Boker Kalashnikov Review

In Blade HQ’s two decades of selling knives, no knife has sold more than the Boker Kalashnikov, and it’s not close. Something about its budget-friendly price, thumpy action, and tactical design has made it absurdly popular. But is it worth the hype? To find out, I put on in my pocket for a good long while. Here is my review! 

Knife Overview 

The Boker Kalashnikov is a slick automatic knife that comes in whatever color and blade style you like and can be had for a very reasonable price. While its budget price tag means it can’t have all the most premium features, it doesn’t skimp on the stuff that really matters, like blade steel and action dependability. If you’re on a budget and need a switchblade, it’s hard to beat the Kalashnikov! 

Specs 

• Price: $64.95 
• Overall Length: 7.625" 
• Blade Length: 3.25" 
• Blade Material: D2 
• Handle Material: Aluminum 
• Weight: 3.70 oz. 
• Blade HQ Score: 78/100 

Pros and Cons

Knife Character 

Cool Factor: 8/10 

The Kalashnikov is a switchblade, plain and simple. That’s really cool. Nothing brings a smile to your face quite like the sound of the blade deploying and the satisfying thump as it hits the stop pin. I knock a few points off for uniqueness, just because of how many Kalashnikovs there are out there, but it’s a cool knife nonetheless. 

Origin Story: 10/10 

Carsten Felix, the co-owner of Boker, had the idea of collaborating with Mikhail Kalashnikov on a knife design. After all, Kalashnikov designed the AK-47 and AK-74, some of the most iconic firearms ever produced. Why wouldn’t he want a knife with his name on it? 

The only problem is that Kalashnikov was not an easy man to find. But undeterred, Carsten took a dangerous journey deep into Russia to find him. That journey took him through uncharted wilderness, Soviet-era ghost towns, and the seedy Russian underground until he eventually found the visionary inventor and pitched his idea. Kalashnikov said he was interested, but he insisted that the knife has the same values that made his rifles so popular – bomb-proof reliability and unmatched affordability.  

The resulting knife, the Boker Kalashnikov, is a tribute to its legendary namesake, and a legend all its own. 

Is that not the coolest knife origin story you’ve ever heard? 

Price & Quality 

Affordability: 10/10 

The world of automatic knives is fairly expensive, which is what makes the price of the Kalashnikov so incredible. You’d be very hard-pressed to find an automatic knife that is cheaper than, or even the same price as, the Kalashnikov and is comparable in quality.   

Fit & Finish: 6/10 

Here’s where the price shows a little. The Kalashnikov uses a painted finish instead of anodizing, which means it’ll develop character quickly with use. A patina of pocket time, if you will. And instead of being milled from a block of aluminum, the handle is cast, which doesn’t feel quite as crisp or clean. But to be fair, none of that affects how the knife actually works. It still cuts, opens fast, and feels solid. It just doesn’t have the fancy polish that higher-end knives do. 

Ease of Operation: 10/10 

I can’t fathom a simpler automatic knife than the Kalashnikov. Push the button, it launches open. Push the button, it unlocks and you can push it shut. A very easy knife to use, and a very easy 10 from me! 
 

Blade & Handle 

Blade Steel: 5/10

The Kalashnikov comes standard with a D2 steel blade. It’s a nice upgrade from the AUS-8 of yesteryear, and it’s amazing that you can find it on budget-friendly knives nowadays. It used to be the gold standard for premium blade steels, but in recent years it’s been outclassed by fancier powder steels. D2 holds an edge like a champ, but it’s not a true stainless, and if neglected, can rust. In my opinion, it’s totally worth it for how well it cuts. If you keep it clean and oil it every once in a while, you’ll be fine.

Blade Shape: 10/10 

One of the biggest selling features of the Kalashnikov is its sheer variety of blade styles. At the time of writing, you can get one in the following blade styles: 

• Spear point 
• Dagger 
• Drop point 
• Bowie 
• Tanto 
• Reverse Tanto
• Sheepsfoot 
• Harpoon 
• Hawkbill 
• Hot dog (don’t ask)
• Corn (seriously, don’t ask) 

And I wouldn’t be surprised if more are in the works. There really is a Kalashnikov for everyone! 

Handle Ergonomics: 6/10 

This one is hit or miss depending on your hand size. Its finger grooves feel good in my medium/large-size-glove hands. But if your hands are much bigger or smaller, those grooves will be uncomfortable to hold onto. There are larger and smaller versions of the Kalashnikov if you’re concerned about your hand fitting. 

Handle Material: 6/10 

The handle is made from cast aluminum with a painted finish. Most high-end knives use milled and anodized aluminum, which is stronger and holds up better. The Kalashnikov’s tough aluminum handle is built for use, not shelf appeal. It might not have the polish of high-end knives, but it’s no slouch when it comes to performance. Will it fail on you? Probably not, especially if you exercise some common sense. But it doesn’t feel as bulletproof as pricier models. 

Carry: 7/10 

Out of the box, the Kalashnikov carries tip-up for right-handed users, and that works great for most people. The clip is long and curved to match the handle, so it holds well in the pocket. But it’s not adjustable. If you’re a lefty or like to carry tip-down, this knife won’t give you options. That said, for most users, it carries just fine. There’s also a left-handed version of the knife for all you southpaws out there. 

Compare & Contrast 

The Kalashnikov exists in a class of its own, budget-friendly yet reliable automatic knives. If you’re going to consider anything below, be aware that it will cost you a bit more. 

• Boker Strike – Also budget-friendly, with a steel-reinforced handle and safety lock. More neutral shape for different hand sizes. 

• Kershaw Launch 16 – A big step up in materials with upgraded steel and anodized aluminum. USA-made and super smooth, but costs more. 

• Pro-Tech TR-3 – Premium auto that’s trusted by military and law enforcement. More expensive, but easily one of the best automatics you can buy. 

Conclusion 

The Boker Kalashnikov is like a Honda Civic. Use it, abuse it, and take basic care of it, and it will keep on ticking darn near forever. Sure, there are more premium switchblades out there, but none of them offer this much performance for this little money. And with the sheer variety of colors, blade styles, and sizes available in this iconic knife, it’s easy to find one that suits your fancy.

The Kalashnikov is not a flex knife. It’s a use-every-day, lend-to-a-friend, cut-open-boxes-and-look-cool-while-doing-it knife. And if you’re still not sure? Buy one. Flick it open. You’ll get it.