Boker Knifestyle | Edition 2020 / 2021 | English

BOKER HANDMADE KITCHEN KNIVES
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HANDMADE KITCHEN KNIVES
Since 1869, the famous knives with the
internationally renowned Boker tree logo have
been handcrafted in Solingen, City of Blades.
Depending on the series and build, it takes up to
80 different production steps to make a knife in our
Manufactory. A kitchen knife passes through about
ten in-house departments during this process.
Before production of a new knife can begin, the
product idea is built digitally with the help of CAD
software. A simple hand-drawn sketch made by
one of our knife designer and custom knifemakers
often serves as the basis for the first construction
drawing. For forged knives, the base material is cut
into pieces, brought to a red heat and hammered
in a massive die with a drop hammer weighing
two tons. The blades of the non-forged knives are
stamped out of plates or cut with a laser or water
jet cutter.
The purpose and shape of the product is already
recognizable in the blade slugs. Next, the blade
gets a heat treatment. In order to attain the
required edge retention, the steel needs to be
as hard as possible, while also having enough
resilience not to break during use. The next step is
the grind with the necessary cooling.
Then, all Damascus knives are etched to reveal and
emphasize the different layers of steel.
The Scales Department stores lumber from various
trees; many of them are domestic varieties, but
we also have a stash of 5,000-year-old bog oak
and rare burl varieties. First, our master carpenters
cut the wood on a bench saw before they are
further milled by hand. The milled handles are
then combined with the blades in the Mounting
Department. Depending on the build, the knife is
assembled with rivets, hollow rivets or extremely
durable adhesive connections.
The most impressive transformation of the
unfinished knife happens in Fine Grinding. All
edges, protruding rivets, traces of adhesives and
scratches are skillfully shaped and smoothed
in countless steps on belts and grinding belts
and discs. Apart from the sharp blade, the knife
receives its final aesthetic and functionality.
The last step is the final inspection, where every
detail is visually checked by experienced experts.
Only completely flawless knives are hand-stropped
and then checked again, cleaned and packaged.
Each design has its own tradition and purpose and
offers different advantages in terms of production,
handling and use. Despite all differences, these
designs of Boker kitchen knives have one thing
in common. They are all excellent and superior
kitchen knives that you will never want to put
down.
Depending on your individual and personal
preferences in terms of design, weight, ergonomics
and balance, you are sure to find the right knife in
our collection.
Hunched over the bench grinder, the next
production step is carried out by hand - Solingenstyle.
The spine is ground, the transition from blade
to tang is cleaned up and the unique Solingen
blue-glaze is applied.