An affirmation of life and other ramblings.

A.P.F. · Apr 29, 2015

Last year, I was diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent major surgery and a year of chemo.Two days ago, I went for a follow-up scope and I decided that if all was clear, I would celebrate by getting a new knife. Well, my new Folding Alpha Hunter in S30V should be here today and I thank the Lord for such a blessing. Now, I have a lot of knives from other makers, yet I chose a Buck for a number of reasons: Buck knives are the best value to me; Buck knives have the best quality of finish and the best heat treatment there is; Buck has the best warranty in the business (which I have never needed) and Buck's 'faith based' business philosophy makes me feel good about owning a Buck knife. In a way, my affirmation of life is also an affirmation of Buck.

And now, a question about S30V. It is frequently heard on the forums about S30V not holding a razor edge for very long, yet holding a 'working' edge for some time. I have not in my experience with Buck's S30V, found such a statement to be true. I have found that Buck's S30V holds a razor edge for a considerable time and responds well to a loaded strop for a touch-up. I suspect that the competitions heat treatment is not as accomplished as Buck is capable of doing or is this just my imagination?

Belt sheaths, love 'em or leave 'em? I love them because the knives don't eat my pockets like clip knives do. I have lost count of the number of jeans I destroyed by using pocket clips. If the cost of jeans is factored into the cost of clip knives, they are not such a bargain. Just a thought.

Thanks for reading this far.

300Bucks · Apr 29, 2015

Jeans, your right. If you worked in a laundry you could tell clip knife carriers by the worn spots on their pockets.

S30v, I never even BS I know anything about metal, other than useage experience. My S30 Vantage seems to hold edge I put on it a long time, whatever that edge turns out to be that day. It also helps I only use that knife once in a while. Ha For whatever its worth.

Glad to hear about your health , knew it seemed we were missing you a lot.

300Bucks

jec88 · Apr 29, 2015

Good for you! You know, it seems like every year, I end up with more and more stuff in my pockets, ( knife, wallet, keys, phone) and phones seem like they are getting bigger rather than smaller. But it seems more and more like a sheath would be the way to go, one less thing in my pocket.
Enjoy that knife and your health!

Catherine_Montana · Apr 29, 2015

Enjoy your new knife! I am happy to hear that your health is better too.

Cate

David Martin · Apr 29, 2015

APF, enjoy your new life and knife. I had been missing your presence here. A good choice of gift to yourself. It opens smooth as butter. Have you been able to stop opening it? S30V holds it's edge a long time.
I don't sharpen to a high degree. Just to the coarse diamond. Still, that edge will shave hair for about 2 months based on items I cut with it. Glad to see you back my friend. DM

A.P.F. · Apr 30, 2015

300Bucks said:
Jeans, your right. If you worked in a laundry you could tell clip knife carriers by the worn spots on their pockets.

S30v, I never even BS I know anything about metal, other than useage experience. My S30 Vantage seems to hold edge I put on it a long time, whatever that edge turns out to be that day. It also helps I only use that knife once in a while. Ha For whatever its worth.

Glad to hear about your health , knew it seemed we were missing you a lot.

300Bucks

Thank you 300, I was missing my Buck friends too.

jec88 said:
Good for you! You know, it seems like every year, I end up with more and more stuff in my pockets, ( knife, wallet, keys, phone) and phones seem like they are getting bigger rather than smaller. But it seems more and more like a sheath would be the way to go, one less thing in my pocket.
Enjoy that knife and your health!

Thanks, Jec. Once you get used to a belt sheath it is hard to go back.

Catherine_Montana said:
Enjoy your new knife! I am happy to hear that your health is better too.

Cate

Thanks, Cate. I haven't had the pleasure of chatting with you before, but anyone from Montana has my attention. I think that it would be a great place to live.

David Martin said:
APF, enjoy your new life and knife. I had been missing your presence here. A good choice of gift to yourself. It opens smooth as butter. Have you been able to stop opening it? S30V holds it's edge a long time.
I don't sharpen to a high degree. Just to the coarse diamond. Still, that edge will shave hair for about 2 months based on items I cut with it. Glad to see you back my friend. DM

Thank you, David, I have missed your informative posts and your humor as well. Now I am trying to figure out if you hacked my web cam, by seeing me playing with my knife.

You are right about the smoothness of opening and closing, as it handily beats any other knife that I have. This one will be with me for a very long time!

Thank you all again, my friends, for your kindness and well wishes. It is good to be home again on the Buck forum.

Stumps · Apr 30, 2015

Surgery and chemosounds like a rough 2014.

Congratulations on the clean bill of health and to a brighter 2015 for you!!

David Martin · Apr 30, 2015

Of course I did a hack job. I'm glad you can handle my dry humor. My prayers and best wishes are delivered to you. May you continue to regain strength and visited with joy daily. DM

Pondoro2310 · Apr 30, 2015

Glad to hear you are healthy and enjoying life. God is good.

TAH · Apr 30, 2015

Really glad to hear you had a good check up, A.P.F. I love hearing stories when cancer loses the battle. :thumbup:

Enjoy your new knife. You've certainly earned it.

DocT · Apr 30, 2015

Glad to hear about your recovery more than the knife. But, I am also happy to hear of that. We need pics.
Comments about S30V not holding an extremely sharp edge for a long time are all relevant. Usually they are made in the context of comparing it to other steels, if memory serves. For example, S30V will take a razor edge and will not hold it as long as 14C28N, but will hold a working edge longer, while 14C28N will hold a razor edge much longer but will not hold a lesser working edge for as long as S30V. Comprende?

Lycosa · Apr 30, 2015

Stay healthy, Al.

You need a Bucklite... Orange.
rolf

1Ronin · Apr 30, 2015

Glad to hear you have a clean bill of health. I am new here and just wanted to wish you well. God is Good all the time. You picked a great knife enjoy, use, and carry it as you have truly earned this reward.

Yo Mama · Apr 30, 2015

God bless you and continued health in your recovery. I have respect for all you've been through, and the strength to get back.

I think you'll love the alpha, and the steel is great. I personally love clips, but there is for sure a place for a sheath, like the 110.

Also Kirkland (hate cosco due to their ridiculous gun policy) has mens jeans for 12 dollars, so I'm not so worried when they get eaten up by a clipped folding knife.

Buck knives are the best value to me; Buck knives have the best quality of finish and the best heat treatment there is; Buck has the best warranty in the business (which I have never needed) and Buck's 'faith based' business philosophy makes me feel good about owning a Buck knife. In a way, my affirmation of life is also an affirmation of Buck.

I fully agree! A few folks get especially bent about the religious message, don't want to derail, but isn't it good when someone wishes you well? I mean it's not like Buck came and pooped on your doorstep the way some people freak out about it. I hope they don't change this in the future.

A.P.F. · May 1, 2015

Stumps said:
Surgery and chemosounds like a rough 2014.

Congratulations on the clean bill of health and to a brighter 2015 for you!!

Thank you, Stumps!

David Martin said:
Of course I did a hack job. I'm glad you can handle my dry humor. My prayers and best wishes are delivered to you. May you continue to regain strength and visited with joy daily. DM

Thank you for your prayers, David and thanks for your dry humor, I have enjoyed it over the years.

Pondoro2310 said:
Glad to hear you are healthy and enjoying life. God is good.

Thanks, Pondoro and yes, God is good in so many ways that I am discovering daily!

TAH said:
Really glad to hear you had a good check up, A.P.F. I love hearing stories when cancer loses the battle. :thumbup:

Enjoy your new knife. You've certainly earned it.

Thank you, TAH, that means a lot.

DocT said:
Glad to hear about your recovery more than the knife. But, I am also happy to hear of that. We need pics.
Comments about S30V not holding an extremely sharp edge for a long time are all relevant. Usually they are made in the context of comparing it to other steels, if memory serves. For example, S30V will take a razor edge and will not hold it as long as 14C28N, but will hold a working edge longer, while 14C28N will hold a razor edge much longer but will not hold a lesser working edge for as long as S30V. Comprende?

Thanks, Doc. Truth be known, most steels are better than me anyway.

Lycosa said:
Stay healthy, Al.
You need a Bucklite... Orange.
rolf

Thanks, Rolf, my friend and apparently, every knife companies best friend too.

1Ronin said:
Glad to hear you have a clean bill of health. I am new here and just wanted to wish you well. God is Good all the time. You picked a great knife enjoy, use, and carry it as you have truly earned this reward.

Thank you for your kind wishes, Ronin. Please don't be a stranger here, as the Buck forum has some of the kindest and most thoughtful people you will ever meet (as you can see).

Yo Mama said:
God bless you and continued health in your recovery. I have respect for all you've been through, and the strength to get back.

I think you'll love the alpha, and the steel is great. I personally love clips, but there is for sure a place for a sheath, like the 110.

Also Kirkland (hate cosco due to their ridiculous gun policy) has mens jeans for 12 dollars, so I'm not so worried when they get eaten up by a clipped folding knife.

I fully agree! A few folks get especially bent about the religious message, don't want to derail, but isn't it good when someone wishes you well? I mean it's not like Buck came and pooped on your doorstep the way some people freak out about it. I hope they don't change this in the future.

Thanks for your kindness and support, Yo! I hope that Buck never changes it's philosophy as well.

God bless you all for your kindness and for simply being the good people you all are.

Al

David Martin · May 1, 2015

APF, See you have many friends. My Grandad always told me,"son, I'd take friends over money any ole day. You spend your money and it's gone but a friend will come visit you even when you don't have money." Your a rich man by my standards. DM

jb4570 · May 1, 2015

Great to hear you are clear! It's also great that you are here with us and getting a new Buck knife:thumbup:.

You are truly a blessed man, enjoy life.

JB

A.P.F. · May 2, 2015

David Martin said:
APF, See you have many friends. My Grandad always told me,"son, I'd take friends over money any ole day. You spend your money and it's gone but a friend will come visit you even when you don't have money." Your a rich man by my standards. DM

You are absolutely right, David, I am a rich man. This entire experience has renewed my faith, allowed me to appreciate all life and humbled me to the point of always wanting to be worthy of the Blessings I have received.

jb4570 said:
Great to hear you are clear! It's also great that you are here with us and getting a new Buck knife:thumbup:.

You are truly a blessed man, enjoy life.

JB

Thanks, jb! It is really good to be here among friends such as yourself.