Buck Marksman - what does everyone think?

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bradytx

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Jul 9, 2013
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The new Buck Marksman looks to be a solid new knife, but I haven't heard much on it. I think the aesthetics, and blade shape are perfect. The strap lock is different, but intriguing. Also, the 154CM steel is plenty nice. These are going for around $90.

I do wish the knife was a framelock, but kept the general look.

Buck: come out with a frame lock version of this knife, and you'd have a major hit on your hands. Wow.

The internal components of the Marksman look super high quality, check out this Bladeforum thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1171832-Inside-the-Buck-830-Marksman
 
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I played a little with one and didn't much alike it. Detent was weak so I had problems getting it to lock up when flipped. Not really an issue normally, but then the tang hit the strap lock and then bounced/yoyo'ed the blade closed rather than locking. A strong wrist flick was 100% needed.
 
KAEDC said:
I played a little with one and didn't much alike it. Detent was weak so I had problems getting it to lock up when flipped. Not really an issue normally, but then the tang hit the strap lock and then bounced/yoyo'ed the blade closed rather than locking. A strong wrist flick was 100% needed.
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That was a worry of mine, not sure why they didn't just make this a frame lock. IMO a frame lock Marksman would be a hit for Buck.
 
Frame or liner lock would have made this one much better. As it is it's neat as a concept piece not as much for using IMO.
 
We have sold a good number of these and not had one single complaint. The lock is actually a pretty cool invention from Grant and Gavin Hawk but it takes time to get used to it. With a little practice it is actually very smooth and easy to open and close. Just like any new knife that you are not used to, there is a break in period. I really like the fact that as time goes by and wear becomes an issue, you can adjust the lock to make up for that wear. It is pretty ingenious.

Whitty
 
No complaints with mine other than the pocket clip is a little too tight but I can remedy that.
 
whitty said:
We have sold a good number of these and not had one single complaint. The lock is actually a pretty cool invention from Grant and Gavin Hawk but it takes time to get used to it. With a little practice it is actually very smooth and easy to open and close. Just like any new knife that you are not used to, there is a break in period. I really like the fact that as time goes by and wear becomes an issue, you can adjust the lock to make up for that wear. It is pretty ingenious.

Whitty
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That's kind of what I wanted to hear. I may have to buy one now. Looks quality that's for sure, a lot of knife for 90 or so bucks.
 
I wouldn't recommend it. I made the mistake of bringing it up in the Buck subforum. Perhaps you can still find the post if it hasn't been deleted.
 
Played with one at SMKW and didn't like it, too big and just didn't care for the action of the thing. I'm sure it would be ok after some practice, but it's kind of like the Kershaw E.T. Just wierd and not as practical for me as more conventional designs. It's probably the smoothest folder I have ever handled and the quality was top notch on the example I held, just not my cup of tea.
 
mrdeus said:
I wouldn't recommend it. I made the mistake of bringing it up in the Buck subforum. Perhaps you can still find the post if it hasn't been deleted.
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Nothing has been deleted. Not sure why you would make that comment?
 
whitty said:
The lock is actually a pretty cool invention from Grant and Gavin Hawk but it takes time to get used to it.

Whitty
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That strap lock is actually pretty ancient, but yes I'll agree with Whitty that Grant and Gavin did a good job designing their version for the Marksman. I've owned a couple and had to sell them when times got tough, but they are solid, reliable knives.

The handles are anodized aluminum so it keeps the weight down, but you still get 3.5 inches of 154CM. As for the guys who didn't care for the action, I think it was just technique. The blades rides on bearings. You really have to commit to a flip, it's not hard. No wrist flick is required, you just need to push button it like a ZT or Hinderer.

As for people preferring a framelock, well those are dominating the market and I do love a well-executed framelock. It was just nice to have something different for a change.
 
I'm curious about one hand manipulation opening and closing. Maybe I'm just looking at it wrong but it looks like closing requires two hands.
 
BenLong1018 said:
Try using the search function next time there are threads on this knife already.
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Try not to be a condescending know it all. Are you a mod? Didn't see it on your profile, so otherwise let folks post what they want to know about and stop taking it upon yourself to police the forum.
 
I just made a post on this knife in the maintenance section, so to summarize it... The knife is great, but don't get a first gen (bead blasted blade).
 
I bought one off the forums about a month ago, I've really liked it so far, the lock takes a little getting used to, I find the easiest way disengage the lock is to hold the knife upside down and press down the lock with your thumb and use the other hand to close the blade. The action is the smoothest of any of the knives I have, it readily swings freely more so than several other ball bearing knives I have (which are also so favorites: Southard and ZT 560) I haven't had a problem with the detent the blade not locking up.
 
I really like mine, though there are a few of things that aren't ideal about it. It flips like a champ, and locks up solid (mine came with a small amount of vertical play, but tightening the tiny screw that positions the strap removed all the play easily). The blade doesn't have a liner lock or frame lock tab pushing against it, so it's amazingly free swinging. Which brings us to this problem:

KAEDC said:
I played a little with one and didn't much alike it. Detent was weak so I had problems getting it to lock up when flipped. Not really an issue normally, but then the tang hit the strap lock and then bounced/yoyo'ed the blade closed rather than locking. A strong wrist flick was 100% needed.
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. . . I agree, if you don't hit the flipper with authority the blade comes bouncing right back at you.

My other minor complaint is that the strap lock is a bit annoying to unlock (two hands is the only safe way I've found) and the handle seems unnecessarily large.

All that said, I've been using it on and off, swapping between it and my ZT 0801 for yard work and such and it's a damn solid knife as far as I can tell. Cuts circles around the 0801, but then everything does.
 
I don't like the way the lock is a complete separate piece that is screwed on to the back of the handle.it seems a bit crude or unrefined,compared to so many other locking designs...
 
It is a different kind of knife mechanism that takes practice. I first started out with two hands and can now open and close easy with one hand. Very solid, tight and quick. You have to pay a little more attention when operating it until you get used to it. Very good user reviews are available in the Buck forum, both likes and dis-likes. Did I like it? Well, I got two :D. I can adjust out any kind of blade play and make it extremely solid on lockup, as the adjustable lock bar was made to do. If you get this knife and do not take advantage of the adjustment features you are missing the best it can be.
 
SOLEIL said:
It is a different kind of knife mechanism that takes practice. I first started out with two hands and can now open and close easy with one hand. Very solid, tight and quick. You have to pay a little more attention when operating it until you get used to it. Very good user reviews are available in the Buck forum, both likes and dis-likes. Did I like it? Well, I got two :D. I can adjust out any kind of blade play and make it extremely solid on lockup, as the adjustable lock bar was made to do. If you get this knife and do not take advantage of the adjustment features you are missing the best it can be.
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Excellent review. I was on the fence about picking one up and now I will get one for sure.

Thanks
 
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