The Cutting Tool of Choice Since the 17th Century

In 1829, because of the restlessness and turmoil in Germany, Hermann and Robert Boeker (now spelled Boker) decided to begin manufacturing sabers. The symbol of their company was an outline of a giant chestnut tree that shaded their small tool factory.

Demand for their production was so great in Germany and neighboring countries, the brothers realized that for optimization, the individual steps in their manufacturing process needed to be spread out. Hermann moved to New York where he founded H. Boeker & Co., and Robert emigrated to Canada, and later to Mexico, where he founded a branch of the company in 1865. A market leader in Mexico, Casa Boeker is still producing some of the highest quality cutting implements in the industry.

Heinrich, another member of the Boeker clan, moved to Solingen, the center of the German cutting tool industry, and in 1869 founded Boeker & Co. with cutting tool specialist Hermann Heuser.

The relationship among the various components of the Boeker was, and remains, close, with the chestnut tree logo shared among the factories in many countries.

Among the many cutting tools manufactured by present-day Boker, perhaps the best known is the Boker Fixed Blade Knife. A multi-purpose implement that can be used in a variety of environments, Boker’s fixed blade knives come in a wide range of styles and sizes. In addition to use by the military, these implements are handy for hunters, fishermen, campers, divers, and just about anyone who is an outdoorsman. Boker also makes fixed blade throwing knives for those who engage in competition. Finally, knife and sword collectors will find limited edition Boker fixed blade knives a handsome addition to their displays.

There are a number of different processes or combination of process in the manufacture of fixed blade knives, and Boker uses most. Typically, the blades of these knives are made from carbon, tool, surgical, or stainless steel, but some are also forged from titanium. Some blades are layered steel, with as many as 300 layers of metal; others are a single layer of metal. While layered blades are flexible, the single layer of metal tends to produce a much stronger and durable blade. When being forged, the blade metal is heated and shaped with a hammer to achieve near the desired shape. Any layering is also done at this time. The final process is removal of stock to get the final shape, adding a handle, if any, and adding any decoration or folding.

Some fixed blade knives are cast as a single entity; blade and hilt. Others have a separate hilt, or handle, which can be made from stag horn, rubber, micarta, spauldite, or wood. The hallmark of the Boker fixed blade knife, whether a single piece or separate material in the hilt, is a handle that is constructed for ease of holding and using the knife.

Boker fixed blade knives are not inexpensive to obtain. Typically, the smaller single-case cutting tool will retail for prices starting at $40, with limited edition and larger more intricate knives selling for several hundred. For the knife collector, price is not the guiding feature, as really finely crafted knives appreciate in value. For the consumer who wants a quality cutting tool that will last a lifetime, Boker fixed blade knives are also good value for the money.