Buck Stockman and Cadet made in China

[silenthunterstudios]

I've been searching scam Bay and the antique shops for a Buck stockman and a Cadet, but haven't had much luck. I've seen them at Walmart, but have been put off by the fact that they are made in China. I broke down last night and bought both and found out that they aren't as bad as I thought. The handle scales are different from the knives made in the USA, I have no idea what type of steel the blades are made of, although it looks like some type of stainless. They are razor sharp, and last night I put them through their paces, cutting some old worn rope and cardboard. They worked great.

Even though I don't buy the knockoffs made in China anymore, I have had to rethink my position on name brand knives made in China. I had bought a Kershaw Echo on eBay and was dismayed to find CHINA stamped on the handle when I received it, but the knife is one of my favorites right now, and is a hard little worker.

 

[DGG]

Here is a link to the Buck website where they discuss particulars.

http://www.buckknives.com/

 

[JD Mandrell]

I have no idea what type of steel the blades are made of, although it looks like some type of stainless.

It's 440C.

And even though they have been out awhile I haven't been able to find anything about the Chinese made slipjoints on their website.

 

[gordonk]

I bought one of them on the weekend as well. It looks like the Stockman (301), but the model # is 373 with a sideways "T". The model name one the box was "Trio". The China stamp is on a different blade. I agree it's a bargain for what I paid. This may have been a production run specific to Wal-Mart and/or the mass merchandisers. Haven't used it that much, but so far, so good

- gord

 

[guy g]

It is a ' customer specific ' knife made for Walmart. However it is available to dealers. Much like the wood handled small Taclite made last year for Wallys.

 

[Carl64]

I just got a "Steel Warrior" toothpick imported by Frost. They say they are involved closely in the development of the production of these models, and after seeing this knife I believe it. It's very well made. I need to try a few more. The one I have is better than any of the Case toothpicks I have, which tend to not snap open well or open all the way. The Steel Warrior is almost perfect and probably better steel too. It's 440(a I assume, but a lot of Chinese stuff is c recently) claimed to be 56-58 (pretty good for a cheap knife, but I haven't used it yet to find out), and Case seems to be using some kind of soft 420.

Price comparisons wouldn't be fair, but the Chinese option in this case is actually BETTER.

I think it's better than the Chinese Bucks too, though not as much as Frost vs. Case. Plus you get a nice color bone insert instead of that ugly wood. Since both are Chinese, it should be noted that the Steel Warriors are a few dollars less at eknifeworks. Do stay away from other Frost stuff, which is still pretty sorry.