For those of you who are not familiar with this particular model of folding knife, as the name implies, the Folding Hunter is a classic “Copperhead” handle design that traditionally features a very large, double-bladed, folding knife with both a clip point blade and a trailing point blade and it is specifically designed to take the place of a fixed blade knife for hunters who prefer a more compact design. 
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In addition to the beautiful, faux, tortoise shell, handle slabs, Boker has chosen to appoint this knife with high quality, nickel silver bolsters which make for a very nice compliment to the beautiful, tortoise shell handle slabs and the reversed taper handle design is very ergonomic. Also, as I mentioned previously, this is a relatively large folding knife since it measure 5 1/4” when closed and it features both a large clip point blade shape and a large trailing point blade shape made from high carbon stainless steel with the classic “nail nicks” and both of these blade shapes are excellent choices for the intended purpose of removing the hide from harvested game animals.
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In addition, it has been my experience that although Boker does not list the particular steel that they incorporate into this knife nor its Rockwell hardness, whatever steel they do use seems to be at least comparable to the 420 series and possibly even the 440 series since it does an excellent job of retaining its edge and is highly corrosion resistant.
Consequently, since its inception in the fertile mind of some unknown knife smith, the double bladed Folding Hunter knife has become such a classic design that it has been carried and used by numerous generations of hunters simply because it is so eminently well suited to its intended purpose. In addition, although German craftsmanship has always enjoyed a worldwide reputation for quality, in my opinion, Boker has done an exceptional job of constructing their version of this vintage classic folding knife. If you’re interested the rest of this article goes into the history of Boker Knives and how they came to garner their top reputation in the industry…
A History of Boker Knives
Anyone who is familiar with Boker knives is also undoubtedly familiar with their famous tree icon from which the “tree brand” name is drawn. However, this icon is more than just an artist’s fancy. In fact, this famous icon actually comes from a giant chestnut tree shading the small Boeker tool factory in Remscheid, Germany in the 17th century and it is the oldest traceable symbol connected with the Boeker name. However, not so familiar is the story of how that famous icon came to be used to identify some of the finest German cutlery of its day.
For that, we have to return to the era of WWI amidst worldwide political unrest. Due to the increasing demand for implements of war, in 1829 Hermann and Robert Boeker decided to go into business producing sabers in a facility in Remscheid, Germany. In fact, as early as September 1830, the accounting records indicate a weekly production of 2,000 items made by 64 smiths, 47 grinders, and a large number of unskilled laborers! But, in view of the constantly increasing variety of tools and cutting instruments and the good opportunities for worldwide sales, the family realized that the individual steps in the manufacturing process needed to be spread out for optimal realization of its interests.
As a result, in 1869, Heinrich Boeker decided to cross the nearby Wupper River and set up shop in Solingen, Germany where the industry of cutting tools was growing by leaps and bounds. Thus, in partnership with Hermann Heuser (a well-known specialist in the field of cutting tools) he founded Heinr. Boeker & Co. But, because the Boeker family had a lot of interest in, and a great demand for, shaving blades, scissors, and pocket knives from Heinrich’s new enterprise, they found it necessary to choose an icon that would identify their products for the overseas markets in a simple way due to the fact that many customers had a problem pronouncing the German name Boeker (illiteracy was also rampant at that time).
Therefore, in Heinrich’s opinion, the chestnut tree near the original Remscheid facility represented an ideal, easy-to-remember symbol. However, this brand symbol was owned by the Remscheid company together with a second logo, the arrow. In fact, one of the few valuable documents that survived the total destruction of WWI is an ad by Boeker, Remscheid, from the year 1874, showing both logos. Fortunately, the relationship between the two Boeker companies had always been extremely friendly and therefore, Heinrich was allowed to take the tree symbol across the river with him. Since then, not a single Boeker article has left the Solingen factory without being identified by the tree symbol.
Unfortunately, after more than 100 years of existence, the old chestnut tree located beside the original Remscheid facility was the victim of a lightning strike. So, in 1925, a talented artist carved a copy of the majestic tree on a piece of the trunk and today, this original piece of art decorates the boss’ office in the Boeker plant which continues to produce top quality German cutlery. Consequently, this long standing tradition of fine quality German craftsmanship is displayed in Boker’s Folding Hunter knife.
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Written by Bill Bernhardt
Last updated: August 20, 2023 at 11:47 am