Buck 124 frontiersman fixed blade

winchester73 · Jun 9, 2013

What are your opinions of this knife for a camp and utility knife. It seems most favor 1095 carbon steel but since this knife has 420HC,abeit with the Bos heat treat, it shouldn't be too hard to sharpen in the fieid. Has anyone tried on in the field and what did you think of it?

SweptEdge · Jun 9, 2013

I'm sure one of the gurus will chime in shortly, but I can give you some of the basics that I know. 1095 is a carbon steel that is easier to sharpen, and to me seems to take a finer edge. The problem is that you loose a lot of your "Stain" resistance (as in stainless steels) when you use a carbon steel... just like Izulas and other ESEEs are coated except for the edge. (and you need to keep them oiled)

I've had a Buck knife in that Stainless, and it worked great too. There is just that little finesse that people miss. For the price, it's hard not to pass up a Buck. Easier to maintain. good steel, and I use hokey stick tape on those phenolic grips for a good grip.

Take care brother

Sorry if my post is a little broken and scattered, it's early.

SaintlyBrees · Jun 9, 2013

winchester73 said:
What are your opinions of this knife for a camp and utility knife. It seems most favor 1095 carbon steel but since this knife has 420HC,abeit with the Bos heat treat, it shouldn't be too hard to sharpen in the fieid. Has anyone tried on in the field and what did you think of it?

I don't have the 124, but I have quite a few Bucks with the 420HC steel & it is a good steel. IMHO, it carries a good balance of edge durability with ease of sharpening. I have sharpened them (touched up) in the field quite a few times and find it relatively easy to do.

While I usually prefer S30V for knives that get less use, I actually prefer 420HC for my hard use knives. They certainly lose their edge easier than the S30V, but touching them up in the field is much easier. I have a few acres that I own and maintain and a good field knife gets a lot of use around here - which also means that they need to be kept working sharp. So, like much in life, it depends on what you need and, IMHO, the 420HC is an very good field use steel & the knife that would serve you well as a camp knife.

JMO.

zzerru · Jun 9, 2013

I have carried a Buck fixed blade and folder both in 420hc for over 10 years whenever I hunt for field work/dressing and it has always been reliable and easy to maintain in less than ideal conditions. For me, it has proven its ability time and time again.

machine26 · Jun 9, 2013

I've got one. It's a cool looking knife, and very capable I'm sure. The only drawback for me(and it's a big one) is the handle. Big and blocky, not a very combortable knife for me to use.

1066vik · Jun 9, 2013

I used to use a Buck 120 as a camping knife and really wanted a 124 -- it looked like the perfect camp/utility blade to me in those days.
If you have one, use it -- the 420HC HT is fine for that use, and the blade shape is still excellent.

TwinStick · Jun 9, 2013

I also have one. GREAT knife. GREAT steel. EASY to sharpen. Handle IS BIG !!! NOTE: you can always reshape the handle if you absolutely have to. Would i buy one again ? You betcha !!!

maxpeters · Mar 8, 2014

I know it's been a while since this thread started, but I just got my Buck 124 back from Sunrise River, and wanted to say that it is now a usable knife.
I liked everything about the model 124 when I got it over a year ago, except the grip. It was just too big. It felt like I was holding onto a 2x4. So I didn't use it much. Sometime last month I got tired of seeing it just setting around without being used, and so I emailed Sunrise River Custom Knife and talked with Jay Maines.
He suggested that I get some white clay, cut off a piece about the size of the knife's grip and squeeze it, then send the knife and clay with my grip impression to him so that he could trim down the handle to fit me.
I just got it back this morning and it fits my hand perfectly. It also looks just as good and it did before I sent it to him, with no scrape or buff marks that don't belong. It is now a very usable knife. It only cost me $45.00 labor and $15.00 S&H. I should have done this a lot sooner.