Boker Magnum Champagne Automatic Knife Review

Boker traces its origin to the 17^th century as a tool maker in Germany graduating to swords and blades by the 1800s. The company claims it was producing 2000 sabres a week by 1839 for use in various wars. By the 1860s the company had fractured with a branch of the family emigrating to North America and setting up plants in Canada, New York, and Mexico. The German and North American factories produced similar knives and used the “Tree Brand” trademark. This continued until World War II when the Solingen factory was destroyed and Boker USA took control of the trademark until the German factory was rebuilt in the 195-s. In the 1960s and 1970s the company changed hands several times, with the New York facility (Hermann Boker & Co) shutting down in 1983. In 1986, Boker reacquired the rights to the American brand and Boker USA was started in Denver, Colorado for US production.

Boker has four lines of knives: The Boker Premium Collection, which is known for high-quality, handmade sports and collectible knives from the Boker manufacturer in Solingen; the Boker Arbolito, which is known for their traditional knives such as handmade hunting and leisure time knives form the Boker knife manufacturer in Buenos Aires; and the Boker Plus line which is known for their innovation and function and operational knives for the professional user. The last lien is the Boker Magnum line which is the line that the Champagne Automatic knife belongs to.

Magnum by Boker is an attractive brand from Boker with a great price-performance ration. The concept takes place in Solingen, design, construction, and finishing in overseas. Magnum offers a wide range of knives from all categories, from traditional pocket knives, to hunting knives and modern knives. They use the latest lock technologies and knife trends also for price-sensitive customers.

 

The Blade:

The blade on the Champagne is made out of AUS-8 stainless steel. This is one of the more common stainless steels and is readily available in a large amount of places around the world. This steel is a decent, all around steel. It is tough enough, hard enough, and stain resistant enough. However, because of the lower cost, when being compared to a super steel, it is not going to measure up. Overall and to sum up AUS 8 stainless steel is a high grade chromium Japanese steel that boasts a good balance of toughness and strength, edge holding ability, corrosion resistance, and cost. The typical Rockwell hardness is between a 56-58.

The AUS-8 blade has been finished with a bead blast. This is done using abrasive glass or ceramic beads, which are blasted at the steel at a high pressure, which results in an even grey finish. A blasted finish reduces reflection and glare due to its even matte finish. The blasting creates an increased surface area and micro abrasions make the steel more prone to rust and corrosion. A blasted blade, even from stainless steel, can rust overnight if left in a very humid environment.

The blade on this knife has been carved into a drop point style blade shape. This is one of the most popular blade styles that is in use today because it is so durable, versatile, and tough. This blade style helps your knife stand up to almost any task that you throw at it. The most common place that you are going to see this blade shape is on a hunting knife, but you are going to find it on almost every other style of knife as well. To form the shape, the back edge of the knife runs straight from the handle to the tip of the knife in a slow coring manner, which creates a lowered point on this knife. Because of the lowered point, you are going to have more control over your slices and the tip has added strength. And while the tip on the drop point is more broad than the clip point, which means you are not going to have the same piercing and stabbing capabilities, it is much stronger. It is the classic drop point tip strength that makes it a popular option on tactical and survival knives. This blade shape is a popular option on hunting knives, because the point is so easily controlled, which means that it is going to be easier to avoid accidentally ruining the meat. Drop point blades are so versatile because they feature a large belly that is perfect for slicing anything. Drop points really only have one disadvantage, which is its broad tip, because it takes away your ability to slice. But, you should remember that it is because of this broad tip that you are able to have so much strength backing you up. It makes perfect sense that this blade shape is one of the most popular blade shapes around—it isn’t going to let you down.

To help give you a little bit more control over this knife, the portion of the blade that meets the handle does have a short row of jimping on it.

 

The Handle:

The handle on this knife has been made out of aluminum. There are a couple of reasons why an aluminum handle is such a great knife handle material, and there a couple of reasons why it is not a great knife handle material. But, to get to know aluminum: it is generally considered inferior to its stronger, yet more expensive brother Titanium, which you are going to find on more premium knives. However, aluminum is cheaper and it is easier to work with, which are two qualities that set it apart from Titanium. Aluminum is a very durable material especially when considering it for a knife handle. It is a low density metal that provides for a nice, hefty feel to the knife without actually weighing the knife down. When an aluminum handle is properly texturized, you will be able to have a secure grip on it, while it is also more comfortable. However, if it is not properly texturized, it is going to feel very slippery. To make sure that you have the most secure grip possible, Boker has cut out portions in the middle of the knife that add a little bit of texture while also keeping the weight of the knife down.

One of the other drawbacks to an aluminum knife handle is that it does have high conductive properties, so if you were planning to use this knife during the winter, be prepared for it to be uncomfortably cold to hold. Also, aluminum is susceptible to dings and scratches.

The handle on this knife has been curved to fit inside your hand comfortable. There is a lanyard hole on the butt of this knife.

 

The Pocket Clip:

The clip on this knife has been designed for tip down carry only, which is one of the drawbacks. However, this is a deep carry clip, which means that it will stay very secure in your pocket while also making it easier to conceal. The clip is silver, which matches the blade, and contrasts slightly with the champagne colored handle. The clip is kept in place by three silver screws, which do match the rest of the hardware on this knife.

 

The Mechanism:

This knife is referred to as an auto-conversion knife which means that the knife is produced as a folder knife and then converted via third party to offer the automatic function. Because of this, there are a couple of things that you should remember. For starters, the seals on the box will arrive broken due to the knife being converted. This does not mean that the knife has been used, it has just been altered to give you the automatic function. Second, because it is now an official automatic knife, the same strict laws that surround automatic knives are the laws that you need to follow with this knife. Automatic knives, or switchblades, are not legal in all states, areas, or cities. You are responsible to know your local knife laws and consequences, because this knife may not be legal to carry in all areas. BladeOps is not the responsible party for these laws or their consequences.

A switchblade is a type of knife with a folding blade contained in the handle which is opened automatically by a spring when a button on the handle has bene activated. Most switchblades do incorporate a locking blade, in which the blade is locked against closure when the spring extends the blade to the fully opened position. The blade is unlocked by manually operating a mechanism that unlocks he blade and allows it to be folded and locked in the closed positon. There are a handful of benefits to a switchblade as well as a few drawbacks. First, switchblades are going to open more efficiently and quickly than a regular folding knife. This comes in handy during tactical situations, because the blade can be brought into play at a much quicker rate than your manual folding knife. However, maintenance is going to be a little bit trickier because you do have to worry about all of the inner mechanisms that are constantly moving. When you are cleaning this knife, you may have to completely take apart the knife to ensure that it has been properly cleaned. And, switchblades are more likely to break than a fixed blade because all of the little parts on the inside are more likely to break.

 

The Specs:

The blade on this knife measures in at 3.25 inches long, with a handle that measures in at 4.75 inches long. The overall length of this opened knife is 8 inches long. This knife weighs in at 4.4 ounces, which is relatively light due to the lightweight aluminum knife handle.

 

The Pros of the Magnum Champagne:

• A good, all-around, well-balanced steel.
• The steel has a good balance between hardness, toughness, and stain resistance.
• The bead blasted finish creates an even, matte, grey finish.
• The drop point blade style has a strong point that is also sharp and controllable.
• The drop point blade boasts a large belly, or cutting edge, that is going to make slicing a breeze for you.
• The pocket clip is deep carry, which means that it is easily secured and hidden.
• Aluminum is strong.
• The aluminum handle is lightweight.
• The handle is durable.
• The aluminum is resistant to corrosion.
• The handle has been anodized a champagne color, which is unique and a color that you would not typically see.
• The knife does sport a lanyard hole.
• Automatic knife can be brought into play quicker.

 

The Cons of the Magnum Champagne:

• The steel will not compare with a super steel.
• Because the bead blasted finish creates micro abrasions in the steel, you have to be very careful with maintenance to ensure that it does not rust.
• The drop point tip is not as sharp as a clip point’s tip, which does mean that it is less suitable for piercing than a clip point.
• The pocket clip is only designed for tip down carry.
• The aluminum handle is going to be cold to hold if you are in a cold environment.
• The handle is going to be a little more slippery than a handle of a different material.
• The aluminum handle is susceptible to dings and scratches.
• Maintenance on an automatic knife is going to be trickier.
• Automatic knives are not legal in all areas.

 

Conclusion:

The Boker Magnum automatic knife is one of the more popular side open automatics on the market today considering the price point. This knife is referred to an auto-conversion knife which means the knife is produced as a folder knife and then converted via third party to offer the automatic function. The Magnum series features an aluminum handle scale that is comfortable and ergonomic and the AUS-8 blade material offers better edge retention than you would expect. This particular model features a champagne handle with standard hardware and a drop point blade in a bead blast finish. Finally, the pocket clip is designed for tip down carry only. Pick up this popular automatic knife today at BladeOps.