I am not sure about this knife as a woods-walker/bushcraft-lite candidate. It will make the next day hike - to be sure. It is marketed as a 'modified skinner', similar to it's '07 predecessor, the $300 005LE. It has more in common with the 192 Vanguard's blade than the 103, their actual 'skinner' - it's 3" blade, with a .125" flat spine, is like a 'short' drop point. The usual quite decent Buck 420HC Paul Bos heat treated (Rc 58) hollow ground with an 'extended' secondary bevel - and shaving sharp out of the box. The blade protection starts with a polished Al finger guard preceding the full tang between the charcoal wood (black/grey/silver laminate) handle/scales, which are held on with three solid silver rivets/pins. The sides are smooth, and come down via a small bevel to the single finger groove and gradual curve to the heel. All in all, a very good grip. The upgraded model, 005RW, due out later this year, will have a brass finger guard, checkered rosewood laminate scales/handles... and a 154CM (Rc 59-61) blade. The current version has an MSRP of $88, while the upgrade will be MSRP $140. I got mine from an evil-bay dealer for $50 + $5 s/h.
It is not the best driller I have ever tried, but that is to be expected. It is great at stripping wet or dry bark - even long dried maple small limbs. Notching is good - easily controlled with the thumb on the barely-wide-enough spine (no notches). Carve tent stakes or a walking stick... even a trap - perfect! Fine carving is fun - and useful, although not in the same league as my BRK&T '07 T.U.S.K. (woodcarving is it's forte). Splitting wood? Not with this guy - too small - and too hollow-ground/thin spined. Battoning? Better be a good aim... and not very ambitious... and have another knife. Hunting uses? Perhaps if your menu includes tree rats and mice... maybe rabbits. Campside kitchen uses are fine, too - except slicing thick stuff.
Plus sides - it's neat! It kept me from spending that $200 I didn't have on evil-bay for a left-over 005LE (The IRS will be happy - I can pay them in a few days instead!) - which I would have had to use, too. Did I mention it comes with a nylon sheath (PRC-made) with velcro straps for horizontal belt or vertical suspender/pack strap carry? The other 005 (LE & RW) have the usual vertical leather sheath. I know what to expect with that 420HC blade, too - and it is still hair popping. Decent knife - and, I think, a good candidate for a day hike or 'woods-walker'.
Stainz
It is not the best driller I have ever tried, but that is to be expected. It is great at stripping wet or dry bark - even long dried maple small limbs. Notching is good - easily controlled with the thumb on the barely-wide-enough spine (no notches). Carve tent stakes or a walking stick... even a trap - perfect! Fine carving is fun - and useful, although not in the same league as my BRK&T '07 T.U.S.K. (woodcarving is it's forte). Splitting wood? Not with this guy - too small - and too hollow-ground/thin spined. Battoning? Better be a good aim... and not very ambitious... and have another knife. Hunting uses? Perhaps if your menu includes tree rats and mice... maybe rabbits. Campside kitchen uses are fine, too - except slicing thick stuff.
Plus sides - it's neat! It kept me from spending that $200 I didn't have on evil-bay for a left-over 005LE (The IRS will be happy - I can pay them in a few days instead!) - which I would have had to use, too. Did I mention it comes with a nylon sheath (PRC-made) with velcro straps for horizontal belt or vertical suspender/pack strap carry? The other 005 (LE & RW) have the usual vertical leather sheath. I know what to expect with that 420HC blade, too - and it is still hair popping. Decent knife - and, I think, a good candidate for a day hike or 'woods-walker'.
Stainz