Buck Slippies?

BJE

BJE

Joined
Apr 12, 2006
Messages
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How do the Buck's compare with Queen, Case, ect.? I am especially looking at the wood handled large stockman they have at Wal-Mart for $21.00. Any experience with them?
 
I personally prefer the ones made in the USA with the black delrin inserts, but the original batch made in China with 440C, I really didn't have problems with. I bought one for my little bro, in 420HC, not too many problems with. Fooled with one at the Walmart counter recently, it was total junk. Blades dull, scales falling off. After looking at three models, I decided if I wanted a Buck stockman, I would go with a delrin model.
 
BJE said:
How do the Buck's compare with Queen, Case, ect.? I am especially looking at the wood handled large stockman they have at Wal-Mart for $21.00. Any experience with them?
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I've got several of the different models in the import line, ask to look at more than one, sometimes you'll find one having a little better fit than the next.

They are good knives, I use mine alot and have not had any problems with them.

Buck still does make the USA line of slips' in black Delrin, Wal-Mart won't carry them, but they are readily available online or at some stores. Gander Mountain will have both lines usually. They are a on average about 5-7 dollars more than the similar pattern in the import line and are a little better made.

It's hard to go to wrong with either line in my experience.
 
For what its worth;

In 1967 I bought a Buck 301 at the army PX and it took me about 25 years of steady duty to wear it out. A friend of mine had a 1978 era 303 cadet and he used it till his death 1997, and it was still in good shape.

If they are still building the 301 stockman the same way with the stainless steel pivot pins, they are a very, very tough using knife that will take alot of wear and tear. And the customer service from Buck is second only to Victorinox as far as warrentee goes. They may not be a pretty knife, but they are like a back alley tom cat. Survivors.
 
silenthunterstudios said:
Gander Mountain in York, PA only carries the imported slippies from Buck :(.
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That sucks, my nearest one in Paducah, KY about 40 minutes away has a fantastic selection of Bucks, both domestic and imports, they are a tad high which seems to be typical for Gander Mountian.
 
silenthunterstudios said:
I decided if I wanted a Buck stockman, I would go with a delrin model.
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The China made ones are pretty, but I haven't handled one.

Buck's slipjoints are nice knives, but try before you buy. My latest 301 (2004) has weaker springs that I'm comfortable with EDC'ing or even using for much more than letter opening. I'll get around to sending it in to Buck one of these days, it's too nice a knife to let sit around.

Sometimes Bucks come about as sharp as a hotdog, but my experience has always been that their edge grinds are spot on, so getting them sharp has never been a problem.

Buck would make my day if they'd offer a run of Idaho-made slippies in 1095 with stainless bolsters and ebony scales (rosewood would be acceptable as well).

They're still my favorite production maker, even if I don't carry a Buck too often.
 
I've owned both the Black delrin handled US made Bucks AND the wood handled China Bucks, and to be honest with you, the China ones I've handled were much better quality then the US ones!! I know, I know, that Blasphemy, and I'm going to burn in hell for being a heathen, but it's true. It seems the US Buck QC has taken a few backward steps, and the China made ones QC is dead on. Politics aside, the Chinese made Bucks are not too bad at all. Since they are still made by Buck, I'm guessing they still have that great Buck customer service as well. Worth taking a look at, specially if you're looking for a beater.
 
I have the little china made buck "solo" and it's pretty good for the price. My only complaint is that I wish they would use better steel, but I only spent ten bucks, and considering the size it's not really a hard use knife.
 
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