A Question For The Buck Enthusiasts

[Wasper]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum., so this is an introduction as well.

I used to have a knife on me all the time when I was young, ever since Boy Scouts. As I got older, I stopped carrying a knife. The couple of knives I did have, in boxes, got lost over a couple of moves through the years. Anyway, about a year ago I decided to get back into wearing a knife again.

I Always wanted a "Buck Knife" because I can remembering my father had one long ago (never knew what happened to it). So, I went out and bought a Buck 110 knife and started to wear it in a sheath on my belt. After a while, I decided that it would be nice to have a folding knife to throw into my back pocket when not wearing a belt. So... I went out and purchased a Buck Vantage 346. I like both knives a great deal !

Now, a couple of questions.

Well, I got a big folder for sheath carry and I got a nice folder for pocket carry. Now (I'm sure some know where this is going)... I would like to get a nice fixed blade. I would like to stay in the Buck product line for this knife, but I'm not sure they have what I'm looking for. I would like to get a 3"-4" length blade in a drop point (or close to) style. I would like some type of bolster on the handle as well. Does Buck carry anything like that?

I did see the Buck Gen-5 knife that looked perfect in size and configuration.. But, alas, looks like I'm a day late and a dollar short, as they look to be discontinued and the ones I'm finding are priced really high. Do you think Buck would ever bring those back? Or, are they pretty much gone forever?

Any suggestions?

I am considering the Buck 102 Woodsman, but I just wish it had a drop point.

Oh, I don't know if it will let me post a picture on my first forum post, but if it does, here are my current Bucks.

 

[codycash]

The Vangaurd line in rubber or diamond wood may fit your criteria. Blade slightly exceeds the 4" mark. The 102 is a fine knife as well and Buck has a new model the Selkirk bushcrafter that looks very interesting. The Alpha Hunter and Alpha Dorado are also excellent choices. Hope this helps!

 

[Wasper]

The Vangaurd line in rubber or diamond wood may fit your criteria. Blade slightly exceeds the 4" mark. The 102 is a fine knife as well and Buck has a new model the Selkirk bushcrafter that looks very interesting. The Alpha Hunter and Alpha Dorado are also excellent choices. Hope this helps!

Yeah, Some of those models you mentioned look nice, but I was hoping to keep it at 4" maximun, as my State laws say anything over 4" is illegal to have on you (unless you are on your own land). Stinks, but I find it to be limiting (I wish that Vanguard was just a smidge shorter!!).

 

[Cvovillia]

What about a 113? I love those!

 

[Badhammer]

Welcome to the board! While not quite a drop point the Buck 113 Ranger Skinner has a 3 &1\8" blade and is a very handy little blade. Also the Buck Thorn has a 3 1\4" drop point blade. Might be worth a look as well.

 

[Makael]

I vote Thorn. Cool as hell sheath.

 

[DeSotoSky]

I vote Thorn. Cool as hell sheath.

Opinions vary I guess.... I thought the sheath was a "What the hell were they thinking".....
The knife is really pretty tiny for a fixed blade. More of a neck knife.

 

[DocT]

Get the 102 and a 113. You will love both of them. After that, get a 119. If you need more help spending your money, drop me a line.

Here is the standard 113. It is also still available in S30V steel, I believe.

 

[DeSotoSky]

Yeah, Some of those models you mentioned look nice, but I was hoping to keep it at 4" maximun, as my State laws say anything over 4" is illegal to have on you (unless you are on your own land). Stinks, but I find it to be limiting (I wish that Vanguard was just a smidge shorter!!).

4 inches is going to be a tough bill to fill. The already mentioned Ranger is a good one if you have a small hand.
I personally love the Vanguards and collect them. There was a shorter version of the Vanguard as a special run for Bass Pro in 2006. The blades are 3-3/8" that would come under 4 inches, may take awhile to find one but worth the wait if you can. Here is a 686 Mini Zipper and a 687 Mini Vanguard.
The also were also available with the kraton rubber handles.

Another nifty short blade in a classic Buck Format would be the model 116. Has not been a regular in the Buck lineup for awhile but show up quite often on eBay. A good clean user won't set you back too much. Find an older one and you get 425m steel or 440c depending on age. Only picture I had readily at hand. The top knife is the model 116 and just squeaks your 4" limit.

 

[MaxCast]

Opinions vary I guess.... I thought the sheath was a "What the hell were they thinking".....
The knife is really pretty tiny for a fixed blade. More of a neck knife.

Wow, I always thought the thorn was a cool looking knife in pictures. It is, but unless that hand is 10" I'll have to de-consider the Thorn

 

[DeSotoSky]

Wow, I always thought the thorn was a cool looking knife in pictures. It is, but unless that hand is 10" I'll have to de-consider the Thorn

2XL glove. Don't get me wrong, the Thorn is a Super Sweet knife, a little jewel with a beautiful blued carbon steel steel blade. I Just hate the sheath.

 

[MaxCast]

Thanks Soto. I actually measured my hand and figured some things out. Buck website could benefit with a little bit better specs info.

Back to the OP, I would say the Matt Would Go or the 113. Have a mwg and it feels very confident. Don't have a 113 but always liked the Gen 5.

 

[BuckShack]

The Buck Ops Boot Knife is small but it's pretty cool. Matt Would Go seems like your best option with current production.

 

[Deere Man]

Having both the vanguard and 113 I can say they're both great knives. The 113 would make a great edc knife, but it sounds like the vanguard fits more with what you're looking for, aside from the blade length. If it makes any difference, I got mine out and measured the actual cutting edge and it's around 3 5/16, well below your state's limit. I can say that it's a great knife, and quite a looker as well.

Good luck.

 

[afishhunter]

I was going to suggest the 103 skinner, but its blade is 4 inches, according to their website, so manufacturing tollerances might make it just a smidgeon too big.

 

[JD Bear]

Wow, I always thought the thorn was a cool looking knife in pictures. It is, but unless that hand is 10" I'll have to de-consider the Thorn

No kidding. I was looking at one too but not after that. Dude's got a big hand, but that's still smaller than I thought...

 

[Bladester]

DeSotoSky:

What is the middle knife in your bottom photo? The one with the short, wide blade and straight wooden handle? I really like that one! Looks like it would be a great EDC.

Thanks. --Larry

 

[mbjannusch]

The Omni Hunter 12 point is a great 4" drop point blade and comes in a rubber or walnut handle. Check it out and it won't break the bank...

 

[mbjannusch]

[video=youtube;cq_BHaVFPw4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq_BHaVFPw4[/video]

 

[DeSotoSky]

DeSotoSky: What is the middle knife in your bottom photo? The one with the short, wide blade and straight wooden handle? I really like that one! Looks like it would be a great EDC. Thanks. --Larry

Buck has given the name Caping Knife to 4 different models over the years. The picture shows 3 of them. Top knife is the familiar 116. This nice 1-liner is c.1963-1967. The middle knife is the Model 294 done for Bass Pro c.1996 and is the rarest as only 101 were made. (thanks Matt!) The bottom is the Alaskan Guide Caper model 474. 1,000 of these were made for Cabela's in 2008.