Buck Sodbuster

A

ArfinGreebly

Joined
Apr 3, 2008
Messages
369
Yes, I can see your raised eyebrows even from here.

No, Virginia, Buck does not make a Sodbuster pattern.

Something in another thread about the Vantage triggered this line of thought when I realized that Buck just plain doesn't do a Sodbuster.

Buck does a number of useful EDC knives and working knives, but there is one classic I don't believe I've ever seen from Buck, and that's the common Sodbuster.

Case makes them, Boker makes them, Moore Maker has a couple, and so it goes.

I don't always carry one. I'm usually pretty happy with a Buck 301 Stockman or a Vantage or a 112 EcoLite, but every so often I choose the carry a knife deliberately selected for its very ordinary-ness. On those days, I'll grab a large or small Sodbuster (today I happen to be carrying both a large and small) to ride along with my other gear (e.g. today is large Sodbuster [belt], small Sodbuster [left thigh], Vantage Avid [right front], Leatherman [belt], and KA/Wenger [right thigh], and truck console has the Buck Short Revolution).

I have a few different brands I can choose from on those Sodbuster-carrying days,but none of them are Buck.

Is this just something Buck was making back when I wasn't paying attention, or is it something they've just never opted to manufacture?

And, if they've never done one, what would keep them from coming out with a nice line of Sodbuster patterns?

It's a phenomenally simply blade pattern, and they could make it with or without a lock (see Moore Maker for a locking example).

Sodbusters have been around for ages, and the pattern is popular and well established (at least with olde pharts like me).

So, would there be any merit in a Buck Sodbuster, or is it just me?

 
Do you mean something like this? DM
100_2151.jpg
 
Buck has never made a sod buster. The stockmans, trappers, congress and barlows are about the only traditional pattern slippies Buck has made. I think with the selection of old and new slip joints Buck does make they probably think that those are enough. You never know they might surprise you. The reality is that in my opinion the traditional pattern slip joint knives aren't as popular as they once were. I am a 300 series collector and fan, but the days of giving your 10 year old son/ grandson a pocket knife and showing him how to carve wood on the steps of the porch are almost lost. Sad to say...
 
David Martin said:
Do you mean something like this? DM
100_2151.jpg
Click to expand...


Oh, look, an accidental Sodbuster configuration. With a lock. No longer available, I'm guessing?

:D

(I have a Case XX-Changer with a very similar blade.)

You know, if you look at the profile of the Vantage blade (or the 500/501 for that matter), the differences between that and a Sodbuster are not particularly dramatic. The Vantage blade is wider but not really different in profile.

If, for example, you took a 112 EcoLite, slimmed down the handle a bit and ground the blade so as not to create a clip point, you'd be pretty close.

Heck, with a lockback version, you could call it a "lightweight folding skinner" which I'm sure is more "marketable" than a Sodbuster. :)

No, it's not a dramatic or "exciting" blade profile by any stretch, but I'd sure enough pick up a few.

 
ummm, I don't think the Buck blade on that one has a lock, there's no notch for the lockbar to go into that I can see. There's a lockbar, but no lock, strange.
 
Your all correct. Good eyes. This was a early 1st model selector 428 (1988) and it has wells for 2 blades, one locking (Selector) and one slip lock (permanent). I modified it by removing the non-locking blade and lock. Then added a true lock (now both lock) one permanent, one selector side and ground out this blade for the permanent side. You can call it a folding skinner, Trailing point or Sod Buster, they all arrive at the same train station in the end. Thanks, DM
 
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ArfinGreebly said:
If, for example, you took a 112 EcoLite, slimmed down the handle a bit and ground the blade so as not to create a clip point, you'd be pretty close.
Click to expand...

Or, if you did an Ecolite style paperstone version of the Buck 500....

I can dream...
 
David Martin said:
Your all correct. Good eyes. This was a early 1st model selector 428 (1988) and it has wells for 2 blades, one locking (Selector) and one slip lock (permanent). I modified it by removing the non-locking blade and lock. Then added a true lock (now both lock) one permanent, one selector side and ground out this blade for the permanent side. You can call it a folding skinner, Trailing point or Sod Buster, they all arrive at the same train station in the end. Thanks, DM
Click to expand...
OK, cool. The clip blade looks like a 110 blade, am I thinking correctly?
 
Your welcome. Buck mfg. that model for 2yrs. then changed it and brought out the single blade Selector. It ran for 4yrs. and went the way of the cattle drives. Both were good models. The Selectors made it easy to create a blade to fit any taste. DM
 
Yes, thats the one we have and they are $$. Sometimes you can find the Buck model at various retailers. ie. shows, bay, flea markets, ect.. DM
 
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