crosslock size make sense?

jbmonkey

jbmonkey

sure sure
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I've been eyeballing and doing a bit of reading on the crosslocks. there is some posts here but not much on info, more pics and comments. doesnt seem real popular but seems it should be. is that due to its size more than its functions? y'alls thoughts?

so 180, was that the original version or was there an earlier version? a bit longer blade on those I think. 3 1/8" sound about right?

so 183 still around. 3" blade and saw. so got me thinking..... who brings a 3" blade for game cleaning? do any of you folks? seems most prefer 3.75" or 4" range or longer blade depending on the game.

was the crosslock size due to legal limits on folders? does the size make more sense for it's intended use and I'm not thinking right?

I'm assuming one could use the saw for wood as well.....so a crosslock in 4" would be very useful as a Bush type folder...also for game if one was willing to use a folder over fixed. dont think I'll see a 4" version but sure makes sense to me.

thanks in advance for any feedback, thoughts, pics and knowledge shared with me.
 
I'm a Crosslock fan and I think it's underappreciated. But it's far from perfect.

I have a 183 and use it for bushcraft tasks, not hunting. It's pretty good in that role. The saw is bigger and more aggressive than a SAK saw, and it locks. The main blade holds an edge quite well (thanks to Buck's famous BOS heat treat, I guess).

Saw comparison with SAK farmer:

IMG_0028.jpg


My big complaint is the handle. The crosshatching on the aluminum scales is very abrasive. I sanded mine all over with 400 grit paper and that helped.

There have been several variations of this model. One has G10 grips with a tanto blade. I want those grips with the standard blade, but that's not offered.

An earlier version did not have the stupid big "ears" on the scales next to the pivot. These are another source of hot spots. Also, without them the knife becomes a flipper. Hell if I know why Buck added these stupid ears. I've been trying to score an earlier model without them but no luck so far. I may just grind them off on my model.
 
^interesting on the ears. they dont bother me in looks, but I dont own one yet so have no use experience. also on the texture. nothing I had thought about. appreciate reading about your first hand experiences with it.

good pic I was wondering how it was in actual size.

in your opinion Sir would a bigger blade and saw size be better or do ya find it useful as is in size for your tasks? thank you much.
 
I like the size as is. The larger handle compared to the SAK is a big plus for me.

A larger blade, however, would probably make it a bit unwieldy for the tasks I use it for. I wish it was flat ground. But, darnit, Buck just loves those hollow grinds.

On the grip texture: If you're using the knife to process game, it's probably really helpful if you're handling the knife with bloody hands.
 
Crosslocks can be very nice in the right configurations. Beware of the older crosslocks that have no stop pin and plastic spines. These will fail if enough pressure is applied while cutting. I don't recall what years these were made. The one that failed on me was bought shortly after they hit the market. I'm pretty sure I picked it up at Bass Pro in Atlanta in the Mid 90's, could be wrong though.
 
SOLEIL said:
Crosslocks can be very nice in the right configurations. Beware of the older crosslocks that have no stop pin and plastic spines. These will fail if enough pressure is applied while cutting. I don't recall what years these were made. The one that failed on me was bought shortly after they hit the market. I'm pretty sure I picked it up at Bass Pro in Atlanta in the Mid 90's, could be wrong though.
Click to expand...
did not know that. thanks for bringing that up Sir. I was tempted to buy some older ones but I like to use more than collect so those older ones would be better collectors it sounds.
 
jbmonkey said:
I've been eyeballing and doing a bit of reading on the crosslocks. there is some posts here but not much on info, more pics and comments. doesnt seem real popular but seems it should be. is that due to its size more than its functions? y'alls thoughts?

so 180, was that the original version or was there an earlier version? a bit longer blade on those I think. 3 1/8" sound about right?

so 183 still around. 3" blade and saw. so got me thinking..... who brings a 3" blade for game cleaning? do any of you folks? seems most prefer 3.75" or 4" range or longer blade depending on the game.

was the crosslock size due to legal limits on folders? does the size make more sense for it's intended use and I'm not thinking right?

I'm assuming one could use the saw for wood as well.....so a crosslock in 4" would be very useful as a Bush type folder...also for game if one was willing to use a folder over fixed. dont think I'll see a 4" version but sure makes sense to me.

thanks in advance for any feedback, thoughts, pics and knowledge shared with me.
Click to expand...
My 180 scared me as I was field dressing a buck. 18 years ago play got caught between the bones
jbmonkey said:
I've been eyeballing and doing a bit of reading on the crosslocks. there is some posts here but not much on info, more pics and comments. doesnt seem real popular but seems it should be. is that due to its size more than its functions? y'alls thoughts?

so 180, was that the original version or was there an earlier version? a bit longer blade on those I think. 3 1/8" sound about right?

so 183 still around. 3" blade and saw. so got me thinking..... who brings a 3" blade for game cleaning? do any of you folks? seems most prefer 3.75" or 4" range or longer blade depending on the game.

was the crosslock size due to legal limits on folders? does the size make more sense for it's intended use and I'm not thinking right?

I'm assuming one could use the saw for wood as well.....so a crosslock in 4" would be very useful as a Bush type folder...also for game if one was willing to use a folder over fixed. dont think I'll see a 4" version but sure makes sense to me.

thanks in advance for any feedback, thoughts, pics and knowledge shared with
Click to expand...
 
Bought a new cross lot 18 years ago love the looks of it dark mechanically might hold up well as I’ve always used a straight spline knife. While skining a buck the blade went between two bones as a twister to bring it out it broke the edge of the blade in the blade collapsed backwards on my hand and liked it took a finger. Just brought it out today after all those years wondering if it has a warranty on it. I’m going back to a straight spline back or as we say fixed blade
 
gary blocker said:
Bought a new cross lot 18 years ago love the looks of it dark mechanically might hold up well as I’ve always used a straight spline knife. While skining a buck the blade went between two bones as a twister to bring it out it broke the edge of the blade in the blade collapsed backwards on my hand and liked it took a finger. Just brought it out today after all those years wondering if it has a warranty on it. I’m going back to a straight spline back or as we say fixed blade
Click to expand...
there is a warranty, but since it's long discontinued and I'd bet they dont have blades or parts sitting theyll offer you a similar current knife or maybe a discount on a new knife. they may have blades and parts though. worth a call.....
 
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