103 as a bush knife.

hiwa

hiwa

Joined
Jun 7, 2009
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Does anyone use a Buck 103 as their main bush/camping knife as despite the widespread use of the 119? I am wondering if the shorter, wider blade would be more versatile , than an upswept point style.

I am considering purchasing one for such use. I don't skin game anymore , so hunting is not an issue, but camping and bushcraft is. I don't need a bigger blade as I use a hatchet for that work.

( No need to suggest another knife, just interested in this one.)

Thanks in advance.
 
Wouldn't be my first choice, but it'll work. Nice size, good heft and weight. Of course, a 119, wouldn't be my first choice either. Too heavy and a bit bulky.

Jack
 
My 'go to' sheath knife for camping, canoing, hiking, has been a 102 woodsman. I got the first one in 1969, and by 1999 it was a bit worn down, so my better half got me a new one for my birthday.

I gave up hunting 20 years ago, but still camp and fish, and we hike every weekend. The 102 has been a super knife. Handled everything it needed to, small enough for bushcraft. I like the narrower blade for bush use, and the shorter pointier blade is very handy for fishing. Guts and cleans panfish great. I love to fish. Being retired now, I take the woodsman fishing twice a week.

If I have to do something the 102 won't handle, then I have a folding saw around.
 
That woodsman 102 is a nice unit also; reminds me of a Kabar little finn type of knife.
Definately a good option.
 
I've been thinking about your question Hiwa. I'm agreed with other posters in the thought that the 103 is NOT a multipurpose knife...it's a skinner and a damn good one too but not a knife for lots of different roles around the campfire and on the trail.

Since you have a camp ax you don't need a big hacker so the bowie types like the 119 will be a little brutish. The 102 is a Bird and Trout to me and you can manage small work like that with a stockman or muscrat or trapper. That leaves the 105 and the 121 as the best all around options.

Here's a picture with the 121 on top, then my fancy steak knife, and the 105 on the bottom. In fact the middle knife would be a superb bushcrafter (it does have a heavy blade)
DSC_1233.jpg


I personally have a thing for the 121 but it does have a little longer and thinner blade as compared to the 105. For me, if the majority of the work is around the campfire in food prep it's the 121 hands down. If you will be peeling the hide off limbs and other such bushcrafting pasttimes, I'd take the 105.
 
Flatlander1963 don't forget about the 118 which is inbetween the 121 and the 105. HL
 
I4Bucks said:
Flatlander1963 don't forget about the 118 which is inbetween the 121 and the 105. HL
Click to expand...

I didn't forget it just decided not to suggest it or comment about it. To me it's a lite weight small skinner rather than a general purpose camp knife. I suppose it's a matter of personal preference.

I would also put it between the 102 and 105 on the size scale. Anyway, it's another specialty knife.
 
To me the 103 is too blocky, thick and short. Not handy.....lacking balance and grace.

I've recently begun to appreciate the 121. I know it was designed as a fillet knife and is called "The Fisherman," but I wouldn't limit it due to that fact.

It's my favorite cooking knife. It's light, but still an extremely strong knife with great balance and feel.

It certainly could be my all-around hunting, fishing, camping and carry knife and I wouldn't lose a thing.
 
Flat, I agree w/ your comments on the 118. For quartering and boning large game or food preparation the 121 I'd like. But for bush craft the 402 is better. DM
 
I wish you guys would quit pushing the 121 the price on fleabay will go up even more
.......~(; -)

300Bucks
 
Silverdagger said:
Vanguard. Thread done.
Click to expand...


Thread NOT done.




Thanks for the comparison pics, Flatlander. After comparing the 103 to a 105
( whicjh I believe is a smaller version of the 119 ,is it not ?) I may think that it would be more suitable for general camp use.
 
You've had some good suggestions. The Vanguard would be closest to the 103 of any knife mentioned. Look it up. They come in small and large sizes, and probably the larger 192 is the closest blade size as 103 as can be found in the Buck line. It's drop point is much more versatile than the 103. What more can you want? 121 is a good knife, but it's fillet knife.It bends. 102 and 105's are great. 102 is a little small. The 118 is sweet, but out of favor of some of the guys here, and has been discontinued. If you do a search, there is one guy who has used a 118 for decades as his primary bush knife. It'll work.

I'd get the 105 or 192 Vanguard if I were you. Especially check the Vanguard, given your gravitation towards the 103, which is nothing more than a skinner. I wouldn't want the 121 as it is thin and bends. The 102 is great, but on the small side. Probably all anyone needs though.

Do a search of Cabelas and read the reviews of the Vanguard. I think you'll be pleased. I don't even own one. But I've held them and they are sweet.
 
300Bucks said:
I wish you guys would quit pushing the 121 the price on fleabay will go up even more
.......~(; -)

300Bucks
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know......but I share the truth every once in a while.

:D

I have a real nice one on the way that I sniped a few days ago.

:D
 
The only Vanguard I've seen is the 4" blade model (number?) The B&M store is 5 mins. away so I usually buy a lot of knives there because I can handle them first. Prices are way steeper than you fellas pay, though. $70 CDN for the 103, $65 for the 105. I didn't like the soft rubber handle on the Vanguard. I've seriously considered it. I knew a co-worker that had it as his one only knife ! I am hard on knives, and I think I'll have that soft rubber peeled in about a year ! LoL !I know the phenolic can be sometimes slick when coated with blood, fish slime ,. etc, but I seem to have a passion for hard handled knives like the 119 for example. I think you guys have swayed me ( in a good way) away from the 103.
 
hiwa said:
The only Vanguard I've seen is the 4" blade model (number?) The B&M store is 5 mins. away so I usually buy a lot of knives there because I can handle them first. Prices are way steeper than you fellas pay, though. $70 CDN for the 103, $65 for the 105. I didn't like the soft rubber handle on the Vanguard. I've seriously considered it. I knew a co-worker that had it as his one only knife ! I am hard on knives, and I think I'll have that soft rubber peeled in about a year ! LoL !I know the phenolic can be sometimes slick when coated with blood, fish slime ,. etc, but I seem to have a passion for hard handled knives like the 119 for example. I think you guys have swayed me ( in a good way) away from the 103.
Click to expand...

They got wood handled Vanguards. Stag too, at least at one time. Regarding your buddy's one knife, it's Vanguard all anyone really needs, if a pocket knife isn't needed.
 
Flatlander1963 said:
I've been thinking about your question Hiwa. I'm agreed with other posters in the thought that the 103 is NOT a multipurpose knife...it's a skinner and a damn good one too but not a knife for lots of different roles around the campfire and on the trail.

Since you have a camp ax you don't need a big hacker so the bowie types like the 119 will be a little brutish. The 102 is a Bird and Trout to me and you can manage small work like that with a stockman or muscrat or trapper. That leaves the 105 and the 121 as the best all around options.

Here's a picture with the 121 on top, then my fancy steak knife, and the 105 on the bottom. In fact the middle knife would be a superb bushcrafter (it does have a heavy blade)
DSC_1233.jpg


I personally have a thing for the 121 but it does have a little longer and thinner blade as compared to the 105. For me, if the majority of the work is around the campfire in food prep it's the 121 hands down. If you will be peeling the hide off limbs and other such bushcrafting pasttimes, I'd take the 105.
Click to expand...

WOW!! I was planning on only buying folders but damn, those babies are smoking. Guess i gotta place another order.
 
121 is a good knife, but it's fillet knife.It bends.
Click to expand...

Those who haven't owned a 121 should not be overly influenced by this statement.

I use a shovel for shoveling and an axe for chopping and a pry bar for prying.

The 121 may have a tiny bit of flex to it......but it is not nearly as flexible as a true fillet knife. In point of fact, it is not nearly flexible enough to make a really good fillet knife.

But it IS a great cooking knife and boning knife and has excellent balance. It's quick and nimble and will do any normal knife task pretty darn well.

It's sort of a compromise knife, but it does a lot of things well that I need it for.

Probably a bit of an unknown or a sleeper for the younger guys......maybe that's why you can still pick up a bargain 121 now and then on the e-vilBay.
 
BG42, Good assesment of the 121 . Its not a real hard use knife but will do most things required and we don't use our knives hard . The Vangard was also offered in some of the premuim steels and it can be used hard . I still perfer the extra length and heft of the Akonua, for a, "one knife does it all" approach . It was offered in Bucks three steels and with micarta and wood handles . I've used it and noted it works great. DM
 
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