Bantom series?

H

Herr_Noobien

Joined
May 20, 2009
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I was thinking of getting one of these along with my kershaw skyline. However, I'm stuck between the BHW and the BLW. On one hand, the BHW is bigger by a good 2cm, but is made in China :grumpy:

On the other hand, the BLW is shorter but is made in the USA. Does the fact that the BHW is made in China affect the quality? They both use 420HC steel but I'm thinking that the BHW being made in China does not have that amazing heat treating. Should I get the BLW or the BHW?

Thanks in advance.

PS: Would the B(L/H)W work well as a tactical folder?
 
Herr_Noobien said:
I was thinking of getting one of these along with my kershaw skyline. However, I'm stuck between the BHW and the BLW. On one hand, the BHW is bigger by a good 2cm, but is made in China :grumpy:

On the other hand, the BLW is shorter but is made in the USA. Does the fact that the BHW is made in China affect the quality? They both use 420HC steel but I'm thinking that the BHW being made in China does not have that amazing heat treating. Should I get the BLW or the BHW?

Thanks in advance.

PS: Would the B(L/H)W work well as a tactical folder?
Click to expand...

According to the 2009 Buck Catalog, none of the Bantams (Nano, BBW, BLW, BHW) are made in the USA. All USA made knives in the catalog are indicated with an American Flag next to their number and none of the Bantams have that.:mad:

Where did you get your information that the BLW ( #285) was USA made?
 
Unless they have VERY recently moved it here, the website has an "oops". I'm sitting here with my 285BLW along with the rest of the Bantam series, and they all say "China" accept for my 286 which was an early one, it says "Taiwan".

I like the Bantam series, they are good workers for the price.

Not sure I would want one as a tactical folder, but in a pinch I guess the larger 286 would be better than nothing.
 
That's odd...I suppose I'll get the 286 then since they are all made in china. Can I expect the same quality steel as the one found in 110?
If it's the same quality then I would certainly be happy with it. I beat the snot out of my 110 and it keeps comming back for more. I think that the 286 would work alright as a tactical knife if that's the case (don't get me wrong chris, I'm not challenging you on this or anything, heck I'm a part time mall ninja)
 
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Herr_Noobien said:
That's odd...I suppose I'll get the 286 then since they are all made in china. Can I expect the same quality steel as the one found in 110?
If it's the same quality then I would certainly be happy with it. I beat the snot out of my 110 and it keeps comming back for more. I think that the 286 would work alright as a tactical knife if that's the case (don't get me wrong chris, I'm not challenging you on this or anything, heck I'm a part time mall ninja)
Click to expand...

On the steel, mine all seem just fine, no worries there.

My main hesitation on the 286 being a tactical, is that it has a fairly stiff backspring, and doesn't open as fast as I would like. It probably would work just fine otherwise though. :thumbup:
 
I can't comment on the "tactical" application because I don't buy knives with that use in mind.... Thats why I carry a Glock 36.

Even though they are made in China, I have not noticed anything on my 286 that would lead me to believe that it won't last a long time under normal conditions (i.e not using it as a pry bar or hammer)..
It doesn't lend itself visually to the same sturdiness as the 110 because of the plastic handle, but it seems to be very durable..
The blade on mine isn't overly stiff and it locks up nice and solid just like the 110's/112's
 
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Ouch. Good thing they're not too expensive eh? One last question before I let the topic die, I know this is the Buck area and all, but would the Bantom (BHW) work better as a tactical folder/EDC than the skyline? Is it tougher than the skyline?
 
We are currently working on bring back the whole Bantam series to the US. By the end of the year all Bantams will be switched over to USA made dependent on when we run out of Asian inventory. The 285s are the 1st ones transitioning to US.

Jeff
 
I like the Bantam line and will be looking forward to them being made in the USA. I usally carry one to work, with a 110 on the hip. HL
 
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