Buck: Their heat treat with S30V or S35VN? Also... the 119 or 120 for that matter?

midnight flyer said:
Hashishiin Hashishiin , I think going with a base model of the 119 is a great idea. Test it out in the field; see what you like and what you don't, see how it performs for the tasks you have in mind for it. Personally, although I like it for an all around knife (just thinking bout what you said about butchering your own animals) it isn't the best for field dressing or cleaning. And for small animals, forget it. The upsweep on the tip makes it too hard and imprecise to cut around the anus, and the handle is too slippery when it has blood and fat on it to be safe. I have used it for that and didn't like it one bit. It is great for breaking down the joints as needed, but other knives do the butchering and field work better. You won't like cutting open the cavity with that knife, trying to keep from knicking something that will foul your meat; the blade is just the wrong shape for that.

When BUCKS were all the rage starting back in the late 60s early 70s, my friends fixed that problem by getting the 110 and the 119 to use in tandem. Worked out great. A couple of friends of mine still use their 110s in good old faithful 420hc to gut and hang their animals as needed during hunting season. Easy enough to use that 110 for some minor butchering, too.

If you want a classic, go for the BUCK knives you are looking at. But if you are going to get a knife with a specific task like field dressing and butchering in mind, go to the BUCK website and take a look. They have some excellent designs for hunting and game processing on their site, all he way from pretty utility looking to down right pretty.
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As always, love your info. Appreciate the dressing tips, I'd wonder if for that purpose a precise, straight-bladed shape for that purpose, like a pointy Janich-wharncliffe style like the Ronin would be good, knowing what I know about cutting general things. I'd been advised to avoid a folding knife for this purpose, but if you're careful, can folks get away with it and not ruin the knife?

So far, the 110 is the only Buck I own, and it's what sold me on Buck. This camping trip will not be a hunting trip, so I just got the 119 as a general use fixed blade, as my best fixed blade right now is either a Mora HD Companion or the Ontario SP-1, which I like and is tough, but it's very obtuse. I just wanted a reason to get the 119, haha. Eventually I will buy a purpose-built butchering knife, but I would think it wise to actually try the act first, and buy a knife based on how the task feels, right?. I have wharncliffes, sweeping clips, drop-points, mostly straight-spines, a ton of different shapes. Only thing is they are mostly folders.
ferider said:
I just think the OEM sheath is flimsy, in particular the belt loop. Pointers meaning to other makers of more solid sheaths, leather or Kydex, not too expensive since it’s a popular knife. I’m obsessed with sheaths though :)
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Yeah, I'd definitely like to look at some! Hit me up with their names! BTW I am after leather - a nice deep red/wine/burgundy leather if possible.
 
What size hand (ie. glove size) do you have? I have a big paw (2xl+ paw) and find the normal 119/120 handles small.

As JWright214 JWright214 mentioned, I might consider the Buck Compadre. 1. I like the blade shape better overall and the blade length. 4-5" is ideal imo. 2. More comfortable handle (for me). 3. I like the micarta over the custom shop offerings. 4. Cheaper than a custom knife although more expensive then the normal 420hc version. 5. I like 5160 and you know Buck did a great heat treat on it. 6. Great warranty still, its a Buck...

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Buck-Compadre-Camp-Knife-Natural--92983
 
gazz98 said:
What size hand (ie. glove size) do you have? I have a big paw (2xl+ paw) and find the normal 119/120 handles small.

As JWright214 JWright214 mentioned, I might consider the Buck Compadre. 1. I like the blade shape better overall and the blade length. 4-5" is ideal imo. 2. More comfortable handle (for me). 3. I like the micarta over the custom shop offerings. 4. Cheaper than a custom knife although more expensive then the normal 420hc version. 5. I like 5160 and you know Buck did a great heat treat on it. 6. Great warranty still, its a Buck...

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Buck-Compadre-Camp-Knife-Natural--92983
Click to expand...

I think the Compadre is the best looking “new” Buck model in the lineup.
 
I came across a 119 in the salty bilge of a west coast fishing boat a few years ago, where a (presumably) careless fisherman had dropped it. It had probably been there for weeks, as the sheath was pretty well soaked and wrecked, but the knife itself was practically unmarked, with no visible rust at all.
 
Just as a random afterthought... what do you guys think of the Slim Select 110? Still USA made, it's like a Buck 110 LW... thinking about snagging one for the free shipping and then maybe dying the GFN...
 
Hashishiin said:
As always, love your info. Appreciate the dressing tips, I'd wonder if for that purpose a precise, straight-bladed shape for that purpose, like a pointy Janich-wharncliffe style like the Ronin would be good, knowing what I know about cutting general things. I'd been advised to avoid a folding knife for this purpose, but if you're careful, can folks get away with it and not ruin the knife?

So far, the 110 is the only Buck I own, and it's what sold me on Buck. This camping trip will not be a hunting trip, so I just got the 119 as a general use fixed blade, as my best fixed blade right now is either a Mora HD Companion or the Ontario SP-1, which I like and is tough, but it's very obtuse. I just wanted a reason to get the 119, haha. Eventually I will buy a purpose-built butchering knife, but I would think it wise to actually try the act first, and buy a knife based on how the task feels, right?. I have wharncliffes, sweeping clips, drop-points, mostly straight-spines, a ton of different shapes. Only thing is they are mostly folders.

Yeah, I'd definitely like to look at some! Hit me up with their names! BTW I am after leather - a nice deep red/wine/burgundy leather if possible.
Click to expand...

Two styles that I like:

1)

i-57DsfmP-X3.jpg


< $30 on ebay or etsy, made in Missisippi. With that one, move the plastic insert from the OEM sheath, so your knife doesn't poke holes in it.

2)

i-KW4jggP-X3.jpg


Left is a 119 sheath that I modified for that custom knife in the picture. That's a Randall type sheath bought from an ebay maker in Texas, ~$30. You can even buy a real Randall sheath that will fit, look for 'Randall #1-6",#25-6",#5-6"' and you'll find sheaths from Sullivans (Randall sheath maker), for less than $60.

Good luck,

Roland.
 
midnight flyer said:
Hashishiin Hashishiin , I think going with a base model of the 119 is a great idea. Test it out in the field; see what you like and what you don't, see how it performs for the tasks you have in mind for it. Personally, although I like it for an all around knife (just thinking bout what you said about butchering your own animals) it isn't the best for field dressing or cleaning. And for small animals, forget it. The upsweep on the tip makes it too hard and imprecise to cut around the anus, and the handle is too slippery when it has blood and fat on it to be safe. I have used it for that and didn't like it one bit. It is great for breaking down the joints as needed, but other knives do the butchering and field work better. You won't like cutting open the cavity with that knife, trying to keep from knicking something that will foul your meat; the blade is just the wrong shape for that.

When BUCKS were all the rage starting back in the late 60s early 70s, my friends fixed that problem by getting the 110 and the 119 to use in tandem. Worked out great. A couple of friends of mine still use their 110s in good old faithful 420hc to gut and hang their animals as needed during hunting season. Easy enough to use that 110 for some minor butchering, too.

If you want a classic, go for the BUCK knives you are looking at. But if you are going to get a knife with a specific task like field dressing and butchering in mind, go to the BUCK website and take a look. They have some excellent designs for hunting and game processing on their site, all he way from pretty utility looking to down right pretty.
Click to expand...
total disagreement on 119 for field dressing deer but I've probably only done a dozen or so with mine.
 
ferider said:
I just think the OEM sheath is flimsy, in particular the belt loop. Pointers meaning to other makers of more solid sheaths, leather or Kydex, not too expensive since it’s a popular knife. I’m obsessed with sheaths though :)
Click to expand...
Mine has a nylon sheath with hard insert. Ugly as sin but totally functional.
 
Hashishiin said:
Just as a random afterthought... what do you guys think of the Slim Select 110? Still USA made, it's like a Buck 110 LW... thinking about snagging one for the free shipping and then maybe dying the GFN...
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I hate 'em!...







All kidding aside, they're my favorite EDC. In fact, the only way I carry something else is if it's something brand new. After the novelty wears-off, I'm usually right back to one of the 110 Slims.
 
Alone said:
I hate 'em!...







All kidding aside, they're my favorite EDC. In fact, the only way I carry something else is if it's something brand new. After the novelty wears-off, I'm usually right back to one of the 110 Slims.
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Whoo, that is a sweet collection! I pulled the trigger on a tan one, going to make it my first rit-dye project, going to be great to have a "modern" version of the 110, to compare to my regular one. I love the regular, so this should be good. Anything to push the PM2 out of my pocket for a little, haha. I have the exact same thing as you, but with the PM2 (I own eight). I have to try to make myself carry more/other/different things as it is so easy for me to just put on my Leatherman Wingman and Matriarch 2 on one side, grab a Paramilitary 2 in the steel choice of the day, and then I feel like I'm left with only the choice of a fifth-pocket knife. 😂
 
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Hashishiin said:
As always, love your info. Appreciate the dressing tips, I'd wonder if for that purpose a precise, straight-bladed shape for that purpose, like a pointy Janich-wharncliffe style like the Ronin would be good, knowing what I know about cutting general things. I'd been advised to avoid a folding knife for this purpose, but if you're careful, can folks get away with it and not ruin the knife?
Click to expand...
It's always fun to share with knife guys, especially if they are going to use them, not just collect and admire. Nothing wrong with collecting and admiring, just more fun for me to put them to work as they were intended.

I think that if you start processing your own animals you will find that the reason that there are so many kinds of "hunting" (as opposed to "camp") knives is that one knife isn't perfect for all tasks. The Buck Vanguard is a great hunting knife, especially with he rubber handles, but won't break the pelvis bone if you are actually taking the whole animal apart. My grandfather was a North American style big game hunter, meaning he never left the continent. He hunted large (mule) deer, moose, trophy rams, etc. He liked to shoot the big animals then split it up between friends and nearby towns that were near his long time hunting areas.

He carried a CASE large stockman whenever hunting; that was his "hunting knife". You could do fine with the spey when skinning or caping, use the large blade for puncturing "as needed", and the sheepsfoot as needed. But he always carried a German made hunting set that my Dad brought back from his time Germany in the very early 50s. Google images of "vintage german hunting knife sets" and you should see a bunch. They were a must have item for all hunters back in the 50s, 60s and on into the 70s. The set had a large knife that was thick bladed with a heavy spine so you could go through joints, break the pelvis, cut sinew, etc. The second blade was made to be a combo knife that took care of the rest of the chores and had a blade that was about 4 -5" and usually was fairly thin and had a nice sweep on the belly. I would take a picture, but Grandad's is packed up with his WWI stuff in storage.

You can easily take a 110 hunting and find it enormously useful. Get it to a razor, then use it like a scalpel. You don't have to get it elbow deep in guts. I hunted with guys for years that used that knife exclusively in the field. We would hang a deer, open it up, then clean as needed. They would take their 110 and wash it off (along with the other gear) with soap and hot water to get the stuff off of it. After that, a quick one minute bath in hot water and it was dried, oiled, and given to me to re-edge.

My personal preference isn't a folder, although I will use it for finer cuts. My weapon of choice is the medium stockman since it has the blade shapes I know; it's like having three knives in your pocket. My gutting/cleaning knife for years was an Uncle Henry Golden Spike. Great sweep on the blade, nice point on it, and had sculpted delrin handles. The handle was a bit thin for me, but you can't have it all. I had a USA made model back in the mid 70s, and at that time they were rumored to be 1084, probably hardened to about 55-56 Rockwell. No super steels, we didn't baton, and there were no tiny diamond sharpeners to touch up as needed. The Golden Spike had an excellent sheath, and I do mean excellent. and it came with rough little stone that fit is its own compartment in the sheath. Great hunting knife, OK camp knife.

I don't do all of that anymore as I can't afford it. Every vacant lot, ranchette, tiny farm, abandoned hay field etc., is being carved up for home building. The places I used to hunt are covered with subdivisions now, or they are so damn expensive I can't see paying for it. I do have a lot of fond memories, though. You should find a friendly guide or friend to go hunting with to show you how to process an animal. It isn't brain surgery, but there are a lot of ins and outs that are much easier to master if someone shows you.
 
Zulus said:
Don't be so sad !!
You always have a choice !?

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I did throw one of those 110 Slim Selects in my order, gonna try to rit-dye it wine red and see what happens! And I noticed they have S45VN in some other knives, so still able to get that steel with the Bos heat-treat! 😁
 
Hashishiin said:
I did throw one of those 110 Slim Selects in my order, gonna try to rit-dye it wine red and see what happens! And I noticed they have S45VN in some other knives, so still able to get that steel with the Bos heat-treat! 😁
Click to expand...
I know Buck Onset is S45VN
but maybe others too
 
Hashishiin said:
Whoo, that is a sweet collection! I pulled the trigger on a tan one, going to make it my first rit-dye project, going to be great to have a "modern" version of the 110, to compare to my regular one. I love the regular, so this should be good. Anything to push the PM2 out of my pocket for a little, haha. I have the exact same thing as you, but with the PM2. I have to try to make myself carry more/other/different things as it is so easy for me to just put on my Leatherman Wingman and Matriarch 2 on one side, grab a Paramilitary 2 in the steel choice of the day, and then I feel like I'm left with only the choice of a fifth-pocket knife. 😂
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I completely get it.

I didn't like the 110 SS when it first came-out. It bothered me that the blade didn't share that unmistakable profile of the "Folding Hunter". Despite that, my Dad was my Hero, and the only blade I ever saw him with was his trusty 110. I musta' watched him gut/skin/quarter whitetail in the triple digits. So, I'm a bit of a Buck fanboi, and just had to have one.

As I started carrying it, I loved it more and more with each passing day. I also started to do things with it that I woulda' never done with a Folding Hunter, and quickly realized that Buck was producing a new 110 for a new "mission". I reckon the Designers and Engineers at Buck will forget more about knives than I will ever know...and, in the end (*and as a Consumer), I'm grateful for their vast knowledge.

Beyond that, like the Folding Hunter, I also like it for its simplicity. If I really booger one of mine up, I wash it with Dawn and water, spray the blade and pivot with a little WD-40, stand it on its tip, and it's like brand new after it drains.


Your mileage may vary...
 
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