Böker Grabendolch
The Böker Grabendolch (trench knife) is a reproduction of the original 1915 trench knife issued to the Kaiserlichisches Heer, German Imperial Army, which was designed and manufactured by none other than Heinrich Boker & Co. Solingen, armourers to the Kaiser and Hitler. For some reason Böker forgot to put that on their advertising — can’t think why. Anyhow, a mint condition WWI Böker Grabendolch is hard to come by so if you’re interested in owning a modern reproduction, you can’t do better than the company that made the original. This isn’t a Paul Chen replica with a balsa wood handle and tin blade, this is the genuine article. It’s 0.75% Carbon Steel blade.
Böker Grabendolch Micarta
Böker have also put out the Grabendolch with a micarta handle, partial serrated edge and a cordura sheath. Obviously with the intent of it being used as a combat knife. I own the wooden handled original version because I wanted it as a collectors piece and at 143mm, it’s a little short for a combat knife in my opinion. There are definitely better combat knives but it’s not a bad design and to be fair I’d rather be carrying that than the Eickhorn KM200, the German army current combat knife, or the Fairbairn-Sykes Commando knife that I’ve also got in my collection of vintage knives that I’m never going to use.
“Paul Chen replica with a balsa wood handle and tin blade” LOL that’s very true.
I like the wooden handle version better. What other knives do you have in your collection?
Ian
I have just over 40 knives at the moment. I’ll answer that question in a post.
hi, i have this grabendolch as well. my father found it at a construction site in germany. it looks very old and is not in the best condition. it may even be an original from 1915. do you know how much it could be worth?
there is something written on the blade. it looks like an arrow followed by the letters f.dick
looks like this: >>>———> F.DICK
@ Alex
Hard to say without seeing the condition but if it was in good nick you could get over €500 for it.