263 HiLine

all I know is it's one for the chinese made imports. it's not a knife that appeals to me in design, but other chiense imports I've had from Buck were well made for what they were and had the Buck warranty, so have no fear on those things.
 
I have the original, smaller version and it's well built. The pocket clip is too thin and won't come out of the pocket without a tug 'o war. I'm a little surprised that Buck used the same model number for the XL. If this blade shape was made in the USA and was in a 110 or 112 frame, they would probably sell a ton.

 
I've always been intrigued by the Hiline and the 264 Cavalier. I've carried the Cavalier around in my cart at Scheels on more than one occasion before putting it back. I like the looks of both knives, but I can't bring myself to buy a non-USA Buck for that price. I've got to have the classic BUCK USA in my pocket.
 
plb said:
I have the original, smaller version and it's well built. The pocket clip is too thin and won't come out of the pocket without a tug 'o war. I'm a little surprised that Buck used the same model number for the XL. If this blade shape was made in the USA and was in a 110 or 112 frame, they would probably sell a ton.

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I also was curious as to why Buck didn't change the root part number (model) between the HiLine and HiLine XL.
 
Uncle Timbo Uncle Timbo P plb

plb said:
The XL has 2 aluminum scales and a liner lock, while the smaller Hiline has one side made of stainless steel for the frame lock and the opposite side is aluminum. Buck reports the weight of the original as 3.9 ounces and the XL is only 3.17 oz. It's bigger and lighter - can't argue with that.
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Are you sure about one side being stainless on the smaller knife? The description only says anodized aluminum handle. I commented in the original post that I wondered how the frame lock worked with aluminum and no liner. I noticed the significant weight difference and assumed it to be a typo. The description for the XL describes the scales as G10 one time and Micarta another time in the same listing so some error there also. I have a Copper colored XL coming along with the 110/112 N/S drop points this week. The blade stands tall and is very light in action so it opens with very little resistance. My large hand pinches the blade about mid point so the grooves don't come into play.

About closing it one handed. I have found the the blade is so smooth and friction free in rotation that if you unlock with the blade high it will free fall onto your thumb. (it's sharp!) I'm a quick learner and only did that once.... 🤣
 
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DeSotoSky said:
Uncle Timbo Uncle Timbo P plb


Are you sure about one side being stainless on the smaller knife? The description only says anodized aluminum handle. I commented in the original post that I wondered how the frame lock worked with aluminum and no liner. I noticed the significant weight difference and assumed it to be a typo.
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Yes, stainless steel frame lock side. A magnet sticks to it, but not show side. I'm anxious to hear about your XL when it arrives! If it's lighter than the small Hiline, I'll have to get one for sure.

The smaller knife does open very easily if you pinch the blade and let it drop open. I think Buck had to change the spring tension and tang radius from the early 110s to prevent them from opening this way, which had gotten them classified as gravity knives, thus illegal in some places.
 
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