Editor's Note: I received corrective feedback from the good folks at Boker. Corrections have been edited in appropriately. -Ed.
---It seems I go through knives faster than most folks I know. I used to think it was because I was just abusive to them, or simply because I DO carry two every day every where. Now I've come to realize that it is quite often because someone sees one in my collection - or in my pocket - and shortly thereafter that knife ends up in someone else's pocket. To be honest, most of the time they ask BEFORE they procure it. All of them are friends so I don't begrudge them the knife most of the time anyway. My challenge now is to find out how long I can keep this Boker Model 0189 that I most recently finished testing and like enough to make it one of my daily carry blades.
Shown above the Boker Model 0189 measures just over 7" long when locked open. The blade, shown right, measures 2.75" with 1.75" of that being serrated (on this version). When closed the knife measures just over 4" long.
The knife is equipped with a spine lock that has a strong spring. When it locks open it gives an authoritative CLICK and it takes a good amount of pressure to unlock the knife. The oval-shaped thumb hole is easy enough to use to open the knife - but I have medium size hands. If you have BIG hands or are wearing gloves it might be a bit more difficult.
The synthetic grips are shallowly textured and are ergonomically shaped for a decent grip. The metal pocket clip is reversible for tip-up or tip-down carry, but only on one side of the knife. As I perceive it, it's set up for a right hand draw and use. The clip curve is set up for a deep pocket carry and, especially with the tip-up carry position, the weight of the knife adds to how well it rides in your pocket.
I was sent this knife without any data about it - just the box and normal paperwork that manufacturers generically put with all their knives. I have searched online and can't find the knife yet. It's so new I must be one of the first to abuse it - and I'm honored. Not knowing what type of steel the blade is made from; not knowing what the handle material is; not knowing how it's held together or even what the price tag is, I decided to go for broke and just beat the crap out of it to see what it would take.
Added 3/13/09: The steel is AUS-8; a very common and proven steel for such utility blades. Retail price is set at $39.95 which is more than reasonable for this design and type of knife.
Long time readers know about my shed and all the nice stuff that can be cut therein. Out came some rope, twine, nylon webbing, that ugly yellow "boater's rope", paracord, some 120# fishing line, and a few strips of plastic that had been cut from a 5 gallon construction bucket. The knife cut everything fairly easily although the yellow boater's rope took three passes to get through. The blade had no issues shaving the plastic, and would puncture it when I swung overhand and down through, but cutting the plastic proved difficult due to the strength of the material and the size of the knife. As my hands got sweaty the grips proved just a bit slick, so I'm not sure how well suited this knife would be for work on or in the water. I think I'll stick to it as a pocket knife for daily utility use.
I'd like to be able to offer info about price but, as I said, I didn't get that info and I can't find it online anywhere. When you finally do see the BokerPlus Model 0189 starting to hit the shelves and catalogs, consider picking one up for that daily carry. It's big enough to do most jobs in such a setting, and small enough not to feel like the boat anchor in your pocket.
Happy Trails!
