CFM-A1 By Böker

CFM-A1 By Böker Plus

Editor: Johnny LeMaster

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Just The Facts:

In close cooperation with international acknowledged experts from military, police and security we developed and test tactical knives for the professional user. Boker Plus knives are innovative in terms of function and design, as well as guaranteed for everyday use. Conception, design and construction are carried out in Solingen, and production takes place in Europe, the USA and Asia.

The designs of DJ Urbanovsky have garnered a lot of attention over the last few years. Fixed-blade knives are not everybody’s cup of tea. For this reason, we are happy to be able to present the first folding knife in the line with the CFM-A1. Basically, a folding version of the Colubris, the CFM-A1 of course offers a high level of transportability. The flat construction of the stainless-steel frame lock contributes to this. The patterns milled into the front G10 scale can also be found on the back in the stainless steel and an LBS (Lock Bar Stabilizer) keeps the lock from overextending. Ball bearing-mounted blade made from Sandvik 14C28N steel. With clip (tip-up).

• Type: Pocket Knife;
• Designer: DJ Urbanovsky
• Total Length: 8.4”
• Blade Length: 3.6”
• Blade Thickness: 0.10”
• Weight: 5.5 oz
• Blade Material: 14C28N
• Handle Material: G10, Stainless-steel
• Lock: Framelock
• Opener: Flipper
• Opening: Manual
• Color: Black
• Blade Color: Uncoated

My Story:

I have to have a knife on my all the time.  I feel completely naked without.  To me it is a necessary tool with such versatile usage, I will not be caught without.  The Böker Plus CFM-A1 is a knife that you can confidently carry for all occasions.  Whether going to work, out to a nice dinner, or out in the field this is a knife that you will not want to leave behind.

When I first laid eyes on the CFM-A1 my eyes went huge.  This is a folding knife designed unlike anything I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.  The first thought that came to my mind was that this knife was ridiculously huge and gaudy.  I prefer “longer” blade length folding knifes, typically in the range around 4”, which this knife fit the bill for, but the height of the blade from the edge to the spine is what dominated my attention.  To be honest I really wasn’t sure that I like it much.  I kind of formed the opinion that this would not be a knife that would fit my liking and would not get carried often.

I have a small collection of Every Day Carry (EDC) knives that I usually pick from with a couple of go to knives.  I started carrying the CFM-A1 as my EDC and was a bit surprised by what I discovered about carrying the knife.  First it did not feel as bulky in my pocket as it looked to me.  I didn’t notice it anymore than any other knife I carry.  With the really wide blade design it does take up a lot of your pocket room though.  I also started to really like and appreciate the weight and feel of the knife in my hand.  It feels like a good utility knife.  One that you want to have with you for every day use.  It doesn’t feel dainty, or weak.  If feels like a knife that you can use and not have to worry about ruining because you accidentally cut to hard, pried a little, or twisted the blade to much.  The CFM-A1 is a solid knife.

I found that the more I carried the CFM-A1 the more I wanted to carry it.  It started to become my go to EDC.  It was the knife I liked having on me when going to the office and running around.  It does catch some attention when you pull this knife out to cut up your lunch.  People are immediately drawn to the unique design and size of this folding knife.  It makes for a good conversation starter.  I also love having this knife on me when I go to the field.  I really started to specifically go for this knife when hunting, fishing, and camping.  As stated above, it is a solid knife that I felt would be able to stand up to the rigors of anything I threw at it.  It was there for me when I was deer hunting in the CRP.  It was there for me when I needed to fix some decoy weights while duck hunting on the Columbia River.  It was there for me when I was out winter camping and coyote hunting along the Snake river.  It was there for me when I was camping along the Palouse River.  It has helped me to notch tags, clean animals, split fire wood, cut rope and decoy cord, cut down foliage for a blind, cut up my pizza or sandwich at lunch time.  This knife has been there when I needed it and held up well to the abuse I have put it through.  I will admit that I did have one issue with the knife while using it, but it is not due to faulty design, or an issue with the knife itself.  This time of year a few friends and I dedicate a lot of our free time to helping control the coyote population.  The colder the weather the better it is for us.  A couple weeks ago we were out camping and hunting hard.  It was cold and miserable weather so we used my good friends teepee that has a wood stove in it.  I was using the CFM-A1 to split some wood into smaller pieces of kindling to get the fire started.  I was placing the blade of the knife on the wood to split and using another piece of wood as a hammer, striking the back of the blade to drive it through the wood.  This was working excellent, but after a few minutes, the vibrations from striking the back of the blade started to loosen up the screws holding the frame and handle together.  During one strike the spacer/blade stop fell out of the back of the knife causing the blade to completely rotate to the back of the handle.  I was able to put the spacer back in, and tighten down the handle with little effort after returning from the trip.  I would recommend checking your screws on the knife periodically when using the knife on a regular basis.  This is something that should be done with absolutely any EDC knife, and is not a unique issue to have, just a good reminder to make sure you take care of your knife and maintain it.

The blade is the most eye catching and unique component of this knife.  The flat grind, Wharncliffe point blade is made of Sandvik 14C28N  nitrogen-alloyed steel.  The steel has a high hardness that is corrosion resistant, stone-washed finish, allowing the blade to keeps its edge longer under normal usage, and makes for quick and easy sharpening to put a really good edge back on the knife.  It is a good all around steel for an EDC knife.  The blade has an overall thickness at the spine of 0.10 inches. It boasts a cutting edge length of 3.6 inches, and a width of 1.5 inches.  The Wharncliffe style point on the blade really gives it a good feel.

The handle on the knife is a thing of beauty all on its own.  The G-10 glass fiber reinforced plastic has scaling cut into it providing for an incredibly durable handle that provides excellent grip and good slip resistance.  The G-10 fits perfectly on the Stainless-steel frame of the knife.  The G-10 black grip is only on one side of the handle and the stainless-steel frame lock and pocket clip on the other side.  The clip sits in the pocket with the point of the knife up for fast opening of the blade, that is aided by the flipper style opener.  The blade rotates on ball bearings for a very smooth opening.  The frame lock blade lock holds the blade in place firmly with no wiggle.  The lock is also very easy to unlock when closing the blade.  It can easily be accomplished by one hand.  From the very first time using the knife it was incredibly smooth and easy to open.  It did take me a little bit to get used to the flipper for opening the blade.  I have always had knives with thumb openers on the blade so it took me a little bit to get used to something different but once I did it is very nice for opening the blade.  When the blade is open, the flipper acts as a guard locking your hand in place on the handle and keeping it from slipping forward onto the blade.

All in all this knife really surprised me.  It has been one of my favorite knives to carry, when my first impression was that I would not carry it too often.  Its 5.5 oz overall weight makes it a little heavier than many folding knives out there, but not heavy enough to deter you from wanting to carry it and use it for all occasions.  I can’t wait to take this knife on my next adventure and many more to come.  This is a great knife for a good price.

Find it Here:

https://www.bokerusa.com/pocketknives/boker-plus/tactical-knives/cfm-a1-01bo766

What Can Be Done Better:

Honestly I do not have any complaints or anything that I would like to see be done differently with this knife.  It is a very unique design, that is eye catching, and very functional.  The more you use this knife the more you will come to truly appreciate it.