Boker Atlas Backlock Big vs Multi SW: which pocket tool fits the task?
Short answer
Choose the Atlas Backlock Big if you want a locking blade in this steel-handled family. Consider the Atlas Multi SW if integrated scissors are more useful and you accept its non-locking slipjoint. Both use 12C27 steel, but their blade shapes and mechanisms differ. Compare the exact SKU rather than buying by family name.
Researched comparison based on current manufacturer information. These products have not been hands-on tested by AllEquipped.
What is different beyond the Atlas name?
The blade mechanism and the extra tool make these distinct choices. The official Boker listings identify:
| Feature | Atlas Backlock Big | Atlas Multi SW |
|---|---|---|
| SKU | 01BP0062 | 01BO857 |
| Blade steel | 12C27 | 12C27 |
| Blade shape | Clip point | Drop point |
| Mechanism | Backlock | Slipjoint |
| Handle | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Additional scissors | Not listed | Included |
Use those exact SKUs when comparing retailer listings. An Atlas family name does not establish which mechanism you are buying, and a similar-looking handle is not enough to distinguish the products.
Who should shortlist the Backlock Big?
Shortlist it when you specifically want a locking blade and prefer a simple cutting tool. Boker describes two-hand nail-nick opening, a pocket clip and a lanyard hole. The lock is a mechanism choice; we have not tested its strength, wear or long-term operation.
For ordinary camp use, think through the cutting jobs you actually repeat. Opening packaging and preparing a small snack do not establish suitability for heavy chopping, prying or other uses outside the product’s instructions. Compare dimensions and the fit in your hand before deciding that the larger model is the more useful one.
Atlas Multi SW. © Boker. Used with permission..
When are the Multi SW’s scissors more useful?
The scissors make the Multi SW worth considering for small jobs where a blade is awkward: trimming a loose thread or making a controlled cut in lightweight packaging, for example. Those are suggested uses, not results from our testing. Check the tool against the material and follow its instructions.
The Multi SW remains a slipjoint knife. It does not gain a blade lock because it adds scissors, and it should not be confused with the Backlock model. Decide whether you value that second cutting tool enough to choose this format.
How do they compare with a fixed blade?
A folding pocket tool offers a different carrying arrangement from a sheathed fixed blade. Our M.U.K. review and Boker camp-knife guide cover that alternative.
We would choose the tool format first, then compare exact dimensions, materials and the supplied carry hardware. Steel type alone cannot tell you how either knife will feel in use or how long its edge will last in your particular tasks. These are source-based buying notes; we have not performed cutting, corrosion or durability tests.
Explore the Boker brand guide or browse more gear with official photos.
Specifications checked September 24, 2026. Official photographs used with permission.
Quick answers
- Does every Boker Atlas knife have a locking blade?
- No. The Atlas Backlock Big 01BP0062 has a backlock; the Atlas Multi SW 01BO857 uses a non-locking slipjoint.
- Which of these Atlas models includes scissors?
- Boker lists integrated scissors on the Atlas Multi SW, SKU 01BO857. They are not a listed feature of the Atlas Backlock Big.