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They seem pretty similar. Which do you prefer? I currently own a Bantam BBW, but I think I'd have to get my hands on a Bucklite to really compare the two for myself.
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Bantam vs (new) Bucklite
- Thread starter mrszeontestpilot
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I completely agree with that. Everyone has different preferences in what they like so what another person prefers isn't necessarily what you'll prefer. The only real way is to try them both. Luckily, they are both on the inexpensive end of Buck's line up, so getting both isn't such a big deal.
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I like the look of the bantam more than the new bucklite. I dont understand what the need for both is. I have all of the sizes of bantam and they are all solid as a rock. I also love buclites of all generations, so I will have to pick up at least the large folder just to have.
The Bantam is a mid-lock and the Bucklite is a full, traditional lock-back. I think mid-locks are a tick easier to close when moving fast in a shop/work setting.
The Bucklite Max Large is size comparable to a Buck 110. I don't think there is a Bantam in that size.
I with Imafritz. I really don't understand why both are in the line. IMO, the Ecolite line has taken the place of the old Bucklite line and does it much better. Traditional lockbacks with classic Buck lines, no thumbstuds and no pocket clips with a much nicer handle material.
I think the inexpensive Bucklites and Bantams are great knives and offer what a lot of working guys are looking for. One hand opening, pocket clips, super light weight, very tough and a great value. But, I really don't see what one line offers that the other doesn't.
The Bucklite Max Large is size comparable to a Buck 110. I don't think there is a Bantam in that size.
I with Imafritz. I really don't understand why both are in the line. IMO, the Ecolite line has taken the place of the old Bucklite line and does it much better. Traditional lockbacks with classic Buck lines, no thumbstuds and no pocket clips with a much nicer handle material.
I think the inexpensive Bucklites and Bantams are great knives and offer what a lot of working guys are looking for. One hand opening, pocket clips, super light weight, very tough and a great value. But, I really don't see what one line offers that the other doesn't.
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I believe what fritz meant was not why Buck makes both but why a buyer would need both. One line offers a different look, feel and blade style that appeals to different buyers. I cant understand why anyone would complain about having more choices available. 
The large Bantam is every bit the equal of the 110 and Buck Lite Max in size, if not a bit larger. Here's some comparisons.
The large Bantam is every bit the equal of the 110 and Buck Lite Max in size, if not a bit larger. Here's some comparisons.
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To clarify, the Bucklite was developed because Buck wanted to prove they could make a linerless, lightweight folder that could stand up to the riggers of a field knife. They, of course, succeeded. Now they have 2 different linerless folders that can do so. The bantam filled in the gap in 2006 after the 440 series of Bucklite ended in 2005. The Bucklite folders were absent until 2010. I can understand bringing back a Bucklite folder since a fixed blade Bucklite was introduced in 2009, but I thought that would have been the end of the Bantam, esp since they(the bantam line) had been being produced in China. Instead Buck brought the Bantam back to the US. I aint bitchin mind you, more Bucks are alway better, I am just surprised that competing lines in the same vein are being produced in this day of cutting fat.
The large Bantam is every bit the equal of the 110 and Buck Lite Max in size, if not a bit larger. Here's some comparisons.
Thanks! I had missed that one.
Different folks think differently about this and that's OK.
I'm of the opinion that options that don't build or support a core brand identity are generally not good options.
The problem that I see with the Bantam, as it currently exists, is that it just sits there on it own rather disconnected and separate from other Buck families. Take off the Buck logo, and it looks like a knife that half a dozen other knife companies could be making.
I'm a big believer in managing products within family lines. The classic Buck 110/112/55 is and should be thought of as a line. Ditto the Alpha hunters and Omni hunters and Vantages. Despite the differences in locking mechanisms, I would think it would make sense to rename the current Bantams as something like the Alpha Bantams and in doing so, I would nudge the handle design to even more closely resemble the Alphas.
That would give Buck 3 product families with knives in the lower end price points. The classics with the Bucklites, the Alphas with the Alpha Bantam and the Vantage.
st8yd
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Good pictures PD.
I like the looks of the bantam but had kind of avoided because it was china made. I didn't know the bantam was produced back in the U.S.A. now.
Might have to acquire one now.
That 110 actually looks kinda small sitting between the two.
I like the looks of the bantam but had kind of avoided because it was china made. I didn't know the bantam was produced back in the U.S.A. now.
Might have to acquire one now.
That 110 actually looks kinda small sitting between the two.
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Perhaps Buck looks at it this way (and in my opinion they should).
Plumberdv has a great Bucklite and has had it for years. It's a great knife and due to not being abused is still in great shape. No need to buy anything new so no additional sales for Buck.
Suddenly the Bucklite line is dropped and out comes the Bantam line in it's place. Wow, says Plumberdv, I like the looks of that one, it's really different and cool so off he goes and buys one. Next Buck adds the BuckliteMax to their line and again he goes, Wow, that's also very cool, different and I got to have one of those too!
Two more sales for Buck where there would have been none.
Plumberdv has a great Bucklite and has had it for years. It's a great knife and due to not being abused is still in great shape. No need to buy anything new so no additional sales for Buck.
Suddenly the Bucklite line is dropped and out comes the Bantam line in it's place. Wow, says Plumberdv, I like the looks of that one, it's really different and cool so off he goes and buys one. Next Buck adds the BuckliteMax to their line and again he goes, Wow, that's also very cool, different and I got to have one of those too!
Two more sales for Buck where there would have been none.
What percentage of Bucklite Max and Bantam buyers do you guys suppose are collectors, as opposed to hunters and tradesmen (not that they are mutually exclusive, mind you)?
EDITED TO ADD: Note that I didn't suggest eliminating the Bantam. All I'm saying is that the Bantam, on it's own, doesn't make sense to me. More generally, individual patterns no longer make sense to me when a product offering is as big and diverse as Buck's. Product families make more sense to me. Provides a common theme and focus and the diversity of offerings within the family help cement and support brand identity. The Bantam, as the lower price point version of the Alpha hunters makes perfect sense to me, just as the low end Vantages make sense to me and Bucklites make sense to me.
EDITED TO ADD: Note that I didn't suggest eliminating the Bantam. All I'm saying is that the Bantam, on it's own, doesn't make sense to me. More generally, individual patterns no longer make sense to me when a product offering is as big and diverse as Buck's. Product families make more sense to me. Provides a common theme and focus and the diversity of offerings within the family help cement and support brand identity. The Bantam, as the lower price point version of the Alpha hunters makes perfect sense to me, just as the low end Vantages make sense to me and Bucklites make sense to me.
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You know what pinnah, what Buck does, doesn't have to make sense to you or I!
I hated the fact that Buck callled the Eco a 110! I felt it had no business being called that and should have been given it's own number and placed in the Lite catagory where I feel it belongs. EcoLite 109 perhaps, but anything besides 110. What they did made no sense to me but I'm not going to make a big deal over it and beat it to death here.
If product families make more sense to you, perhaps you should try to get a job with Buck and convince them of that. Who knows, it might work.
I hated the fact that Buck callled the Eco a 110! I felt it had no business being called that and should have been given it's own number and placed in the Lite catagory where I feel it belongs. EcoLite 109 perhaps, but anything besides 110. What they did made no sense to me but I'm not going to make a big deal over it and beat it to death here.
If product families make more sense to you, perhaps you should try to get a job with Buck and convince them of that. Who knows, it might work.
st8yd
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Apperantly I wasn't the only one biting my tongue.
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My 1st bantam was a 286. It was china made and it has been a real worker. It is older(2007-2nd year) so it was 420HC. I keep it in the glove box of my truck as a just in case knife or when I am camping and loss is a possibility. I love it, and it has held its own, but to be truthful, because it is an import, it would be the least likely to be cried over if lost.
2007 286 and 2009 285
I also have both, the thermoplastic of the bantam seems to flex a little more then the FRN of the Bucklite. So I like the handle material of the Bucklite more, but the blade shape of the bantam is nicer. I prefer the medium size Bucklite to my large one. Seems to me that this linerless model isn't strong enough for a long blade IMO, the blade can easily by pressed side to side and the plastic give in to much for my liking. The medium one is just right for the construct type.