Boker Subcom F

[Benner]

I've dug this out again today ready to carry tomorrow and I had forgotten just how good this little folder is. 

I really should carry it more often.

[Splat]

I've cut thru about 20 heavy-duty plastic lids on ice-melt buckets over the past few days. The Trance has held up superbly. The pivot screw has gotten a little loose but I was torquing the heck out of the knife so that doesn't surprise me. My Cybertool34 has the Torx bit that fits it so I tighten it up and she's good to go again.

[DaveK]

I've been thinking about getting one of these, but I'm too tight.

What's the difference between yours and the CHAD Subcom Ben - any idea? They seem to go for a bit less.

[Splat]

I've been thinking about getting one of these, but I'm too tight.
What's the difference between yours and the CHAD Subcom Ben - any idea? They seem to go for a bit less.

Unless I'm mistaken, Ben has a Subcom F, which -is- Chad Los Banos' design built by Boker... see the "CLB" logo on the blade. The whole Subcom line is Chad's designs. Here's his site: http://www.clbdesign.info/

[DaveK]

I've been thinking about getting one of these, but I'm too tight.
What's the difference between yours and the CHAD Subcom Ben - any idea? They seem to go for a bit less.

Unless I'm mistaken, Ben has a Subcom F, which -is- Chad Los Banos' design built by Boker... see the "CLB" logo on the blade. The whole Subcom line is Chad's designs. Here's his site: http://www.clbdesign.info/

That looks like the answer! Thanks Splat!

[Leatherman123]

Hmm, I have a Rescom and I LOVE it! After Christmas, I am going to buy a ton of stuff from Marc at EDCdepot, and I will definitely order a Subcom.. The Subcom reminds me of my Gerber Fatty, which is a fantastic folder!  

[Benner]

I've been thinking about getting one of these, but I'm too tight.
What's the difference between yours and the CHAD Subcom Ben - any idea? They seem to go for a bit less.

Unless I'm mistaken, Ben has a Subcom F, which -is- Chad Los Banos' design built by Boker... see the "CLB" logo on the blade. The whole Subcom line is Chad's designs. Here's his site: http://www.clbdesign.info/

That is indeed correct (Chad being the designer), so although there are different blade styles, all the knives are the same and generally the same price as well.

[Splat]

Ok, the only complaint I have about my Boker Trance is the pivot screw gets loosened easily after hard usage. Loctite may work but I may have to retighten it again down the road so... maybe thread tape? We'll see what happens.  BTW, Marc/EDCDepot is a great place to get the Subcoms. Good prices, he ships quick, and you get a free spy capsule with every order.   MOF, I never thought of getting a capsule but after getting one with my Trance I now see its utility. Anyway, Merry Christmas! 

[Benner]

Ok, the only complaint I have about my Boker Trance is the pivot screw gets loosened easily after hard usage. Loctite may work but I may have to retighten it again down the road so... maybe thread tape? We'll see what happens.  BTW, Marc/EDCDepot is a great place to get the Subcoms. Good prices, he ships quick, and you get a free spy capsule with every order.   MOF, I never thought of getting a capsule but after getting one with my Trance I now see its utility. Anyway, Merry Christmas! 

I haven't had any such problems with the Subcom.

[Teofilo]

Just thought I'd post a few pics of my new knife.  I have been really impressed with it so far.

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Couple of pics that show the clip.  Very tight but can be used as a pocket clip.

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Below is a picture of the lock.  It is very tight and stiff to release ATM, but I am sure this will get easier with some use.

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The knife opens very smoothly and although it is quite small, it fits nicely in the hand.  See video below;

Just comparing my knockoff to yours, Ben. ..Not far eh? But at 3.99 dollars....

[Benner]

That is amazingly close.    The finish is comparatively poor though by the looks of it.

I hate to think how many people have bought those thinking they were the real thing. 

[DaveK]

Wow - that would have fooled me on an ebay pic - that's for sure.

What does it feel like Teofilo? Does it feel "cheap" or does it work well?

[Teofilo]

DaveK and Ben, It feels like the original one! and it's very sharp too! I don't know how they did it

[DaveK]

DaveK and Ben, It feels like the original one! and it's very sharp too! I don't know how they did it

For $3.99 who cares

[Teofilo]

DaveK and Ben, It feels like the original one! and it's very sharp too! I don't know how they did it

For $3.99 who cares

right!

[Benner]

This kinda thing really does P me off though.  I just hope it is at least safe so people aren't getting injured using them.

[DaveK]

I hope this doesn't turn into a row again, and of course you are dead right Ben, the people who make these things should be shut down, but.....

I do find these knock-offs fascinating. That looks like one of the best I've seen - maybe similar to the Rescue knives that NKB got?

[Benner]

I hope this doesn't turn into a row again, and of course you are dead right Ben, the people who make these things should be shut down, but.....

I do find these knock-offs fascinating. That looks like one of the best I've seen - maybe similar to the Rescue knives that NKB got?

I don't think anyone here would argue the point about these things being wrong and how they should be shut down.  Sadly it seems this is becoming more popular as well (or maybe we are just finding more).

It interests me too as the wife was recently done on a set of GHD hair straighteners.  They were amazingly well copied and I do find it interesting how well they can do them.  I just always think that if they actually put their minds to it they could make their own good product as they seem to make good usable copies some times.

[DaveK]

It's more likely the case that they struggle to come up with innovative stuff of their own. Couple that with the fact that marketing and advertising are expensive, why not let someone else do all that and hijack their business?

[Benner]

It's more likely the case that they struggle to come up with innovative stuff of their own. Couple that with the fact that marketing and advertising are expensive, why not let someone else do all that and hijack their business?

Very true.  But as in the Subcom case, they make a product which quality wise seems comparable to the real thing, but sell it for less than 10% of the cost.  Just goes to show just how cheaply some things can be made.

[DaveK]

Maybe it also shows you the kind of margins that the genuine manfacturers make?

[Nutznboltz]

For $3.99 something has to give, either in the quality or materials.  I can't see this knockoff being anywhere near the quality of an original.  At that price the seller's still making some profit so there's definately something wrong with this picture.  Possibly it's not AUS8 or real G10 scales.   
An original Chad LosBanos Subcom is not very expensive, less than $50.00 cdn. so I'd rather spend the money and get a quality tool and have the peice of mind that I'm supporting the honest guys.

[PyroJames]

For $3.99 something has to give, either in the quality or materials.  I can't see this knockoff being anywhere near the quality of an original.  At that price the seller's still making some profit so there's definately something wrong with this picture.  Possibly it's not AUS8 or real G10 scales.   

Knock-offs are meant to fool people visually so most have almost identical markings but it's very unlikely that they are made from the same materials as the genuine article.  AUS8 steel and G10 handles on a $4 knife?  I doubt it.

[Benner]

There will be no chance it's Aus8.  I'd be interested to know what they use though.

[Teofilo]

C'mon guys, it's a knockoff!   and there's nothing wrong with the picture..it's a plain look-alike made by the same race of people who make licensed originals. They profit by means of mass production. It's just, as DaveK said, fascinating to see knives or tools like these. What bothers me is the very near future, it'll be very hard for us to  distinguish what an original and a knockoff is.

[Splat]

What bothers me is the very near future, it'll be very hard for us to  distinguish what an original and a knockoff is.

Which is why I now buy only from reputable dealers. That Boker knock-off pro'lly would fool me, too, but I would rather buy the real thing and support Chad's efforts.