Buck Hartsook Fixed Blade

Phil Elmore

Phil Elmore

Joined
Feb 28, 2002
Messages
7,636
Buck Knives' Hartsook is a diminutive fixed blade packaged with a simple plastic sheath. Designed for neck or possibly keychain carry, the little Hartsook is primarily a low-profile tactical backup knife, but it could function perfectly well as a small utility blade or even a backup field knife for fine work. Its specifications are as follows:

Blade Length: 1.88 inches
Blade Steel: S30V with Black Oxide Coating
Overall Length: 4.25 inches
Sheath Material: Molded Nylon
Weight: 0.5 ounces

The little knife is extremely thin. At half an ounce, you'll barely know it's there, in or out of the Nylon sheath. The sheath has loops large enough for paracord (though if you go hanging a simple, knotted paracord strap around your neck, you're taking the risk of choking yourself).

hartsook00.jpg


The blade fits snugly inside the sheath with just the tiniest amount of rattle (which is caused mostly by the weight of the paracord lanyard hanging from the handle). Drawing it with one hand is just a little awkward, because you have to push the sheath away from the handle in order to make the plastic knob on the sheath clear the hole in the handle where the two mate. When reinserting the knife, I found I usually pushed the handle past this retention knob and had to back the handle off to get it seated properly.

The Hartsook's cutting edge is ground on both sides and had a nice working edge out of the box. It penetrates well because it is so thin, and it slices decently thanks to its curve and taper.

hartsook01.jpg


In my large hands, the paracord lanyard formed a handle extension of sorts. The contours of the handle locked the little knife into my mitt without difficulty, while the grooves cut into the handle and spine improved handling and traction. The forward set of grooves is the natural purchase point for the thumb, while the rear grooves just help the knife stay in the hand.

This is the sort of little knife that anyone can own, carry, and conceal. It's accesssible to all knife buyers. I have to admit that there's a certain elegance in its simplicity. Its form follows its function and is no more or less than required.
 
I just got the economy version called the Smidgen in 420HC, same dimensions and sheath, just different steel.

Handy little utility blades!
 
Good review. I just got one of these as well and am impressed with it.
 
Phil, good review of an understated knife

For a better grip.
I lenghtened the paracord fob so I can slip my pinky into the loop.
The longer fob on my pinky gives me a contra pressure when I am holding the knife by the choil.
So by slightly pulling back on the fob, it keeps the knife more steady, and stops this little thin knife twisting in my hand.

If the Smidgen in 420HC was availiable, I would have purchased it instead.
I find it is too much work to get the S30V razor sharp, and it is too small to take heavy work to have that high quality steel. I reprofiled the edge to get an almost scalp effect.
I would have prefered an easier steel to keep sharp for the amount of work you can use it.
On the other hand now the S30V is sharp, I will not need to sharpen it for a long time as the blade will have so little hard use.
I have the old sheath which is loose unless you tension the top of the sheath with a couple of turn with electrical tape.

It is always with me in my bum bag on a breakaway chain with a whistle and flashlight, so I can put it round my neck for a multi trauma situation (bomb attacks as it happens here).
 
Didn't they "improve" the sheath?
The one I had had a weak/loose sheath :(

It is a cool little knife
Nice review Phil
Good pics too!!!:thumbup:
 
There was a thread about the change in sheaths. I can't recall exactly what changed, but it did improve the retention. I think that the sheath pictured is the new one but might be mistaken.
 
JB in SC said:
There was a thread about the change in sheaths. I can't recall exactly what changed, but it did improve the retention. I think that the sheath pictured is the new one but might be mistaken.
Click to expand...

The old one was just a slip case. The one pictured is the new one. What changed was the buttun you see at the top of the case that goes through the top hole of the knife. In order to retrieve the blade, one must depress that button.
 
harkamus said:
The old one was just a slip case. The one pictured is the new one. What changed was the buttun you see at the top of the case that goes through the top hole of the knife. In order to retrieve the blade, one must depress that button.
Click to expand...

I'm not suffering from dementia after all...that's good news :)
 
Nice Review, Phil.
Great pictures that demonstrate using the knife.
Very helpful.
 
Good review, and a very cool little knife. I almost forget about carrying mine, but quickly remember why I do when it comes time to use it.
 
Good review , great little knife.

Had mine for a while now but it's one of those I never use for some reason... I found it had a much nicer appearance after giving it a light rub with fine steel wool , has a gun metal color now.

There was an old thread where someone made scales for their Hartsook , neat idea since it is a little hard to hold being so tiny.
 
neeman said:
Phil, good review of an understated knife

For a better grip.
I lenghtened the paracord fob so I can slip my pinky into the loop.
The longer fob on my pinky gives me a contra pressure when I am holding the knife by the choil.
So by slightly pulling back on the fob, it keeps the knife more steady, and stops this little thin knife twisting in my hand.

If the Smidgen in 420HC was availiable, I would have purchased it instead.
I find it is too much work to get the S30V razor sharp, and it is too small to take heavy work to have that high quality steel. ...
...
.
Click to expand...

I did the same 'fob' thing.
Tied a knot in it, placed so that the knife plus the fob length makes a 'full sized' grip.
I, also, would've gotten the 420 version...S30V is a pain to sharpen in a blade this small.

I recall being somewhat disappointed when I first got it in the mail...
"I paid $25 for this sliver of steel!!??"
But I shortly came to love it... :)
 
I have this knife as well; great for small utility tasks. I love the looks, too.
 
At the moment my Buck Hartsook is hanging from the key fob of my GMC. It's a very nice addition to an EDC setup and has been surprisingly handy. The stock is thick enough to be sturdy, but thin enough to allow you to use the tang as a screwdriver if you left your multitool or SAK at home.

I give it a thumbs-up. :thumbup:
 
I've used it as a screwdriver many,many times. It is the handiest knife there is IMO. It completely replaced the sak for me. it's s30v treated by P.Bos. Can't go wrong
 
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