Buck 102, or pilots knife

H

HMC

Joined
Jun 29, 2007
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147
We all know I don't have enough knives (who does?). I was thinking of getting for heavy duty use camping in Canada this summer a new sheath knife specifically either a Buck 102, or a pilots knife. They are both on sale here for almost the same price. In terms of utility, which is a better made product? Does anyone know the weights of each?
 
I have used a 102 Woodsman for almost 30 years as my sheath knife. I wore one down to a toothpick over the corse of that 30 years and then 5 years ago bought a new one. They are nice and light weight, inconspicous, and cuts well. There's a good reason the design has lasted 50 years.

They are a great general use sheath knife for camping/hunting/fishing. I team it up with a folding saw to take care of all my cutting needs.
 
The 102 weighs a lot less and is a lot better quality. The older model vintage Camillus pilot knives are pretty good though.
 
I've had an Ontario pilot's knife since I was a teenager. It is tough, but nearly useless as a cutting implement. It was designed primarily to help aircrews punch their way out of downed aircraft, not for camping chores. You're better off with the Buck. If you want a survival-type knife that will actually cut things, look for a Becker or RAT, but the Buck would be more useful.
 
Foilist said:
I've had an Ontario pilot's knife since I was a teenager. It is tough, but nearly useless as a cutting implement. It was designed primarily to help aircrews punch their way out of downed aircraft, not for camping chores. You're better off with the Buck. If you want a survival-type knife that will actually cut things, look for a Becker or RAT, but the Buck would be more useful.
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10-4 on what Foilist said.

I have both. While I think the 102 is a bit too small for a camp knife (check out the 105), I would use it over the Jet Pilot Knife for cutting vittles, whittlin', mumbly peg, and all the other important things ya need a knife for while camping.
 
Buckaholic said:
10-4 on what Foilist said.

I have both. While I think the 102 is a bit too small for a camp knife (check out the 105), I would use it over the Jet Pilot Knife for cutting vittles, whittlin', mumbly peg, and all the other important things ya need a knife for while camping.
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I'll second that, If you want a good camp knife, consider the 105 or even the 119, the buck 102 is great for a edc sheath knife though.
I carried my buck 119 for a year as an edc, its still my knife of choice for heavy duty work, but a 102 or even a Mora suites me better as and edc.
 
Just a question here...Are you talking about the knife carried by aircrews as part of their survival equipment??? :confused:

pilotsurvivalknife.jpg


I would use an M16 bayonet for hunting before I would use this...and yes, I have both, and have used them for hunting...years ago... :rolleyes:

I've never seen a 102...but it pretty much has to be better... :D
 
Buckaholic said:
Yep, that's the one Rich. Well, at least the one I was thinking of :)
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Yep. Mine is an Ontario, 1-1969. It's not meant to be a bone (or branch) cutter; as mentioned above, it's intended as a can opener...for opening aircraft cans... :D

I actually used mine in an emergency situation, in 1991...My RV wouldn't start in Gettysburg, right at the bottom of the National Observation Tower (gone now)...The battery terminals were all gummied up and the RV wouldn't start...I jammed the knife between the battery & terminal, and it started right up...We drove back to Carlisle on the alternator and left the RV at the gas station next to the Best Western...The mech on duty cleaned the terminals and charged the battery for nothing... :)

...That knife is now used for weed pulling only... :p
 
Well, the 102 is a great small woods knife - super fun whittler. If you get one, get the rosewood handled brass pommel & finger guard 102BR - it's about $10-$12 more ($50-$54 vs the black phenolic/Al pommel & fg at $38-$42) - and just plain beautiful. Of course, at 4" fixed blade, it's kind of small for a lot of camp duties... the 119 'Special', as Les Stroud has used on occasion on 'Survivorman', is an excellent buy at Wally World for $34 in a Kydex sheath - $38 in leather at 'Academy' around here. Super knife - with a useful 6" blade - and a lot easier to find, too (You'll likely have to order the 102.)!

Stainz

PS I have other 'camp' & woods walking/bushcraft knives, so the 119 is now my best kitchen knife, despite my wife's complaints (Hey, I am the chef!).
 
Well guys, I'm getting the Buck 102. The hardware store here is selling them at $35, the pilots knife is $30. Yes, "chickentracks", that's the 1. I was going to take my Mora, BUT John decided to sharpen it for me w/ my 12000x stone, then he did his knife. He still only owns that 1 I bought him for deployment. He did such an beautiful job on my Mora I don't want to ruin the edge on fish, etc.
 
HMC said:
Well guys, I'm getting the Buck 102. The hardware store here is selling them at $35, the pilots knife is $30. Yes, "chickentracks", that's the 1. I was going to take my Mora, BUT John decided to sharpen it for me w/ my 12000x stone, then he did his knife. He still only owns that 1 I bought him for deployment. He did such an beautiful job on my Mora I don't want to ruin the edge on fish, etc.
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OK 2 things, 1st what do you need a sheath knife for (& is it even legal in Canada)? 2nd a 12000x stone? I heard of jap waterstones @8000x, but NOT 12000x.
 
jpvjr said:
OK 2 things, 1st what do you need a sheath knife for (& is it even legal in Canada)? 2nd a 12000x stone? I heard of jap waterstones @8000x, but NOT 12000x.
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Sheath knives of any size or length are legal in Canada, as long as they are not concealed.
 
Depending on the planned use, I would recommend the 119 as a better all around camping knife. The 102 is a great little knife but light duty compared to the 119.

Peter
 
A.P.F. said:
Sheath knives of any size or length are legal in Canada, as long as they are not concealed.
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Really? When I went up there to hunt a couple of years ago, the RCMP asked us for the serial #'s of our weapons (rifles), & told 2 fellows from VT they couldn't bring their knife in since 1 was a sheath type, & the other was a lockblade (I think it was a 110).
 
jpvjr said:
Really? When I went up there to hunt a couple of years ago, the RCMP asked us for the serial #'s of our weapons (rifles), & told 2 fellows from VT they couldn't bring their knife in since 1 was a sheath type, & the other was a lockblade (I think it was a 110).
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Did they check their badges? Sounds like some locals were yanking their chains.
:D
Fixed blades are not illegal, folders are not illegal.
I have over 50 of both and i'm in Canada.
Also i have a copy of the Canadian Criminal code.
The only knives illegal here are switchblades, butterfly knives, ballistic knives, push daggers and knuckle duster style knives.
Any knives/swords axes other than those are legal to own and import.
 
HMC said:
Well guys, I'm getting the Buck 102. The hardware store here is selling them at $35, the pilots knife is $30. Yes, "chickentracks", that's the 1. I was going to take my Mora, BUT John decided to sharpen it for me w/ my 12000x stone, then he did his knife. He still only owns that 1 I bought him for deployment. He did such an beautiful job on my Mora I don't want to ruin the edge on fish, etc.
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Did you check out the 105 woodsman??? I own the 102 and 119, the 105 is a nice all round camping knife.
 
I, too, like the 102 - but my fat hand better appreciates the 192 Vanguard, in a 4"-ish blade. The 103 has that funky blade - but the grip, which I believe is the same as the 105's, is just about right. The 105 just doesn't have the 'delicate' cutting feel of the 102 - too similar to the no-nonsense feel of the 119. My 102, 103, & 105s are all BRs, so I put them up with my 119 &120 BRs... they are beauts. The plain-Jane 119 & 120 I have are users... in a perfect world, I'd have 'users' in the smaller sizes, too - especially that 102 - it's just neat to use, even for my clunky hands. The tightness I must use makes my CTS problems more problematic, too. Not so much of a problem with the 192... an under-appreciated camping knife, at least to me!

Stainz
 
Buckaholic said:
10-4 on what Foilist said.

(check out the 105), I would use it over the Jet Pilot Knife for cutting vittles, whittlin', mumbly peg, and all the other important things ya need a knife for while camping.
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You took the words right out of my mouth Goose. The 105 or even the 121 would be an improvement over the 102. :thumbup:
Mike
 
Stainz said:
I, too, like the 102 - but my fat hand better appreciates the 192 Vanguard, in a 4"-ish blade. The 103 has that funky blade - but the grip, which I believe is the same as the 105's, is just about right. The 105 just doesn't have the 'delicate' cutting feel of the 102 - too similar to the no-nonsense feel of the 119. My 102, 103, & 105s are all BRs, so I put them up with my 119 &120 BRs... they are beauts. The plain-Jane 119 & 120 I have are users... in a perfect world, I'd have 'users' in the smaller sizes, too - especially that 102 - it's just neat to use, even for my clunky hands. The tightness I must use makes my CTS problems more problematic, too. Not so much of a problem with the 192... an under-appreciated camping knife, at least to me!

Stainz
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The Vanguard is another strong contender, knives are a personal decision, need to handle them and use them to appreciate!

I mention the 105 as it fits well in my hand, and in a pinch could be used to split wood for the fire. :)


 
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