Buck 120 General (vintage), short review

M

ml100

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Jul 19, 2005
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recently I bought a Buck 120 General from 1992. That year buck changed the steel from 425m to 420 HC, so I can't really tell which steel it is.
Here a comparison : from top to bottom 189 Intrepid, 120 General, 124 Frontiersman from 1992 and 1993.



The 120 is lighter than the 124 and the 189 but has the longest blade (and the shortest handle).
My first impression actually was, that it is too light to be stable. So I thought I could give it some work out.

The handle is the same as on the 119 and feels very comfortable.

 
Fine tasks handle easily. Cutting and slicing is where the knife excels (and of course punching holes, this is one mean tip)





 
Batoning? It does work, the tip withstands the impacts without problems. Certainly not the best choice for batoning, since I would not dare to hit on the handle. However usually that's not necessary, so the 120 does the job.


Chopping? Branches up to a diameter of 1-2 inches are no big problem. Anything thicker, forget it. The blade is simply to light to be very effective. But then again, when do we really need to chop thicker branches?


Summary: Considering how light the blade feels, I was surprised by its stability. It is not a chopper, nor will it serve as a pry bar. On the other hand, it will fullfill the usual camp chores AND will do finer tasks and cut very well. Hunters seems to be fond of the 120. It is a quick, light and long blade and throughout the testing kept an incredible edge. If you do a lot of hiking, the lightness is one big plus, and the knife will serve you very well.

Currently it replaced my Böker Rold for outdoor activities (It is not better than the Rold, but nicer!)
 
ml100, Finally a accurate assessment of this model's abilities. Well, done. I used a 1980 model 120 for 20 yrs.. Mostly in processing large game (boning & field dressing) and as a camp knife. At first I thought it 'light' as well but grew to respect it. Like you penned, it excels at cutting/ slicing. It can make tent stakes and trap triggers but it's strong suit is boning and quartering. I've used it to stick hogs and it works well for that. I don't mallet. I reserve that for my Estwing. Still, a good choice for general camp & hunting chores. It makes a good truck/ travel knife and night stand knife beside your bed. Yours may have 425 steel. DM
 
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