Boker Plus XS OD

Boker has a knack of coming up with really useful UK legal carry folding knives and the latest one grabbed my attention; it has been designed by Chad Los Banos of Subcom fame. The original XS was all black with a black blade and black G10 handle scales, it did look a bit menacing for a UK EDC, where all knives are seen by most of the great unwashed as banned to carry, even when they are not. The XS OD has green olive drab scales and a titanium PVD-coated stonewash finished 440c stainless steel blade. The grey stonewash and green OD makes it more benign and less threatening.

To be UK legal it has a 77mm blade (66mm cutting length) and is a slip joint, non-locking blade type. What I love is that it is still one-hand opening via ambidextrous thumb studs, don’t get me wrong, it’s stiff due to the slip joint but you can still open it one handed. The strong belt/pocket clip can also be reversed. The strength is a good thing, as there is no fear of losing it from your pocket. I also like the blade’s pointed shape and better still is the choil; the large finger groove on the blade matches the ½ circle on the end of the handle, so makes this slip joint ultra-safe in everyday use. There are also 13 1mm diameter grooves along the spine for the thumb for added grip. The relatively long 105mm handle also aids ergonomics.

At 5p under 40 quid, it is very good value for money; HH also have, for an extra six quid, the black G10 handle XS with a silver statin finished blade if you prefer. I really rate the XS OD as an EDC, it would get an 11 out of 10 if it had a lanyard hole as well.

Many thanks to Bruce and Ben at Heinnie Haynes for supplying the test item.

PRICE: £39.95
CONTACT: Heinnie Haynes, www.heinnie.com