118 D2 for new Buck user or mainly collector?

W

wingslevel

Joined
Apr 18, 2009
Messages
156
Hello, am brand new to Buck knives and actually being really "into" knives at all. Have the basic assortment of SAK and multi-tools that are good but the bulk are "neat but junk" chineese stuff before even caring about made in USA. Nicest knives I have are a couple 110s (have no idea year/blade/rivet stuff but good enough for me), a buckmaster 184 (gift from father in law) and a cold steel SRK Vcarbon and voyager.

Have decided to build a user collection of a few good fixed blades, sturdy folders, gentlemens pocket knife and one hand opener.

So my list was the 120 General from Cabelas (mainly while can still get new since have no idea how to gauge used yet. firearms,cameras, drums yes...knives no), 119 special and the woodsman, skinner and pathfinder to round out the 100 series for basic knockabout outdoors blades. The nighthawk for heavier duty hiking/camping/truck knife. The 301 series for pocket knife to use daily and the sirus for one hand open carry.

Grabbed the Sirus on Bucks webspecial. Then noticed the 118 w/D2. Am sure thats a good price for any 100 series with D2 but trying to decide if its the right blade for me so have a few questions.

is the taper/shape of the blade that different then the woodsman/pathfinder? if not then might be a good compromise between the 2 for now.

is the D2 a direct corelation with 420HC such as 2X as hard to sharpen but edge lasts 2X as long so the actual maintance will be as easy in teh end as I hear 420HC is?

trying to decide if the main attraction of the 118 D2 persoanl is from a collector/re-issue stance (doenst appeal to me) or a heck of a deal for a more useful steel for the same price as 420HC.

apologize for the lengthy post but am eager to build up my Buck collection and replace all the junk I have now. thanks
 
Think of it as a user, and a lot better buy than the same priced 420HC. It should be a better steel. For the price I would get the D2. The 118 was I think Hoyt Bucks all time favorite. A very uninimidating knife, yet very capable.
 
Thanks for the input, just ordered it. Am hoping as long as I touch it up after each "real" use I won't have to sharpen it too often as I've heard how difficult D2 is to sharpen and I am a complete novice/idiot when it comes to sharpening.

Will keep the "neat but junk" knives to practice sharpening on for now. thanks again
 
Get yourself a Sharpmaker. It'll do the job no problem.
Btw, welcome to the forum. Lots of folks here that love Bucks and more importantly know a lot about them and like to share with others.

Have decided to build a user collection of a few good fixed blades, sturdy folders, gentlemens pocket knife and one hand opener.
Click to expand...

Here are my recomendations for the things you'ved noted:
A few fixed blades
D2 118 Personal-very good for light skinning duties. It can double as a Bird and Trout knife.
191 AG Vanguard-Outstanding skinner for bigger skinning jobs. Also good camp knife.
121 Fisherman-Super utility knife. Originally meant to be a filet knife but I use it as a camp knife (fantastic on taters/onions etc.) and is good where a thinner blade is optimal. This knife is out of production but readily available on the Bay. Absolutely one of my all time favorite Bucks.
Camp Axe-I'd recomend this over one of the big bowies which you mostly will use as a hacker. Get one of the new ones with yellow plastic handles.

Sturdy Folders
110 AG Folding Hunter-Fantastic knife and fantastic value with the S30V. And the 110 is just a classic.
277 Folding Alpha Hunter-I love the big boy...super solid knife. Get the 154cm blade.

Gentleman's Pocket Knife
500 Duke-This is the largest of the 500 series but still can be pocket carried for those desire too. Belt sheath with this one.
501 Squire-Perfect upscale pocket carry knife
701 Bronco-Out of Production but a super nice upscale stockman. Another of my favorites. Still pretty easy to find.

One Hand Opener
347 Vantage Pro or Avid. This a new knife this year. My Vantage Pro has not left my pocket since I got it. The Pro has S30V and Avid has Sandvik 13C26. I think this is a must have EDC knife.
297 Sirus/Tempest-Cool knife and is in my EDC rotation and a favorite.

You realize of course this will give you Buck fever and it's not easily cured will result in many many more Bucks finding their way to you.

Good Luck. g
 
Thanks again, am looking up each suggestion now.

Agree with the Buck addiction. Have been doing a lot of work around the house and land and all my knives just wouldn't "cut it" and finally pulled out an old 110 given to me by an Uncle years ago and while needing a good sharpening exceeded what all the others did. And felt good doing it.

Then borrowed a neighbors 119 and made light work of anything I did. After researching all the USA made brands and then hearing the customer support from Buck told my wife to add Buck to the brands Victorinox, Smith and Wesson, Remington and Canon that are great gifts!

Defintately want a vantage, carry a CRKT M16 now and prefer a flipper style so can still open discreetly and will be looking for both the small and large version but couldn't pass the sirus for the price.

Ordering the Alpha folder you suggested in 154 as well today.

Gonna send in the 2 110s I have for sharpening.

So, will have a good selection of folders to start with and "need" to get some fixed blades. Have the 118 on the way and will be looking for more options.

Am definately interested in knives as users so at this point all the grip/blade choices are a utilititarian consideration. So if other options are priced near the 100 series but are better blade material for my uses (not too harsh and only what a knife is meant for) then will consider those.

Appreciate the info on the sharpening system. Been reading a ton on here of the pros/cons of opinon on the different systems and "free hand". Much appreciated
 
Wing your on you way to being a Buck man.
btw, the AG denotes premium Buck knives made for Cabelas. All have the S30V blade that has been titanium coated. Very nice pieces. Since you like the utility side of things that AG Vanguard is available in rubber handles too.

I think you will like the Alpha.
Also, consider the 103 for heavy skinning duties.
 
Welcome Wings.Flat your quite the scholar and gentleman.If only you'd get a decent dog like Scott Hartman.DM
 
Thanks again, and have to say of all the forums regardless of topic I read this one has been the most helpful and appreciative of different "needs" for different folks.

Here I am a guy just excited about getting my first "new" Bucks that is a plain jane Sirus and a 118 to go along with a couple of old plain 110s and a Buckmaster and treated no differently then you guys with your 50th 110 and procurring different models with exotic handles, blade materials etc..

Is great seeing all the pics and hearing the details of what you guys have and also not being "flamed" for being excited about building a basic 119 series in 420HC.

All those Buck web specials on the 440C or 425M bladed 500/112/110 (am trying to learn all the models as I read) makes me wanna pull the trigger and buy em too! But gotta step back and ask myself if the differences of those from the basic 110s I have would be better to aquire now since a better "deal while avaible" or if I need to wait on those until I have that basic everyday battery of blades first that are different from what I have. So the Sirus and 118 I grabbed filled a definate gap. Still thinking on the others.

Really appreciate all the advise. Good place to spend a cup of coffee with
 
If you like the 110.. Try a finger groove 112. It will do anything a 110 will do,and fits smaller hands better.I like'em.
 
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