Does anyone own this thing? Seems like a bargain for the steel (s35vn) and price (~$200), however I’m concerned about how tough it is and how it would perform for chopping and batoning, as it seems pretty lightweight. I own a 119 and I wouldn’t say it’s really fit for those tasks, but I know little about how the 120 actually performs/whether it’s tougher than it seems.
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Buck 120 Pro?
- Thread starter y53p
- Start date
There is not much difference between a Buck 119 and a Buck 120, except for the length of the blade. They are both good knives, but aren't designed for chopping and battoning. And S35VN is the wrong kind of steel for chopping and battoning. Buck's standard 420HC would handle that kind of ABUSE better than S35VN. If you want a Buck made for chopping and battoning, get a 109 Compadre froe.
O.B.
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- Jun 9, 2011
- Messages
- 30,259
i own that one and 420hc versions and 5160 version. as said above already...... 120 isn't a good choice in any steel for chopping or batoning work. much better choices out there for this kind of work. light chopping it's fine and small diameter wood splitting ive done it and its fine...but it isn't built for chopping and batoning work.
It’s a shame there’s always some caveat with large traditional style bowies. They’re either not full tang or the steel is not stainless; however there’s many with crap stainless steels made over seas for cheap. It’s either black or white with these things. Was gonna get a barkie, but it’s in A2 so there’s the rust factor (I live in a moist area), then this one, and it’s not full tang. Wish they’d just make a nice looking, ~8 inch-ish, traditional bowie, full tang in like D2 or some nice stainless steel like 154cm, vg-10 or something like that in the $2-300 range. There just aren’t knives like that except for maybe the NL ones by Fallkniven which are awfully overpriced or some BR in 3V (when they are even available and when it actually even is 3v).
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2011
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- 30,259
the 120s kinda a hidden full tang. its about most of the length of the handle.....and about 3/4 width inside the handle. its radiused at the guard. it's strong, but it's hollow ground and just isn't built for hard work. more light camp or general cutting type tasks.
a2 doesn't rust all that badly. I live in florida in a river basin and it's wet and super humid year round. just wipe it dry and don't keep in an unconditioned area. but im not suggesting a bark river..due to other reasons.
d2s toughness isn't that great for a large blade.
maybe a custom is what ya need. whatever stainless the maker feels will do well on your tasks. plenty of good ones here. just a thought.