- Joined
- Sep 25, 2002
- Messages
- 3,179
Intro- I once held the 12pt folder, and while it felt good in the hand, the 4" blade exceeds the limit in my city. I thought, maybe I'll get around to buying the fixed blade version for a bug out bag. Fast forward a year or two and I see a clam packed 10pt folder at Wal-Mart (I check their knife section now and again). I haven't carried a synthetic one-hander in a couple of years so I got it on a whim. I haven't given it a workout yet but here are my first impressions.
Specs- as listed. 3" blade of 420HC about 1/8 thick, 4 5/8" handle of some kind of hard plastic with a partial rubber overlay about 9/16 thick, weight 2.8oz, nylon sheath, made in the USA
Sheath- Feels sturdy, looks good, but it follows the contours of the knife, so it only goes in one way. As a lefty that doesn't do much for me. I set it aside and put the knife in my pocket. There is no pocket clip.
Knife-
Ergos are a subjective thing but it fits my hand pretty well. The thumb studs are easy to access from either side, the scallops are identical. If you're a lefty or just like the option of using a knife in your off hand this is good. I have reasonably large hands (I usually wear size L gloves) and find two grips comfortable. The first is with my index finger in the indent just behind the pivot, my middle and ring fingers on the long curve of the handle and my pinky on the other side of the horn. The second is with my index finger ahead of the pivot, my middle finger in the indent behind the pivot and my ring finger and pinky on the long curve of the handle. I dont think it was really designed to held this way as my knuckle is just shy of edge but there is enough unsharpened near the pivot that it does fit. I may take a fine stone and take the edge off 1/8 or 3/16 near the pivot.
Lock-up is nice and tight and the pivot is adjustable with a torx (I havent checked the bit size). There is a lanyard hole. I tend not to keep lanyards on my knives but its a nice touch. The rubber overlay is grippy. There is jimping at the back of the handle and narrow scallops along the inside curve of the handle. I dont yet know if this will be a positive or a negative. It offers a very secure hold but may cause hot spots if used hard for a couple of hours. Time will tell. The rubber grabs the pocket so it isnt the quickest knife to deploy but it feels very secure in the pocket. I think youd have to take a pretty serious tumble for this thing to work its way out of your pocket.
Nit picking- the jimping on the blade could be a little more aggressive. There is just enough of a gap that I can see a little light between the handle and the lock bar. The back strap isnt perfectly flush with the handle for the whole length. There is a little flex in the handle if squeezed.
Overall- this is a good option for a cheap beater, a loaner, a gift, a BOB/ trunk/ glove compartment knife. 420HC isnt the latest or greatest but Bucks HT is good, its low maintenance and reasonably tough. The handle offers a sure hold and feels like it could withstand working in the elements. Buck has built a good knife for the price point; they did it in the USA and backed it with a great warranty and customer service. Im not sorry I picked it up.
Frank
Specs- as listed. 3" blade of 420HC about 1/8 thick, 4 5/8" handle of some kind of hard plastic with a partial rubber overlay about 9/16 thick, weight 2.8oz, nylon sheath, made in the USA
Sheath- Feels sturdy, looks good, but it follows the contours of the knife, so it only goes in one way. As a lefty that doesn't do much for me. I set it aside and put the knife in my pocket. There is no pocket clip.
Knife-
Ergos are a subjective thing but it fits my hand pretty well. The thumb studs are easy to access from either side, the scallops are identical. If you're a lefty or just like the option of using a knife in your off hand this is good. I have reasonably large hands (I usually wear size L gloves) and find two grips comfortable. The first is with my index finger in the indent just behind the pivot, my middle and ring fingers on the long curve of the handle and my pinky on the other side of the horn. The second is with my index finger ahead of the pivot, my middle finger in the indent behind the pivot and my ring finger and pinky on the long curve of the handle. I dont think it was really designed to held this way as my knuckle is just shy of edge but there is enough unsharpened near the pivot that it does fit. I may take a fine stone and take the edge off 1/8 or 3/16 near the pivot.
Lock-up is nice and tight and the pivot is adjustable with a torx (I havent checked the bit size). There is a lanyard hole. I tend not to keep lanyards on my knives but its a nice touch. The rubber overlay is grippy. There is jimping at the back of the handle and narrow scallops along the inside curve of the handle. I dont yet know if this will be a positive or a negative. It offers a very secure hold but may cause hot spots if used hard for a couple of hours. Time will tell. The rubber grabs the pocket so it isnt the quickest knife to deploy but it feels very secure in the pocket. I think youd have to take a pretty serious tumble for this thing to work its way out of your pocket.
Nit picking- the jimping on the blade could be a little more aggressive. There is just enough of a gap that I can see a little light between the handle and the lock bar. The back strap isnt perfectly flush with the handle for the whole length. There is a little flex in the handle if squeezed.
Overall- this is a good option for a cheap beater, a loaner, a gift, a BOB/ trunk/ glove compartment knife. 420HC isnt the latest or greatest but Bucks HT is good, its low maintenance and reasonably tough. The handle offers a sure hold and feels like it could withstand working in the elements. Buck has built a good knife for the price point; they did it in the USA and backed it with a great warranty and customer service. Im not sorry I picked it up.
Frank
