Buck 501 on the way.

johnny twoshoes

johnny twoshoes

Joined
Feb 3, 2011
Messages
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Okay, so I just ordered a Buck 501 squire, I'm really excited about it's arrival. I get the impression that this knife would be a perfect all around knife, and that I wouldn't need another. I was in a Buck lock blade mood, and this one just spoke to me. It reminds me of a scaled down 110 with a drop point. I haven't had it in hand yet, but I think this one will be "it" for a while. So no more knives for 2011, this Buck will be the last.... I hope. :cool: It will help me remember that I don't need another because it will be on my hip, or in my pocket for the rest of the year. Through hunting season, fall, Christmas, and winter, this is it. This is the first time I've publicly decided to do something like this, and I hope I can back myself up and stay true. It's time to retire a few of the others anyhow, and this knife will be a good one I hope.

What do you guys think?
I know that the 501 has been "the" knife for many people, but what is your opinion?
I'd like to know, good, or bad.

So if you woke up this morning and decided/had to sell all of your knives, but one, which would you keep? :eek:
 
I have had the same 501 in my pocket every day for 36 years and it has done about everything I ever needed. But, I will bet you that you won't stop at just one. Great choice. Take care.
 
DSCN0972.jpg

Coincidently a 501 Esquire is my most recent acquisition. I like the version I got with a stainless steel frame, 440c blade, and micarta grips. Not bad for $31.
 
Not bad at all Stelth. :thumbup:
That micarta is classy stuff, I think it ages well with those older Bucks.

I really hope that this new knife will be a good one, I ordered a 55 a few months back, and I never connected with it, it just didn't fit me. It was a great knife though, I hope it's being taken care of.
There is something about those lockbacks that I love, they just remind me of small game hunting. Thanks for sharing
 
Sure thing! I think you'll like the 501. It's a very useful size. I too, like the smaller lockbacks.
 
johnny twoshoes said:
Okay, so I just ordered a Buck 501 squire, I'm really excited about it's arrival. It reminds me of a scaled down 110 with a drop point.
What do you guys think?
I know that the 501 has been "the" knife for many people, but what is your opinion?
I'd like to know, good, or bad.:eek:
Click to expand...

Hi JTS,
Your comment on it being a scaled down 110 has me worried. The 501 is far from a scaled down 110 JTS. You said you did not like the 55, it is the same size as a 503, the 503 is the next size down from the 501. The Duke 500 is about the same length as a 112, but, thiner and more pocket friendly (rounded edges and lighter). The 501 is the next size down, not a bad size. But, it is a small pocket type knife, not a sheath type knife IMHO. You may have been better off with a 500, again just MHO.

Here is a 501 next to it's larger brother the 110
IMG_2083.jpg

jb4570
 
We ordered one on the same day Johnny.

I have a couple already, but I have been looking at that ram horn 501 at Buck's special sale that's been going on for some time now and finally couldn't take it anymore. I ordered one this morning.

I like larger knives. My edc's are a large Vantage Pro and my old standby 110, but I find the 501 to feel good in my hand also.

Good luck with your choice!!
 
The Squire is one of Bucks most comfortable folders with a great blade shape. I've bought and lost at least three over the years. However, the most recent one I bought (just a few weeks ago) got returned to Amazon - twice. The blades were so loose in the frame that they were unacceptable. In fact, the last one was just as bad as the two previous. In the end I just kept the third, figuring that's just how they are made today - loosey goosey.

It's a shame, because they are one of Buck's best designs.
 
JB, being that Buck sells these knives with a sheath, I thought it would be bigger than the 55. I now will be looking into the 500, but I'm gonna see if I don't like the 501 first. Thanks for the pic, I see that there is a huge difference in the two knives. Thanks for the info JB, I need to learn these things some time. :thumbup:

Stumps, I hope you like your newest as much as I will like mine. It's a waiting game right now, but I'm hopeful that I'll get a good one.

NG, now I'm scarred, I ordered mine from Amazon, so maybe mine won't be good either. I hate that. :thumbdn:
Thats the problem with ordering online, I wish I had a good dealer around.
 
I ordered a 501 a year ago. It too came with a loose balde. I used it for a while then I sent it to Buck for warranty repair. It took a few weeks but I got the same knife back with the problem corrected. I like the 501. It is a good size for pocket carry.
 
Just for clarity's sake here is a line up of the 501 along with other popular Buck models so you can get a sense of scale.
DSCN0974-1.jpg
 
Stelth, awesome line up, thanks for the info pics. :thumbup:
That 500 looks killer, I'll be watching for one of them now. Does Buck still make this model?

Hall, that 501 is a beauty, I love the little sheath that you get with the knife.
Looks like a good friend.

I did receive mine today so I'm working on pics to share. I'll have more to say in another post.
 
I think I may have picked it up in the late '80s to early '90s. I mostly carried it in my pocket, but I carried it on the sheath too. It's so small you barely notice it on the belt.
 
So after a mere two days of waiting, by newest Buck buddy arrived, a beautiful Buck 501. Clean lines, and classy curves, this knife is a true symbol of Bucks commitment to classic. I feel that this knife would be perfect for the rest of my life, and who knows. maybe it will. It fits my hand very well and is easy to control when cutting, the opening is a little gritty, but a little bit of Hoppe's will get that taken care of. I really enjoy the woods Scales on this particular knife, I think they will age well after a couple small game seasons together. There is a slight back and forth wiggle, nothing to bad right now, but after some seasons I think it may need a return to Idaho.
So without further ado, Buck 501.
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P1011344.jpg
 
Very nice!! I love your pictures too!! I'm going to have to learn to take better pictures when I get back home later this fall.

My new 501 will probably be another week to ten days because it's coming by the slow, free shipping from Buck.
 
The 501 is my favorite. I've been carrying one for most of the past 21yrs. It's not too small, and not too big.

I like the 500 but can't seem to choose to carry it over the 501. I don't know this but the 500 appears to be an after thought, or designed by someone other than the others, as it is not to the same scale as the smaller 3 in the 500 series, its kinda stumpy looking.
 
Current Buck 501 Squire Sheath (with fold over snap flap) and vintage 1981 501 Squire Sheath with open top.

buck501squire3.jpg


If I'm carrying mine in a sheath, I prefer the 1981 eara sheath for looks but the current fold over snap sheath for security. Of course the best security is in a pocket and that is where I carry mine -- left front pocket.

buck501squire2.jpg


Great little carry knives.
 
johnny twoshoes said:
So after a mere two days of waiting, by newest Buck buddy arrived, a beautiful Buck 501. Clean lines, and classy curves, this knife is a true symbol of Bucks commitment to classic. I feel that this knife would be perfect for the rest of my life, and who knows. maybe it will. It fits my hand very well and is easy to control when cutting, the opening is a little gritty, but a little bit of Hoppe's will get that taken care of. I really enjoy the woods Scales on this particular knife, I think they will age well after a couple small game seasons together. There is a slight back and forth wiggle, nothing to bad right now, but after some seasons I think it may need a return to Idaho.
So without further ado, Buck 501.
P1011344.jpg
Click to expand...

Oh fer craps sake!!! Wrap the bolster in a piece of leather (a belt will do) and put it in the jaws of a vise. Give it a gentle squeez and check it for wiggle/wobble. If the knife/blade still has a bit of wiggle/wobble give it another gentle squeez. If you don't have a vise handy, with the bolster wrapped in leather, place it on a firm/solid surface and give it a light tap with a hammer. These methods should remove any wiggle/wobble the knife may have.
 
I actually went through a couple of 501's before I gave up and settled on my third one. The main thing that bothers me about this model, is that the lockbar sits below the handle scales and liners at the pivot. After having 3 examples that are exactly the same, I figured that's just the way they are. I also have problems with the edge getting dinged on the inside of the handle if I carry it loose in my pocket. Not major issues at all, just minor annoyances, especially when i don't see the same lockbar issue on other Buck models.

Even with all that, the 501 is still one of my favorite light duty, dress knives, and it is absolutely as sharp as a razor now after some light stropping. I usually don't like wood scales on a pocket knife, but they just work so well on the 501 and the 110. Now if I could just get my hands on one of the 501's with upgraded steels..
 
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