Buck 372 Muskrat

S

stevekt

Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
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I just got a Buck Muskrat in the mail. I had mixed expectations for this knife because on one hand it's a $19 Chinese knife but on the other hand it's a Buck. Turns out I am pleasantly surprised by this knife. The blades came shaving sharp straight out of the box, I believe they are 440C. Blades have a healthy snap, not too strong or mushy with no rubbing. Fit and finish is okay, not everything meets flush but it's acceptable. It's not a flawless knife but the imperfections are nothing out of the ordinary I have not seen on US made slipjoints from respected companies.

Overall I'd say it's a nice knife at a nice price. :thumbup: Duh! It's a Buck!
 
I had a similar experience with a 373 Trio that I picked up for next to nothing on line. A great little knife for the money. But as you noted...it is a BUCK!

BTW, I thought that the blade steel on your 372 was the same 420 as on my 373?
 
The packaging on my 372 Muskrat said 420HC.

Great little knife, both it and the Red Bone edition.
 
And they whirled and they twirled and they tangoed
Singin and jingin the jango
Floatin like the heavens above
It looks like muskrat love
 
I can't find any steel info on my box. I thought I had read that the China knives were 440C and the US knives were 420HC. Most online retailers are listing it as 420HC which is most likely what it is.
 
stevekt said:
I can't find any steel info on my box. I thought I had read that the China knives were 440C and the US knives were 420HC. Most online retailers are listing it as 420HC which is most likely what it is.
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When the imports first started, they were 440C according to CJ Buck, sometime later 420HC started appearing on the packaging, a good while before the 372's came out.
 
My copy of the red bone 372 is as nice as any of the over 70 300s I own. The fit and finish are flawless. The handle looks very Christmassy and the blade is as sharp as you will ever need. I completely understand about peoples misgivings about Chinese knives but really this one couldn’t be any nicer.
 
WilltheBarb said:
My copy of the red bone 372 is as nice as any of the over 70 300s I own. The fit and finish are flawless. The handle looks very Christmassy and the blade is as sharp as you will ever need. I completely understand about peoples misgivings about Chinese knives but really this one couldn’t be any nicer.
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I assume you are referring to the Buck Holiday twosome w/tin. I'm glad to hear that at least one of them is acceptable, since Wally World sells them in plastic sealed packs and because of that it is impossible to inspect them until you pay for them/get them home. At least with the yellow-box knives, Wally cashiers let you inspect them and choose which you want before paying.

I understand why Wally World (and K-Mart, and Gander Mountain) prefer the blister-packed knives (less employee supervision required), but in the end, I think it just gets them more returns. With the "inspectable" knives, the better knives are steadily sold off until the last of them are deemed acceptable.

It's easier to accept a knife if it's the last one left... :o
 
Thanks for your help in getting these knives, trax. The baby trapper is nice too though I don’t think it has the utility of the muskrat. Anyway, happy to have both of them.
 
Well, I guess I will bite the bullet since Will was willing. Yes, wearing sunglasses and a false beard I snuck into the big box and got a clam-pack.
As Will said the fit and finish of mine is excellent, better than some USA made ones. Of course you gather up 200 or so of anything and there will be second rates, I might carry it as a EDC if I could just get someone to do some tang engraving over the China. Rep. to maintain you see. :cool:
 
Feel the power of the dark side, Skywalker. Maybe you could make it say maChine. That shouldn't be to hard for a skilled engraver.
 
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