Buck Marksman - My definition of strong

S

sch3ric

Joined
Jun 15, 2014
Messages
57
Ok guys, here it is the review after using and abusing the Buck Marksman.
Im carrying it since 2 months nearly everyday and it rides in my pocket quite well. (most of the time I dont even notice when its there)
First thing to sort of complain is that the pocket clip is really tight and you need a lot of force to get it out. But thats something you can fix.
When you open it with the flipper it opens really fast because of the ball bearing system. Some people asked me if its an auto folder but its actually not, it opens so fast because of the ball bearing system.
When the sls (strong lock system) engages its almost a fixed blade. In my opinion it isnt very innovative because there were folders with ringlocks, its almost the same lock idea. But thats not a bad thing because when its engaged I was impressed how strong it was. Buck tested it and said that it withstood 600 pounds. I was batoning with it and it hold up great after 3 sticks there was some horizontal blade-play but that was a very easy to fix I only tightened the pivot and it was gone. If the strap wears you can adjust it too. And theres another thing to complain: When you use it a lot the pivot loosens really fast. In the field that really sucks and causes some horizontal blade-play.

Now to the blade its a drop point blade (bee blast finish) and this thing is hair shaving sharp even after 2 months of use I only strapped it a couple of times. I was really impressed and I believe its just because of the bos heat threat.

Closing the blade: You need to get used to but you can close it one handed. I do it exactly like the guy in the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLzHVlsQn30

The handles: They are made out of aircraft grade aluminium and are anodized. The anodization wears away quite quickly. But the handles are comfortable at least in my hands.


Now a before and after use: (I put gyazo links cause I dont understand that picture system)

Before:http://gyazo.com/b0454883decd8b8f17c4122088262ae8
http://gyazo.com/ad021b68089e451da696ff17c6285db5
http://gyazo.com/c36032848973d8f0f5f9609c811fe45e

After :http://gyazo.com/a0b25d8470a4dcb1a35aedc3b50e9114
http://gyazo.com/d59600df7257daa4414aa4066364b539

And some photos when I was scouting last week: (if you are interested):cool:

http://gyazo.com/643330557e8364b0d36f3043db2de21a
http://gyazo.com/790dbf3fe02b4330f3692fdf70bb4ca1

Pros::thumbup:
-Easy 1 handed use
-Really lightweight
-Holds an edge really long
-Has no bladeplay
-You get something really good for the money
-Possible horizontal and vertical adjustments to eliminate any blade-play

Cons::thumbdn:
-Anodized coating wears away fast
-Pivot gets loose quickly after batoning
-(Tight pocket clip)

I would recommend you to carry a 3mm allen key for adjusting the pivot and eliminating any blade-play. Thats something I really liked, a folder without blad-eplay.
Huh. That was quite a long review, I know that. Its actually my first.:D
If you have any questions feel free to ask. Maybe I didnt mention something.:confused:
And the specs you can find in the internet. I didnt wrote them here because the post would become way too long.
Thx for your patience and time to read this.
 
How is that 154cm,is it to sharpen?did you do any hard cutting that kills the edge(heavy cardboard,hard plastic etc?)
 
btw, when you batton with a folder, you'll break it eventually. A little known secret is to disengage the lock and then batton. This way you don't damage the lock.
 
Put some Blue Locktite on the Pivot screw. Problem solved.

I love my Marksman. Its great to see Buck producing these kinds of knifes.
 
I never really needed to sharpen it I only touched it up with some leather and that was enough. I almost got a mirror edge. Here is a fact I opened the knife once when I was on my laptop and the tip touched the aluminium really hard in this part dulling has appeard but its still a usable edge. it made a 1mm deep scratch into my aluminium laptop.XD .The dulling on the picture looks really worse than it actually is (its an iphone 4 camera) And the batoning was really easy with it. I hope you liked my review.

http://gyazo.com/5a822a3e61b4a587e7272733a12cbfd6
http://gyazo.com/0ea8c03f862f00e2183bc03f8152bbc1
 
Im here to help you out. So if you have any questions about the Buck Marksman please feel free to ask.
 
OK, here's a can of worms...at the (approximate) price...Marksman or Griptilllian/Mini Griptillian?
 
John_0917 said:
OK, here's a can of worms...at the (approximate) price...Marksman or Griptilllian/Mini Griptillian?
Click to expand...
I'd go with the Marksman.
Why? I think the 154CM that Buck uses has a better heat treat, better materials throughout, very smooth thanks to ball bearings, stronger lock (Buck has tested the lock to 600 pounds), no polymer, better pocket clip, and looks better IMO.
 
I agree, I have four Griptilians and really like them (they're actually all sprint versions in CPM -M4, but disregarding steel) for $80-$90 I'd take the marksman for sure over the 154cm griptilian
 
bradytx said:
I'd go with the Marksman.
Why? I think the 154CM that Buck uses has a better heat treat, better materials throughout, very smooth thanks to ball bearings, stronger lock (Buck has tested the lock to 600 pounds), no polymer, better pocket clip, and looks better IMO.
Click to expand...

Most of that is opinion/personal preference but the "stronger lock" part is just incorrect.

Here is the video where Benchmade tests the 551's Axis lock to failure...at 763 lbs.

[video=youtube_share;u4HHoLgLXg8]http://youtu.be/u4HHoLgLXg8[/video]
 
The problem is that Buck never did a video with the marksman for lock testing. Maybe it would held up even more then 600 pound. Maybe they couldnt test further. We sadly dont know.
 
bradytx said:
I'd go with the Marksman.
Why? I think the 154CM that Buck uses has a better heat treat, better materials throughout, very smooth thanks to ball bearings, stronger lock (Buck has tested the lock to 600 pounds), no polymer, better pocket clip, and looks better IMO.
Click to expand...

Not sure what makes you think Buck uses a better HT for 154CM...

I don't quite understand the fascination with ball-baring pivots, every BM axis knife I've handled swings open/closed freely with no side-side play and only uses washers.

The marksman clip looks OK but may be very uncomfortable in use whereas the BM is well placed to minimize discomfort and also make for easy removal from the pocket.

As has already been mentioned, the only evidence (data) available is that BM's AXIS-lock is stronger than Buck's strap-lock, and it is also more user friendly. Further destruction-tests demonstrate how strong/durable the Grip's poly-handle and partial liners are.

The strap-lock also gives the impression that it may fail (slip) easily, similar to traditional back-lock designs, and the free-swinging blade will quickly injure the user, not good. I've read the the strap-lock detent is quite poor, another user-safety concern.

IMHO, the buck is sleek and attractive, well engineered and at an affordable price :thumbup::thumbup: A nice step up from the poor engineering of the vantage-series liner-locks. But I am leery of the Marksman and would sooner trust a traditional lockback from Buck or just go with a Grip.
 
Ok. Intresting. I really do want to make a hard use test of the buck marksman. But somehow I dont want to ruin it too. I ordered it really early and payed 139 dollars for it. I really dont know if thats worth it.
What do you think?
 
Yes I do know. But where I live I could only order it in one shop otherwise I would have had problems with law.
 
Chiral,
You don't like free swinging blades but you state that the BM is free swinging? You have read that the lock strap is poor but have never used it? Please don't use double standards and third hand info when reviewing a product. It makes it look like you are very biased and not to be taken seriously. Comparing these two knives is apples and oranges for the most part. They are very different designs and functions. I have both. I like the Buck better in the long run. Both are good designs and each one serves its purpose very well.
 
SOLEIL said:
Chiral,
You don't like free swinging blades but you state that the BM is free swinging? You have read that the lock strap is poor but have never used it? Please don't use double standards and third hand info when reviewing a product. It makes it look like you are very biased and not to be taken seriously. Comparing these two knives is apples and oranges for the most part. They are very different designs and functions. I have both. I like the Buck better in the long run. Both are good designs and each one serves its purpose very well.
Click to expand...

Show me the bias, the "double standards and third hand info".

I like free-swinging blades IF optimized for user safety, i.e. the blade has a reliable detent when closed and a secure lock when deployed. If the detent is poor, the lack of friction on the tang will allow the blade to inadvertently open more and more easily, posing danger to the user. If the lock slips (through poor purchase or accidental disengagement or both), the same. There is no double standard here.

The marksman pocket-clip is the same as on the vantage line, where I found it uncomfortable. The grip clip is the same as on the presidio-line, where I have found it more comfortable than the other. That's first-hand info on the clip.

I've never had a problem with BM Axis-lock detent or lock-up, and there are numerous videos demonstrating the strength of the axis-lock in the precise model asked about. That is first hand and second hand info.
In contrast, the first video i come across regarding the Marksman shows detent issues: https://www.youtube.com/watch?annot...&feature=iv&src_vid=dk7d12kTD7g&v=i0c22PWZAeM
That is second-hand info.
I have had such problems with liner locks - insufficient liner tension or detent-ball size or detent hole size, as well as slipping liners. Those are common problems with liner-locks, as attested by, again, first and second-hand info.
I've also seen lock-slip associated with insufficient depth of purchase on traditional back-lock designs (again, first and second hand). Well, this is another type of back-lock with similar purchase depth - why would I expect anything different?
I don't need to have the knife in hand to voice concerns based on data, physics, and similar designs, to make potential buyers aware of such concerns, and to challenge the unsubstantiated assertions of others, such as posters being "very biased".

Comparing the two designs is sensible. Both are similarly sized cutting tools designed for, presumably, the same tasks (unless the one is designed simply to look good and not be used hard, like a "gentleman's folder", which i do not believe), and are available at a similar price point. The construction, deployment mechanisms, locks, and overall aesthetic of the two are different and that is what is being compared. You have offered nothing as to WHY you like one over the other. Because it's prettier? Greater ethos? Has better ergos? How about giving us a detailed review of the pros/cons? For example: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...r-knives-and-a-TIMOS-handmade-knife-(feature)
 
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