Did Buck ever make a folding Alpha model with rubber scales and ATS-34 blade? I have seen a few specified as such online, but have never actually seen one. I am afraid that they are copying the info from the rosewood model and failing to change the steel. Thanks for your help!
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Alpha Question
- Thread starter kunegos
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In 2005, Buck offered a handle kit that allowed anyone to switch the handles on the Alpha folder. While a special project rubber handled Alpha folder with ATS-34 may have been made, I do not know of any being offered in the catalog. I have seen some Alpha fixed blade factory mistakes with rubber and ATS-34. Those were offered to club members at a few of our shows and also may have been sold in the company store.
Pack Rat
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I snaged a set of the rubber handles new in the Buck packaging, off of the bay a few weeks back, and put them on my Rosewood handeled ATS34 folder. Very simple change over, and the wrench was in the package. New screws also and they had locktite already on them.
There is a thread here somewhere that points to the handles on the Buck web site.
There is a thread here somewhere that points to the handles on the Buck web site.
Yeah, I knew they sold a rubber handle kit. I'm assuming these are just mistakes. This website, http://www.huntingblades.com/alhuforuha.html has one with an ATS-34 blade, rubber scales, and a leather sheath. Sounds like there is misinformation somewhere...
Pack Rat
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As a norm,,,. there are two flavors of the Alpha folder.
The model 279 does not have ATS34 steel and comes with rubber handles and a nylon sheath.
The model 277 has the ATS34 steel, rosewood handles, and a nice burgundy colored leather sheath .
Both sheaths can be worn either vertical or horizontal.
Thats probably a good deal if it really is the ATS34 steel . Buck does a lot of different things for different sellers. They may have set up a run with ATS34 and rubber hndles. Just no telling.
The model 279 does not have ATS34 steel and comes with rubber handles and a nylon sheath.
The model 277 has the ATS34 steel, rosewood handles, and a nice burgundy colored leather sheath .
Both sheaths can be worn either vertical or horizontal.
Thats probably a good deal if it really is the ATS34 steel . Buck does a lot of different things for different sellers. They may have set up a run with ATS34 and rubber hndles. Just no telling.
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Pack Rat said:
Hey Mickey Mouse...
I have the 279 2004 Alpha folder with 420 steel and walnut...did they only do that for a year or so? Don't see them around much and not in this year's catalog.
It's the one I have been saying blade wobbles a bit.
Goose.
BCCI 1190
Pack Rat
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Buckaholic said:
Maybe BuckCustom will chime in here. I believe he collects the Alphas.. Sounds like there are quite a few variants.
Goose,,,I bet I have way more knives than cousin Mickey does.
I have been procrastinating about thinking about inventoring them......afraid of what I will find...
Yeah, I have seen the wooden handled model with 420 steel.
Here's a follow up question that will get to the heart of the issue. What is the difference between the 420HC and the ATS-34? I'm after this knife as a user for hunting, fishing, camping, etc. Is it worth paying significantly more for the ATS-34 and the replacement scales, or just should I just go with the standard steel?
Here's a follow up question that will get to the heart of the issue. What is the difference between the 420HC and the ATS-34? I'm after this knife as a user for hunting, fishing, camping, etc. Is it worth paying significantly more for the ATS-34 and the replacement scales, or just should I just go with the standard steel?
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Buckaholic, Yes, 2004 was the last year that Buck used the walnut handles. They droped them and introduced the Dorado's in 2005.
Alphajack
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Hey Kunegos...kunegos said:
Have a little chart that came with my Alaskan that has the different mineral compound data and other Cliff Clavin stuff that is useful. It is in it's coffin in the closet. I'll dig it out later...
In the interim, check out the Buck Knives' web site for a brief:
http://www.buckknives.com/choosing.php
My preference is the ATS-34 for edge holding. I suck at sharpening so this works to my advantage...though I have heard they are harder to sharpen, I use this steel as EDC and don't work at Benihana's, so it works for me as a utility tool.
Kind Regards,
Goose.
BCCI 1190
Buck's website is really helpful.
I feel like I would be happier with ATS-34 over the long haul. I know after I average it out it will be pennies per day for a good knife with years of service. Its too bad people don't accept payment that way! I might just have to bite the bullet and go for the better steel.
I just don't have enough experience with it to compare its ability to hold an edge better than 420HC.
Thanks again for your help!
I feel like I would be happier with ATS-34 over the long haul. I know after I average it out it will be pennies per day for a good knife with years of service. Its too bad people don't accept payment that way! I might just have to bite the bullet and go for the better steel.
I just don't have enough experience with it to compare its ability to hold an edge better than 420HC.
Thanks again for your help!
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kunegos said:
ATS-34/154cm holds an edge fairly well. From my experience, I'd put it just below S30V and slightly above VG-10. It's easier to sharpen than S30V, though not as easy as VG-10.
420HC holds a decent edge and is easy to resharpen on the fly.
If you're going to use the knife pretty hard, I'd save those pennies and get the ATS-34. Not that there's anything really wrong with 420HC, but if you plan to use it as a hunting knife, you'll be touching up the edge more frequently than ATS-34.
CJ Buck
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Seems this started as an alpha thread and has become a steel thread...
This may sound odd but the rougher you are on a knife the better the 420HC steel is. It does not require the corrosion care that the harder steels do and if you really lose or nick your edge you can get it back easier.
If you are careful with a knife and don't "impact" the edge you will notice a dramatic improvement in edge retention with S30V, ATS-34, BG-42 or 154CM. We are in the process of moving away from ATS-34 and concentrating on 154CM, mostly because it is american made and now that they have the quality of it under control their deliveries are better then the ATS-34.
For my personal choice I have carried S30V now for about 3 years (a Mayo #172) and am amazed at how it performs both as EDC and my hunting blades.
This may sound odd but the rougher you are on a knife the better the 420HC steel is. It does not require the corrosion care that the harder steels do and if you really lose or nick your edge you can get it back easier.
If you are careful with a knife and don't "impact" the edge you will notice a dramatic improvement in edge retention with S30V, ATS-34, BG-42 or 154CM. We are in the process of moving away from ATS-34 and concentrating on 154CM, mostly because it is american made and now that they have the quality of it under control their deliveries are better then the ATS-34.
For my personal choice I have carried S30V now for about 3 years (a Mayo #172) and am amazed at how it performs both as EDC and my hunting blades.