Boker Mini Kalashnikov 73BT Knife Review

The Boker Mini Kalashnikov 73BT is a button lock automatic knife with incredibly fast, strong action.  The AUS8 stainless steel tanto blade proffers 1.75″ of straight edge that are plenty for serious every day cuts.  The aluminum handle scales have several finger grooves as well as jimping on the spine so you have a secure grip at all times.  A deep carry pocket clip for discreet carry and lanyard hole for alternate carry round off this fantastic little auto knife.

A button lock auto conversion knife, the Boker 73BT Mini Kalashnikov is the kind of knife that can take serious abuse.  I carried a different variation of the Mini Kal for 30 days and recorded my impressions here.  Needless to say, it is one of my all around favorite “every day” style knives.  Obviously there are knives I like more.  For instance, I almost can’t get enough of my Benchmade Volli and my Microtech Troodon.  And I treasure my Brous Blades Coroner just because it looks seriously bad a**.  And no one is going to pry my old Spyderco Manix C101GPS out of my hands.  Of course there are knives out there that are better than the Boker Mini Kalashnikov.  But, in my mind, there are no other knives that even get close to competing for value.  Back in 2008, I carried a Boker Kal 74 with the Desert Sand finish.  I abused the living daylights out of this knife.  I did things that would make any knife lover cringe.  I cut sprinkler pipes with it. I used it to lay sod–meaning I was cutting the sod with it. I used it to pry up old nails in my woodshop.  I almost never did any maintenance to it–once or twice a month I would wipe it down.  I didn’t sharpen it once over the six month period.  And guess what?  I still have it.  And it is in great condition.  After the six months, I spent a few minutes giving it a really good clean up–which was very easy since it has an open construction style and even taking it apart and putting it back together again doesn’t take more than 10-15 minutes.  Then I sharpened the blade with my Spyderco Sharpmaker.  And it is in near perfect condition.  Sure, there are a few scratches on the blade.  Ok, way more than a few.  And the handle has a few spots where the finish has worn.  But it is still a perfectly functional every day carry automatic knife.  And the Boker Mini Kal 73BT gives you all the same great materials, all the same great Kalashnikov style, all the same great durability for an even lower price and in a smaller package.

I am sure there are plenty of knife snobs out there who will disagree with me.  I get it.  And you are right–a Benchmade, Spyderco, Microtech and many other companies make better overall knives.  But for the price to value ration, you can’t beat an automatic Boker Kalashnikov.

Check out the 73BT on our site here.  Let me know what you think of yours down below.

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