Buck 110 & Cold Steel Mackinac Hunter - a comparison

retzius said:
You can get a sheet of micarta for $5. Cut it to shape, sand it, and bolt it on. I bet it would look great.
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This. Or a couple of nice pieces of wood, etc. I'm not a fan of the faux "stag" on these either, but it's such an easy fix that's it's not a big deal.
 
fzla226 said:
It seems like a missed opportunity to make a much better knife. A sort of traditional type of folder with a pocket clip and a strong lock like that is really appealing. The only type of example I can think of that really does that is something like that Benchmade Bone Collector lockback.
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Case trapperlock is the best blend of traditional and modern that I have found.
 
[Edit: The review is well written and nicely done, but...]

The better Buck comparison to the CS Mackinac Hunter might be the Folding Alpha Hunter. In terms of form and function, it comes closer to the Mackinac than does the 110 - IMHO. Liner lock instead of lockback, but similar in other ways. Center knife below.

DSC_0048.jpg
 
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Meh, I like CS, but I think the answer to the Mackinac hunter for me anyhow, is just a plain old 110 with a Kwik-thumb opener. I know it doesn't have a pocket clip, but one can get accustomed to the belt sheath if they let themselves. I just can't get over the scales on the Mackinac, and this is coming from someone who likes Queen Winterbottom Delrin. All in all a superb review, one of the most intricate I've read. Still I'm not nocking the Cold Steel, the quality is there, no matter what people think of their more trivial stuff they put out.
 
I am a big fan of the Triad Lock.

I am intrigued by the Mackinack, and the Lone Star hunters. I prefer a full flat grind to a saber hollow.

I like the handle shape of the Mackinack hunter.





I am also in the camp that wishes the knife was available with scale options. Ebony scales or real stag would probably force me to order one of each.

I realize that they are not "traditional". But that is OK by me. I carry a handfull of slip joints every day, and a triad lock to go with them.
 
I have tried to like my Mackinack hunter. I like the Trial lockback, and lockbacks in general but the one on mine is really tough to unlock. I have XXL hands and they are pretty strong. That knife just hates to unlock. As bad as it is I'd guess many people would quickly give up after getting bruises and temporart indents on their hands from it. Cold steel Aus 8 does pretty well but I very much prefer the choices I have in my Buck 110's with CPM 154, S30V, and BG42. I love the way Bos, and Buck treat them. They perform superbly, with CPM 154 and BG42 being near the top of my list of stainless steels.

The Buck feels warmer in the hand. I do like the woods used, and the finish put on them. The Custom models are exceptional. In fact, I wouldn't trade my older custom BG42 110's for Sebbies in a straight trade. Sure I would like the pivot strength of the newer models but with proper use it hasn't been an issue in my experience.

I suppose I'm saying is that I would prefer a Demko custom . That's about the best answer I can give. After that? I would stick with one of my 110's. Even a production model as long as it has a steel upgrade.

Between the two base model steels I much prefer Buck's 420HC. The Aus 8 is nice, but Bos developed heat treat on the 420HC is nice. So, The Buck remains my choice. Upgrade and work on the F&F of the Mack Hunter and it would be a winner.
 
CS did a very, very decent "tradition inspired" knife. I own the more slender (but very close) brother of the Mackinaw, the Lone Star Hunter. It's an extremely well done knife (no lock rock, no lateral blade play, useably sharp right out of the box AND a very equal and centered cutting edge !!!). The blade deploys (hard but well) with the thumb and the lock feels bomb proof. It's also quite elegant. Considering all of this, the price is also damn cheap. Great, great efficiency... so what ? It's the item I should grab anytime I need a knife... but I prefer to live along with some other knives. They are lacking in some aspects, probably, but I love to hold them and use them. Call it dream factor or poetry, whenever I use them, I feel good. None of this with the Cold Steels, and I own some of them (the cheapos) : unbeatable value as an user, but no frills... I plan on some wooden or G10 scales for the Lone Star with more beef and feeling. Could be an upgrade in aesthetics and efficiency for a very valuable product. But I will still prefer to fondle my oldies...
 
The only 110 I have, have had it for many years now. It does not leave home, and I'm sure you can figure out why. Fun to play with though. ;-)

I like the look of the Cold Steel. But it appears smaller than the 110, and the 110 is small to me. So I think I'll pass on this one.

Don't like carrying knives in sheaths. Clips are it for me, so the 110 loses in this comparison.



 
so i'm looking at the Cold Steel Mackinac Hunter.
and i'm thinking just how similar the blade geometry is
to the older voyager.
dscf1120-Cold-Steel-Voyager-VG-1-clippoint-edge.jpg

which leaves me to conclude that the mackinac hunter should function something like a
time tested voyager's blade that has been transplanted onto a new line beefed-up replica of an old time classic?
 
Good review/comparison. I have three 110s (and a 111) great knives and a great design. I like the design so much i've almost bought a custom off Bucks website a few times. However to be honest i rarely carry any of those particular Bucks. I bought a Cold Steel Mackinac Hunter about 10 months ago and have already carried it more than i have any of my 110s or my 111. The pocket clip just makes it more carry-able. Yes the faux stag panels are a little slick but as was said above they can be replaced. I took the scales off today in prep for making some wood ones, i'll probably get some micarta to make another set at a later date. Just out of curiosity i put the pocket clip back on the scale-less Mackinac and i'm kinda liking the way it feels. I might use it without scales for a few weeks.
 
Kwon, thank you for the very nice comparison!

You may not know that your 110's pivot can be tightened by yourself. I've done this on a couple of occasions with my own.

Tighten the pivot in a padded vice. Go very slow and easy, a little at a time. When blade movement is reduced enough you may have to then sand the pivot as it may stick out a little on one side or the other. Then polish the bolster with cloth and Brasso. It works.
 
Thanks you for this comparison.

The only Cold Steel I have at the moment is a Pipe Hawk. This thread is likely to change that as I find the Mackinac Hunter a good looking and potentially viable alternative to my Buck 110.

Seems to me there is room in my assortment for this Cold Steel product.
 
vba said:
Kwon, thank you for the very nice comparison!

You may not know that your 110's pivot can be tightened by yourself. I've done this on a couple of occasions with my own.

Tighten the pivot in a padded vice. Go very slow and easy, a little at a time. When blade movement is reduced enough you may have to then sand the pivot as it may stick out a little on one side or the other. Then polish the bolster with cloth and Brasso. It works.
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That works.

Or you can send it back to Buck where they will fix it for free (boy, those guys 'n' gals really stand behind their warranty!), sharpen and clean it while it is there. I sent them a very old Buck 501 (pre-date stamp) that had developed a bit of blade wobble over the decades. It came back fixed and looking better than if it had come straight out of the box. No charge. Amazing service. :)
 
I just returned a 110 because it had vertical blade play. Buck offered to fix it but I opted to return it and not wait for them.

I know first hand how reliable and solid the triad lock is so after the Buck disappointment I looked at what cold steel had and today I ordered the Mackinac Hunter. This review was very timely and thanks for doing it.

I know I'm not going to like the fake stag so planning to replace them or take them off. What does the stainless frame look like without any scales on it? I'm wondering if it can be drilled to reduce weight and give it some styling? I searched and didn't find any photos of this. Has anyone here done this?

Thanks,
 
thanks for putting your thoughts out there. I have no experience with that Cold Steel model, but what probably would have me "keep looking around" is the pocket clip. We do have 2 reviewers here, and I know the young fella might jump all over that Cold Steel just for that reason. Me? I don't use the clips. As to the 110, I still drift towards my old LB7 as a choice when I am in the mood for traditional folder.

Jerry
 
I love the look of the handles reminds me of a pair of six shooters I had when I was six.
Also the review was very nice thanks for your time very helpful info.
 
GIRLYmann said:
so i'm looking at the Cold Steel Mackinac Hunter.
and i'm thinking just how similar the blade geometry is
to the older voyager.
dscf1120-Cold-Steel-Voyager-VG-1-clippoint-edge.jpg

which leaves me to conclude that the mackinac hunter should function something like a
time tested voyager's blade that has been transplanted onto a new line beefed-up replica of an old time classic?
Click to expand...

All they need is to make it with a six inch blade and grivory handles.
 
The possibility for replacing the scales is one of the reasons I bought the knife. I almost bought the Code-4 clip point but it couldn't be "played with" like this one could.

I'm thinking about taking some checkered pistol grips and fitting them to this knife. Sort of what a 1911 knife looks like but obviously the grips would be shaped to match the profile of the handle.
 
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