Boker Tiger-Damascus

'The impressive Boker Tiger - Damascus brings a distinctive piece to our line of historically inspired pocket knives. This collector’s knife blends expert craftsmanship with authentic materials and commemorates the Panzerkampfwagen VI “Tiger,” used by the Wehrmacht from late summer 1942. Although only about 1,350 were built, the Tiger remains one of the most famous tanks in history. Series development began in 1937 and production in August 1942; today just seven original vehicles survive in museums worldwide. Because so few remain intact, restorations sometimes combine parts from different production years into so-called “Frankentigers.”\n\nThe tank steel used in this knife comes from a Tiger I of Schwere Panzerabteilung 502 that was destroyed in combat near Bauska, Latvia, in the summer of 1944. Excavation and analysis of the wreck showed it to be an early-to-mid production model. Damage patterns, military records and local accounts indicate the vehicle collided with a Russian T-34 medium tank and an SU-76 assault gun and also suffered hits from a stationary 45-mm anti-tank gun. Several 76-mm fragments were found embedded in the heavy armor, so it is believed a nearby T-34 likely delivered the decisive blows before being knocked out some 300 metres away. At the time, commanders such as Otto Carius and Albert Kerscher of Schwere Panzerabteilung 502 were engaged in efforts to stem the Soviet advance on Riga; the unit’s actions helped more than 500,000 troops of Heeresgruppe Nord withdraw into the Courland region, where they were ultimately encircled. The Kurland pocket held out—supplied by sea—against multiple Soviet attacks until the unconditional surrender on 8 May 1945.\n\nThe straight-edged Boker Tiger - Damascus features a unique non-stainless mosaic Damascus blade forged from the recovered Tiger I steel. Hand-forged by Chad Nichols in the Intrepid mosaic pattern, the blade’s complex mosaic pattern evokes the impressions left by the tank’s heavy tracks. Unlike conventional layered Damascus, mosaic Damascus is created by forging intricate Damascus bars into a mosaic—a meticulous, time-consuming process. The knife uses a ball-bearing pivot with thumb-stud opening and locks with a robust steel frame lock finished in stonewash. A Hinderer lock-stop protects the lock from overextension. Its overall silhouette pays tribute to the Tiger’s lines, and the decorative pivot screw is modeled after the tank’s main drive sprocket.\n\nThe slightly contoured handle scales are made of burlap Micarta with precisely milled grooves that echo the texture of Zimmerit anti-magnetic coating used on German armored vehicles. Additional features include a lanyard hole and a milled clip (tip-up, right) with a steel ball. Handmade at the Boker Knife Manufactory in Solingen, each knife is delivered with an elegant suspended display, a certificate of authenticity and an individual serial number.'