German Auto Knives

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Blofeld

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Years ago I spent time in Germany, and had a stag handled leverlock auto. Wasn't a collector at the time, so I paid no attention to the maker, but it was a higher end model. Had to leave it when I came back here.

So now, the closest thing I can find to it today is made by Hubertus, and I've read a great deal that their quality has diminished over the years. Mikov (Czech) has leverlocks that look decent, but I know little about them.

Anybody have any insight?
 
I have a stag-handled switchblade I bought back in the early 80's on a US Navy port visit to Hamburg. It is marked Springer, which I think is a German word for switchblade.
 
The Mikovs are relatively large knives compared to the Hurbertus or Boker knives.

If you want a German lever lock you can order Boker and Hubertus over the net and take your chances that they'll make it into the US or you can look through them at gun/knife shows.
 
Mikovs are

not German - Czech I think and they are not that good. I have one but will not get any more. Boker still (i think) makes the lever lock switchblades too. Some Italian ones too like Leverleto that are high quality and not the stilleto styled types.
 
...

http://www.boker.de/index.php?c=19,15

i really like the looks of these......

Here in germany you´d be in real ****,
if u get into a fight-situation with a "Springer"
as the have bad reputation.....

the same "black rifle" problem i guess.

Greetz from Hamburg,
Mp7
 
The Mikov is fine for the price; I'd describe it as a sturdy, medium-quality knife, with a distinctive look and feel. Mine is the low-end version, I've never handled one of the fancier models.

For me, autos are basically toys; the law in my state (NY) does not allow me to carry one unless I am actually hunting, so they see very little real use. My Kershaw leek is legal to carry, better made, opens just as fast and holds a far better edge. Costs less, too...

Here's one with a composite blade (the cutting edge is D2 tool steel):

21LujlhgVyL._SL500_AA250_.jpg

It's about $80 on Amazon, the regular blade version is about half that.
 
Penalties are stiff if caught carrying in my neck of the woods, but collecting is legal.

Ideally, I want to get one representative piece for each auto category (OTF, stilletto, swing guard, etc.) I prefer to get the industry standard of excellence, got my Frank Beltrame stilletto because I believe his are the best. Got my Bokers, can't beat them for practicality, but I would think the coil springs would be prone to wear.

There is alot of junk in the OTF category, not sure what to get there.

But the leverlock configuration brings back fond dreams of schnitzel, bier, and the Donau.:)
 
Microtech
Click to expand...

Yep, I'd go MT for the OTF.

As to coil spring autos, I'd go with Benchmade or Microtech or for "tradition" I'd order a "Florida Black Knife" from Charlie Ochs directly while for fancy I'd get the William Henry.

Don't forget the double actions (Vallotton only) and the bolster/scale release autos (Vallotton again).
 
So do you prefer it to the Hubertus? And where did you find the Hubertus?

BTW, that is a beautiful knife. You have excellent taste.
 
My daughter's Mikov is the stag model shown by rklessdriver. I have one of the poly scale versions I plan on having nicer scales attached to.

Hubertus autos are all over the knife shows around here.
 
This is purely voluntary, but Hso, how many knives do you own? I'm trying to put together, as I said, one representative knife of each possible style/ manufacturer (not just autos) as a collection, and you keep showing me more than I knew existed. Can a comprehensive collection be put together, or should I consider "niche" collections?:)
 
I doubt a true "comprehensive" collection can be put together by anyone because it would have to include examples of all variants of all knives ever produced. Any collection is a "niche" collection by that definition.

You could try to collect all US mass produced knives, but that means you'd have to hunt collections/estate sales to get the knives produced in the past 200 years in the US. You'd end up literally collecting tens of thousands of knives unless you limited it to those produced under the manufacturer's name instead of for other companies in that name. That would be only thousands, then.

You could limit it to knives commercially produced in the US since 1900 by the manufacturer under their own name. That would still be thousands of knives for an example of each type produced by each company. You'd still have to spend a lot of time at estate/collection sales, though.

You could try 2000 as your start date. That would be the easiest of what's mentioned. You'd still have hundreds of knives to put into the collection and you'd still have to hunt for knives no longer produced by companies still in business as well as Schrade and Camillus knives.

Just the niche of knives mass produced since 2000 could take years to assemble and run you tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars.

It only takes money and time.

How big is my collection? Too big and not big enough, depending upon whether I'm drooling over a new knife or trying to decide how to pay for a new knife.
 
Thank you for the perspective. Looks like I'll devote my life to the ultimate Opinel collection, from 2007 production on.

Had an idea completing a collection might be an undertaking, but the sheer scope that you reveal is pretty staggering.

Thanks again.:)
 
I agree.

http://www.pvk.com/ :)

Good deals Hubertus, Mikov and a lot of other blades.

Blofeld: This is where I got my Hubertus. Good place to buy from.

As for which I prefer. Honestly - BOTH.

It's like Lays chips. You can't have, just one....

Will
 
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