Damascus Steel Knives Online

Boker Damascus Knives: A

Hands-On Review of the Leopard

Boker Manufaktur Solingen, the legendary Saxon cutlery company, has been

around for a long time. With traceable roots as far back as 17th century

Remscheid, Germany to a small tool factory that bore its name, Boker, over

the years, has learned a thing or two about making knives. When they decided

to apply their experience and expertise to the production of their Collectors

series of Boker Damascus Knives, they, understandably, nailed it.

Boker has been really smart about capitalizing on the military history of

Germany and the common perceptions many people in the world have about

the German character. In keeping with this, one of the more unique cutters in

the Collectors series of Boker Damascus knives is the Leopard I Damascus

Linerlock Folder, model 110084DAM. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that the

steel used to forge the Damascus blade is reclaimed from the barrel of a

German battle tank, the Leopard I. Not only does this special steel provide the

mystique factor to this collectible cutter, but it’s also functionally superior to

many other types of steel, as you might expect given its original application.

Here are the general specifications: the Leopard I Linerlock Folder is 8⅛” in length,

fully opened. The closed length is 4¾” and the blade length is 3⅜” from point to

ricasso. The weight of the knife is 4.3 oz. The blade material as mentioned earlier

is military-grade steel, not available to the public, that has been strengthened with

the addition of a chromium-manganese and vanadium tool steel alloy. The handle

scales are machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and feature Ziracote wood inserts.

The pocket clip is stainless steel.

Now for the hands-on part of the review: this is a handsome folder designed in an

industrial style. With the exception of the dramatic hand-forged Damascus steel

blade, the look of the knife is utilitarian compared to some other Boker Damascus

knives. In the hand, it has a nice heft to it, but not heavy. The sculpted handle

scales make for a very comfortable grip with jimping fore and aft. An ample finger

groove with jimping and the leaf spring with same add to the comfort and secure

grip.

Continuing with the frame construction, the frame pillars are stainless steel and

affixed with torx screws. The stainless steel pocket clip is affixed with same and

positioned for tip-up or tip-down carry, with a small stainless plaque stamped with

the “Boker” tree-brand insignia covering the idle position holes. The lockup on the

knife is excellent and secures with a satisfying click. The blade is perfectly centered

between the pillars when closed as it should be in a knife of this caliber in the

Boker Damascus knives series. The handle scales are drilled for a lanyard hole.

Now, let’s talk about this gorgeous blade. Hand-forged, it is a beauty.

The pattern is called “small pyramids” with a laser-engraved logo on

both sides. The design is intricate, precise and composed of 300-layers

of premium steel. The style of the blade is drop point with a hollow grind

and with a thickness of .11”. Dual thumb studs of stainless steel are

affixed for ease of opening. I can’t think of another more appropriate

adjective to describe this dramatic blade than “Wow!”.

In conclusion, let me just say I can’t find anything wrong with this folder.

The fit and finish are excellent. There is no misalignment in the

positioning of the handle scales. The blade is perfectly centered. The

blade spine rests perfectly flush with the scales when closed. It’s what

you would expect from a knife of this caliber in the Boker Damascus

knives series. This is a high-end collectible folder. It’s not cheap, but it’s

worth every penny to the serious enthusiast of fine Damascus steel

knives.

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