They are considered one of the most important archaeological sites of prehistory. The tombs of Varna in eastern Bulgaria guarded the oldest gold jewelry of humankind for millennia, and even now, not all the secrets surrounding the lost souls have been revealed. This charming Balkan state not only boasts historical gold artifacts but, above all, diverse landscapes, ranging from mountain ranges in the interior to picturesque coastal regions along the Black Sea.
Bulgarians still proudly cultivate their deeply rooted traditions, which are expressed in traditional costumes, folk music, and dance. It's ironic that in 2010, two jewelers turned a seemingly crazy idea into a goldmine. The two founders of the knife manufacturer Manly, based in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, had always been captivated by the lovingly decorated and handcrafted Laguiole knives from France, which led to their desire to produce their own. The first knives were characterized by meticulous details and ornamentation. However, since these knives were more suited to display, a more practical approach was later adopted. The knives became significantly more suitable for everyday use and more affordable through the use of high-strength steel and practical designs.
This marked the birth of the Manly Comrade. Its four-stage opening mechanism proved immensely popular with customers, making the pocket knife Manly's flagship product. Over the years, the Comrade was consistently refined, resulting in numerous versions and variations. Building on this success, the Patriot and Peak models were introduced, distinguished by their thin blades and low grind, and are now integral to Manly's established range of folding knives. Meanwhile, outdoor and bushcraft enthusiasts will find attractive options for their next wilderness adventure in the fixed-blade Blaze and Crafter models.
At the heart of Manly lies its outstanding team of highly qualified professionals, who consistently strive for a balance between innovation and sustainability, critically examining every approach. As the Bulgarian market leader in the knife industry, Manly invests strategically in new products and services, skillfully addressing customer needs. This is also why the Sofia-based knife manufacturer has been a valued partner of Böker for several years, as Bulgarian knives with their excellent price-performance ratio have firmly established themselves in Germany as well. The business relationship has been continuously strengthened and is based on a high degree of mutual trust. Especially during the dynamic development phase, Böker supported the relatively young Manly brand with expertise and equipment to collaboratively foster the great potential of the partner knife manufacturer from Bulgaria. As the saying goes, not all that glitters is gold. However, those voices will fall silent when they behold the gleam of a Manly blade. For in everyday life, it truly is worth its weight in gold.