Buck "Survival" Knife?

2015
After recently doing this, (wilderness travel) I'd choose Buck's new 106 hatchet. A well designed hatchet is the workhorse, capable of building shelter, helping with a fire and skinning game. I was a large knife fan but have recently changed. If you don't allow the hatchet as a choice. Then I'm with Bear Claw and would take the Hoodlum. It's just the closest. DM

2021
I would keep the hatchet. DM

I like a committed man who knows his tools. :thumbsup:
 
I only own two Buck knives: a 110 that was my dads and the 184 Buckmaster. Love them both. Beyond doubt I would pick the 184 even if my choice were truly unlimited amongst Buck models. I might even pick it if my choice wasn’t limited to Buck, but that’s another topic for a different thread I guess :)
 
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I only own two Buck knives: a 110 that was my dads and the 184 Buckmaster. Love them both. Beyond doubt I would pick the 184 even if my choice were truly unlimited amongst Buck models. I might even pick it if my choice wasn’t limited to Buck, but that’s another topic for a different thread I guess :)

Good choice on the Buckmaster, which puts it in 4th place.

060 Hoodlum - 4
065 Punk - 4
070 Thug - 4
102 Woodsman - 1
103 Skinner - 1
104 Compadre Frontier - 2
105 Pathfinder - 3
106 Compadre Camp Axe - 1
108 Campadre Froe - 1
110 Folding Hunter - 9
112 Ranger - 1
117 Small Brahma - 1
119 Special - 11
120 General - 2
121 Guide - 1
124 Frontiersman - 21
183 Alpha Crosslock - 1
184 Buckmaster - 5
185 Buckmaster LT - 1
187 Intrepid - 1
188 M9 Bayonet - 1
192 Vanguard Alaskan Guide - 1
245 MWG Navy Seal - 1
303 Cadet - 1
429 Selector - 1
495 Ergo Hunter - 1
620 Reaper - 3
632 Mesa - 1
639 Fieldmate - 1
650 Nighthawk - 1
651 Nighthawk Pigsticker– - 1
863 Selkirk - 3
888 Buck/Strider - 2
SwissBuck - 2
SwissMate III - 1
 
808 Talon. One can pretty much cut/slash/slay anything in the wilderness.

Much love for the 124. And if limited to a knife the 124 would be the one.
 
I've had a long time to ponder this one over and have arrived at the decision that I'd be well off to have a 104 Compadre with me if lost in the woods.

I'd still be in good shape with a Punk, 119 or 124 but the 104 just feels like the right fit in this scenario. Not too small or too large, an all-round blade shape and size, 5160 steel plus a really tough handle. I definitely feel like I could perform any task.
 
808 Talon

104 Compadre

Added! :thumbsup:

060 Hoodlum - 4
065 Punk - 4
070 Thug - 4
102 Woodsman - 1
103 Skinner - 1
104 Compadre Frontier - 3
105 Pathfinder - 3
106 Compadre Camp Axe - 1
108 Campadre Froe - 1
110 Folding Hunter - 9
112 Ranger - 1
117 Small Brahma - 1
119 Special - 11
120 General - 2
121 Guide - 1
124 Frontiersman - 21
183 Alpha Crosslock - 1
184 Buckmaster - 5
185 Buckmaster LT - 1
187 Intrepid - 1
188 M9 Bayonet - 1
192 Vanguard Alaskan Guide - 1
245 MWG Navy Seal - 1
303 Cadet - 1
429 Selector - 1
495 Ergo Hunter - 1
620 Reaper - 3
632 Mesa - 1
639 Fieldmate - 1
650 Nighthawk - 1
651 Nighthawk Pigsticker– - 1
808 Talon - 1
863 Selkirk - 3
888 Buck/Strider - 2
SwissBuck - 2
SwissMate III - 1
 
Got it!

060 Hoodlum - 4
065 Punk - 4
070 Thug - 4
102 Woodsman - 1
103 Skinner - 2
104 Compadre Frontier - 3
105 Pathfinder - 3
106 Compadre Camp Axe - 1
108 Campadre Froe - 1
110 Folding Hunter - 9
112 Ranger - 1
117 Small Brahma - 1
119 Special - 11
120 General - 2
121 Guide - 1
124 Frontiersman - 21
183 Alpha Crosslock - 1
184 Buckmaster - 5
185 Buckmaster LT - 1
187 Intrepid - 1
188 M9 Bayonet - 1
192 Vanguard Alaskan Guide - 1
245 MWG Navy Seal - 1
303 Cadet - 1
429 Selector - 1
495 Ergo Hunter - 1
620 Reaper - 3
632 Mesa - 1
639 Fieldmate - 1
650 Nighthawk - 1
651 Nighthawk Pigsticker– - 1
808 Talon - 1
863 Selkirk - 3
888 Buck/Strider - 2
SwissBuck - 2
SwissMate III - 1
 
It does say "Survival".

The 941 Travelmate kit.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Hey, it's got a:
-941 spreader with a flexible blade that allows you to easily spread peanut putter, cream cheese, jelly or any other condiment-but is also sturdy enough for slicing bread, cheese, veggies or snack meats. Come on, who doesn't like that?

-Antimicrobial injection molded sheath. So the little invisible things are less likely to kill me:eek::).

-Fork! Which includes a bottle opener, can opener, flathead screwdriver, and BBQ grill scraping capabilities.:thumbsup:

Hey, laugh, but I'll bet you I'll use my "survival" knife before you use yours!:D

Note.
Yeah I laughed too.:p
941 Travelmate kit sheath | BladeForums.com

But then once when working out of town, It's late and I get back to the hotel after stopping to get some fried chicken and mashed potatoes..... and didn't have a fork or spoon! :mad:

Yep.
You'll remember this someday. I warned you. :cool:
 
It does say "Survival".

The 941 Travelmate kit.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Hey, it's got a:
-941 spreader with a flexible blade that allows you to easily spread peanut putter, cream cheese, jelly or any other condiment-but is also sturdy enough for slicing bread, cheese, veggies or snack meats. Come on, who doesn't like that?

-Antimicrobial injection molded sheath. So the little invisible things are less likely to kill me:eek::).

-Fork! Which includes a bottle opener, can opener, flathead screwdriver, and BBQ grill scraping capabilities.:thumbsup:

Hey, laugh, but I'll bet you I'll use my "survival" knife before you use yours!:D

Note.
Yeah I laughed too.:p
941 Travelmate kit sheath | BladeForums.com

But then once when working out of town, It's late and I get back to the hotel after stopping to get some fried chicken and mashed potatoes..... and didn't have a fork or spoon! :mad:

Yep.
You'll remember this someday. I warned you. :cool:

I'm adding it just for your humorous post. :D

060 Hoodlum - 4
065 Punk - 4
070 Thug - 4
102 Woodsman - 1
103 Skinner - 2
104 Compadre Frontier - 3
105 Pathfinder - 3
106 Compadre Camp Axe - 1
108 Campadre Froe - 1
110 Folding Hunter - 9
112 Ranger - 1
117 Small Brahma - 1
119 Special - 11
120 General - 2
121 Guide - 1
124 Frontiersman - 21
183 Alpha Crosslock - 1
184 Buckmaster - 5
185 Buckmaster LT - 1
187 Intrepid - 1
188 M9 Bayonet - 1
192 Vanguard Alaskan Guide - 1
245 MWG Navy Seal - 1
303 Cadet - 1
429 Selector - 1
495 Ergo Hunter - 1
620 Reaper - 3
632 Mesa - 1
639 Fieldmate - 1
650 Nighthawk - 1
651 Nighthawk Pigsticker– - 1
808 Talon - 1
863 Selkirk - 3
888 Buck/Strider - 2
941 Travelmate - 1
SwissBuck - 2
SwissMate III - 1
 
The 639 Fieldmate deserves more love, even if it's doomed to be at the bottom of the list due to it's relative obscurity!

Buck-639-Fieldmate.jpg
 
This 7-year old thread is truly about survival. It refuses to die. 😁

060 Hoodlum - 4
065 Punk - 4
070 Thug - 4
102 Woodsman - 1
103 Skinner - 2
104 Compadre Frontier - 3
105 Pathfinder - 3
106 Compadre Camp Axe - 1
108 Campadre Froe - 1
110 Folding Hunter - 9
112 Ranger - 1
117 Small Brahma - 1
119 Special - 11
120 General - 2
121 Guide - 1
124 Frontiersman - 21
183 Alpha Crosslock - 1
184 Buckmaster - 5
185 Buckmaster LT - 1
187 Intrepid - 1
188 M9 Bayonet - 1
192 Vanguard Alaskan Guide - 1
245 MWG Navy Seal - 1
303 Cadet - 1
429 Selector - 1
495 Ergo Hunter - 1
620 Reaper - 3
632 Mesa - 1
639 Fieldmate - 2
650 Nighthawk - 1
651 Nighthawk Pigsticker - 1
808 Talon - 1
863 Selkirk - 3
888 Buck/Strider - 2
941 Travelmate - 1
SwissBuck - 2
SwissMate III - 1
 
I sort of did this for real, 35 years ago.

I bought a Buck 639 Field Mate, with the intention of using it to replace the standard issue survival knife, supplied by the Navy, in my survival vest. I figured that, ending up in the ocean was a very real possibility, and thought having the rubber grip might be a plus. But, I never made the switch, and the Field Mate got stored away in a box, in my closet. I still have that knife, and for all intents and purposes, it is brand new. Never used, at all.

Lately, I've been thinking about having it "updated" with a new grip, and guard/pommel. Perhaps stag, or some exotic wood. We'll see.

So I guess that makes my answer, the 639 Field Mate. :)

Edit: Picture added for the heck of it.
original.jpg
 
Last edited:
I'll go with the Buck Talon. A solid chopper with a few extra tricks. It is a shame the Hoolum was never released without the stupid notch.

n2s
 
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