Böker Solingen 111103DAM Tiger-Damast Frame Lock Folder - 3.35" Damascus Clip Point Blade - Black Burlap Micarta Handle
Impressive does not properly describe this knife. This limited Boker Tiger-Damast adds a very special model to Boker's series of knives steeped in history. The collector's knife with a historical past is a real piece of living history and combines high-quality craftsmanship with authentic materials.
A bit of history: Known worldwide as the Tiger, the Panzerkampfwagen VI was used by the Wehrmacht from the late summer of 1942. It is considered one of the most famous tanks in history, despite its modest production number of only 1350 units and the resulting low strategic importance. The development of the heavy tank can be traced back to 1937, and series production began in August 1942. Today, there are only seven preserved units, which are exhibited all over the world. Due to the low availability, the so-called Frankentiger was even assembled for this purpose from wreckage parts of different production years. The tank parts used for this knife are from a Tiger I of the Schwere Panzerabteilung 502, which was destroyed in combat in Latvia in the summer of 1944 in a heavily wooded area near the town of Bauska. Based on the wreckage found at the original excavation site, it was determined that this Tiger was an early to mid-production model. Examination of battle damage to the remains, military records and local historical accounts revealed that this Tiger tank collided with both a Russian T-34 medium tank and an SU-76 anti-tank gun, and was also damaged by a stationary 45-mm anti-tank gun. It is still unclear which of the impacts caused the most damage and sealed the fate of the Tiger. However, as several 76-mm fragments were lodged in its heavy armor, it is assumed that a nearby T-34 landed the decisive hits before it was itself destroyed, a mere 300 meters away. At the time, Otto Carius and Albert Kerscher, two of the most successful tank commanders of the Second World War, were attempting to stop the advance of Soviet forces on Riga, with the Schwere Panzerabteilung 502. The division was able to so devastatingly defeat the enemy blockade forces near Tukums that it was able to retreat to the Latvian Courland together with more than 500,000 other soldiers of the Heeresgruppe Nord. There the forces were encircled in the further course of the Soviet advance. The Kurland Cauldron served as a bridgehead and could be supplied by the Kriegsmarine via sea. It withstood six major attacks by Soviet forces until the unconditional surrender on 8 May, 1945. The Boker Tiger-Damast is equipped with a unique damascus blade made from the steel of the battle tank destroyed at Bauska.
The non-stainless mosaic damascus blades were each hand forged by Chad Nichols and done in the Intrepid pattern. This pattern is reminiscent of the tank tracks left in the ground by the Tiger's heavy tracks. Unlike conventional damascus, the production of mosaic damascus does not create layers, but complex damascus bars are forged by hand into a mosaic in an elaborate and very complicated process. The ball-bearing blade is opened by a thumb stud and locked by a sturdy steel frame lock with a stonewash finish, while a Hinderer lock-stop acts as an over-extension protection for the lock. The overall shape of the knife pays homage to the famous lines of the tank, while the decorative pivot screw is modeled on the main drive sprocket. The slightly contoured handle scales made of burlap micarta are provided with precisely milled grooves, which are reminiscent of the characteristic surface structure of the Zimmerit coating of German armoured vehicles. With lanyard hole and milled stainless steel pocket clip. Handmade in the Boker Knife factory in Solingen. Each Tiger-Damast is supplied with a display, a certificate of authenticity and an individual serial number.
- Specs:
- Category End Use: Collector/Investment/EDC
- Blade Steel: Damascus
- Rc Hardness: 59-61
- Blade Style: Clip Point
- Scale Material: Black Burlap Micarta
- Liner Material: Stainless Steel
- Lock Type: Frame Lock
- Pocket Clip: Yes
- Blade Length: 3.35" (85 mm)
- Blade Thickness: 0.14" (3.6 mm)
- Length Open: 7.80" (198 mm)
- Weight: 4.97 oz. (141 g)
- Made in: Germany
