Buck 532: Choil, mid lock, and bladesteel questions

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DudeoftheDesert

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Jan 18, 2015
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I have been looking at posts on the Buck Lock 532 recently. Seen nothing but good comments on it, but have yet to find a compete objective review, even on Youtube. I Have 3 questions:

1. The choil. Or is it a choil? I mean the square top cut out between the blade and the tang. Is it really meant to be a finger choil, or just a quirky looking, decorative addition meant to add a design feature to an already attractive knife? And is it useful when used as an index finger choil when cutting?

2. The lock. I have several Buck lockbacks, and for almost all of them it is an awkward stretch of the hand to close the blade one handed by depressing the lock above the rear bolster with the thumb, and stretching the index finger to push the blade down. Is it easy to close the 532 this way because the lock is midway up the back of the frame?

3. The blade steel. I guess from comments that BG42 is the premium and preferred steel. If I buy a used 532 how do I tell what steel it is? Is it stamped on the blade? I am very satisfied with Buck's standard 420HC in the Bucks I own now, but would like to know which steel would be in an additional knife.

As always, thanks for any help.

Dude
 
Welcome to the Buck forum.

Concerning the steel. The standard 532's were initially issued in 425m and switching to 420HC about 1994. Many limited editions were based on this knife and it has been offered in many different steels. Three that come immediately to mind are the 1998 Master Series in BG-42. There was a Mastodon handled version about 2002 using 154CM. More recently, the 2010 BCCI Heritage version was S30V. I'm sure there are many others. Buck usually marks blades that have a non standard steel but I can't say for sure in this model.

Closing a lock back one handed.... yes it can be done but it's a good way to get cut.......

I would not say that the choil on the 532 is designed as a finger hold. Choking up on the choil is possible as a matter of personal preference depending on the task and your hand size.

If you can't find a good objective review I would say your assignment is to buy one and report back here with your own review, (with pictures of course). We will be glad to read it.
 
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The descriptions here leave me wondering what is being described. To use the blade stop/ choil area as a finger groove. No, I wouldn't. It can be folded one handed. Only I wouldn't go about it the manner you state. Thumb pressed and tap the blade's spine on a surface to start it, lends its self to a more secure hand hold. I agree with Sky, when premium steels are used those will be etched into the blade. DM
 
That knife has no hole in the blade so I would do as David said regarding closing it with one hand. You can depress the lock and gently brush the back of the blade (spine) on something (I use my pants leg, carefully) to coax the knife closed. Or, you can depress the lock, brush the blade a tad, shift your grip and push it closed with your finger.
The 532 is a nice knife and one I would be proud to own. Some people like finger choils and others do not. I have knives with them, but prefer a nice guard close to the blade.
 
Definitely not a finger choil. Kinda awkward looking but aside from that I really like the 532.
As mentioned one hand close by pushing it against leg or whatever else is close.
 
Thanks to all who answered. I am going to scout for one. As Sky suggested, I will post a review. Your help/advice is always appreciated. Thx., Dude
 
I have a 2000 Limited Edition 532 with BG-42. I think the handles are red cedar but will dig it up to be sure. The blade is marked BG-42 in block type on the right side.

I wouldn't use the space ahead of the edge as a choil as there is no other stop ahead of the sharp part. It is a little odd looking.

That being said, does anyone actually carry and use one that can comment on the usability?

The lock is tight and the blade is wicked sharp, but the thing I like most is how thin it is. Great for front pocket carry. I just haven't taken it out for a spin yet. Maybe you guys could talk me in to it...
 
I've always wondered about the 532. However, I like the 531. It has more blade and handle. The series is for those who like thin handles and blades with little belly. A broad-head shaped blade. A mid-lock and dressy style knife. I carry my 531 some but always in it's sheath. I've found it useful for office duty. DM
 
Thanks for chiming in David. I decided to dig mine out today and take 'er out for some exercise. I was wrong about the red cedar handles. It's actually walnut. I don't think it's Dymondwood but can't tell for sure. The scales are so thin.

I really like the feel of it and it's definitely comfortable in the pocket with it's soft edges. I'm not a big belt sheath guy because I like my knife on my strong side and that's usually occupied by a Glock, Walther or Kimber.

I've said in the past that I'm not a big fan of file work since most knives I own get used and don't want to deal with tiny nooks and crannies to keep clean. The file work on this 532 is very subtle so we'll see how it does after some pocket time.

I know these are collectable and some are going for big bucks, but I got mine new for less than the MSRP of a new 110 so I don't feel bad about putting it to use.

I'll report later how I feel about this as my EDC knife.

By the way, you can see in the photo that there is no guard ahead of the sharp part so I wouldn't intentionally put my finger ahead of the bolster.

 
The handles on my 531 are reddish. So, I was standing with you on that. I think they did the internal cuts with a CNG. Still, attractively executed. Mine is a 1994 year stamp, so from the El Cajon plant. DM
 
The grain doesnt look like redwood but the pic gets grainy when zoomed in. Grain almost looks like a mild oak.
Color wise it looks like walnut
 
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