Buck Sodbuster?

Joe58

Joe58

Joined
Nov 11, 2002
Messages
1,969
Did Buck ever make a Sodbuster, or something fairly close in blade shape?

I've gotten it into my head that my life has no meaning and I can't go on unless I obtain a Sodbuster, so I'd like to find a Buck if they have made one.

A quick and casual search didn't return any results, so it's looking like no.

Thanks!
 
501 is close in size. The 424 is the lite version of the 501 with a plastic handle. Not a sodbuster by any means, but kind of similar.
 
Not that I am aware of.

One of the primary features of a traditional Sodbuster (a Case trademark name, btw) is the flat grind. If that's what you're looking for, you might consider the Camillus made large Trapper like the one David Martin has been showing pictures of. Not exactly the same but more close than Buck's regular hollow grind knives.

I've found the Case Sodbuster to be a nice introduction to the pattern. I find Case's 420HC to be frustratingly soft compared to Bucks. The large is light and thin enough to be front pocket carried in jeans easily but conversely, the thin handle doesn't fill my hand as nicely as a 110 and is tiring when doing wood working and other hard cutting tasks. It's an excellent food knife and general purpose EDC knife.

Case Large Sodbuster and Micra by Pinnah, on Flickr

Personally, instead of Buck making a Sodbuster, I wish they'd offer a reboot of the Ecolites. Just make them thinner, about 1/2" thick like a Sodbuster. And ditch the ugly finger grooves of the Ecolite and trust the basic perfect lines of the 110 (just as the Sodbuster does). Add brass liners like Sodbuster (or the David's Camillus made trapper or the old 300s) and.... swinging for the fences, use a full flat grind or push me over, a full flat grind on a drop point. Sort of like putting a Sodbuster and a 110 in a bag and shaking it till they merge.

It would essentially look like a Sodbuster with better shaped handle and Buck's better steel and a lock.
 
I don't recall seeing one by Buck or a blade quite the same as the Sodbuster. But, I've been lovin' my new 112 and it can bust sod with the best of 'em. It truly feels like a workingmans knife. I do have the Ecolite 110 and 112 as well and they are both very nice too with less weight. If all else fails, it's okay to buy Case. I let my kids play together all the time.
 
pinnah said:
Not that I am aware of.

One of the primary features of a traditional Sodbuster (a Case trademark name, btw) is the flat grind. If that's what you're looking for, you might consider the Camillus made large Trapper like the one David Martin has been showing pictures of. Not exactly the same but more close than Buck's regular hollow grind knives.

I've found the Case Sodbuster to be a nice introduction to the pattern. I find Case's 420HC to be frustratingly soft compared to Bucks. The large is light and thin enough to be front pocket carried in jeans easily but conversely, the thin handle doesn't fill my hand as nicely as a 110 and is tiring when doing wood working and other hard cutting tasks. It's an excellent food knife and general purpose EDC knife
Click to expand...

Yeah, the nice flat grind rather than the hollow grind. I'd imagine it's be a nice slicer in the way that the blade on a Vic Soldier is. Gets razor sharp.

I'll have to dig my 501 out and take another look at it. I've one of the older ones in micarta I bought from Larry O. a little while back.

But it's looking like I'd have to go with another maker if I want that straight clip point (clip, right?) type blade. Could go custom I suppose but I've kinda broken myself of that habit. Expensive quickly. :)

I didn't know (sodbuster) is a Case trademark. I've always thought it just meant that style of knife since so many makers turn out virtually the same looking knife with that name. Queen does call it a bull nose I guess. The blade shape though is a nice all around utility type shape I think. Reminds me also of the Opinel. Wonder then if this type of pattern has an "official" name as hasn't this pattern (more or less) been around since cowboy days?
 
Well Joe,

Get a Buck Selector and have a Sod Buster blade made for it.

Here is David Martin's photo of his Sod Buster blade he made!


JB
 
Joe,

Just as the Russell Barlow had its roots in England, the Case Sodbuster has its roots in Germany, particularly in Soligen. It's a very old pattern and I've read translations as "farmers knife" or "butchers knife". The German Eye Brand is one notable marque that survives. There's a great and long thread in the Traditional forum on the subject.

A "sod buster" was a term of derision for farmer, particularly as the range wars heated up. See "The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance" and you'll hear the term.

I'm not sure when Case introduced the pattern but they called it the Sodbuster and now it's like the term Kleenex in the US for this pattern, very much like Buck Knife gets used to describe any brass bolstered lockback.

I do like full flat grinds better for most things. A locking Buck "Sodbuster" would be very cool. But I'd be happier to see thinner, lighter Ecolites with full flat grinds.
 
What about an old 311? Pretty close in size and shape, but 2 blades. I'm going to get one myself one of these days.
 
jec88 said:
501 is close in size. The 424 is the lite version of the 501 with a plastic handle. Not a sodbuster by any means, but kind of similar.
Click to expand...

Come to think of it, the 501/424 is kind of a lock back Sodbuster sized knife. Love Sodbusters and maybe that is why I like the 501/424 so much. Good call.
 
I've ordered in a used Case Jr. I got pretty cheap off eBay, a budget Puma model, and an Italian made version who's name escapes me at the moment. That'll give me a good feel I think for the pattern without too much $$$ invested.

My 501 is a good compromise and companion blade but still has a noticeable drop point and doesn't have the upswept curvature to the tip like the sod buster pattern does. Which I think is more accurately called a clip point blade as knives with this are in all sizes. Seems the pattern is meant to be more utilitarian, do about everything well, including skinning.

I've an old fixed blade Gerber, the ones with the grayish coated aluminum handles, that my father had, that has a clip point blade like the sod buster. Forget the name of that one. I got his Flayer, and Pixie (those I can remember - weird) as well. I haven't used them since he passed away. I can recall Dad always complaining about how hard the steel was on those knives to sharpen as compared to his Bucks and Westerns. Good memories.

I'm sure some of the old timers on the forum can recall the name of that Gerber series. That was back when the actually made decent knives. Sorry for the wisecrack but my opinion on current Gerber products isn't very high.

I do appreciate all the discussion here on different patterns and knife history. Always interesting and informative with you guys. Suggestions & alternatives offered without any drama as seen on perhaps some other forums where opinions can run quite high and very focused.

I would like to see Buck have a model in this pattern. I think they could make a good one in their 420hc steel and wooden handles. Brass liners. Doesn't need to be real fancy or spendy.

Joe
 
Hey Joe,

I think you're right to note that there's a noticeable difference in the traditional Sodbuster blade and that of the 500 series. But I think both would be called drop points. Blades like the 110 or 112 are clip points and blades like the Bucklite Max folders as modified clip points (straight back edge). At least that's how I understand it.

Chris, I agree that the drop point 110 blade move towards the Sodbuster. Several important differences remain though. Sodbusters are typically full flat grind (or a full height shallow hollow). They are also bolster less and lighter.

Wouldn't it be cool if the custom shop offered bare head construction and full flat grinds as options?
 
pinnah said:
Hey Joe,

Wouldn't it be cool if the custom shop offered bare head construction and full flat grinds as options?
Click to expand...

:thumbup: Asside from a more forward belly to the blade than a 110, someone has already made such a critter. I have one but, that wouldn't stop me from getting a bare head 110 regardless of grind or point. :cool:
 
I don't think the 500 series are like a sodbuster blade shape. The spine is straight on a Sod buster and the edge curves up to meet it. Creating a handsome belly forward shape. This belly forward eludes many. DM
 
David Martin said:
I don't think the 500 series are like a sodbuster blade shape. The spine is straight on a Sod buster and the edge curves up to meet it. Creating a handsome belly forward shape. This belly forward eludes many. DM
Click to expand...

I agree David, that's the issue. In the pic jb4570 posted, what did you made that sodbuster looking blade out of for your Selector? You've a nice blade setup with that collection.
 
I made mine from 440C bar stock mfg. from Carpenter by their clean vacuum remelt process. Then heat treated to 58-59 rc. Given a full hollow grind with a mirror polish. It is a fine skinning blade. I've always liked the sod buster shape as it utilizes a full belly design. DM
 
David Martin said:
I don't think the 500 series are like a sodbuster blade shape. The spine is straight on a Sod buster and the edge curves up to meet it. Creating a handsome belly forward shape. This belly forward eludes many. DM
Click to expand...

I agree.

The early 500 is more like a zulu spear, imo.
Buck 500 Duke and Micra by Pinnah, on Flickr

The current ones have more belly, but not as much as as Sodbuster.

BU0500RWS.jpg


This said, not all Sodbusters have exactly the same blade shape. The Queen "Country Cousin" has a small but noticeable amount of drop to it.
QN70Ba.jpg


The German Kissing Crane "Black Angus" Sodbuster has a subtle clip point.
products-2133-1-original_Kissing-Cranes-Sodbuster-Folding-Pocket-Knife---KC43.jpg



One thing I like about the Sodbuster blade along with the copious amount of belly is the continuously upsweeping blade line, which makes it very good at a slicing and making curls in wood. In this way, it's similar in shape to the traditional Puuko, only with a full flat grind.

My Case Large Sodbuster gets more pocket time than my 110 just due to weight and being just a tick thinner. But, the handle frustrates me on long carving sessions. It is too short (blade well to spine) and not hand filling enough, so my hand gets tired. The 110 and 500 are both taller (well to spine) and tire my hand less.

I would really love to see a bolster-less Ecolite reboot that took some design elements from the Sodbuster.
- Thinner frame, about 1/2" for better pocket carry.
- No finger grooves and full brass liner, because it's just more beautiful that way.
- Full flat grind (all the way to the spine) like on the Sodbuster or David Martin's Camillus made large trapper or the 307s for better versatility.
- Drop point blade or a much shorter modified clip like on the 482.

This could easily inform the next Ecolite...
Case Large Sodbuster and Micra by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
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