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mcrow

mcrow

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Feb 7, 2013
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Long story little shorter:

My uncle owned a hardware store in the town I grew up in (back in the 1980's). He started a tradition in our family of giving all the boys a Buck 110 for their 10th birthday, as a right of passage sort of thing. Most people in our area at the time were farmers back then so it was also time when you really started to be expected take more responsibility. So, basically you turn ten and get your Buck 110 and you start taking on some "man" work. :)

So I got my first buck at 10 from my uncle. Bought my second Buck ten years ago, don't remember the model but it was a fixed blade hunting knife that I believe had a rubber handle. Loved both knives. Gutted many deer with the hunter before losing it in the field one year. Lost the 110 in a fire(never found it).

Thinking back to those days made me take a look at some of the newer Bucks so I just recently picked up Bantam BLW and Buck Lite Max. I was looking for EDC knife to stuff in my khakis at work and jeans on the weekends. What do you guys think of these two knives?
 
Great story!!! Bummer about loosing the 110 in a fire, but I guess so long as nobody was hurt, that matters more.

What makes a good pocket carry is terribly personal, I think. What works for me may not work for you.

I've owned the big and small Bucklite Max lockbacks and both of them developed a lot of blade play after about a year of use. I really liked the thin profile though. Very nice in the pocket. I would trust the Bantam even less than the Bucklite Max. I think the plastic is all around softer and there have been some discussions on the forum of them deforming under heavy load to the point of the lock failing.

My (personal) favorite EDC Buck by far is the (now resurrected) Buck 500.

EDC - Buck 500 by Pinnah, on Flickr

If you like the thumb open and pocket clip of the Bucklite Max, you might also look at the new Spitfire or the Vantage. Again, thin profiles but I think all'round more sturdy construction.

Note, these are longer term suggestions. My thinking is, "run what you brung". You have 2 decent knives in hand. Use the heck out of them and when/if they fail, know that Buck will take care of you. (Just don't push the Bantam too hard.)
 
p1530692x.jpg


The 486 is a brilliant ergonomic (handle has substantial finger indexing so you can quickly, safely and easily manipulate the knife even in the dark) lock back with a deep pocket, tip up, carry clip (with a lined lanyard hole) and a remarkably beautiful blade. At 8 5/8" overall open it gives you options a smaller knife cannot. A terrific light weight, 3.07 ounces, choice. I carried one identical to the pictured one, without complaint, until I caught the pocket clip on a seat belt as I exited a truck and bent the clip. Disposable @ $20.
 
Yeah, I'm probably going to get a Vantage and a Spitfire at some point as they look like better knives but I'll run these two through their paces as well.
 
I wish Buck would merge the Bucklite Max and the Ecolites. I like the thinner grip and ergonomics of the Bucklites better but much prefer the partial liners and Paperstone scales on the Ecolites. Drop em in a blender?
 
The Bucklite Max 486 was my very first pocket knife. The handle is very comfortable and the blade is nicely shaped. I found the spring tension from the lockback a little difficult to overcome with the thumbstuds, but it was definitely doable. I stopped carrying mine after I dropped the knife and it developed very noticeable side-to-side blade play. No regrets though...I picked up a Vantage after that and have been carrying my Vantage ever since.
 
Well, I got my Bucklite Max (486) in the mail today and my first impressions are good.

#1-Love the blade shape.
#2- This thing is sharp enough to shave with.
#3- Opens nice and easily with the thumb stud.
#4- Good ergos.


Overall I think this is a very solid knife for $20. We'll see how it holds up but the 420HC blade should work for EDC purposes.
 
I had a 486 blade put into a 110 frame by a custom maker since I wanted the thumb stud and liked the blade design. Turned out very nice. Something to think about if you like the 486.
 
oregon said:
carried one identical to the pictured one, without complaint, until I caught the pocket clip on a seat belt as I exited a truck and bent the clip. Disposable @ $20.
Click to expand...

Same here - I have a black one that was given to me by a very generous member here, and snagged the clip on a chair during a meeting and bent it all out of shape. :( I wish these had re-mountable clips.

I keep it on my desk for around-the-house use. It's getting a little beat up, and I have a 110 that needs a new blade, so I might do the switch. I've had my Buck 486 for 2+ years, and haven't had to sharpen it yet. Love Buck's heat treat. :thumbup:

~Chris
 
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Here's one that was done by Buck a couple of years ago. The thumbstud is impossible for me to use to open the knife with though.

YouthAwardknifea-1.jpg


YouthAwardknifec-1.jpg
 
Just got my two Vantages in the mail. Will post pics later.

Green G10 Vantage Force Pro Stone Washed
Standard Vantage Pro
 
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