Buck Men, does size really matter?

skypeace

skypeace

Joined
Sep 3, 2015
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To me the 110 at 3-3/4" is about as small a knife blade as I want. This past year I have purchased 2 Vantages with 3-1/4" blades. Just purchased a Spitfire another 3-1/4" blade and while watching reviews on them have heard and seen folks call them big knives. Then when I look at my 119 it seems like a small knife to me.

Although today I wear a 110 on a belt sheath it was always an "in the pocket knife" for me growing up. Love it for small game. When I put a fixed blade on my belt it must take care of everything else and first and foremost it must give me just a glimmer of hope regarding a bear, wolf or mountain lion while handling most every other survival and camping function of a knife. Now I have a 120, 119 and a 124.

Is there something I am missing with the smaller 100 series? I have read a lot of woodlore books that state and recommend 4.5 to 5 inch bladed knives, but that is what I use at home to cut cheese with. Does size matter to you in the woods?
 
An axe and a 5" fixed blade knife is my choice for the woods. An axe for the big stuff and my 105 Pathfinder for everything else. Love that knife! There's a reason it's been around continuously since 1947 and Buck's longest running sheath knife. ;)

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When I’m camping and other outdoor activities I carry at least a 110 on my belt. Then I have a 117 small special 4 1/2 inch blade that’s a nice general use size, it works great for cleaning fish and small game along with camping chores. I also have a 119, 120, and a 124 for the larger chores. Depending on what I’m doing I have a selection that should cover anything. At the last of summer I got a 104 compadre 4.5 inch blade but I haven’t had a chance to use it yet. I think it will make a good camping knife.

Then I always have my 303 cadet in pocket for picking stickers and splinters or getting into small places where a big knife won’t go. It has come in real handy at times.

I’ve tried using 3 to 3.25 inch blade knives out camping but it seems I usually grab a bigger knife to do it better. So in general I prefer large blades for the heavy outdoors work. The 3.25-3.5 inch blades I use in my job as a mechanic and they work real good in that realm but still keep a 110 in my pickup should I need a bit bigger blade.
 
Growing up in TX. I used a 107 (4" blade) for most of my deer and fish processing. For Squirrel & quail I liked a 307. I also liked a 317, with two 4" blades. This was what I mostly used for field dressing. Just getting it gutted an quartered. Once I got it home I used a 6" filled blade. I did use my model 120 and it was nice. I since have settled on a Selector. I can put any blade shape I need for the job on that. DM
 
Depends on what the chore is. For a general woods knife, like that I'll take on a hike or when doing trail work, or camping, I usually take a 5" - 6" fixed blade - though yesterday I took the 120 I just got and really liked it.

Hunting is a totally different story. 3 1/2" - 4 1/2" fixed blade is perfect for hunting. My favorite buck for field dressing is the 118. This year I dressed out two deer with the 102 and it was great, but the 118 is better.
 
In my youth, I did the majority of my camping with a Swiss army knife, a Buck 112, or an Ontario pilot survival knife (one of those three, never all at once). Anything with a blade bigger than 5 inches seems needlessly huge to me regarding camping and woods work.

That doesn't mean I don't like big knives, I just don't find them beneficial and smaller knives are lighter.

The majority of my camping and hunting these days I'll bring a bigger (6+ inch blade) knife with me; but invariably I end up leaving it in the car. Unless I'm car camping, at which point I'll bring my 10 inch kitchen knife for cooking duty.
 
TAH said:
An axe and a 5" fixed blade knife is my choice for the woods. An axe for the big stuff and my 105 Pathfinder for everything else. Love that knife! There's a reason it's been around continuously since 1947 and Buck's longest running sheath knife. ;)

nBU4Z1I.jpg
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I have been on the fence regarding the 105 wondering if it would just be redundant. i have knives that are in that category that aren't Buck. I am almost of the persuasion that if it isn't a Buck it isn't a knife, lol.

I used to carry a small 12" Estwing axe with me all the time, but that one took flight or walked and I was without a pack axe for awhile, hated having to replace that but finally got the Estwing 14" and have had that for a few years, and recently I picked up the 18" Special Edition Estwing which gives me another option.

Maybe the 105 is the next one in the cache.

Lesknife said:
When I’m camping and other outdoor activities I carry at least a 110 on my belt. Then I have a 117 small special 4 1/2 inch blade that’s a nice general use size, it works great for cleaning fish and small game along with camping chores. I also have a 119, 120, and a 124 for the larger chores. Depending on what I’m doing I have a selection that should cover anything. At the last of summer I got a 104 compadre 4.5 inch blade but I haven’t had a chance to use it yet. I think it will make a good camping knife.

Then I always have my 303 cadet in pocket for picking stickers and splinters or getting into small places where a big knife won’t go. It has come in real handy at times.

I’ve tried using 3 to 3.25 inch blade knives out camping but it seems I usually grab a bigger knife to do it better. So in general I prefer large blades for the heavy outdoors work. The 3.25-3.5 inch blades I use in my job as a mechanic and they work real good in that realm but still keep a 110 in my pickup should I need a bit bigger blade.
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I follow your reasoning well, as I have little use for the 3.5" < folders in the woods, but they are great at other odd jobs.

I don't own any Buck slip joints as that stuff I keep my SAK's for. Don't think I will buy another slip joint as long as I live.


David Martin said:
Growing up in TX. I used a 107 (4" blade) for most of my deer and fish processing. For Squirrel & quail I liked a 307. I also liked a 317, with two 4" blades. This was what I mostly used for field dressing. Just getting it gutted an quartered. Once I got it home I used a 6" filled blade. I did use my model 120 and it was nice. I since have settled on a Selector. I can put any blade shape I need for the job on that. DM
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Haven't been able to hunt like I would like as I have been doing most of my camping the last so many years going to or at motorcycle rallies as ministry. The little hunting I have done the 110 gets it done for me.

Maybe this year I will get out in the woods and try some of these new knives out since I have become Buckified. lol.

FLINT77 said:
Depends on what the chore is. For a general woods knife, like that I'll take on a hike or when doing trail work, or camping, I usually take a 5" - 6" fixed blade - though yesterday I took the 120 I just got and really liked it.

Hunting is a totally different story. 3 1/2" - 4 1/2" fixed blade is perfect for hunting. My favorite buck for field dressing is the 118. This year I dressed out two deer with the 102 and it was great, but the 118 is better.
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...and the 102 adds to my dilemma and the whole reason for this thread....I am constantly going back and forth between the 102 and the 105 and other than being fixed blades and easier to clean, what is their advantage of the 110 which I always have with me?

NapalmCheese said:
In my youth, I did the majority of my camping with a Swiss army knife, a Buck 112, or an Ontario pilot survival knife (one of those three, never all at once). Anything with a blade bigger than 5 inches seems needlessly huge to me regarding camping and woods work.

That doesn't mean I don't like big knives, I just don't find them beneficial and smaller knives are lighter.

The majority of my camping and hunting these days I'll bring a bigger (6+ inch blade) knife with me; but invariably I end up leaving it in the car. Unless I'm car camping, at which point I'll bring my 10 inch kitchen knife for cooking duty.
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I have been doing motorcycle camping the last 7 years and have covered 35 states. I have carried the 110, 120, and odd 4" and 5" blade and a camping hatchet.
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For my style of cutting. I usually use the first 3 inches of the blade, or the last 3 inches belly to tip. So really anything over 6 inches is a waste.

plus the longer the blade the more leverage the tip has over your grip. Which makes them fatiguing.

The only advantage long blades have is reach and penetration. Unless you are stabbing something that doesn’t come into play.
 
Most of my days at work I carried a Buck lite or 110. I used it for all kinds of tasks. From cutting mesquite limbs and sacaton. To slicing my lunch apple and summer sausage. Even digging out splinters. Which takes a more specialized point. A wide scale of duty. DM
 
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I carry an old Intrepid Chisel tip in the woods along with a 110. I think 4-6 " makes a nice bush knife, especially if you have a 2.5lb axe with you. I find there's not much need for bigger.
 
to me it seems the size of the user plays a role too. im a smaller gent and i prefer smaller blades. the 105 is about max for me. pocket knives i prefer are 501 and 112 pro or lt and 300 series. if i wear a standard 110 on my belt im constantly pulling at my belt cuz my pants sag on my right side.
 
On another post about the 110 slim pro it got me to thinking.... I bought one last year and it is a great knife and I used it for a few months at work and a bit of camping. The only thing was the slimness of the handle that makes it pocket friendly also makes it less area for a good heavy use knife. I found when I was having to apply pressure and extended use it became painful in my arthritic hand. Ouch ! (Now for the quick short duration, moderate use it is good and no problems for me anyway.)
So I gave it to my son to use and he said that he noticed the same thing. I generally prefer a more robust handle for heavy use and I’d like to see if it is possible to add a g10 or brass liner or thicker micarta slabs to make it a more robust handle. I don’t know, what say you?
 
bucksway said:
For me my D2 118 does everything I need or want in a fixed blade. A truly great all purpose Buck. I did love my 651 Pig Sticker but I mostly played Pirate with it..
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I've commented about the 118 being my favorite fixed blade many times. I've used my D2 118, but not enough to pass judgement on it versus the two-liner I've had and used for years with 440C. The size seems just right for me, that might be 'cause I've used it for so many years. Other knives just don't seem to fit.
 
I think size does matter. I prefer smaller. I have a few larger knives (Buck 119, Ontario sp5, Ka-bar 1219) ... But I find them all too big for my real world uses in the woods. Fun for car camping and showing off, but they are way less practical than my mora, vantage, leatherman pst, and my 80's schrade lb7. If I had to pick only one for everything from getting a fire going to dressing game, it would be my lb7 (110 for the Buck folks). I think the mora might out perform it but the versatility of the bombproof folder is hard to beat. Just my $0.02
 
Is it minimalist mind set that drives using the smallest knives made as all they need?
Not knocking but trying to understand.

Personally I wouldnt even consider a small knife as I like to be able to use my knife as a tool. Med to large folders and fixed blades. I feel better over knifed than under knifed. Its interesting to see the majority lean towards very small knives
 
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