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Böker’s Beautiful Yet Affordable New Folder Is a Heritage Knife Nerd’s Dream

Practical and purpose-built, it has all the hallmarks of a traditional nautical blade that dates back literally centuries.

Close-up of a folding pocket knife with a polished wooden handle featuring a gold anchor emblem, and a partially visible stainless steel blade. The background includes coiled rope, suggesting a nautical theme.Böker USA

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published

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Much like whiskey and watches, knives can bring a lot more to the table than what you see before you.

I’m talking about backstory, which can make a seemingly pedestrian product suddenly quite interesting.

A folding knife with a polished metal blade and a dark wooden handle featuring a gold anchor inlay, resting on coiled thick rope. The blade is engraved with the text "HISTOIRE KNIFE & TOOL.
The sheepsfoot blade and rounded handle present a soothing symmetry.
Böker USA

The best-case scenario, however, is when the aesthetics and narrative combine into one super-compelling package.

That’s what’s going on with Böker’s History Knife & Tool Anchor Knife, which happens to be quite wallet-friendly too.

Historical notes

According to Böker itself, this knife design has been “an international classic of Christian seafaring since the 19th century.” 

Traditionally, it was produced in the brand’s home of Solingen, Germany and in the French knifemaking hotbed of Thiers.

A hand holding a folding pocket knife with a dark wooden handle featuring a gold anchor inlay. The blade is partially visible and made of stainless steel. The knife has a polished metal bolster at the end of the handle.
The lovely inlaid solid brass anchor is a staple of the anchor knife. (Shocking, I know.)
Böker USA

The French actually call this knife “Le London,” indicating a connection to Britain, which has a long seafaring history and deep knife roots in Sheffield.

Indeed, some believe the anchor knife originated in that very place. 

Funny enough, as long a timespan as that is, it’s actually dwarfed by Böker’s own history, which dates back to 1674.

A folding knife with a black handle featuring a gold anchor emblem, resting on coiled beige rope. Nearby, there is a wooden pipe with a light-colored bowl and amber stem, and a partially visible rectangular tin with a white label and red emblem.
If Popeye toted a knife alongside his classic corncob pipe, it would probably resemble this one.
Böker USA

That’s the kind of pedigree that truly can’t be faked.

It’s a big part of why I trust Böker to nail the look and feel of this 3.03-ounce beauty, which has instant heirloom written all over it.

Timeless appeal

Of course, a major reason this design still exists today is that it’s both aesthetically attractive and remarkably solid. 

In the anchor knife tradition, it has a handle made of seawater-resistant ebony, complete with an intricate inlaid anchor made of solid brass.

A close-up of a folding knife blade with the inscription "HISTORY KNIFE & TOOL" near the handle. The blade is shiny and metallic, and the handle has a polished metal bolster. The knife is resting on coiled natural fiber rope.
The 4416 blade steel is nothing fancy, but its true to the workmanlike nature of this knife, and it will get the job done.
Böker USA

The not-inconsiderable 3.15-inch sheepsfoot blade is ideal for working with ropes, an activity common to life on a ship.

For those of us who aren’t sailors, it should be perfect for slicing salami and cheese, among other things.

Said blade is made of a 4116, a German cutting tool steel often used in kitchen knives that nicely balances edge retention and rust-resistance (of course), plus ease of sharpening. 

(The affordable steel — plus production in Asia — enables Böker to keep this knife in reach of most budgets.)

Hand holding a small folding knife with a polished stainless steel blade and a dark wooden handle featuring a brass inlay design. The blade is marked with the text "HISTORY KNIFE & TOOL.
With an open length just over 7 inches, this knife can quite easily become an everyday companion.
Böker USA

Deployment happens via a classic nail nick, while a simple, non-locking slip-joint with an attached steel bolster keeps the blade in place.

The lanyard hole at the back of the handle, meanwhile, presents an handy attachment point, because Lord knows you don’t want this beauty going overboard.

The Böker History Knife & Tool Anchor Knife is available now for $63.

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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