Böker City Tool 3 - thoughts after 3 weeks of use

[Etherealicer]

The City Tool 3 shines in some categories, struggles in others and fails in some, still this is probably the best off-brand MT I have ever held/used.
For more detailed info and pictures see my Off-Brand-Challenge Thread

The Fails:
For me the fails are the key-ring and the serrated blade.
The key-ring generates an uncomfortable hot spot when holding the knife. My suggestion, integrate it with the clip, or make it screw on instead of the clip.
The serrated blade is a poor screwdriver (AND was damaged too easily) and not particularly sharp, unsurprising as its cross-section immediately shows.
I like that they did not just add a can-opener, but seriously those two tools are a waste of space, my suggestion add a thin nail-fail and a awl (or either). As a fact, if they do that I'm going to buy another one.

The Struggles:
Obviously, that has to be the scissors. They utterly disappoint when it comes to soft / light / thin materials. I do hope they work on that a bit.
But those scissors are really good at cutting heavier stuff like zip-ties / clam-shell packaging and even tin-cans. In that range I prefer them over Micra / Cross-Cut scissors thanks to their superior maneuverability (seriously, they are really good at that).
My suggestion: work a bit on the scissors, so they cut thin materials. Double the scissor-lever up for more comfort when using. With those adjustments this would be a true winner.
The screws are sticking out of the scales, nothing you would notice when using, but when fiddling in the pockets I found it annoying (like a sharp point on a tooth and you can't stop yourself pocking it with your tongue).

The Wins:
Overall, I got the impression the City Tool is very sturdy.
Those scales are also very comfortable to grip, seem durable (3 weeks in my pockets with my keys and whenever my hand was idle I scratched the keys against the scales). I think the overall design adds to the comfortable grip.

The DOMINATION:
I found the BLADE to be perfectly shaped and designed. A blade is more than fancy steel and so, to me this is the single best MT blade, despite not being locking and not being OHO.
Yes, I have ordered the City Tool 1



Conclusion:
Böker has delivered a good tool and a good starting point for a new pocket-tool-line. Being about twice as expensive as a equivalent Victorinox I feel the City Tools are too expensive. Overall, the Climber is the better tool at lower cost. I'm not disappointed in the City Tool, it is a good tool, feels good in my hands and looks good!

If Böker builds up on this frame and works on its weakness this could be a great alternative to the Victorinox offerings. For me, that would primarily mean replacing the serrated blade / key-ring with something useful (I really detest those two implements).

[firiki]

  Thanks for the review. I've been reading the Challenge thread too. I'm  tempted to get a City Tool 1, I am a knife nut after all, but I think I'll wait a little bit.

Keep torturing that blade (and keep us posted, if you like).

[Gareth]

You're not helping me save any money here.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts though.

[Etherealicer]

You're not helping me save any money here.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts though.

You have never read the Terms and Conditions for this page, have you?

[raistlin65]

The DOMINATION:
I found the BLADE to be perfectly shaped and designed. A blade is more than fancy steel and so, to me this is the single best MT blade, despite not being locking and not being OHO.

I have been so tempted by these because of the look of that blade. And I love the idea of G10 scales 

[Etherealicer]

The DOMINATION:
I found the BLADE to be perfectly shaped and designed. A blade is more than fancy steel and so, to me this is the single best MT blade, despite not being locking and not being OHO.

I have been so tempted by these because of the look of that blade. And I love the idea of G10 scales 

Get a City 1

[Grathr]

Thanks!
That was very informative. 

I have been tempted to get one of those, but I think Ill wait to see if they improve it first.
I am very tempted to get a City 1 now though.





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[Etherealicer]

Thanks!
That was very informative. 

I have been tempted to get one of those, but I think Ill wait to see if they improve it first.
I am very tempted to get a City 1 now though.

Do it

[firiki]

 

[firiki]

 

[raistlin65]

The DOMINATION:
I found the BLADE to be perfectly shaped and designed. A blade is more than fancy steel and so, to me this is the single best MT blade, despite not being locking and not being OHO.

I have been so tempted by these because of the look of that blade. And I love the idea of G10 scales 

Get a City 1

I want the other tools, too

[Higgins617]

I'm glad you tested one, I was digging them as soon as someone posted a thread when they debuted. So many things I want to buy.....

[Etherealicer]

 
have I mentioned that I like the blade Well, can never hurt to say it again... I LOVE that blade

Please not that the City Tool 1 has smooth screws on one side and torx-heads on the other, unlike the City Tool 3 where there are torx-heads on both sides.

[Grathr]

have I mentioned that I like the blade Well, can never hurt to say it again... I LOVE that blade

Please not that the City Tool 1 has smooth screws on one side and torx-heads on the other, unlike the City Tool 3 where there are torx-heads on both sides.

Now I want one even more...


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[AimlessWanderer]

Sounds like it does need some work to get the best from it, with tweaking the scissors and ergonomics. With that in mind, I might as well just overhaul a Juice to get that running smooth, at least that way I get pliers and a proper Phillips  Excellent concept, shame the execution isn't quite up to par

Many thanks for the insight 

[Etherealicer]

Sounds like it does need some work to get the best from it, with tweaking the scissors and ergonomics. With that in mind, I might as well just overhaul a Juice to get that running smooth, at least that way I get pliers and a proper Phillips  Excellent concept, shame the execution isn't quite up to par

Many thanks for the insight 

I have no inside on the Juice (yet ).
But I think Böker is really close. The scissors are really good when cutting heavy stuff. Depending on your needs they might be great for you. Once they put something better in place of that wretched serrated blade they will have a winner.

City Tool 3 vs. Climber

Blade	:	City Tool 3
Scissors	:	Climber
Large flat	:	not enough data, call it a draw
small flat	:	Climber
T&T	:	Climber
Scales	:	City Tool 3

But not all of this is equal, if you use the Blade 95% of the time and the rest is cutting zip-ties and cable with the scissor, I would call the City Tool the winner. If you mostly open cans and cut cloth-labels of after a shopping spree you should get a Climber.

[Gareth]

have I mentioned that I like the blade Well, can never hurt to say it again... I LOVE that blade

Please not that the City Tool 1 has smooth screws on one side and torx-heads on the other, unlike the City Tool 3 where there are torx-heads on both sides.

Really, really liking the look of the number 1.  I'm not sure if I like the look of the green or black though.

[Etherealicer]

have I mentioned that I like the blade Well, can never hurt to say it again... I LOVE that blade

Please not that the City Tool 1 has smooth screws on one side and torx-heads on the other, unlike the City Tool 3 where there are torx-heads on both sides.

Really, really liking the look of the number 1.  I'm not sure if I like the look of the green or black though.

No shop here carries the green one so I cannot really comment, but the black is more like really dark grey and

[shibafu]

While the 3 looks expensive compared to a SAK, the 1 looks like good value compared to something like a Case sodbuster, with which it closely compares.

[Gareth]

While the 3 looks expensive compared to a SAK, the 1 looks like good value compared to something like a Case sodbuster, with which it closely compares.

That's the thing.  I have plenty of traditional folders and a few slippy OHO knives, but this falls somewhere in the middle and I don't own anything quite like it.  I do wish the pocket clip could be mounted on the reverse side though to suit us left handers.

[Storky]

While the 3 looks expensive compared to a SAK, the 1 looks like good value compared to something like a Case sodbuster, with which it closely compares.

Sanrenmu start to offer the knives under their own brand name,
so you wait a little until the three layer knives are available.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/srm-wa721-a1-high-quality-steel-ecd-multifunction-folding-knife-w-gift-box/311471267859?hash=item4885226013

[Grathr]

While the 3 looks expensive compared to a SAK, the 1 looks like good value compared to something like a Case sodbuster, with which it closely compares.

Sanrenmu start to offer the knives under their own brand name,
so you wait a little until the three layer knives are available.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/srm-wa721-a1-high-quality-steel-ecd-multifunction-folding-knife-w-gift-box/311471267859?hash=item4885226013

It is very tempting to get one of those!
Its cheaper than the boker city 1 too. Atleast to get here.

[Etherealicer]

While the 3 looks expensive compared to a SAK, the 1 looks like good value compared to something like a Case sodbuster, with which it closely compares.

Sanrenmu start to offer the knives under their own brand name,
so you wait a little until the three layer knives are available.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/srm-wa721-a1-high-quality-steel-ecd-multifunction-folding-knife-w-gift-box/311471267859?hash=item4885226013

Pretty close... it looks like the scales are flat whereas in the Böker version has round scales (also, you cannot reverse the clip).
The flat sides of the blade look duller/unfinished.

This might be exactly the same knife, however, they put together the unfinished parts.
Could also mean that parts were used that were sorted out by QC

[dks]

I doubt that SRM will put their name on inferior products.

I do not recall any case where they had such issues, but there have been incidents with products branded as SRM, whilst not really being made by them, copies..

(The "official site", was not really the official site and so on, - discussion from a few years ago)

[Storky]

While the 3 looks expensive compared to a SAK, the 1 looks like good value compared to something like a Case sodbuster, with which it closely compares.

Sanrenmu start to offer the knives under their own brand name,
so you wait a little until the three layer knives are available.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/srm-wa721-a1-high-quality-steel-ecd-multifunction-folding-knife-w-gift-box/311471267859?hash=item4885226013

Pretty close... it looks like the scales are flat whereas in the Böker version has round scales (also, you cannot reverse the clip).
The flat sides of the blade look duller/unfinished.

This might be exactly the same knife, however, they put together the unfinished parts.
Could also mean that parts were used that were sorted out by QC

May be, but all the Sanrenmu knives I owend were well made. So perhabs they
only save some finishing steps to reduce the production costs. If the one I
ordered will arrive I will see 

[Corwyn]

Am I hypocritical for being more interested in this knife since it's called Sanrenmu than when it was Boker?... 

[Etherealicer]

While the 3 looks expensive compared to a SAK, the 1 looks like good value compared to something like a Case sodbuster, with which it closely compares.

Sanrenmu start to offer the knives under their own brand name,
so you wait a little until the three layer knives are available.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/srm-wa721-a1-high-quality-steel-ecd-multifunction-folding-knife-w-gift-box/311471267859?hash=item4885226013

Pretty close... it looks like the scales are flat whereas in the Böker version has round scales (also, you cannot reverse the clip).
The flat sides of the blade look duller/unfinished.

This might be exactly the same knife, however, they put together the unfinished parts.
Could also mean that parts were used that were sorted out by QC

May be, but all the Sanrenmu knives I owend were well made. So perhabs they
only save some finishing steps to reduce the production costs. If the one I
ordered will arrive I will see 

Quite possible, but would have to forward it to me for testing.

Just going off the pictures I would choose the Böker version every time. The price difference is not that big (in absolutes, maybe 20$) and the rounded scales are awesome.

[AimlessWanderer]

Sounds like it does need some work to get the best from it, with tweaking the scissors and ergonomics. With that in mind, I might as well just overhaul a Juice to get that running smooth, at least that way I get pliers and a proper Phillips  Excellent concept, shame the execution isn't quite up to par

Many thanks for the insight 

I have no inside on the Juice (yet ).
But I think Böker is really close. The scissors are really good when cutting heavy stuff. Depending on your needs they might be great for you. Once they put something better in place of that wretched serrated blade they will have a winner.

City Tool 3 vs. Climber

Blade	:	City Tool 3
Scissors	:	Climber
Large flat	:	not enough data, call it a draw
small flat	:	Climber
T&T	:	Climber
Scales	:	City Tool 3

But not all of this is equal, if you use the Blade 95% of the time and the rest is cutting zip-ties and cable with the scissor, I would call the City Tool the winner. If you mostly open cans and cut cloth-labels of after a shopping spree you should get a Climber.

There's a parcel on the way to you today mate 

I'm still very much in mixed minds about this tool. At first I thought the odd serrated blade and driver combo could be quite useful, but now I'm not so sure. I love the shape of the blade, and the overall look of the knife and clip, though I wish that glass breaker was easily removed. Cap lifter and awl look perfectly fine, as does the corkscrew - shame about the lanyard loop screwing up the ergonomics. The scissors sound fixable for lighter work, but am unconvinced overall that the price is worth the money (to me) with the various little niggles.

The absence of a Phillips is no biggie for me, as I'd just ensure that whatever pliers tool I paired it up with covered that. The looks of the city version do appeal I must admit. I suspect I'll end up trying one at some point, but it's not tempting me enough to get one with any urgency....

[BerkshireHunter]

There's a parcel on the way to you today mate 

I'm still very much in mixed minds about this tool. At first I thought the odd serrated blade and driver combo could be quite useful, but now I'm not so sure. I love the shape of the blade, and the overall look of the knife and clip, though I wish that glass breaker was easily removed. Cap lifter and awl look perfectly fine, as does the corkscrew - shame about the lanyard loop screwing up the ergonomics. The scissors sound fixable for lighter work, but am unconvinced overall that the price is worth the money (to me) with the various little niggles.

The absence of a Phillips is no biggie for me, as I'd just ensure that whatever pliers tool I paired it up with covered that. The looks of the city version do appeal I must admit. I suspect I'll end up trying one at some point, but it's not tempting me enough to get one with any urgency....

I too am very intrigued by the knife. I love the look of it and that it's something fresh in the multitool knife arena, but I am not digging Chinese craftsmanship. Looks like there's a couple of week points and shoddy scissors. If they made them better quality or the reviews improve it could be a winner.

But obviously they ripped off a couple Victorinox tools like the saw and cap lifter 100%. Why not just copy the scissors too?    I guess it's nice to see some decent innovation in this market though. I really like the idea of the number 2 with a decen serrated blade plus driver.

[kirk13]

Am I hypocritical for being more interested in this knife since it's called Sanrenmu than when it was Boker?... 

Possibly,but your not alone