102 The Perfect Hiker's Knife

Does it have a 104 stamped on the back of the sheath? Two spacers in the finger guard? And how many at the pommel juncture? DM
 
David it does not have 104 stamped on the back of the sheath.

If you mean two fiber spacers,then these knives have one fiber spacer between the aluminum hilt and one fiber space between the hilt and the handle.There are also two fiber spacers at the butt.One spacer between the butt cap and the aluminum spacer and one between the aluminum spacer and the handle.

I set up to take some pictures outside but my camera's battery went dead.It's charging now.I'll try as soon as the battery is charged.
 
Thanks to this thread I bought a 102 which should arrive today.
I had one a long long time ago but lost it in the woods surveying.
This forum makes me happily fuel my interest. $$$$:)

ps not so much the wife.:rolleyes:
Here it is-brand new
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For no real reason, I picked up my 102 and 110. I found it interesting to compare the two. The 102 is actually lighter and shorter than the 110 and it has the same blade length. I guess I didn't expect that. The blade height is just slightly smaller on the 102 but it's close and the 102 handle is shorter than the 110 making it shorter overall. For hiking, the 102 seems to be the better choice.
 
BuckShack, you have discovered the genius of the 102. The 102 has a 4 inch blade and weighs 2.5 ounces. The 110 has a 3 3/4 inch blade and weighs 7.5 ounces. That is a 5 ounce difference and you get a longer blade with the 102 (slightly).
 
For a fixed blade hiking knife, I think I'll stick with my 877 Maverick (white handle, made in Idaho) I cannot afford one of the classic fixed blade Bucks.
 
I think the classic Buck fixed blades are beautiful looking.

I very much prefer a folding knife for backpacking, mostly due to weight but also for ease of carrying. The Buck Bantam and Spitfire are both in the 3.5 oz range. My preferred backpacking folder is bigger than a 110 and weighs only 2.5 oz - no sheath needed and can be pocket carried without interfering with my pack's hip belt.

This said, I do wish Buck made 100 series fixed blade more oriented towards backpackers. I would like to see the old (very old) style sabre grind, as I find it much better for wood working and generally tougher and more versatile than hollow grinds. Hollow grinds are my preference for hunting knives, but not general woods use. I also like something more of a drop point or modified (straight) clip point blade.

The Selkirk's blade shape looks right to me but it lacks the BOS heat treatment and I prefer the classic black phenolic look. The Selkirk converted to a US made 100 series knifes would be very, very interesting to me.
 
I just received the new Brahma 117. I think the 102 has some competition. The blade is similar, but just a little bit longer. It's really nice.
 
The Brahma 117 is a nice knife but it ways twice what the 102 does. It weights in at 4.9 oz. while the 102 comes in at 2.5 oz. What Buck should do is bring back the leather stacked 102, while keeping the weight down, somehow.
 
Oh, I didn't notice the weight difference right away, it seemed so close. You are correct. I guess the stacked leather is what does it. It does add a little grip in the hand though.
 
The handle is bigger overall, the blade is longer, and the guard and pommel are steel. The guard and pommel on the 102 are aluminum.
Still, that 117 is a nice knife.
 
Here are three 102's that I currently own.The first is a standard current production model,the second is crafted from 5160 steel and the third is belongs to a 104 Twin Set.

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I just recently discovered how great Buck fixed blades are after a few years of carrying their slipjoints. I got the 105 and 102 with brass and 5160 and have been carrying them while turkey and mushroom hunting and doing some early stand maintainance and gardening at my cabin. These are really great knives with excellent sheaths and no-nonsense blade shapes.


 
Those are some great knives, guys. I guess I need to pick up another one.
 
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