Buck One Handed Opener....

T

Takoma

Joined
Dec 30, 2016
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116
Hello Buck crew, I recently got my bonus (Cheers) and have a small bit of cash to play with. I do a lot of fishing in creeks etc. where I am needing one hand free for my rod etc. So, as much as I love my 501 I am pondering a Buck model which will give me one handed opening capability. My budget is 40 dollars tops. I am fine with the 420HC steel, I just need something durable so that it can do double duty as a woods knife as well. I would also like a smooth opener, not just a thumb tab that is a pain to finagle.

My candidates thus far:
Vantage
Omni Hunter (I like the blaze in case I drop it)
Spitfire
Bantam (Large, again like the blaze options)

Any and all opinions are welcome and thanks in advance for the input!
 
Bantam is cheap, American, feels good, nice size and easy to open one handed. Also easy to find on blaze camo. My vote is...Bantam
 
like the vantage and bantams the best. also own an omni 12 pt folder. good knife but prefer the other two over it. dont onw a spitfire so cant comment on them.
 
My large bantam is pretty much the primary edc for me. I like how it feels in my hand with the clip removed.
 
Thanks for all the replies! Is the vantage with it's steel liners that much more robust than the Bantam? Or phrased another way, has anyone had any doubt about the Bantam's durability?
 
The Vantage may be the best bang for your BUCK. Sturdy and durable knife.

But I really do like the Bantams, especially the 286. I LOVE the shape and size of the blade. I've opened and cut plenty of nice size branches one handed to retrieve my fishing line! Trust me, it feels great and it will cut.

Here is a picture of my 285 and 286. I filed into the top side of the thumb studs. I always liked that best (... Buck 175 Lightning Series HTA II) for solid opening.

Bantam_1.jpg
 
I'm a big fan of the 482. If you can find one, they hit the sweet spot for me. Also very easy to open and close one handed.
 
I like both and I'm sure you would as well. But for a fishing knife I'd have to vote for a bantam, since it's the knife I use when I fish ;) The blaze orange would be a good way to go in case you drop it, but I use a camo version....what can I say? I like to live dangerously...
 
bloody_pawprint said:
I'm a big fan of the 482. If you can find one, they hit the sweet spot for me. Also very easy to open and close one handed.
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Yep, the bucklite Max 482 is awesome and is available in a plain blaze orange handle, which I think is better looking than the ugly orange camo of the bantam. It's also a 20$ American made one hand opener.
I personally find the bantam to be a bit ugly, but that's just me, and you couldn't go wrong with either of these knives which are functionally the same.
 
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MT_Pokt said:
I'm a Vantage fan, but S30V really is worth it...
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I've got one of each, and while I agree that S30v (Pro) is a superior steel, for your purposes, the 420HC (Select) is up to the job. In fact, that's the one I've been carrying almost every day for years. I prefer the "hole" and flipper openers to the thumbstuds on the others, but that's a personal choice. The difference in costs are minimal, so price should not be a major consideration.
 
I'm still on the fence. I may take a trip to knifecenter to actually handle the various options.....Thanks all for the input! Wish the 110 had a lanyard hole, was lighter, had safer options for one handed opening and had orange scales. A man can dream.....wasn't there a safety issue with the Bucklite folders?
 
Sounds like a Bucklite max large,I think it's got everything you are looking for.
I've never heard of any safety issues with the Bucklite folders.
I have been carrying the medium 482 at work for the last year and
have found it to be a good knife for daily use.
 
redcanoe said:
Sounds like a Bucklite max large,I think it's got everything you are looking for.
I've never heard of any safety issues with the Bucklite folders.
I have been carrying the medium 482 at work for the last year and
have found it to be a good knife for daily use.
Click to expand...
I carried a 482 every single day for 2 years without issue.
 
Why not carry a small fixed blade? A 105 is nice for tree limbs and on the hip comes unfolded for you. There is also the 102. I didn't know you need to buy the sheath separately at Knifecenter. On the Bay they have used 105 w/sheaths for under your budget.
 
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The 285 Bantam is about the perfect size blade for fishing. Not too big and not too small. If you do decide to get one go for one with the pattern (camo, kryptek, etc.) I have noticed that the pattern is coated over in a sort of hard enamel and makes the handle a lot stronger. It also feels better and gets rid of the flex that's on the plain black ones.

Another suggestion would be the Walmart exclusive, the 715 Ascend. It's got a great pocket clip, slim profile, and priced under $30. Also the thin recurved blade might serve well for gutting and cleaning fish.

I own a Spitfire and Omni Hunter and wouldn't really consider them fishing knives. Spitfire is more of a casual wear knife for the city. Omni looks nice but is meant to be a skinner and the handle is one of the most uncomfortable Buck has ever made.
 
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During WWII a lot of knife companies came up with a knife that is nicknamed "The Veteran" the way it works is the main blade has a smooth curved protrusion that all you have to do is run it down your pant leg and it opens into a Heavy Duty razor style blade that is sharp enough to cut what ever you want while fishing or whatever. I may have one of these, I'll see if I can find it and upload a picture for you and they are still being made today!!

P.S. The reason they called it the Veteran was for the GI's who lost their upper limb in battle; that was for the youngsters to understand the term.
 
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I carry a EDC of a small Vantage. I once went to a knife store in southern MO where they let me go thru every small diamondwood vantage they had. I picked out three with light grey contrast figured DW and still have them all. Broke the clip at the bend of my small vantage S30v so have it in pouch that hangs in pocket from my belt. All suggestions above are good for someone searching for their perfect model. I use my BCCI discount and buy orange Bantams for the local scoutmaster to give out as rewards to his troop.

Michael prompted a comment on EDC of straight knife models. I have grown up around SW US ranchers and farmers my entire life.
A long time ago, when I was younger they all carried a stout sized Buck, Case or Old Timer. But lately I have noticed many actual ranchers and farmers carrying a small straight knife in an angled belt sheath, handle forward. It appears to my observation quite a few are hand made knives. Sort of hobby knife making in quality. When asked many say a relative made it. You do see some commercial knives, with Buck represented in the higher dollar area. I don't buy BIL's knives, because they break every tip using them as pry bars. I say just go to the feed store and get a hand full of the $2.00 imported folders and when they get dull throw them away. I am not sharpening them for you........... Just a FYI from the SW. 300
 
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