H. Boker & Company

Table of Contents

Introduction

H. Boker & Company was the American branch of a company with roots going back to the 17th century in Remscheid, Germany. The company was primarily known as a maker of knives, but also produced pliers and other tools.

Company History

Boker's American operations were established in 1837 by Hermann Boker in New York City.

Fig. 1. 1893 Article on Hermann Boker & Company.

Fig. 1 shows an article with background history on Hermann Boker & Company, as published on page 902 of the 1893 King's Handbook of New York.

The text notes that the company first operated as Hermann Boker on John Street in New York City, then moved to 50 Cliff Street.

In 1857 the company was reorganized as Hermann Boker & Company.

In 1872 the company built a large building at 101 and 103 Duane Street, from which it operated for many decades.

At the time of the writing the partners in the firm were listed as Ferdinand H. Boker, Carl F. Boker, and Albert H. Funke.

Fig. 2. 1910 Ad for Boker "Tree Brand" Cutlery.

Fig. 2 shows a full-page ad for Boker's "Tree Brand" cutlery, as published on page 999 of the May, 1910 issue of the Hardware Dealers' Magazine.

Fig. 3. 1921 Notice for H. Boker. [External Link]

Fig. 3 shows a notice for H. Boker & Company, as published on page 58 of the October, 1921 issue of The American Cutler.

Later Operations

Boker USA maintains a web site with an interesting history of the company, and readers can visit the Company History Page [External Link] for the full story.

Patents

Trademarks

Trademark 553,559 Pocket Knives serial 605,140. Filed Oct. 19, 1950. Pub. Oct. 9, 1951. Trademark 553,560 Razors. serial 605,141. Filed Oct. 19, 1950. Pub. Oct. 9, 1951.

References and Resources

Photographs and observations of particular tools are based on items in the Alloy Artifacts Collection.

Catalog Resources

Selected Tools

Boker 5612-7½ 7.5 Inch Lineman's Pliers

Fig. 4. Boker 5612-7½ 7.5 Inch Lineman's Pliers, with Insets for Back Side and Side View.

Fig. 4 shows a pair of Boker 5612-7½ 7.5 inch lineman's pliers, stamped with "H. Boker-U.S.A." and the model number around the pivot.

The overall length is 7.4 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The No. 5612 lineman's pliers were listed in the company's 1950 catalog and were available in sizes 6½, 7½, and 8½ inches.

Boker [6612-8½] 8.5 Inch Lineman's Pliers

Fig. 5. Boker [6612] 8.5 Inch Lineman's Pliers, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 5 shows a pair of Boker [6612] 8.5 inch lineman's pliers, stamped "H. Boker & Co." and "Made in U.S.A." around the pivot.

The overall length is 8.5 inches, and the finish is polished chrome.

Although not marked with a model number, these were listed as the No. 6612 lineman's pliers in the 1950 Boker catalog. Model No. 6612 was the same as No. 5612 but with a polished chrome finish.

Boker 5.5 Inch Flat-Nose Pliers

Fig. 6. Boker 5.5 Inch Flat-Nose Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail.

Fig. 6 shows a pair of Boker 5.5 inch flat-nose pliers, stamped "H. Boker" and "[Made in] U.S.A." around the pivot.

The overall length is 5.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Boker 6507-10 10 Inch Tongue-and-Groove Waterpump Pliers

Fig. 7. Boker 6507-10 10 Inch Waterpump Pliers, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 7 shows a pair of Boker 6507-10 10 inch tongue-and-groove waterpump pliers, stamped with "Boker U.S.A." and the model number on the handle.

The overall length is 9.8 inches, and the finish is polished chrome.

The curved ridges for the tongue-and-groove mechanism have been forged into the handles and provide five working positions.