Buck Lightning or Oddysee?

Jedi Knife

Jedi Knife

Banned
Joined
May 6, 1999
Messages
728
I'm thinking about getting one of these, but I would like to hear from someone who has handled both of them to see what their impressions are. I like the smaller model Lightning, especially the anodized colors. An olive green would be a cool color!
Any thoughts?

JK
 
Jedi,
I haven't handled these two Bucks but I have to say this to you:
Your moniker is about the best I have read in a long time, and your timing is perfect, too.
smile.gif


May the forums be with you

welcome to the forum!
Regards.

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~Greg~

 
I have not handled the lightning but I have the odyssey with ATS-34. I would personally go with this knife because of the blade steel. The other buck knives use 420HC steel which is ok, but ATS is the best you know. The edge can be sharpened to serious razor sharpness, and it doesn't go away after cutting junk like cardboard. It is easy to carry because of the pocket clip. The only thing I dislike about the knife is the thermoplastic handles are not aluminum like the lightning. Whatever is more important to you.
 
I prefer the pocket size of the Lightning better, but I've been carring the Odyssey for the last couple of weeks, and it is just as comfy in my back pocket as the Lightning.

The blade steel diff is an important factor.


Jeff

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Jeff "Without data it's just another opinion" Hubbard
JeffH@buckknives.com
www.buckknives.com
Watch for Pete's Custom Knife Shoppe on www.buckknives.com


 
Greg,
try this one
'May the 4th be with you'. It's our anniversary date, and it is actually inscribed exactly as above in our rings. I never forget my anniversary!!! This saying was the theme of our wedding...

Jeff



------------------
Jeff "Without data it's just another opinion" Hubbard
JeffH@buckknives.com
www.buckknives.com
Watch for Pete's Custom Knife Shoppe on www.buckknives.com


 
Excellent Jeff, excellent!
smile.gif
Much better than inscribing "may the forums be with you".
smile.gif


I wish I could be that clever.

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~Greg~

 
I own one small partially serrated Lightning HTA I and one plain edge Odyssey I ATS-34 (not the carbon fiber model).

I have written a short "review" of the Lightning in the review section. In short: I like the size, the solid lock and the finish. I don't like the fact that I can't get a good edge on the plain part of the edge and the fact that it doesn't have any clip.

I would like to see the smaller cobalt blue Lightning in ATS-34(or better) steel and with a pocket clip. I would buy one right away
smile.gif


All I can say about the Odyssey is that I really like this knife. Very good value for the money. Smooth, solid opening/locking and a really sharp edge. It looks pretty cool to.

My advice would be to buy one of the "old" Odyssey I, plain edge in ATS-34 steel. If you decide to buy the Lightning, buy a plain edge one.

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/Jonas



[This message has been edited by Jonas (edited 12 May 1999).]
 
Thanks Jonas,

You just answered some questions I had posted in another thread. Looking around at the Knifecenter, I am under the impression that the small Lightning partially serrated is being discontinued, and the plain edge large Lightning is being discontinued.
I agree, the small Lightning should have a pocket clip on it. I don't know who the "expert" is that started the popular myth that smaller knives don't need pocket clips on them, but I'd sure like to share a few choice words with her. (Had to be someone who doesn't actually carry a knife around.)

JK
 
Guys,
the small will have a pocket clip soon. Its just a matter of when we can release it. Also the serration options will most likely come back, so big or small you can get the blade the way you want.
Jonas, let me know more about your edging complications.

Jeff

------------------
Jeff "Without data it's just another opinion" Hubbard
Quality Supervisor

JeffH@buckknives.com
www.buckknives.com
Watch for Pete's Custom Knife Shoppe on www.buckknives.com

 
Might I suggest you obtain the Odyssey II with the new Carbon fiber handle. I have one on order
but it has not yet arrived. The model # is 182FX.
 
Jeff, my "problem" with the sharpness of my Lightning(semi serrated) is maybe that I compare it with my Odyssey ATS-34(plain edge). The Odyssey came shaving sharp right out of the box and I mean shaving sharp, I've got hairless arms to prove it. The
Lightning was sharp right out of the box but not nearly as sharp as the Odyssey. I have tried to sharpen it but I don't feel that I can get it as sharp as the Odyssey. Maybe I should get a "Sharpening for dummies" book or something...

I don't own a lot of knives and I haven't thought that much about different steels before. But by just "looking" at these two knives my feeling is that the ATS-34 give you a sharper edge. Thats wy I ramble on about a cobolt blue Lightning with ATS-34 or better steel. See my new topic

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/Jonas

 
Today I picked up one of each of these Bucks. I agree that the ATS34 is sharper out of the box, but I got the Lightning for my wife and she thought it was cute and sharp enough. I'll soon fix that !! A few minutes on my sharpmaker will put a "vorpal" edge on it. I'll report back on both of these soon, just got to wring them out a bit first.
 
I have forwarded this discussion to our engineering department. I have asked them to do some initial cut studies to determine if different steels actually do take better edges. Edge holding is no question but initial cut will be interesting.

I was giving a tour of the line yesterday and even the thick edged 650's in 420HC (our Nighthawk) would shave my arm.

I did have a BG-42 large Lightning made for me to test and it is the sharpest edge I had ever felt, so maybe there is something to the edge, more than just technique.
 
JK,
Good luck in finding the plain edge Odyssey in ATS34. I have one left in stock and am thinking of pulling it out for myself and replacing my old Benchmade Panther.

All of the new plain edge Odysseys will be 420HC. (Jeff knows what I think of THAT idea;-()

Personally, I think that the Odyssey is a better choice if you are looking for a "working" knife. The ATS34 partially serrated one is the best value I have seen in a long time.

If you want a knife for both dress and work, then the lightning might be a better choice. It is a classier knife, although a little heavier and smaller blade, it has a smoooooth action.

In my store, when I have showed both the Odyssey and the Lightning to customers, all but one have bought the Odyssey. Price may have something to do with it, but the reaction to the Odyssey is usually much more favorable than the Lightning. The most common statement is that the Lightning is heavier than they thought it would be. Something to think about.

Good luck.

Dennis

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Isn't it amazing how 2 cents worth of opinion takes up a quarter's worth of paper???

Please excuse the crayon. They won't let us have anything sharp in here.
wrightknife@ixpres.com

 
Jonas,
You are right on the perception that the ATS-34 blade is sharper, because it is. It will take a finer edge without rolling over. I don't think it is in your sharpening skills, although the same blade with different edges will perform differently. I've been carrying a BG-42 set of Lightnings, and they are sharper than the ATS-34 Odyssey I've been using.. but the cost differences between all the steels is large also.

Jeff

------------------
Jeff "Without data it's just another opinion" Hubbard
Quality Supervisor

JeffH@buckknives.com
www.buckknives.com
Watch for Pete's Custom Knife Shoppe on www.buckknives.com

 
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