Bantam's, what's the verdict?

Y

yam

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Sep 17, 2003
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I have read a couple reviews on the large and medium Buck Bantam's. They were initial, out of the box impressions, which are great. But now that some time has passed, how they holding up? How does the medium work as a pocket carry knife, I know the large one is bigger than the 110 so it's probably a better sheath candidate.

Mike

ps Please lets not reduce this thread into US versus Taiwan versus Chinese made Buck products. I just want real world information on the Bantam's based on their own merits as a knife, not country of origin.
 
MY main concern with the series is the use of 440A steel. I'm really not familiar with it's charactersitics and don't want to consider one until I know what I'm getting. 420HC is fine, but I don't want to take a step down from there.
 
According to Buck's web page the 284, 285 and 286 Bantams are all 420HC except the 283 Nano Bantam which is listed as 420J2.

I'm just really kind of burned out on higher priced knives right now and have been looking at sub-$30.00 knives. I mean, realistically I'm not fighting evil hordes, digging my way out of train wrecks, surviving in the wilderness, cutting through car doors to rescue fair maidens in distress. All I'm doing is slaying apples, slicing and dicing cardboard boxes, and real basic boring mundane stuff. So that's why I'm interested in less expensive but good value knives from reputable manufacturers like Buck.
 
Don't know if I'll ever have a Batman to write about. Something about plastic on a knife bugs me. I think I have one with a plastic handle that I've had for over ten years...maybe fifteen. It's a Cold Steel Voyager Tanto. It was my EDC until I re-disovered the 110. I liked that Voyager casue it was light and slim...didn't look or feel like a .45 pistol in my grown up clothes when I had to go to an office.

Now, I would carry a Mayo TNT IWB or pocket.

If you are looking for good tasting cheap eats, I don't think you could go wrong with a Mayo (Northshore, Cutback, or Hilo) or one of the Mantis/Pilot.

Have a Hilo "in the mail" that I got new from Ira Woods for about $30. Should be here today. Am expecting that I will like the blade length and steel. Figure it is perfect for rescuing fair to above average maidens in distress and cutting coupons to use in conjunction with my food stamps since I've been spending lunch money on knives.

Well, you didn't ask for a Mayo recommendation, but to fit your criteria, I would look at 'em.
That's my two centavo's worth...
Goose.
BCCI 1190

Oh yeah, I have a plastic handled CS Vaquero Grande Huevos for a ISH that I ride with. Has never cut a thing (not too practical unless I was a stevedore cutting line on the dock).
 
yam said:
According to Buck's web page the 284, 285 and 286 Bantams are all 420HC except the 283 Nano Bantam which is listed as 420J2.
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You're right. I was thinking about the 325, 326 and 327 (serves me right for not checking first) I was really thinking about getting a 327 Nobleman until I found out they were 440A steel. :(
 
Trax,
You may be right, but if you read my first post, it was exactly my lack of knowledge on 440A that made me hesitate until I knew exactly what it was and how it would perform. I still need to educate myself on it before I'm willing to get one.
Mike
 
Mike Kerins said:
You're right. I was thinking about the 325, 326 and 327 (serves me right for not checking first) I was really thinking about getting a 327 Nobleman until I found out they were 440A steel. :(
Click to expand...

While we're on the subject... I really like the looks of those knives. THey kinda remind me of a Ken Onion Kershaw design. For the price, 440A isn't a horrible steel (a far cry from 440C or even 420HC though), and it's a good looking knife.
 
yam said:
I have read a couple reviews on the large and medium Buck Bantam's. They were initial, out of the box impressions, which are great. But now that some time has passed, how they holding up? How does the medium work as a pocket carry knife, I know the large one is bigger than the 110 so it's probably a better sheath candidate.

Mike
Click to expand...

I've been using my large size Bantam around the house and yard as a beater for a few weeks now, and it has held up just fine. I like it, very light even for a bigger folder.
 
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