Timeline

Boker Timeline – A Legendary Knife Heritage Forged in Steel

Discover the milestones that shaped Boker into one of the world’s most respected knife manufacturers, known for premium German Knives, iconic Automatic Knives, and a legacy of craftsmanship that spans more than 350 years.

1674–1899: Roots of a Global Knife Brand

1674 – The Boker family registers the tree symbol as a trademark for hand tools in Germany, marking the origin of the world-famous Tree Brand.
1829 – H. R. Boker founded in Remscheid by Hermann and Robert Boker, focusing on the production of sabers.
1837 – Hermann Boker brings the brand to the United States. Boker USA is established in New York City.
1861–1866 – Boker Germany manufactures muskets and 18,000 sabers for the Union Army during the American Civil War.
1865 – Robert Boker expands into Latin America with the founding of Boker Mexico.
1869 – Heinrich Boker establishes Heinr. Boker Baumwerk in Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades,” securing Boker’s future as a premium knife manufacturer.
1870 – The iconic Tree Brand knife logo is officially registered—still a global symbol of quality and German craftsmanship.
1890s – Boker becomes one of the top-selling knife brands in the United States.
1891 – The U.S. Tariff Act restricts foreign imports (a challenge that echoes into modern knife trade).
1892 – Boker USA merges with Valley Forge in Newark, NJ, boosting American-made knife production.

1900–1949: Innovation, War & Revival

1913 – “Tree Brand” and “Arbolito” trademarks registered in the United States.
1914–1918 – During World War I, all Solingen-made Boker knives are produced exclusively for military use.
1925 – The iconic Boker chestnut tree is struck by lightning; its wood is preserved in a hand-carved Tree Brand emblem still displayed today.
1944 – British bombers destroy the Boker facility in Solingen during WWII.
1945 – At war’s end, Boker trademarks in the United States are seized by the U.S. government.
1946 – The Solingen factory is rebuilt from the ground up.
1947 – Major John Boker reacquires U.S. trademark rights and revives Boker USA.
1950 – Boker USA resumes importing Solingen-made knives.
1956 – Boker acquires Schrade Knife Company to produce switchblades.
1958 – The U.S. Switchblade Act forces the closure of the Schrade plant producing automatic knives.
1960s – Strong U.S. distribution partnerships significantly increase brand awareness and drive investment in Solingen.

1980–2010: Expansion, Innovation & Collectible Knife Icons

1983 – Boker Arbolito established in Buenos Aires, serving South American knife markets with premium outdoor and hunting knives.
1986 – Boker regains full U.S. trademark rights. Boker USA is re-established in Denver, Colorado.
1995 – Launch of the Boker Speedlock series, an iconic automatic knife that revolutionizes the market.
1999 – A new state-of-the-art Boker headquarters is built in Solingen, combining tradition with modern knife manufacturing.
2002 – Introduction of the legendary Boker Kalashnikov series, developed in personal collaboration with General Mikhail Kalashnikov.
2005 – Boker Leopard Damascus: blades hand-forged from Leopard tank cannon barrels become collector sensations.
2006 – Revival of handcrafted premium straight razors in Solingen.
2010 – Boker Tirpitz Damascus: Original steel from the WWII battleship Tirpitz is recovered and forged into exclusive damascus blades.

2019–Today: Heritage, Craftsmanship & the Future of American Knife Manufacturing

2019 – Boker Solingen celebrates its 150th anniversary.
2021 – Boker USA Historical Damascus launches: blades forged from authentic WWII Sherman tank steel captivate collectors and drive new market growth.
2025 – Boker USA reintroduces American knife manufacturing in Denver, Colorado - the first Boker knives “Made in USA” since 1945.

A Living Legacy – Boker Knives, Crafted for Generations

From historic German craftsmanship to innovative Automatic Knives and exclusive damascus steel collections, Boker continues to shape the global knife industry.

More than 350 years after its first trademark, the Tree Brand remains one of the most recognized and trusted symbols in the world of knives.