advice for a Buck 110, but thicker blade, more ergonmic handle

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gylman

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May 4, 2006
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I'm hoping for some advice re: a folder.

Looking for something with the heft of a Buck110, but more ergonomic (easier to hold, somewhat thicker more rounded handle), and a thicker blade.

Nothing too expensive, but sturdy - it will be used for basic campsite activities like whittling, poking holes in cans, etc.

Non assisted.

Any suggestions? I'm looking to buy about a dozen of these for a scout group.

Thanks in advance...
 
Not sure how much you want to spend.

If you can spend $40 per knife, KaBar Mule should fill the bill. Comes in a couple of blade shapes. Runs about $40 online. Big tough folder. Rounded, hand filling handle. 4" blade of AUS8. Comes with a sheath and most folks are more comfortable carrying it that way than in a pocket because of the size.

At the $25 mark online is the Kabar Large Dozier. AUS8, about 3.5" robustly thick blade. Still a large handle but not so rounded. Fits in a pocket. Has a pocket clip.

At ~$18 online is one of several standard size KaBar Doziers with 3" blades of AUS8. This is a smaller flatter blade. Has a pocket clip.

I've had good experiences with KaBar knives. I guess it shows in my choices. But I have received good value for my dollar in the ones I have bought. They aren't fancy, but they get the job done.

Add: All three of these are lockbacks.

Knarf
 
gylman said:
I'm hoping for some advice re: a folder.

Looking for something with the heft of a Buck110, but more ergonomic (easier to hold, somewhat thicker more rounded handle), and a thicker blade.

Nothing too expensive, but sturdy - it will be used for basic campsite activities like whittling, poking holes in cans, etc.

Non assisted.

Any suggestions? I'm looking to buy about a dozen of these for a scout group.

Thanks in advance...
Click to expand...

Have you seen the Byrd Cara Cara? THE best quality you can get for a $30 or less knife. Available in FRN or G10.

I can NOT say how amazing the quality is compared to most knives $50 or less.

BTW, in case you didn't know, both G10 and FRN are both just "plastic". Kinda. G10 is fiberglass, and FRN is Fiberglass Reinfored Nylon. In other words, really really tough plastic. And sine they come with very nice beefy liners, I HIGHLY doubt you'd have a problem. ;)
 
Thanks! The Kabar Mule looks to fit the bill.... so far it's the leading contender. Lucky kids!!
 
Check out the CRKT Cascade ($50, 420J2 steel) and the CRKT Desert Cruiser ($80, AUS8 steel).
 
gylman said:
Looking for something with the heft of a Buck110, but more ergonomic (easier to hold, somewhat thicker more rounded handle), and a thicker blade. ... it will be used for basic campsite activities like whittling ..."
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Just curious why you'd want a thicker blade for whittling.
 
Check out the Spyderco Chinook, the Spyderco Manix, the Buck Folding Alpha, and the Buck Folding Kalinga Pro.

But I think you're gonna have a real hard time finding a better handle on a folder...the Buck 110 has one of the best handle designs ever IMO.
 
Try the CRKT Hammond Cruiser (linerlock) or the Hammond Cascade (lockback). I've got the Cruiser and it is a hefty, solid, knife perfect for camp.
 
You people are awesome. I've been checking all these.

Finger grooved 110? Problem is cost. Everything I've seen is custom. Getting a few of these for a bunch of kids and adults to hack up seems wasteful.

Chinook, Manix... same issue. Cost.

Buck Alpha. Nice! I'll be getting one of those Rosewood ones for me one of these days. Cost

Now, the Kalinga Pro.... that's a real contender. Available for 50 bucks on eBay. Looks beautiful. Still, the KaBar is significantly less expensive. I'll probably end up getting a Kalinga for me at least, but this one is definitely in the running ...

CRKT Hammond Cruiser and Cascade also look good, a bit light maybe.


As for the thickness issue.... no good reason except when I showed my friend the 110 he wanted a thicker blade for his group. Basically he asked me for a knife recommendation. I said "Buck 110" and showed him mine. He said "nice, but...", and here I am.

Thanks for all the ideas. I'm learning lots.
 
I would suggest a Gerber Gator II. There make them in serrated and non and they appear to be about the same size and weight of the Buck 110. It's a sturdy, ergonomic but affordable knife.
 
Does it have to be a lockback? If not, how about a Case Sodbuster? Nice rounded handles, sturdy blade, and with the exception of the non-locking blade and more rounded blade, should do anything the Buck would do. It's been a couple of years, but I think the last one I bought I got at Lowes for around $20 (regular price, no close out or anything). I ended up giving the knife to my sister-in-law who gave it to her father-in-law for a gift and absolutely loves it and uses it everyday.
 
gylman said:
Nothing too expensive, but sturdy - it will be used for basic campsite activities like whittling, poking holes in cans, etc.
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I always hate it when people disregard the original poster's criteria and suggest something totally different ...... but I'm fixin' to do that right now... :foot:

What you lay out above -- not expensive, sturdy, used for basic campsite activities like whittling, poking holes in cans -- that may be the very dictionary definition of a Victorinox Soldier SAK. You can pick them up most anywhere on the net for <$25 and they have an amazing reputation. What's more, I have a feeling the scouts and adults alike are far more likely to carry and use a pocketable SAK once the camping trip is over than they would a heavy, single-blade folder.

If the Soldier doesn't float your boat, I would also second jtb49er2000's Sodbuster suggestion. You could also consider a Case XX Sodbuster Jr., which, at 3 5/8" closed, will be again a bit more pocketable than a Sodbuster. I have one and love it.
 
Yeah i would second mnblade's recommendation of the Vic Soldier. Felinevet sells them on ebay in the 20$ish range. Also the Vic Pioneer and my favorite Alox Vic the Farmer!
 
mnblade said:
Just curious why you'd want a thicker blade for whittling.
Click to expand...

I agree that thicker is not necessarily better for working with wood.

Also, I think you'd do just as well to buy a bunch of fixed blade Moras for $10-12 per knife. It would completely eliminate any worries about lock failure. I whittle with them all the time -- the simple carbon steel used in the Moras takes a super fine edge that's ideal for carving. But even the Mora stainless is good for whittling. With the Scandi grind, it would also be easy to teach them to sharpen.

Look here:

www.ragweedforge.com

Here's a perfect example:

920.jpg


Frosts Mora # 920. The 2 and 1/4" inch blade gives the user much better control for whittling and carving than a 3 and 1/2 - 4" folder blade. The steel is a 1095 carbon laminate with a 61-62 RC core -- for wood carving the steel is as good or better that used any of the knives mentioned. There's no lock to fail. The blade is relatively stout -- .105" thick, so it would be pretty hard to break. It would punch holes in cans all day, though I think a hammer and nail would be better.

I have one of these and have spent many hours carving with it, so I speak from experience.
 
Have you thought of looking at the Buck custom shop? They have an option for finger grooves, and many choices for blade steel. It is just a thought.
 
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