For over ten years, this model has defined the Böker range like almost no other. The German battleship, sunk off the Norwegian coast in 1944, not only lent its name but also provided parts for the legendary Böker Tirpitz Damascus steel. Norwegian divers recovered pieces of the Tirpitz's special armor plating from the fjord. From these pieces of living history, the Böker Damascus steel master craftsman exclusively forges an exceptional 300-layer Damascus steel with a fascinating history. The incredibly diverse and elaborate steps involved in producing the Tirpitz Damascus steel are exemplary of the many products that are still handcrafted today with meticulous attention to detail, an unwavering commitment to artisanal perfection, and the passion of our employees. The high level of vertical integration in our manufactory remains unparalleled.
Recovery
Although Norwegian divers were responsible for recovering the steel, a long-time Böker employee did not miss the opportunity to personally visit this historic site and to accompany the creation of this exceptional model from the very beginning.
Damascus steel
In the forge of the Böker Damascus steel smith, the exclusive combination of Tirpitz steel pieces with carbon tool steels takes place. The different alloys are hand-forged into an exceptional and extremely durable 300-layer Damascus steel, which, with a Rockwell hardness of 61 to 63 HRC, is up to any task in everyday use.
Punching / Laser cutting
The precise blade contour of the Tirpitz Damascus steel, as well as the contour of the locking spring, are now achieved using laser cutting. The classic nail nick on the two-handed version of the Tirpitz Damascus 42, however, is traditionally stamped using specialized stamping tools and machines.
Grinding shop
In the grinding shop, the bevel, i.e., the long bevel from the spine to the cutting edge, is applied. For this, the blade blanks are individually placed by hand onto the blade-specific fixture. Particular care must be taken to cool the workpieces, as the blades could warp due to heat.
hardening plant
After grinding, the blades are hardened to a final hardness of 61 to 63 HRC. The Damascus blades are held at a hardening temperature of approximately 870 °C for several minutes before being quenched in an oil bath. To prevent the very brittle blades from breaking during everyday use, they are tempered at approximately 150 °C to achieve the target hardness of 61 to 63 HRC.
Hand-blown hair
In parallel, the locking spring is further processed in the hand-polishing workshop. Sitting at the grinding wheel, each part is individually cleaned, deburred, and given a uniform finish. This is the only way to guarantee the flawless function of the springs. Each individual blade also undergoes hand-polishing. For a smooth, blemish-free surface, the blades are first carefully cleaned and polished by hand. The beautiful and exclusive Damascus pattern is then revealed using a special etching technique, in which the Damascus blades are individually immersed in an acid bath. Each Tirpitz Damascus blade is also inscribed with a model-specific name. To apply this to the Damascus blade, the letters are printed with an acid-resistant ink before the deep etching process. After etching, the ink is carefully removed, so that the desired inscription cleanly interrupts the fine Damascus pattern.