarta had I been the designer though. All in all I like it, but I'm not sure I'll be grabbing the all black version. I think I'm more of a metal bolstered barlow kind of guy.

Great write up Brian. I agree, the packaging is impeccable. The F&F and W&T on these new Barlows are superb, solid as a rock, not a gap to be found anywhere, and snappy as ever! I wish the Micarta was less polished also, but I still might pick up the black one anyway.

 

[thedonald]

A medium Boker Stockman 7588. No idea how to date this, but not been used.

 

[marcus52AR]

Just ordered a spearpoint mamba in N690 and irnwood, it will be a couple of weeks before I receive it though. I'm now considering a cattle knife in curly birch or the jigged bone version.

Anyone have a cattle knife? Thoughts? I'm on the fence with the cover choice as they both look great and are the same price.

 

[Pt-Luso]

Just arrived Böker Stockman Anniversary Edition (073/150) in curly birch wood stabilized.

 

[bigfish64]

Just arrived Böker Stockman Anniversary Edition (073/150) in curly birch wood stabilized.

Very nice José, the Burch has some really nice figuring!

 

[Pt-Luso]

Very nice José, the Burch has some really nice figuring!

Thank you very much, Todd.

 

[bigfish64]

Thank you very much, Todd.

How’s the action on your new Boker Stockman José? Is it nice and snappy?

 

[Pt-Luso]

How’s the action on your new Boker Stockman José? Is it nice and snappy?

Yes it's good, there's a lot of strength when closing.

 

[JohnDF]

 

[marcus52AR]

I'm thinking this mamba isn't part of the tree brand classic line, but since I mentioned it earlier I'll post a picture if no one minds. Nice lockback, solid when deployed and a free dropper when the lock is disengaged. Easy to manipulate one handed as well.

 

[TheFactor]

Love them !!

 

[bigfish64]

Just arrived today, Boker Swell-end Jack in green curly Burch and N690 steel. Fantastic construction no blade play, the only thing I will say is that it isn’t as snappy when it opens as the vast majority of the Bokers I own, but it has nice snap to half-stop and close. If it had a long pull and a carbon blade it would be perfect. The pictures don’t do the covers justice, they have a lot more depth than the camera is showing.

 

[bigfish64]

And this beauty came as well. Boker Castle Burg Prime Barlow in acid washed O1 tool steel. The construction on this one is equally fantastic. Flush everywhere and in every position, and snap…snap…snappy!

 

[TheFactor]

bigfish64 Those both are stellar Nice scores congrats man !!

 

[Sventhelumberjack]

Just arrived today, Boker Swell-end Jack in green curly Burch and N690 steel. Fantastic construction no blade play, the only thing I will say is that it isn’t as snappy when it opens as the vast majority of the Bokers I own, but it has nice snap to half-stop and close. If it had a long pull and a carbon blade it would be perfect. The pictures don’t do the covers justice, they have a lot more depth than the camera is showing. View attachment 1621599View attachment 1621600View attachment 1621601View attachment 1621602View attachment 1621603View attachment 1621604View attachment 1621605View attachment 1621606View attachment 1621607

Wow, I really like that swell-end jack with the green curly birch! What length is that one?

 

[bigfish64]

bigfish64 Those both are stellar Nice scores congrats man !!

Wow, I really like that swell-end jack with the green curly birch! What length is that one?

Thanks guys. The swell-end is 3 3/8”. I believe it’s the same frame as their regular Barlows, not the Prime Barlow.

 

[JohnDF]

That's not a Barlow...