buck 119

O

oaktree

Joined
Oct 29, 2005
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32
I have a Buck 119 that is my primary large blade knife. I have rolled the
edge on it once battoning it and restored the edge to original. I wonder if
there is a better edge for this knife. Convex maybe? There are a lot of these knives out there. Has anyone changed the edge on theirs to a better
geometry for the outdoors?
 
How old is your 119? Buck changed the edge and blade profiles in ~2000. I believe their current edge profile is about 10 - 12°, which is good for skinning, but might be on the thin side for batoning with 420HC.

If your knife is newer than 2000, you might try changing the edge bevel to 20° to give it more strength.

Be advised that I don't baton. I'm just aware that the new edge profile on Buck knives is very thin. Others might have better suggestions.
 
I convexed a Nighthawk and it really works great. The same should work on the 119. You won't be out much to try it, they can be replaced at a reasonable cost. I think you would like it.
 
Id like to know how old it is, I have a newer version, with the 2X edge technology(think thats what they call it), either way its a thinner edge than previous. I've but my 119 through some serious work, never had problems, I've batonned, done shavings, made a shelter with it actually. It would take down saplings with a baton no problem.

With that said, I dont know how well convexing the edge would work, its all ready a pretty thin hollow ground blade, I wouldn't want to remove much more of whats there.(on newer versions)
 
Don't know exact year it is, but I'm sure it is pre 2000.
Edit: It is a 1998, just found the year code key.
 
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Convexing the edge wouldn't remove much metal and wouldn't thin it. It should make the edge stronger. IMO
 
I know convexing a carbon steel works well. But didn't know if it is the way
to go for the thick steel on a 119 blade.
I rolled the edge battoning a tornado fallen soft Maple tree. I was taking the smaller branches off with it. Largest being about 2". It lasted about 5 branches and the edge rolled.
 
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