At This Price, Böker’s Latest Big-Bladed EDC Knife Has No Business Looking This Good

Developed in collaboration with a German hunting outfitter, the frill-free MEK is a minimalist masterpiece.

Published May 19, 2025

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Over its surprisingly long history (351 years!), German knife maker Böker has established a reputation for producing a wide range of excellent cutlery.

Like Specialized in the bike space, the brand also possesses that rare knack for crafting products that unfailingly look great, not only at the higher end of its lineup but with more affordable offerings too.

boker mek open and closed — With its sleek silhouette and sharp angles, the MEK looks equally stunning open and closed.

Yet more evidence for this case comes in the form of its latest team-up with Bremen-based hunting outfitter Hansa Jagdausrüstung.

A vision in silver, the MEK boasts a sleek minimalist style that’s dripping premium while dipping under $70.

Function forward

While the MEK’s looks are what first caught my attention, it was only on closer inspection that I realized how perfectly focused it is, with all elements serving a distinct purpose.

Let’s start with the blade, a 4.21-inch drop-point made of satin-finished Nitro-V, which resides near the top of the budget steel spectrum thanks to its blend of edge retention, hardness and corrosion resistance.

boker mek full — While its locking mechanism is quite traditional, the MEK’s ambidextrous nail nicks have a distinctly modern flair.

Thanks to generous nail nicks on each side — milled in such a way that they resemble a fuller or blood groove — it should deploy smoothly and consistently (using both hands).

Holding that blade in place once deployed is a tried-and-true mechanism that’s been around even longer than Böker itself: the backlock.

Grip and grin

While the handle is similarly unadorned, its size (more than five inches) and ergonomic shape invite a firm and steady grasp.

It’s made of 2Cr13 stainless steel, which is typically used in surgical instruments and steam turbine blades, lending a clean, clinical finish to the proceedings.

boker mek folded — The MEK’s generous, jimped thumb guard neatly integrates a sure and steady grip into the blade itself.

The thumb guard on the back of the blade — complete with non-slip jimping — offers additional grip, especially during detail work.

As streamlined as the knife is, it offers a surprising number of carry options, as the pocket clip may be attached to either end on either side.

boker mek off side folded in hand — I’ve never loved the term “hand-filling,” but as you can see here, it is an apt description of the MEK’s handle.

There’s also a hole at the back for attaching a lanyard, in case you’d like to wear the MEK around your neck.

Considering its price-belying good looks, I wouldn’t blame you.

Editor’s note: We suspect the weight figure on Böker American site — 0.6 ounces — is in error. The German site lists the weight as 117 grams, which converts to a much more realistic 4.13 ounces.

Availability and pricing

The Böker Plus MEK is available now for $69.

Böker Plus MEK

Developed in collaboration with a German hunting outfitter, the frill-free MEK is a minimalist masterpiece. However, despite its pared-down appearance, it’s still very much a fully-featured knife, boasting things like a fuller deployment, back lock, reversible pocket clip and more. Perhaps the most impressive thing about this knife, however, is its price: under $70.

$69 at Böker

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.