Buck for the Beach?

M

Messersmith

Joined
Jun 30, 2006
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Can anyone suggest a Buck folder for the beach? I'm looking for something I can clip in my swim trunks that will stand up to the sand and surf, pool water too.

We'll be spending some time in Clearwater in a few weeks and I'm trying to decide what knives to bring. How does 420HC hold up in saltwater?
 
Messy...
That is a loaded question.

Speedo, thong, loose around the thigh trunks, tight trunks, with or without pockets or that little mesh pocket on the inside?

Hmmmm, well, I think that a 172 TNT S30V will fit the bill. A 198 is heavier but significantly cheaper. A 881 will drop your shorts unless ya wear 'em snug.

172...final answer. A good excuse to get an awesome knife.

Super light too. One wouldn't want your swimsuit coming down to your knees like happened to me while wearing a CS Voyager inside my loose-around-the-thighs trunks
that, apparently, were not tightened enough at the waist.
I jumped outta the water to reach a walk bridge over a pool as I was facing the kiddie pool.
Goose went up...trunks stayed down. :eek: :o (my kids were teens and still tell that story)
 
iffin it was me, I would use my 174 cutback. Smaller, tight clip, cheaper to replace should you have to stab a shark and the shark swims off with it. don't go in the water....lol:D
 
Buck Bantam, composite handles, clip and SS blade.Cheap, functional and if you do lose it, well......
 
Thanks for your ideas. Goose, good point about the weight of the knife... I got a weird visual when I read your post :eek:

I'm leaning toward something inexpensive because of the possibility of loosing it. I'll check out the Mantis, Cutback and Bantam. The other folder I'm considering is the Odyssey, but the clip on the ones I've had are not real tight and I think it would easily slip out of the waistband.

Does anyone have a pic of a Mantis, Cutback and Bantam together? Perhaps with a 110 for size refrence? :D
 
Just my 2 cents but I am not liking the idea of wearing any knife in the surf, unless you are just walking around in the shallows. If your going body surfing, boogy boarding or surfing though, my experience has been that eventually everything on your person ends up in the sand. Never lost my trunks thank goodness! :o Salt water is brutal on any metal so it would be good to thoroughly wash any knife in soapy water, then air dry and oil. The problem is if the knife does not really lend itself to being totally taken apart. You have to get every bit of water out of the workings or the workings will stop working. :rolleyes:
The only knives I actually tested in salt water were fillet knives of 425mod. They did fine exposed to salt water all day but if I did not clean them, they got rust spots.
The model 122 Nemo was finally discontinued because most guys would not clean them off after use in salt water and they rusted up pretty good.
 
Thanks for your input Joe. Florida beaches are not known for surfing or boogy boarding, but I get your point. Everything will get sand in it. Maybe the best approach would be to stow my folder in a bag and be happy with that. Although it would be fun to see how a knife holds up in the sand and surf.
 
Yeah Messy...that was a visual all right. All I can imagine is some mom/pop taking a video or pic of their kid in the kiddie pool and looking at the results at home showing their vacation pics and wondering "what the hell is that guy doing in the background?!?!?!".

And, yes, Joe's point about sand is valid and the salt water very valid.
I have the mesh pocket in my trunks. Very important not to have that knife not accidentally slip open while body surfing (which I do when I go "home") or grunion grabbing on the beach. The pocket has a closure to help, but not guarantee an unintentional "freindly fire" opening. But sand WILL get in there.

Because of the sand, I carried the CS (plastic handle). That was before I had the 172TNT. The 172 is open with spacers between the grips. Easy to clean. Whatever you choose...be certain to wash it like crazy under fresh water as you would a good watch exposed to sand and salt.

Certainly would not consider a ASAP or LEAP...sand in that would be a Bad Day at Black Rock...
 
Evil Eye Earl said:
I know you said folder,but you might give the Buck/Mayo Kaala
neck knife...easy to rinse and clean.
Click to expand...

Good point EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
Or, that other necker...the one that looks like The Artist Formerly Known as Prince...the Hartshook.

I don't have a Hartshook, too teeny for me, but the more I goof around with the Kaala, the more I like it.
Can't wear it concealed here in Calif so I would NEVER do that. ;)
 
I have given both the Kaala and Hartsook some thought, not only for this trip but for general use. The only thing holding me back is that I've never used a neck knife and I'm not sure how practical it would be for me.

This would be a good excuse to buy one and give it a try....
 
Messersmith said:
I have given both the Kaala and Hartsook some thought, not only for this trip but for general use. The only thing holding me back is that I've never used a neck knife and I'm not sure how practical it would be for me.

This would be a good excuse to buy one and give it a try....
Click to expand...

Messy,

I think you should get one and try to batton it!!!! LOL

jb4570
 
I settled on a Buck Mantis, mostly because Kmart had them for $6.00! Picked it up on the way to the airport and threw it into my checked baggage. Cool little knife. It survived day one poolside (so did I! LOL).
 
Just to follow up on this.... I carried the Mantis for almost two weeks of vacation and it help up very well! It survived 5 or so days at the beach (in the water and sand) as well as daily dunks in the pool. Each night I gave it a good washing and a drop of oil on the pivot. Still looks like new.

I forgot and had it in my pocket when I arrived at the airport.... tried to give it to the curbside baggage guy but he said he couldn't take it. So I slipped it in my checked bag at the last minute. It's in the drawer this week and I'm back to my typical EDC: Dorado, 112 or Odyssey.
 
What about a Tiburon? With 17-7 PH steel it was made for salt water use. Granted it is not a folder but it is not overly large so it should fill the same purpose. Thoughts?
 
I don't know much about the Tiburon. It looks cool, but I kinda wanted a folder that I could just slip into my pocket. Have you used a Tiburon Richard?
 
No, I'm sorry I haven't. I was basing my comments on the purpose the knife was developed for which is marine use. It looks like it would be pretty handy and capable of being used for a variety of purposes related to water sports.
 
I love Buck knives but when it comes to salt water exposure I always carry my Boye sailing knife. I have a zippered back pocket on my swim trunks and it stays in there whenever I go in the water. It has a cobalt blade that can't rust and a titanium marlin spike which is really useful. I've had this knife for 6 years or so and have never seen a spot of rust on it. If Buck made a knife like that I'd buy it.
 
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