I had an itch this morning to head to Smoky Mountain Knife Works (about a 45 minute drive). The holidays are coming, I need some ideas, and there are only a few weekends left to get to the store without risking a serious case of road rage.
For the past 4 years or so, I've carried a Benchmade mini-Grip on my days off (the pocket clip doesn't go too well with the daily Dockers). During the work week, I carry a Victorinox Tinker (had a few over the past 20 years). While I was there, I decided I might look at a new pocket knife. I like my mini-Grip a whole lot, and wanted something similar, but a bit bigger if I could find it. I wanted a non-black blade if I could get it.
I looked at Kershaws. I have had a couple (still have a few Sapphires) and they've been a good knife. I don't care for assisted opening, so the Leek ended up off the list. I looked (again) at Spyderco, and just couldn't bring myself to fall for one. Something about the blade shape and handle don't work for me. I looked at Ka-Bars, larger Grips, heck I was even looking at a Case folder to change it up.
After walking through the store (and buying a Mora knife in the process, couldn't resist), I found myself at the Buck counter. I don't think I've ever owned a Buck. As a kid, my dad had an old 110 that I got to use on occasion, but when it came time to buying knives, at first the Buck line was just old hunting knives, then it was imported junk compared to some of the other makers.
I looked at a number of knives, but the larger Vantage just felt really, really good in my hand. I was afraid it would be too big for pocket carry, but I decided to try it anyway. I went with the Pro for the s30v steel and the G10 handles, and figured I'd blown $60 on dumber things before. I've been messing with it all day, and I'm very pleased with my purchase. The liner locks about halfway across the blade, the blade is very sharp, and it's centered reasonably well by my eye.
It'll take a few months for it to break in right, but so far I'm really liking my new knife. Enough that I'm considering one of the smaller ones as well, possibly for pocket carry without the clip. I still can't believe I bought a Buck.
For the past 4 years or so, I've carried a Benchmade mini-Grip on my days off (the pocket clip doesn't go too well with the daily Dockers). During the work week, I carry a Victorinox Tinker (had a few over the past 20 years). While I was there, I decided I might look at a new pocket knife. I like my mini-Grip a whole lot, and wanted something similar, but a bit bigger if I could find it. I wanted a non-black blade if I could get it.
I looked at Kershaws. I have had a couple (still have a few Sapphires) and they've been a good knife. I don't care for assisted opening, so the Leek ended up off the list. I looked (again) at Spyderco, and just couldn't bring myself to fall for one. Something about the blade shape and handle don't work for me. I looked at Ka-Bars, larger Grips, heck I was even looking at a Case folder to change it up.
After walking through the store (and buying a Mora knife in the process, couldn't resist), I found myself at the Buck counter. I don't think I've ever owned a Buck. As a kid, my dad had an old 110 that I got to use on occasion, but when it came time to buying knives, at first the Buck line was just old hunting knives, then it was imported junk compared to some of the other makers.
I looked at a number of knives, but the larger Vantage just felt really, really good in my hand. I was afraid it would be too big for pocket carry, but I decided to try it anyway. I went with the Pro for the s30v steel and the G10 handles, and figured I'd blown $60 on dumber things before. I've been messing with it all day, and I'm very pleased with my purchase. The liner locks about halfway across the blade, the blade is very sharp, and it's centered reasonably well by my eye.
It'll take a few months for it to break in right, but so far I'm really liking my new knife. Enough that I'm considering one of the smaller ones as well, possibly for pocket carry without the clip. I still can't believe I bought a Buck.
