Buck Hoodlum

[Horn Dog]

My new Buck Hoodlum came in today. This is one pointy, light, wicked blade. Feels more like a fighter than a chopper.

The sheath is very loose fitting. I'd prefer it if the liner gripped the blade some. Anyway, I moved the cord and lock to the pommel for a lanyard. Then I took the Buck out to slash some palmettos.

It is a very effective short machete. Light in the hand, the big Buck balances right at the front of the handle scales. But at 14 oz, it's a chore chopping hard dry wood with it. Still, it gets the job done. As for the shock mitigation system handle....well it still stings a bit to chop hard wood.

The handle came loose during the hard chopping. Maybe I should locktite those screws. I batoned it through some wood. No problems.

In summary, this is a nice light woods knife. While not as powerful as some choppers, it can chop. It slashes really well and carries light as a feather. It would make a nice backpack knife.

 

[sitflyer]

Thanx for those great photos and first impressions Horndog.
How did your edge hold up to the chopping?
I think I NEED a hoodlum

 

[Horn Dog]

The edge held up well, and that was some hard wood. I put a nice convex edge on it later. I like 5160 steel. I also put thread lock on the handle screws.

 

[sodak]

I've been tempted by this one, thanks for the review and pictures! Assuming the heat treat is done well, 5160 should be a very tough steel for outdoors use. Buck usually gets their heat treat perfect, IMHO.

 

[RAZORBLADES]

Thats a real hog of a knife !

 

[rpn]

I keep looking at this, the junglee short sword and kabar grass machete.

Think I just have an itch for something big and fast!

 

[Coyote3855]

Thank you for the great pictures and review. What's the purpose of the notch in the top of the blade?

 

[Haebbie]

As Joe told, Ron Hood used it to fish the hot water kettle
out of the camp fire ;-)). Its wire strap fits to the notch perfectly.

But isn't it the famous Hood style one tooth bone saw?

Best,
Haebbie

 

[BG42EDGE]

One notch means you have killed one wild boar with that knife. Soon there are many notches and you can use it as a saw.



I saw him score (make a mark) across a bone and then hit the bone and break it to get the marrow.

He said it was easier to break the bone after scoring it with that little notch.

Didn't look convincing, but then I'm not into breaking bones to get the marrow anyway.....not sure how or whether it works or was just for marketing.

 

[Pack Rat]

Thanks for the tip on the locktite! :thumbup:

 

[Badhammer]

Thanks for posting HD. The Buck Hoodlum, while I'll probably never use it as intended, is still on my short list of Bucks to acquire. Just something about it that I like.