Any input on Buck Gen5 Skinner?

Daniel Dorn

Daniel Dorn

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Apr 21, 1999
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I was looking at one online, and thought the 154CM blade, rosewood handle, and brass guard looked pretty spiffy. Just wondering if it's worth considering as an EDC fixed blade, (it's only 7 1/2 inches overall).

Any thoughts or opinions welcome.

I have a bead on a deal for about $80 plus shipping. Is that too high?

Daniel
 
Hi Dan,
The price is as good as i can find. However Buck lists the steel as CPM 154, not 154CM.
Good Luck,
Lionknife
 
That's probably going to depend on how you use your EDC.
The Gen 5 was designed as a hunting knife. It has a hollow ground blade. I understand it skins like a champ with good ergos. But it is not designed for chopping or real rough work.
 
My main EDC needs are pretty mundane. I work in an office environment, with the need for an occasional box cutter, and food prep knife. Mostly, it would be for looks and workmanship, as a thing to get others interested in knives. But I'd probably take it out on weekends around the house and yard, and step up to some medium-duty work. That's why I'm considering this version rather than the 420HC.

For a chopper, I'm looking at a Kershaw Outcast, or Kabar Bull Dozier.

Thanks for the input so far, guys.

Daniel
 
Daniel, I have the more basic version in 420 and black birchwood handles. It costs a lot less than the one you mention but I have been VERY impressed by the knife indeed.It's a thin blade obviously as its main task would be skinning, I don't hunt but I do fish and I've found it useful on that front. I've used it as a traveling companion in the car across Europe as it excels at food prep of all sorts, Buck's 420 is very easy to sharpen and the cordura sheath practical and durable.The horizontal carry is good and the knife goes very well on the strap of a small pack. Good handle that is comfortable in many sizes of hand, I recommend the version I have as a very reliable smaller no nonsense knife,looks pretty good too!
 
CPM-154 should be better steel than 154CM, and I'm guessing would be Paul Boss heat-treated, coming from Buck. If the fit and finish is good, it should be a near custom quality knife for less than half the money. In the last 20 years, I've never been disappointed with any Buck I've handled.
 
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