I picked this up on a lark, but it’s proven to be pretty handy. The Boker Plus Scalpel works well as a small and affordable EDC blade option, provided you have a good understanding of its capabilities and its limitations.
The Boker Plus Scalpel
The Scalpel runs a hair shy of five inches from end to end. The blade is 1.65 inches long and 0.10 inches thick. It’s all one piece of D2 steel. The Scalpel weighs barely half an ounce. All told, it’s a fraction of the size of most other EDC knives.
There are epoxy inserts along the handle that provide some additional traction for grip. There’s also a tiny bit of jimping along the spine.
It comes with a Kydex sheath that holds the Scalpel securely. There is a beaded chain included for neck carry. The chain is roughly 28 inches long. On me, this puts the sheath right at about my sternum, which is perfect to be able to reach the knife when it’s needed.
Boker Plus Scalpel Performance
This is a neat little knife. It’s so small and lightweight, it almost disappears when you’re carrying it. It’s patterned after a surgical scalpel, so think along the lines of an X-ACTO knife when it comes to using it, albeit one that doesn’t have a removable blade.
I’ve used it for breaking down boxes, opening mail, and cutting bits of cordage here and there. This isn’t a knife that you’d want to use for extended periods of time, due to the slim handle. I feel like after a while, your hand would start to cramp. And it’s certainly not a great option for a defense weapon, even a last-ditch one.
It seems to hold a decent edge. That’s not surprising, given that it’s D2 steel. This is a knife steel that’s been around for a while and is known for edge retention as well as toughness. However, it also has a reputation for being difficult to sharpen. The best suggestion is to not let the edge get away from you. Hone it often on a strop if you’re using the Scalpel regularly. If you allow the blade to get truly dull, you may have some work cut out for you.
Boker Plus Scalpel Best Uses
The Scalpel is particularly well-suited for work environments that might frown upon a more traditional folding knife or fixed blade. It has a unique appearance that might catch the eye, but not in a negative sense.
I could also see adding one of these to a survival kit as a backup blade. It might not be ideal, but it’ll get the job done. It’s small enough and light enough to fit in any kit larger than an Altoids tin or thereabouts.
One of the best features of the Scalpel is the price. It currently retails for under $40 at DLT Trading. At that price, you might able to pick up a few of them over time and scatter them throughout different kits as well as keep one handy for EDC.
