Finally bit the bullet on a 102 woodsman

Got the knife and for now I've decided not to send it in for SPA, it really doesn't need it.
The aluminum is a little beat up but overall the knife is no worse off than the 1012 110 I got when I graduated highschool.



Here it is with a nice fresh edge and some minor polishing done with the Dremel.

The sheath I made for my Western f48a fits it perfectly which means I get to carry it right away.


Gotta order some leather and make a sheath for it, but this one will do just fine for now.

First impressions are it's an awesome little knife, should be a sweet belt knife for EDC type use.
 
Nice knife and I agree, that knife doesn't need the spa if you are going to use it. That is exactly the condition I look for in a used knife from a pawnshop or gunshop, etc., if I intend to use it. It's just right for work and you don't "mess up" a NIB collectors piece. OH
 
Old Hunter said:
Nice knife and I agree, that knife doesn't need the spa if you are going to use it. That is exactly the condition I look for in a used knife from a pawnshop or gunshop, etc., if I intend to use it. It's just right for work and you don't "mess up" a NIB collectors piece. OH
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Exactly, it's nice enough not to be an eye sore but has just enough wear that I'm not afraid to use it.

Btw I never expected the sheath to fit so loose and rattly, I had planned to use the factory sheath in the meantime and just flip the knife around when drawing which I don't mind so much on smaller knives but it's too rattly and annoying.
 
I think your Western just lost its pants. 102 looks great in that sheath. Did your Dremel remove the dings in the pommel?
 
TAH said:
I think your Western just lost its pants. 102 looks great in that sheath. Did your Dremel remove the dings in the pommel?
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No but I plan on attempting to do it the right way and go through some fine sandpaper and steel wool before polishing.

The knife does look good in the sheath which is why I'll be copying it when I make a sheath for the 102, for some reason I didn't welt that one but will this time around.
I've got a piece of 10oz left that might be big enough but is probably a bit too much for this knife.
 
TAH said:
Cool, can't wait to see everything finished.
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Couldn't do a lot without taking off too much material but the gouges certainly aren't as deep now.
Used 220 320 and 400 sandpaper ,00 steel wool, 0000 steel wool, and lastly the little buffing wheel and compound for the Dremel.
It's not perfect but I'm satisfied with it at this point.
 
It's a good looking knife, and the extra angle would not bother me.

I like to get many of my Buck knives exactly the same way. Almost new, slightly used, but way less $$ than new. It's a good way to get a "new" knife that you intend to use and sharpen, with the spa being an option when needed.
 
guitar1580 said:
It's a good looking knife, and the extra angle would not bother me.

I like to get many of my Buck knives exactly the same way. Almost new, slightly used, but way less $$ than new. It's a good way to get a "new" knife that you intend to use and sharpen, with the spa being an option when needed.
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If I think about it too much the knife does look a bit off compared to the 119 but that doesn't mean it necessarily looks bad, just different.
 
Well I just spent a couple hours making a sheath for the 102 and the very first time I inserted it the tip sliced right through it.:mad::poop:
I guess that's why the factory sheath is such a loose fit, man this would be so much easier if the blade was not canted.

I thought the changes I made were improvements that would result in a better fit but it took nothing to cut right though this 8oz leather while the sheath I've been using has held up just fine and it's a thinner more supple leather without a welt to protect the stitching.

Not exactly the look I had in mind but I'll probably have to go with something in a pancake construction to achieve the kind of fit I'm after.
Easy to insert and draw but also fairly secure.
 
See if you can find an old Flap-over Buck sheath on the classifieds or on the internet. They hold the knives without rattling and are made of hardy leather. OH
 
Old Hunter said:
See if you can find an old Flap-over Buck sheath on the classifieds or on the internet. They hold the knives without rattling and are made of hardy leather. OH
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I'm a lefty, and I need an open top sheath for convenience when carried at work.

I'll just make another one after work today and this time I'll add a plastic liner.
 
bertl said:
I've always thought the 118 won the prize for slicing through a sheath.

Bert
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Looking at the 118 I can imagine it being a sheath cutter for sure.
Now this 102 I've been keeping pretty darn sharp, I actually used it to shave the top of my feet this morning. Put my socks on and my feett itched on top, noticed some hair when I took my socks off so I pulled out the 102 and took care of it.

Knowing how universally loved and common their blades are I'll bet it's not the first time someone used
a Buck knife to shave their feet
foot :D
 
Hickory n steel said:
Put my socks on and my feett itched on top, noticed some hair when I took my socks off so I pulled out the 102 and took care of it.

Knowing how universally loved and common their blades are I'll bet it's not the first time someone used
a Buck knife to shave their feet
foot :D
Click to expand...

That poor knife. You probably killed it. If it quits holding an edge, becomes hard to sharpen, chips easily, The fault will be yours.:D

O.B.
 
I ordered a brand new custom leather sheath for my 102. When it came in I put the knife in it and promptly poked a hole through the back. Cut right through it like butter.

I contacted the maker and told him I needed to order another one. He asked why and when I explained what happened, he sent me another one for free. CC Leathers out of Pass Christian, MS.
 
Hickory n steel said:
Looking at the 118 I can imagine it being a sheath cutter for sure.
Now this 102 I've been keeping pretty darn sharp, I actually used it to shave the top of my feet this morning. Put my socks on and my feett itched on top, noticed some hair when I took my socks off so I pulled out the 102 and took care of it.

Knowing how universally loved and common their blades are I'll bet it's not the first time someone used
a Buck knife to shave their feet
foot :D
Click to expand...
wait until that hair on your foot top grows back then see how it itches......:)
 
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