Buck "Survival" Knife?

I think I would choose a Punk even though I don't own one for a Buck Survival knife. With the flat grind it could be used to baton if needed.
 
TAH I understand your rules, but knives are like potato chips - you can't have just one! Having said that, I would have to pick one I actually own so it would be the 120.
 
The Thug would be my choice.



Although yesterday I was carrying my marksman while out riding my atv in the central Indiana wilderness. It would have come in handy had I crashed and needed it to remove an apendage to free myself from entrapment. I did have somewhat of a crash but I rolled far enough away that I didn't need the knife.:)
 
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The OP said outdoor survival, and you can pick one Buck. So with those as the rules and equipment given it would have to be a BuckMaster. Remember you get to pick, I would never think twice of failure in that pick.

If you gave me two picks, then a hatchet and one of the stout, but not giant length, knives.

If I had to go with what I had then it would be a 119, don't have anything bigger.

300
 
LostViking said:
After reading everyone's posts, and giving this a lot of thought. Factoring in not knowing tons, or even pounds about all the Buck Knives out there.

Here were my top three,
1. 119
2. 124
3. 105

The 119, I was surprised that the 119 was shown no love at all in this poll.
I just received my first 119 in Brass last week. I like it. It seems to have a ton of potential. If I factor in a defensive posture heavily, I would give the 119 the nod. Quite a knife, and I am truly sorry I waited this long to acquire one. I just don't have enough experience with it yet to trust my life to it. That may change as I get it out a bit.


The 124, I have one. I haven't used it much yet. If shelter building and wood processing were at the top of my survival criteria. I think the 124 would get the nod. Long tough blade, full tang, time tested bowie design. Yet still capable of game processing and defensive postures.


The 105, this knife is also somewhat new to me. (yes Buck Knife Fever has slowly crept into my life). But I must say, it would be the one I would grab. From the moment I took it out of the box. It just felt like it belonged in my hand. More so than the other Bucks I have acquired and possibly more than any other knife I own. That says an aweful lot!

My version of survival has morphed over the years. As has my version of camping and indeed life itself. About 10 years ago in my mid forties, I began to make strides towards a simpler lifestyle. I just felt there was a better way. I was never extravagant by any means. I just felt I could do better.

For all you budding survivalists, take whatever knife you have chosen in this poll. Proceed directly to your living room and drive that knife directly into your Television set. I gave up TV over six years and six months ago. $72.00/month adds up quick. But I digress, and realize this is not a path most will follow.


When you begin to look at survival and indeed life without the aid of the Madison Avenue marketing complex. Life makes more sense. I tend to reference the early pioneers for information. I figure they had to survive with what they had, or what they brought. Having to live out of your wagon once you've stopped along the trail, until you get your cabin up. Often in hostile territory. Would make every item count.

Over time, I have adopted the philosopghy that almost everything I own should do the following, especially my so called survival gear;

1. Serve more than one purpose (3-4 being optimal)
2. Work with or without the grid (it started with my old style perk coffe pot)
3. Be portable. (survival may or may not be dynamic)
4. Provide good value and long service life

I could go deeper, but I don't want to bore folks.

So how did I come to choose the 105? Well it fits me very well. It meets all the above criteria.

More importantly. When I look at survival without the aid of televison to cloud my mind. I see it as three major sections. I list them below in order of what I consider most important.

1. Body temperature,
If you cant maintain it you're dead, nothing else matters if you can't regulate your core temperature.
I see the ability to make fire as number one. Followed by shelter craft.

2. Hydration,
The second most important thing is water. It also aids in keeping your temps where they need to be.
I live in extreme northern New York. The water from my yard runs into Canada. At present safe drinable water is easily found.

3. Calories,
You simply must ingest more calories than you expend. Or you will die.

When I look at the 105. I think it blends all those factors well. Not the best of any one sector. But decent at all. Possibly tops in turning feathered, finned, or hooved calories into tasty bite size servings.

I'm a boring guy when it comes to survival. My go to gun of choice is a .22WRM levergun. I love my .45/70, but it would not be my first choice. Because it comes up short in many areas, especially portability. A thousand rounds of .22 WRM fits in my pocket. A thousand rounds of .45/70 fits in my truck. Plus it lacks versatilty. Espicially in the partridge and squirrel area.

I don't get too excited about survival. I do get pretty excited about living. Also, I am somewhat concerned with not dying.

I like living simple. The 105 does kitchen duty, then heads right out with me for camp chores. This knife has become a fast favorite, because of its versatility and portability. My 102 has been a long time companion and has never disappointed me.
But I feel the 105 adds just enough to the equation to eclipse it in a survival situation.

For me defense is a long ways down the trail, partially because of where I live. I find knives to be bad defensive weapons anyway. But they craft spears, bows, arrows and clubs well.

In truth, I have put a great deal of thought into not dying. And even more into daily living.

The more simple and independent your life becomes. The less dependent you become on the grid and other modern conveniences. The easier the transition to a survival situation should be. If it ever becomes necessary.

Honorable Mention - The New Selkirk. Just not enough info for me yet.

I apologize for the long explanation. But I figure it pays for people to know how and why you reach a certain conclusion.

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This is a fantastic post, and mirrors my thoughts very closely. Well done, and nice knife as well. :thumbup:
 
GoJoJo said:
TAH I understand your rules, but knives are like potato chips - you can't have just one! Having said that, I would have to pick one I actually own so it would be the 120.
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I hate my rules too, GoJo. Who the heck only carries one knife?!? :)

Sam Wilson said:
This is a fantastic post, and mirrors my thoughts very closely. Well done, and nice knife as well. :thumbup:
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Sam, nice to see you over here in Buck Country. You won't find a better group of knife nuts anywhere. :thumbup:



060 Hoodlum - 3
065 Punk - 3
070 Thug - 1
102 Woodsman - 1
103 Skinner - 1
104 Campadre Camp Knife - 1
105 Pathfinder - 1
106 Hatchet – 1
120 General - 1
124 Frontiersman – 4
184 Buckmaster - 2
192 Vanguard - 1
317 Trailblazer– 1
620 Reaper – 1
639 Fieldmate – 1
651 Nighthawk – 1
888 Buck/Strider – 1
 
I'll stick with my EDC. Buck 110 on the belt and a 389 Canoe and 301 Stockman in the pocket. Never carry just one. :)
 
TAH said:
060 Hoodlum - 3
065 Punk - 3
070 Thug - 1
102 Woodsman - 1
103 Skinner - 1
104 Campadre Camp Knife - 1
105 Pathfinder - 1
106 Hatchet – 1
120 General - 1
124 Frontiersman – 4
184 Buckmaster - 2
192 Vanguard - 1
317 Trailblazer– 1
620 Reaper – 1
639 Fieldmate – 1
651 Nighthawk – 1
888 Buck/Strider – 1
Click to expand...

I incorrectly stated Punk.....i meant Thug.
 
The "old Model #120" as any new plastic handled Knives will fall apart ~~ ask one of my Son's as they have been through
4 of them.!**
Hard not to take a #105 though as it is a go to Knife.*
And then just for looks and to hear people say you are over-gunned I would throw in the good ole #184 General in there.!*
Durn ~~ you just can't take just ""1"" Buck Knife no matter how hard you try.^^ {and I really tried. }
 
2TONYB, is that Thug flat grind? It sure looks it. For some reason I thought they were hollow grind.

Someone mentioned little love for the 119. I have an older 119 I bought off the "bay" a few years ago that I would consider if I could get a good edge on it. The edge was all chipped up when I got it so I redid the edge but just cant get it sharp. I might send it in one of these days so I can use the thing.:D
 
I would say Thug, but I don't have one. I am going with the 620 Reaper. I have used mine a good bit & have been impressed.
 
I would vote thug also. I brought mine camping last year and never used it but I would not call that a survival situation.
A very close second would be the new brahma knife. I got mine a few weeks back and just love it.
 
afishhunter said:
I'll stick with my EDC. Buck 110 on the belt and a 389 Canoe and 301 Stockman in the pocket. Never carry just one. :)
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Sorry, you only get one. My thread, my rules. :p :D I'll put you down for a 110. :thumbup:

2TONYB said:
I incorrectly stated Punk.....i meant Thug.
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Correction made.

wolf-man-12 said:
The "old Model #120" as any new plastic handled Knives will fall apart ~~ ask one of my Son's as they have been through
4 of them.!**
Hard not to take a #105 though as it is a go to Knife.*
And then just for looks and to hear people say you are over-gunned I would throw in the good ole #184 General in there.!*
Durn ~~ you just can't take just ""1"" Buck Knife no matter how hard you try.^^ {and I really tried. }
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wolf-man, I think you chose a 184 Buckmaster, but I'll wait for your clarification. :confused:



060 Hoodlum - 3
065 Punk - 2
070 Thug - 3
102 Woodsman - 1
103 Skinner - 1
104 Campadre Camp Knife - 1
105 Pathfinder - 1
106 Hatchet – 1
110 Folding Hunter - 1
120 General - 1
124 Frontiersman – 4
184 Buckmaster - 2
192 Vanguard - 1
317 Trailblazer– 1
620 Reaper – 2
639 Fieldmate – 1
651 Nighthawk – 1
888 Buck/Strider – 1
 
TAH said:
Sam, nice to see you over here in Buck Country. You won't find a better group of knife nuts anywhere. :thumbup:
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Thank you Tom, nice vibe over here. As for your question, I'm a little torn. I think of the 184 for obvious reasons, not the least of which is my love for HH knives. But I really like the 124, and given that I don't beat on my knives, I think it would do just fine. If I choose the 124, can I give it custom canvas micarta scales and a custom leather sheath with goodies???
 
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