Buck 124 vs Buck 120 PRO

J

Joshua Bartosiewicz

Joined
Aug 22, 2020
Messages
103
Hey guys,

which knife is stronger, less likely to break / crack / shatter / chip, the buck 124 or the buck 120 pro?
Can both knives "baton very light kindling?"

Thank you!
Josh
 
124 is stronger. Batoning is not my thing, but I’m thinking they both could handle light stuff.

They’re both hollow ground so I wouldn’t push them into any heavy batoning.
 
I can't imagine doing anything that would break a 120. Anything that would chip a 120 will chip a 124.
The only thing I can see a 124 doing better than a 120 is possibly chopping as it is a heavier knife.
 
st8yd said:
I can't imagine doing anything that would break a 120. Anything that would chip a 120 will chip a 124.
The only thing I can see a 124 doing better than a 120 is possibly chopping as it is a heavier knife.
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No problem with the 120. It is a durable high quality knife like the most other Buck knives. As you wrote: It is not as “fat” as the Frontiersman.

haebbie
 
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Idk which would be more likely to chip between 420 and S35VN. Are you going to baton or make kindling? Chopping? I would not chop anything with either knife other than small branches.
 
st8yd said:
I can't imagine doing anything that would break a 120. Anything that would chip a 120 will chip a 124.
The only thing I can see a 124 doing better than a 120 is possibly chopping as it is a heavier knife.
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yep this^.....
 
At the edge I really think the difference is hardly noticeable in physical shape. I couldn't answer to the steel types.
 
Aside from abuse there shouldn’t be any problem of chipping or any of the problems you listed with either one. If you are going to use it for camping and making light kindling i would rather use the 124 and I have because it’s a heavier knife and full external tang. The 120 makes for a good slicer for brisket and other large cuts of meat or melons and it’s noticeably lighter than the 124. Like makael said the 124 can chop small tree limbs easily.
 
jbmonkey said:
View attachment 1559238View attachment 1559239

from crucible. see charts gives ya idear on toughness and edge retention and wear resistance, compared to 440c and a few other common knife steels.

420hc is a very tough steel, though.
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Back in the 60s, 70s, and into the 80s, many reputable custom knifemakers used 440C because it was considered the premier stainless steel at that time. It's pretty impressive that Buck was using it too on production knives.
 
GPyro said:
Find a 124 in 5160 and you would have a knife you could chop all day with.View attachment 1559128View attachment 1559131
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jbmonkey said:
View attachment 1559238View attachment 1559239

from crucible. see charts gives ya idear on toughness and edge retention and wear resistance, compared to 440c and a few other common knife steels.

420hc is a very tough steel, though.
Click to expand...

Awesome stuff. I want a 124 5160 soooo bad but I can't find one available atm. I do see a 120 in 5160 with a blemish on there..
 
Joshua Bartosiewicz said:
How about this. Which one cuts a watermelon better, buck 120 in s35vn or buck 124?
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depends on geometry more than which steel. id prefer the 120 for cutting 🍉 myself.

s35vn has better wear resistance and edge retention, its got a decent toughness and good enough corrosion resistance...all in all its the better steel.

its also harder to sharpen. you may not need the edge retention and wear resistance....only you can decide that.

420hc the way Buck heat treats is a good enough steel for a knife. been good enough for many people for many years.

whats more important is which fits your hand and needs better. the 124 has a 2x4 block as a handle. some like it some dont. it can be sanded down to fit your hand though if your willing to do that. we could discuss all day if ya can get your hand on one youll know real quick if ya like it or not.
 
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