Böker’s Latest Collector’s Dream Knife Packs a Legendary Piece of Military History, Literally

It’s far more than lip service. The main ingredient is sourced from an iconic World War II vehicle, after all.

Close-up of a folding knife with a patterned Damascus steel blade and a dark textured handle.

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By Steve Mazzucchi

Published March 24, 2026

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Updated March 24, 2026

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The connection between knives and the military runs deep, with no shortage of blades designed specifically for field usage.

A concurrent strain of often more EDC-friendly blades draws inspiration from the military, with styling (camouflage or otherwise) to boot.

Folding knife with a patterned copper blade and black textured handle standing upright on a dark surface. — The only thing more stunning than this knife’s looks is the story of one of its main ingredients.

Then there are knives that are hard to classify so easily, such as Böker’s new M4 Sherman-Damast Rose Gold.

After all, in what category do you place a flipper with a blade sourced from an 80-year-old tank?

History lesson

As military buffs no doubt know, the M4 Sherman Tank played a critical role in World War II.

With nearly 50,000 of them produced between 1942 and 1945, the Allied Powers’ rolling armed and armored beast deployed to all the major battlefields.

Offering infantry support, attacking force and defensive backstopping, the namesake of Civil War general William Tecumseh Sherman stayed in service until 1957.

Close-up of a rose gold Damascus patterned knife blade with black handle and rose gold screws. — Thanks to the magic of Damascus steel, this blade’s look is dazzling enough even without the accompanying narrative.

In a surprising bit of irony, a German knife maker is paying the most authentic tribute to the tank imaginable.

As with the original M4 Sherman-Damast and Barlow, Böker has collaborated with the Virginia-based Americans in Wartime Museum to source materials from restored M4 Sherman tanks.

They’ve also tapped renowned bladesmith Chad Nichols to hand-forge 80-layer Damascus from this material, using a customized ladder pattern that echoes the tracks (both literal and figurative) left by the Sherman’s treads.

Folding knife with black textured handle and rose gold patterned blade partially visible. — While the handle’s materials are not nearly as old, the combo of titanium and carbon fiber is hard to beat.

The truly unique product of history and craftsmanship is used to shape the 2.95-inch drop-point blades that make up the business end of each of the 500 units in this limited collection.

The knives themselves are handcrafted at Böker’s HQ in Solingen, Germany, with each getting its own individual serial number and certificate of authenticity.

Finishing moves

While the blade’s back story is the most noteworthy feature, it’s not the only notable one. The knife is also multi-deploying, courtesy of the flipper and thumb stud.

Keeping everything secure is a premium frame lock complemented by a hinderer lock-stop, which guards against overextension of the lock.

Folded pocket knife with a black stonewashed handle and copper accents, including screws and a clip.

In a clever little bonus tribute, the knife’s pivot screw is modeled after the tank’s main drive sprocket. Like the blade and other screws, it gets an elegant rose gold coating.

Thanks to a combination of titanium and carbon, the handle is equal parts attractive, durable and lightweight, the last of which helps the total package clock in at 3.35 ounces.

Rounding things out is a staple of pretty much every respectable pocket knife, military-oriented or otherwise: a deep-carry tip-up clip.

Availability and pricing

Limited to 500 pieces worldwide, the Böker M4 Sherman Damast Rose Gold is available now for $999.

Folding knife with a patterned rose gold blade and black textured handle.

Böker M4 Sherman Damast Rose Gold

$999 at Böker

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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