Boker Subcom in AUS-8

[heathah]

I just got this little fella today.* It sure is slick.* At first, I thought it was too small but once I opened the blade, I realized that there is a lot of cutting surface on the blade.* I also noticed how well it sits in your hand when open.* When closed, you can practically close your hand around it and can't even tell it's there.* It sure is a small knife but has great features.*

One side of the knife is made of nylon composite surrounding an embedded stainless steel liner.* The other side is all stainless steel and incorporates the locking mechanism, a frame lock, and a two-way reversible clip.* The clip can only be mounted to the SS side of the knife but you have the option to carry it tip up or down.* A small nylon thumbstud is located on either side of the blade to aid in opening the knife.* The blade is made of AUS-8 while the previous Subcom was made of 420J2 SS.

Once open, the knife locks in place nicely with well over half of the frame lock edge providing security against the back side of the blade.* One small item I noticed was that it isn't simple to close the blade.* Since the frame lock SS side is aligned perfectly with the nylon side, there is no lip to catch in order to release the frame lock.* You must slip a fingernail in between the liners and separate to release the lock or press down and out on the SS side to spring the lock.* After a few practice tries, it has become easier.* But, even if you learn to open and close it successfully, you should watch out for your finger as the blade bites right down on the underlying curve where your index finger usually rests.* Care should be observed when closing the knife as I could see how you could easily slice into a finger.* Once closed, a small detent on the frame lock is used to hold the blade closed.* So far, I haven't had any problems with the blade coming open in my pocket nor do I suspect it would happen after a few weeks of use.

Overall, this little guy has good construction and a nice locking mechanism with a very large blade edge incorporated into a very small folder.* So small, it can be used as a money clip.* As if us gadget folk have money to put in a money clip.* Who were they kidding anyways!* ;D

I'd definitely recommend it to anyone wanting a lot of knife for the size and money.* This is one little knife that packs a big punch.

In case anyone is curious and wants one of their own, I bought this Subcom recently at Knife Center of the Internet.

If anyone has any problems viewing the pictures, please let me know.

Thanks and enjoy,

Heath

[heathah]

After using this knife occasionally over the last few weeks, I have grown very fond of it. If I need a small knife that won't draw much attention but still require ample cutting ability, I always reach for my Subcom. I left it in my bag for a day or two and I really felt the loss. I can't remember how many times I have reached for it to only not find it there. I'll definitely have to find a permanent location in my EDC for this little guy. You just can't go wrong with it.

[bruner]

I really want one of these. Thanks for the review and for the pics.

Thanks,
Dan

[Lunal_Tic]

I've seen this with 420J2 steel. What's the difference? Is one markedly better than the other?

-LT

[Deaths Head]

Great review Triple H
I have the 420J. It is a great little knife for the price even with that steel. I love how it fits that hand. Triple H, it's pretty solid in the hand with the deep finger choil and wide handle right?

LT, AUS8 is a much harder steel than 420J. It will hold an edge longer than 420J. AUS8 is still quite easy to sharpen. Generally, AUS8 is the lowest grade steel I will accept. That is generally. Since this design only came in 420J, I didn't have a choice, but I was so excited to get my hands on it.

[heathah]

Triple H, it's pretty solid in the hand with the deep finger choil and wide handle right?

Yeah, it is solid in the hand. It fills your hand up more than you would think for such a small knife. I've received so many compliments on this little guy since I've started carrying it. My wife even noticed it. She never notices my other knives. She said it was "cute." :( Little does she know that this cute little knife packs quite the punch when it comes to cutting things. I can't remember how many packages of fireworks I opened yesterday. :)

[Deaths Head]

My wife even noticed it. She never notices my other knives. She said it was "cute." :( Little does she know that this cute little knife packs quite the punch when it comes to cutting things.

******* friendly. ;)

[ghostrider]

I have a few of these in the first generation (420J2) version. One of them was given to me by the designer himself.

It's a great little knife that will probably revolutionize the cutlery industry.

You shouldn't be having a problem with your finger getting in the way of the blade when closing. The deep 50/50 choil is a safety feature that provides safety against such a problem is one of its features. The tang of the blade may hit your finger when closing, but the edge shouldn't be able to. If you take your finger out of the choil, then you may have problems.

[heathah]

I have a few of these in the first generation (420J2) version. One of them was given to me by the designer himself.

It's a great little knife that will probably revolutionize the cutlery industry.

You shouldn't be having a problem with your finger getting in the way of the blade when closing. The deep 50/50 choil is a safety feature that provides safety against such a problem is one of its features. The tang of the blade may hit your finger when closing, but the edge shouldn't be able to. If you take your finger out of the choil, then you may have problems.


I agree. If I kept my finger in the choil like I should, I wouldn't have this problem but I always pull it out gradually as I'm closing the blade which is why the blade hit my finger. I learned the first time. :)

[LowWorm]

Good review, Heathah... :highfive:

I too have this great little big knife and have been impressed with its utility and its style. For me, the nicest aspects of the knife are the deep choil and tight tight construction. I'm not a knife person, but I can appreciate good value and good quality when I see it. The Boker Subcom Folder is a well thought-out folder. There's no blade play whatsoever, the jimping (sp?) on the blade and the handle help secure your grip, and it cuts impressively for a knife of its size.

It's funny, because I'll show it to people and the first thing they say when opening it is, "Wow, that's a big blade!" Chad Los Banos has a winner with this one.

[Hannibal Lecter]

Dear Friends,

This knife, more than many, lends itself well to customizing. I have seen a large number of these with the nylon front replaced with more exotic materials, such as carbon fiber, micarta, etc. The results are nothing short of stunning.

I also recall hearing that there is the possibility that they will be available in other colors.

This is one of the best knife designs I have seen in my life. I am still amazed at how well this little thing cuts.

It is one of the very few knives that are ALWAYS on my person. Very non-knife person friendly.

-------------
Hannibal

[Deaths Head]

Dear Friends,

This knife, more than many, lends itself well to customizing.* I have seen a large number of these with the nylon front replaced with more exotic materials, such as carbon fiber, micarta, etc.* *The results are nothing short of stunning.

I also recall hearing that there is the possibility that they will be available in other colors.

This is one of the best knife designs I have seen in my life.* I am still amazed at how well this little thing cuts.

It is one of the very few knives that are ALWAYS on my person.* Very non-knife person friendly.

-------------
Hannibal


Are those all yours in the pic? Can you hook us up?

[LowWorm]

YEP! I'm with DH on that - I WANT MY BOKER Subcom F with Colored OEM scales...yay!

Where'd you get those, HL?

[Deaths Head]

Even the thumbstuds are colored. It's almost like the interchangeable faces for cellphones that you can get at Wal-Mart.

[ghostrider]

Did someone say something about colored Subcom's? ;D

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6678/scustomva3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[LowWorm]

Potterma does a nice job, ghostrider! Those are sweet.

But I'm stuck on having scales that look like the original black...but in cool colors! :help:

Patiently waiting for Hannibal Lecter to check in.... :knuppel2:

[ghostrider]

Yeah,
Those multi colored scales with matching stud are cool. I'll probably have to get some of those. Don't know why since I already own three of the V1's.

[Sharpdogs]

Has anyone handled one of the fixed blade models? *They look like handy little neck knives. *I had no idea they came in different colors. *Their size not only makes them ******* friendly but good money clips as well. *We have a few of the black handled ones in stock.

https://edcdepot.com/merchantmanager/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=88

Here's the link to the fix blade model.
https://www.bokerusa.com/default2.asp

[ghostrider]

Has anyone handled one of the fixed blade models? They look like handy little neck knives. I had no idea they came in different colors. Their size not only makes them ******* friendly but good money clips as well. We have a few of the black handled ones in stock.

https://edcdepot.com/merchantmanager/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=88&mmsid=26b0102e967d4ce8237f51133fa4deb0

Here's the link to the fix blade model.
https://www.bokerusa.com/default2.asp
They are still waiting on the sheaths to arrive before releasing the fixed blade version. You can find a review of the a pre-production Subcom Fixed Blade here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=404769

The multi-colored ones were spotted at Blade show, and haven't been released yet.

[Deaths Head]

The multi-colored ones were spotted at Blade show, and haven't been released yet.

Thanks for the info ghostrider. I still have a 420 version, so I'll wait for the colored ones for an upgrade.

[Lunal_Tic]

Guess I'm going to have to get one or two of these, if I can find a good dealer for them. *My normal guys don't have them listed on their sites. *Any suggestions?

-LT

[heathah]

Guess I'm going to have to get one or two of these, if I can find a good dealer for them. *My normal guys don't have them listed on their sites. *Any suggestions?

-LT


I bought two from KnifeCenter (http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?ttl=Boker%20SUBCOM%20Series&srch=eqCATE%20CODEdatarq%3Dbo%26eqKEYWORDdatarq%3D subcom). No problems at all. O0

[Lunal_Tic]

Thanks Heath.

-LT

[ghostrider]

NGK is also now listing them.

[Lunal_Tic]

NGK is also now listing them.


Thanks, last I looked they didn't have them.

-LT

[Hannibal Lecter]

My Dear Friends,

Sorry - I have been out a bit this evening...

The ones pictured were in fact photographed at the BLADE Show and are apparently not yet in production. Chad is a close friend, so as soon as I hear something from him about them hitting the market I will of course let everyone know.

------------
Hannibal

[heathah]

Update: Resized and attached pics. *Posted a (very) small update/add-on after roughly three weeks of usage.

[scríbhneoir]

Dear Friends,

This knife, more than many, lends itself well to customizing.* I have seen a large number of these with the nylon front replaced with more exotic materials, such as carbon fiber, micarta, etc.* *The results are nothing short of stunning.

I also recall hearing that there is the possibility that they will be available in other colors.
-------------
Hannibal


Hmmm, konrad promised me one of these...I think I'm gonna ask for an upgrade. Those (and Ghostrider's) are beeyooteeful.
Karen

[Deaths Head]

Daywalker is the man. Can't wait to handle his Lava as well!

[kamkazmoto]

I gotta find a place to play with one of those knives.