Buck fixed blade handles

Buck 102 Woodsman, 105 Pathfinder, 120 General, 212 Ranger - note the small handle of the 102, the 120 is probably the same size as a 119. The 105 and 212 are both nice in the hand

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I was a trapper for years. The standard for trapping is a hatchet and a machete for cutting stakes and brush. A mid sized folding knife for skinning.
As a trapper it is all about getting the job done as quickly as possible and getting on to the next set. Time is money and it's cold and wet out there. I don't see a 119 being useful for any of the common tasks
done by a trapper. Not in making or driving stakes, cutting trails or cutting brush, or in dispatching your catch, and is too big to be any type of good knife for skinning
the sized animals commonly trapped. I also got to know quite a few trappers and the tools of the trade are pretty much the same for anyone I ever knew. A 102 is about as big as you ever would want to use for skinning and would still be too big for the smaller animals such as muskrat and mink. I really like the 119 and own quite a few of them, but not really what I would consider a trappers knife.
Just my experience and my 2 cents.
 
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kossetx said:
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gedlicks said:
I was a trapper for years. The standard for trapping is a hatchet and a machete for cutting stakes and brush. A mid sized folding knife for skinning.
As a trapper it is all about getting the job done as quickly as possible and getting on to the next set. Time is money and it's cold and wet out there. I don't see a 119 being useful for any of the common tasks
done by a trapper. Not in making or driving stakes, cutting trails or cutting brush, or in dispatching your catch, and is too big to be any type of good knife for skinning
the sized animals commonly trapped. I also got to know quite a few trappers and the tools of the trade are pretty much the same for anyone I ever knew. A 102 is about as big as you ever would want to use for skinning and would still be too big for the smaller animals such as muskrat and mink. I really like the 119 and own quite a few of them, but not really what I would consider a trappers knife.
Just my experience and my 2 cents.
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Thanks for the advice. I only trapped for a few seasons, then I moved. I live in town now, which sucks, but once Im out of college I can start again. Woo! :)It wasnt my only tool, so you know. I carried a hatchet or tomahawk, though no need where I lived for a machete. I didnt use it for skinning either, I used a Trapper pocketknife. The 119 would have been a little unwieldy... :Dlol It was handy for field work: finishing trap stakes, skinning twigs for beaver sets, cutting string etc. instead of pulling out that pocket knife while I had my hands full.
 
Good luck with your future trapping. Almost impossible to make any money trapping anymore. When I was trapping you could get $25-$30 for a raccoon, $5 for a muskrat, and $30 for a blanket beaver.
gas was 59 cents a gallon and rent for a 2 bedroom duplex was under $200. Now fur prices are 25-30% less than they were than and we all know what living expenses are nowadays.
On average I would make $2500 a month for the 1st couple months of trapping and around half that the last couple months. That was good money back than. Now you would make maybe $1500 tops for the 1st couple months with around $500 in expenses. A fun hobby but hard to justify the payoff for the amount of work you have to put in it.
 
Makael said:
Agreed. Maybe the 124 with squared off handles but the 119 is pretty much round.
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Double-agree. I've just received a 124 and that handle is definitely larger and blocky compared to my 119. I am lucky to have large hands though and the 124 is great for my grip. I just can't get on with the 102 so my better half adopted it. It fits her perfectly and she's now a Buck convert for life.
 
If I were you I'd be looking at either a Buck 118 personal,or a cabèlas alaskan guide vanguard.These knives will fit much better for you and what you want to do.
 
I felt the same way so I profiled the handle on my 119, but the 102 is great as is.
There are flats where your fingers sit, but the handle is skinnier and doesn't feel like a fat square chunk.
Neither does the 212 fixed ranger because it to is smaller than the 119.
 
Jeff of the North said:
Double-agree. I've just received a 124 and that handle is definitely larger and blocky compared to my 119. I am lucky to have large hands though and the 124 is great for my grip. I just can't get on with the 102 so my better half adopted it. It fits her perfectly and she's now a Buck convert for life.
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Upon further review, I can see how someone would consider the 119 blocky. Because I also have a 124, it makes the 119 feel slightly smaller and more round.
 
Every hand is different. Short and wide, long and skinny. Then what are you using it for. Light pressure and delicate cutting or gorilla grip to put full force into a cut. It all plays a role and it's why I have more than one knife. I don't recommend modifying the knife unless you know what your doing or you don't care if you mess it up. It is a good way to learn though.
 
gedlicks said:
Good luck with your future trapping. Almost impossible to make any money trapping anymore. When I was trapping you could get $25-$30 for a raccoon, $5 for a muskrat, and $30 for a blanket beaver.
gas was 59 cents a gallon and rent for a 2 bedroom duplex was under $200. Now fur prices are 25-30% less than they were than and we all know what living expenses are nowadays.
On average I would make $2500 a month for the 1st couple months of trapping and around half that the last couple months. That was good money back than. Now you would make maybe $1500 tops for the 1st couple months with around $500 in expenses. A fun hobby but hard to justify the payoff for the amount of work you have to put in it.
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Thanks, and yeah its a shame. I never made much money at it, but its not about the money. I started because my dad had an issue with beavers in an irrigation pond, and once I started I just didnt want to quit. I just love being outdoors, and I love animals. I quit because I moved, I now live in Idaho to finish my Wildlife Resources bachelors degree. So I live in town. :( Once Im out of school, I cant wait to trap again. I want to try my hand at coyote and wolf trapping. With the way prices have been, I expect I will be doing it for free though. Lol
 
Thanks for the help everyone. I ended up getting a 118 on the exchange here for a good price, so hopefully itll work for me. I have high hopes, even though I dont like the design as much as the 105. Ill try to update when I get the knife.
 
BuckShack said:
Every hand is different. Short and wide, long and skinny. Then what are you using it for. Light pressure and delicate cutting or gorilla grip to put full force into a cut. It all plays a role and it's why I have more than one knife. I don't recommend modifying the knife unless you know what your doing or you don't care if you mess it up. It is a good way to learn though.
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I thought about modifying it, but I wasnt sure I could sand the phenolic material.
 
Came across this old thread and thought I would update it.

The 118 was ok, but I wasnt a fan of the upswept tip. I got rid of it.

I got a 105 and I absolutely love it! Perfect size for me and very comfy. Mine is D2 steel and it holds a great edge.

I also found a 117 in 420hc and I really like it too. Its great, with the same handle as the 118 and 105, just a shorter blade.

Lastly, I ended up getting another 119 lol. I found one so cheap I couldnt resist it and I have enjoyed using it as long as Im not chopping things (that handle is still alittle bit blocky, and I havent sanded it). I mostly use it in the kitchen.
 
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