Thread: Boker Service Dept

Has anyone had any service from Boker? I sent them a message asking them if it is possible to get a set of bone scales that are on their Edelweiss and they responded "We do not offer the scales for sale. We cannot assist you with this."

I'm not 100% positive on this statement, but I don't think Boker has made any razors in several decades.

I do know that some of their knife line is made in China nowadays as well as in Germany.

Originally Posted by Wullie

I'm not 100% positive on this statement, but I don't think Boker has made any razors in several decades.

I do know that some of their knife line is made in China nowadays as well as in Germany.

Can't comment on where it's made, but they still have straights:

Boker offers Straight razor Boker Straight Razor Edelweiss.

Originally Posted by Wullie

I'm not 100% positive on this statement, but I don't think Boker has made any razors in several decades.

I do know that some of their knife line is made in China nowadays as well as in Germany.

China? That doesn'tsound good for quality control..

Get a set of custom scales made.

Originally Posted by Cove5440

Can't comment on where it's made, but they still have straights:

Boker offers Straight razor Boker Straight Razor Edelweiss.

Shows what I know. LOL

Thanks for the update. Newest razor I own was probably made in the 30's. I guess I need to get out more.

Originally Posted by Wintchase

China? That doesn'tsound good for quality control..

I think Schlieper ( EYE BRAND ), and PUMA are the only Solingen houses that don't yet outsource to the Pacific Rim. Probably a few others but at the moment I can't think of any. Robert Klass, (KISSING CRANES) is totally Chinese now

Utica, Case, Queen (and it's subsidiaries like Canal Street), Great Eastern Cutlery, KA-BAR/CUTCO, and Bear MGC are still manufacturing exclusively in the USA as far as I know.
Schrade is totally Chinese manufactured now.

BULLDOG BRANDS are an American company yet made in Germany

I have never tried to order scales or similar directly from Boker, but two years ago i ordered an 'Edelweiss' from a vendor and recieved the (probably) ugliest razor i had seen so far. The toe was almost 1/16" smaller than the heel, the 'Edelweiss' emblem was diagonally placed on the blade instead of a nice straight line and with lots of scratch marks aswell. I think i could have done it better myself, drunk, with my hands tied on my back and blindfolded!

The vendor i ordered from did not offer honing service so they probably never knew what they were sending out. I wrote them a mail telling them about the issues and they offered me a refund. But i still wanted an 'Edelweiss' in good condition, not my money back, so instead of taking them up on their offer i wrote directly to Boker's main office in Germany and told them (in a polite way) what i had recieved.
Here are some quotes of their reply:

Thank you for your mail, and thank you for taking the time to share your
experiences with us.
We are glad to hear that our King cutter meets your expectations that well.
But I´m irritated to hear about the problems you have with your latest
razor.

As you say, a knife which leaves our manufactory should not show any of the
quality issues you mentioned.

We take issues like that very serious, for it´s our goal to have a satisfied
customer in the end.

If you prefer to change the knife, we would do that, no problem.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen - Best Regards


Heinr. Böker Baumwerk GmbH
Produktmanagement
Solingen

I returned the razor and recieved a new one within two weeks they also covered the shipping expences both ways. It also goes with the story that i had brought the razor to the hones to straighten it to some degree and this i told them, but they did not question that. All in all great customer service. I also got the impression that their straight razors are made 'in-house' in their factory in Solingen, but this i don't really know for sure..

they do not sell premade scales, I have asked them too.
Just get a custom set made.

Originally Posted by Wullie

Shows what I know. LOL

Thanks for the update. Newest razor I own was probably made in the 30's. I guess I need to get out more.




I think Schlieper ( EYE BRAND ), and PUMA are the only Solingen houses that don't yet outsource to the Pacific Rim. Probably a few others but at the moment I can't think of any. Robert Klass, (KISSING CRANES) is totally Chinese now

Utica, Case, Queen (and it's subsidiaries like Canal Street), Great Eastern Cutlery, KA-BAR/CUTCO, and Bear MGC are still manufacturing exclusively in the USA as far as I know.
Schrade is totally Chinese manufactured now.

BULLDOG BRANDS are an American company yet made in Germany

One brand that doesn't seem to get enough attention is Wacker - they have a nice selection that appear to be made in Solingen. If the example I bought a few months ago is anything to go on, the quality is excellent. Unfortunately their ordering service is not easy for non German speakers but if you email them with an order, they send an invoice and paypal details. I wrote complimenting them on their service and quality but did not get a response - they appear to prefer a low profile approach. Take a look at their range and prices:

Über uns

about 4 years Boker started making razors in solingen. they are reviving many of their old designs and razor lines as business expands. So far i have been as happy with their new ones and their old ones. like everybody else their cheaper cutlery is made in china, but their German and Argentinian blades are still wonderful.
as for boker's customer service i think it is great... maybe someday they will sell parts... if enough people politely ask for them, perhaps mentioning that they are restoring vintage boker razors they might add a few options of replacement scales, but it will take time and they will only do it if they perceive a market for them. JMHO

enjoy,
jim