Buck quality

I'll just add my two cent's worth....

Not every Buck knife can compete with the top-shelf models offered by many other makers and manufacturers, but the one exception is the legendary Buck 110 Folding Hunter.

Even in its most basic incarnation (wood, brass, steel, and 420HC blade) it still performs much better than most knives costing twice as much.
The secret is in the excellent blade geometry, handle shape, and overall design.

And the Custom Shop Buck 110's can compete with (and often best) the cream-of-the-crop from ANY knife maker or manufacturer.
When you combine the awesome Buck 110 design with premium blade-steel you get a combination that is nearly impossible to beat.
And they are beautiful too!

My Cabela's Alaskan Guide Buck 110 was about $70.00 dollars shipped and, to date, I have found NO BETTER FOLDING KNIFE.
It is simply awesome.
So good in fact, I ordered a Buck Custom Shop 110 with BG-42, finger-grooves, nickle-silver bolsters, asian water-buffalo horn scales, and leather sheath for $116.00 shipped.

Now I can totally understand that the traditional old style belt-pouch lock-back folder is not for everyone.
Some folks like the pocket-clip thumbstud "tactical" style.
There is nothing wrong with having different tastes in style, but in NO WAY are the Buck Custom Shop 110's inferior in any way.
 
O.K. Buck is an old well respected Knife company that makes decent knives and offers great customer service.
Many people call what they have a "Buck Knife" even though it my not be,kinda like Leatherman.
The name is probably one of the best known in the knife industry.
All that said I am not a huge Buck fan but do recognize their importance in the market...........nuff said?

I own both the 110 and 112 and all of their slipjoints, I have an old red Cadet slipjoint that served me quite well in my younger days.........but todays Buck Knives do not hold my attention or excite me in any way.
FWIW,
Kap
 
It's not really worth getting into an argument over with serious fellow Forumites, but I used to work at Buck, back in the day, in sales, for about 2 months. It didn't work out.

At one point in history, they were the best. American makers of hand crafted knives tried to make their stuff AS good as Buck. This is back in the early '70's, especially the afformentioned 110.

At some point, before my time, that got overshadowed by Gerber. Then it was Benchmade, Microtech, and William Henry, in that order, which I have seen with my own eyes. We are talking strictly American production knives here, BTW. Even though they would have you believe different, William Henry is a production house, in that they have an awful lot done in Japan, but hand assemble, polish, fit...here. Total output, I believe, and could be wrong, exceeds Chris Reeve's, whom I consider to be more of a "boutique" production shop.

Now it is anybody's guess, but my money is on Kershaw.

The why's would take a VERY long time, but as always it comes down to fit and finish.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
allenC said:
So good in fact, I ordered a Buck Custom Shop 110 with BG-42, finger-grooves, nickle-silver bolsters, asian water-buffalo horn scales, and leather sheath for $116.00 shipped.
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Can you post a picture of this knife with the asian waterbuffalo horn scales if you have it? or when you get it? I'd like to see it on an actual knife not just the custom knife thing they have on their website.
 
I'll certainly try!
It should be here by next friday....I hope.
The wait is torture!
 
Sinkolen said:
Hey thanks i guess, for telling me about the quality. When i started this thread, i was just asking if Buck knives were of pretty high quality. I probably won't own a custom made knife for a very long time. So if you could take a break from arguing (seriously this is starting to be like some stupid teenage blog thing) could you tell me.

1 Buck knives, are they good for the price?
2 Would you depend on one if you needed to, and I do not mean "does it compare with your kickass custom made knife"

I know some of this may have been answered but I didn't want to read through all of that.

Thanks for the help.
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1. Yes. They are a **great** deal for the price, both the "plain jane" Bucks that you can buy at almost any sporting goods store, and a custom Buck from their custom shop. $30 for a 110 at Walmart is one of the best deals in the knife world. Period. You have a knife that you can depend on for life for all normal cutting tasks at home, and in the woods. Which leads me to question 2....

2. Yes. See answer #1. People often compare knives to make statements meaningful (like I just made in 1). My experience has been identical to bbcmat's.
 
I recently ordered a Buck 'Diamondback' fixed blade knife, 9" overall, 4 1/2"blade length, 4 1/2" handle made of heavy rubber?; but what bugged me most about the knife is the stamp, 'Taiwan' on the blade, no steel grade mark, just 'Buck' on one side and the taiwan on the other. I can't even tell if it's a full tang model?!

I had a Schrade, crappollla! Guthoook model 1410T that I tried to baton, and the knife blade started working it's way up through the front of the handle after less than a dozen whacks on a piece of PINE! matter of fact, EVERY single one of my 3 Schrades have had defects after a year, no wonder they went out of business!
 
Buzzbait said:
Nicely done!!!! That is one beautiful Buck you have there. I'm betting that it'll cut even better than it looks.
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Thanks!
I was inspired by your pic of "The Angry Beaver".
 
I have found Buck's to always be of good enough quality for any task that I have needed one for- either American or Chinese made. I too have been looking at a Juno, and didn't care for the grip either. Seemed like a nice knife but I decided against it. But, I may change my mind- what else could I get for $5:jerkit: , that's made in the good'ole USA.
 
Hair said:
Nobody can do better? Are you serious? You think that Buck's people are the best knifemakers in the world? Better than Loveless? Better than Kressler? I think you are very biased and inexperienced.


880s often fail spinewack tests. They are good knives, but their locks are not the most secure. One of the best? Hardly. Are the grinds as good as Dozier? Are the tolerances as close as CRK? No, and no. If you think otherwise you are misinformed.


Have you ever handled a knife built by Mick Strider or Dwyer? I do not think they are the best knifemakers in the world, but they make stuff better than any Buck in terms of fit and finish, strength, and quality. Have you seen a Nightmare Grind?


You think the 880 and 888 and Alaskan Guide models can compeat with P.J. Tomes, John W. Smith etc... in terms of quality? You are joking, right? Have you ever handled a true handmade knife in your life?


Yes, "no where near". They are not even in the same league, and are not trying to be. I do not own an 880, 888, 882, or 819 because I do not want to own one. I have handled an 880, and 888. My boss has an 880. They are good for the money. They are not good at any price. They are not the best. They do not represent the "top".


You think Buck makes top quality knives because they polish S30V? Anyone can polish S30V. Making a list would be pointless.


I am not a knife super expert, but I own some very good knives and have two friends with amazing collections that include examples by Bob Loveless, Bill Moran, Michael Walker, P.J. Tomes, Darrel Ralph, Tom Mayo, Ken Onion, etc.... I also own a very fine John W. Smith framelock. I have handled many Bucks and own more Buck knives than I do of any other brand or maker. Yes, I know what I am talking about. I do not know how you can think that any of Buck's knives are "top quality" or "as good as anyone" if you have honestly handled knives made by people like John W. Smith or Ken Onion.

So... do *you* know what you are talking about? Or are you just a Buck fanboy and shill that is talking out of your behind?

Thanks, Hair.
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hahahahahahaha....im not done..... hahahahahahahaha. You can't compare a buck to knives like that! That doesnt even make sense....:jerkit: nice job being an arrogant pighead Hair!!!

Id buy a 110. My dad has used one every day for at least 20 some years, if not more, and it still functions like new. I bought myself a new one for 10 bucks. The knife does everything I want it to without any problems whatsoever. Not everyone can afford a $400+ knife, and for edc im not sure id want one.

So what exactly does a $400 knife do that a $10 buck cant? Do you actually ever use your $400 knife to do the things a $10 buck cant? Do you even use your $400 knife? All I know is that Ive never needed a $400 knife. My cheap Ka-bars, Spydies, Bucks, CS's, and Sogs take care of things very well for me, as Im sure they do for most other people.
 
I didn't compare a Buck to those knives. I was responding to someone who compared Bucks to all knives in the world including those knives.

I agree such a comparison is silly. That was my point.

Good job agreeing with me and trying to insult me in the same breath.

Do I use my $400 knives? Yes.

Do they do anything a Buck cannot? Yes.

Are they better than any Buck ever produced? Yes.

Will less expensive knives do the job just fine? Of course. But I can afford better, and knives are my obly hobby, so I buy better. Not because I need it, but because I want it. There are knives less expensive than Bucks that will do what you need just fine as well. Why do you use those instead? Because you want something better.

But that is not the point. The point is that Buck does not make the highest quality knives in the world. Whether they will do the job is not is not the issue. A Ford Pinto will get you to the store. Is it the best car in the world? No.

Can you follow a conversation, or do you just sling childish insults whenever someone says there are knives that are better than Bucks without understanding their actual point?

I probably like Buck even more than you do, by the way. But reality is reality. Sorry. I am a Buck fan, not a blind Buck fanboy.
 
Do I use my $400 knives? Yes.

Do they do anything a Buck cannot? Yes.
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Will less expensive knives do the job just fine? Of course.
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Hair, you seem to have contradicted yourself.

The fact is this:
Not every Buck knife is "top shelf" in materials.
But some Buck knives (like the Custom Shop 110's) are as good as any knife you can buy in regards to quality, craftsmanship, materials, and performance.

I am curious, exactly what do you do with your $400.00 dollar knives that a Buck cannot do?
 
allenC said:
Hair, you seem to have contradicted yourself.

The fact is this:
Not every Buck knife is "top shelf" in materials.
But some Buck knives (like the Custom Shop 110's) are as good as any knife you can buy in regards to quality, craftsmanship, materials, and performance.

I am curious, exactly what do you do with your $400.00 dollar knives that a Buck cannot do?
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I did not contradict myself.

Doing a job just fine is not the same as doing everything a more expensive knife can do.

Bucks do just fine. But there are more expensive knives (not *ALL* more expensive knives) that do better, and can do things Bucks cannot.

A Custom Shoppe 110 is not as good as "any knife" in quality, craftmanship, materials, or performance. I don't know how you can even say that without laughing.

Do you really think that the guys in Buck's Custom Shoppe do work just as good (in terms of quality and craftmanship) as Bill Moran, Michael Walker, and Dietmar Kressler?

Do you really think Buck's BG-42 and S30V is as good as ZDP-189?

Do you really think any Buck will handle heavy-duty work as well as a Busse, or an A2 CRK One-Piece?

Do you think any given Buck model is the most ergonomic knife ever made? Or has the most secure grip?

It is foolish to think that Buck, any Buck, represents the benchmark of knifemaking in any area.

Bucks are great, and very great for the money. But there are better knives out there.

I know Custom Shoppe 110s are great bargains, high quality, and have very high-end materials as options. But I also know that there are knives that are lighter, carry better, are smoother and easier to open and close, feel better in-hand, are more secure in-hand, have stronger locks, have closer tolerances, have higher-grade finishes, have more even grinds, have tougher blades, have better edge retention etc...

If you disagree, I strongly suggest you start looking at some better knives. They will tend to cost more, and you may not feel it is worth it. You may feel a high-end Buck is the most expensive knife that is worth buying, and that it is all you need. But there is a difference between that, and actually thinking that a high-end Buck is the best thing out there and that the more expensive options do not have any advantages.
 
Hair said:
I did not contradict myself.

Doing a job just fine is not the same as doing everything a more expensive knife can do.

Bucks do just fine. But there are more expensive knives (not *ALL* more expensive knives) that do better, and can do things Bucks cannot.

A Custom Shoppe 110 is not as good as "any knife" in quality, craftmanship, materials, or performance. I don't know how you can even say that without laughing.

Do you really think that the guys in Buck's Custom Shoppe do work just as good (in terms of quality and craftmanship) as Bill Moran, Michael Walker, and Dietmar Kressler?

Do you really think Buck's BG-42 and S30V is as good as ZDP-189?

Do you really think any Buck will handle heavy-duty work as well as a Busse, or an A2 CRK One-Piece?

Do you think any given Buck model is the most ergonomic knife ever made? Or has the most secure grip?

It is foolish to think that Buck, any Buck, represents the benchmark of knifemaking in any area.

Bucks are great, and very great for the money. But there are better knives out there.

I know Custom Shoppe 110s are great bargains, high quality, and have very high-end materials as options. But I also know that there are knives that are lighter, carry better, are smoother and easier to open and close, feel better in-hand, are more secure in-hand, have stronger locks, have closer tolerances, have higher-grade finishes, have more even grinds, have tougher blades, have better edge retention etc...

If you disagree, I strongly suggest you start looking at some better knives. They will tend to cost more, and you may not feel it is worth it. You may feel a high-end Buck is the most expensive knife that is worth buying, and that it is all you need. But there is a difference between that, and actually thinking that a high-end Buck is the best thing out there and that the more expensive options do not have any advantages.
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Stop this noncence! You just make youself more and more rediqulos.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
I don't think he does.

I think you guys will have to "agree to disagree".
 
I don't think that Hair is ridiculous at all. He is just:

BeatDeadHorse.gif


Somebody kill this thread already.
 
Well, I've never been one to let a dead horse lie....
A Custom Shoppe 110 is not as good as "any knife" in quality, craftmanship, materials, or performance. I don't know how you can even say that without laughing.
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In exactly what way is the craftsmanship lacking?
My Custom 110 has fine tolerances, even grinds, no blade-play, perfect fit-and-finish, everything about it is as good as anyone could ask for.
The materials are excellent: nickle-silver has proven itself a million times over on many a custom made knife.
The asian water-buffalo horn scales are beautiful and strong as well as grooved for grip.
The BG-42 is outstanding judging from all of the cutting I have done, and Paul Bos is a legend in the knife industry for his heat-treatment.
And the performance of the Buck 110 is simply incredible.
The grind and blade-design are fantastic.
I've handled and used and owned many many knives from many different makers, including some custom made knives, and the Custom Shop Buck 110 is in no way inferior in terms of quality.
Do you really think that the guys in Buck's Custom Shoppe do work just as good (in terms of quality and craftmanship) as Bill Moran, Michael Walker, and Dietmar Kressler?
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Yes.
If they did not then Buck would not keep them on the payrole.
Do you really think Buck's BG-42 and S30V is as good as ZDP-189?
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I don't know because I have never used ZDP-189.
But I can tell you that the S30V and BG-42 from Buck is certainly as good OR BETTER than the S30V and BG-42 that I have used on other knives.
Mr. Paul Bos is probably the best in the business when it comes to heat-treating blades.
Do you really think any Buck will handle heavy-duty work as well as a Busse, or an A2 CRK One-Piece?
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Compare apples to apples, I was referring to the Custom Shop Buck 110.
And the Buck 110 has been used hard for over thirty years by sailors, soldiers, cops, ranchers, hunters, warehouse workers, bikers, cowboys, plowboys, construction workers, carpenters, plumbers, and folks from all walks of life.
It has proven itself a million times over.
Do you think any given Buck model is the most ergonomic knife ever made? Or has the most secure grip?
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Well grip is definitely subjective since everyone's hand is different.
But the 110 is one of the most comfortable knives I have ever used.
I have cut for hours with the 110 and I've never had it slip from my hand or cause hotspots or blisters.
The 110 design is one of the most copied designs in the knife world because it is that good!
It is foolish to think that Buck, any Buck, represents the benchmark of knifemaking in any area.
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I would say that the basic Buck 110 sets the benchmark for an American made high quality knife at a price that the average Joe can afford.
And Buck's customer service is outstanding as well.

But I also know that there are knives that are lighter, carry better, are smoother and easier to open and close, feel better in-hand, are more secure in-hand, have stronger locks, have closer tolerances, have higher-grade finishes, have more even grinds, have tougher blades, have better edge retention etc...
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I think you're confusing your "preferences" with "better" or "higher quality".
My Spyderco Pacific Salt is easier to open with one hand than my Buck 110, and it weighs less too.
But that does mean that the Pacific Salt is of superior quality than the 110.
It's just different.
The H-1 steel on the Pacific Salt is not better than the BG-42 of my custom Buck 110, just different.
 
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