Buck 119 Special. Phenolic handle vs Cocobola wood

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samdaknifeman

Joined
Jun 14, 2011
Messages
36
Hey guys. I'm buying one of these FAMOUS knives. They are just fantastic!

I have been wondering though. Which handle will last the longest and feel the best? Unfortunately I can't handle one for feel prior to purchasing.

Opinions wanted! :)
 
The Cocobola is usually more expensive. As far as wear, you or your kids, or your grandkids will never wear out the handles. Naturally discounting abuse, like hammering on them or throwing them.

Then, Buck has a lifetime warranty. Can't go wrong with either, but I like my cocobola the best.

Oh yeah,,,my avatar is a 119 cocobola with a NRA cutout from the NRA convention in Houston in 2005. Only 100 of those...
 
I have both. I would agree with Pack Rat that the Cocobola handled 119 is very tough. Of course the traditional Phenolic handle is incredibly tough, too. You should get whichever one appeals to you the most - silver and black Phenolic or brass and wood cocobola.
 
The "cocobolo wood" is Dymondwood AFAIK just like the 110's, so it's pretty much as impervious to everything as the phenolic.

- OS
 
I only have the synthetic handle, but I'd think the wood would be a bit less slippery? I've found mine to be a bit slick when using it to chop branches, in fact I've wrapped the handle in tape to improve the grip.
 
jill jackson said:
I only have the synthetic handle, but I'd think the wood would be a bit less slippery?
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Just a slight tad of "texture", but not much, since there's about as much resin in it as wood. It's actually birch, btw, the "cocobolo" just refers to color.

- OS
 
I am kind of partial to the Bass Pro version myself.

482534504_tp.jpg
 
Got a phenolic handled one coming for the moment. This has got to be one of the greatest and most legendary knives of history! I think it needs to be complimented with a companion knife...Buck 110! :D
 
I had a 192 Vanguard when I bought my first 119 - still preferred the 192. I added a 120 General, the 119's big brother, to the growing collection - it's 'too big'. I thought the BR versions were prettier - before I knew it, I had the 102, 103, 105, 119, & 120 - all in the 'BR' version - and they were too pretty to use:

IMG_4533.jpg


My basic 119 & 120 are users - and I have used them both outside in all seasons - the phenolic handles are great. I stow them cleaned and sheathed in the kitchen - they are great butcher knives; the 119 for chicken, fish, and beef, the 120 for slicing Christmas Ham or Thanksgiving turkey despite the "Why are you using a sword?" comments.

I'll bet the Buck 'Lifetime' repair/replace will be of little value in Australia... The basic 119 is as low as $35 at local WallyWorlds - to ~$70 list at small sporting goods stores.

Stainz
 
I like the wood look better, however, forumites have told me that it should not be thrown into the dishwasher, if that is how you want to clean your knife. I think the wood is heavier. Just wanted to point out a couple of things that have not been mentioned. Good luck!
 
Mostly it is choice, but with it you can run a chance of it absorbing water and swelling, where as that is physically impossible with plastic. Unless you plan on recklessly using it, in which case the plastic is a little better, you just have to choose whether you like the black, or whatever colors the wood comes in.
 
Neither handle will absorb water. Pop over to the Buck forum
And ask about that.
 
For me, the phenolic handled does just fine. But on either one, your handles will never wear down or get too torn up, it comes down to looks and price. I grabbed mine for $20 from a friend, brand new, so I couldn't pass it up, regardless of handle.
Overall its either the look traditional wood or the more modern black, but both are fantastic
 
It seems like the phenolic ones are a lot more common, you can find them in those plastic blister-packs at WalMart and most major hardware store type places, etc. I've always thought they look very nice on their own though.

Little scratches and scuff marks show up with pretty high contrast on the black though. I suppose that's one thing you might want to thik about in regards to aesthetics.
 
KennyB said:
It seems like the phenolic ones are a lot more common, you can find them in those plastic blister-packs at WalMart and most major hardware store type places, etc. I've always thought they look very nice on their own though.

Little scratches and scuff marks show up with pretty high contrast on the black though. I suppose that's one thing you might want to thik about in regards to aesthetics.
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Try Brasso or some equivalent polish. Along with a little elbow grease, those scratches will go away and keep it looking new.
 
There are no durability issues with either grip material. The brass will tarnish a lot faster than the alloy on the black model so there might be a bit more maintenance in some environments with the 'wood' option.
 
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