Folding Alpha Hunter

STDK · May 21, 2011

I have two of the folding Alpha's both bought used, One is a Standard 279 with 420 and Rubber handles that i cant comment on because the 277 Wood handle one with ATS 34 has proven to be all the knife I could want it has done everything I have asked of it and more, I cant wait to use it on a deer. I prefer it over the 110 as a large folder but thats just me.

edbeau · May 21, 2011

Looking at the knife blade and the one I have (2007). Mine has a mirror finish on the blade and yours looks like satin finish. Mine is marked as a BOS 154CM on the back side. My 279's are satin finish but I did run them over the polishing wheel.

David Martin · May 21, 2011

Yes, I've seen them priced higher but thought that was in the neighborhood. The hollow grind at the edge is more medium than thin. Allowing for good slicing ability and strength. DM

rprocter · May 21, 2011

Thanks. Most manufacturer's list prices are at least 30% higher than the highest retail listing. I'm not familiar with Buck pricing but likely this applies. So retail $80 could well be right.
roland

Badhammer · May 24, 2011

Just ordered an Alpha Hunter with rosewood and 154CM. SW had them on clearance, evidently I got the last one as they are no longer available. Anyway I was checking Bucks site and notice that they have the 0277 listed as having 12C27M steel. When did they change from 154CM? Are the new ones marked 12C27M?

Plumberdv · May 24, 2011

Badhammer said:
Just ordered an Alpha Hunter with rosewood and 154CM. SW had them on clearance, evidently I got the last one as they are no longer available. Anyway I was checking Bucks site and notice that they have the 0277 listed as having 12C27M steel. When did they change from 154CM? Are the new ones marked 12C27M?

They changed from ATS-34 to 154CM in the 2006 catalog and from 154CM to 12C27M in the 2010 catalog. I don't have one of the new ones, but my Ergo hunter is etched 12C27M so the Alpha should be also.

jb4570 · May 24, 2011

rprocter said:
Hope this doesn't convert me into a Buck collector. I don't have space for anymore knives than i already have. roland

I hope it converts you into a member of the BCCI and the world of Buck knife collecting

. The folding Alpha's come in many variations, I'm sure you will find one to meet your needs. These knives open as smooth as silk and will do the job you want it to.

jb4570

David Martin · May 24, 2011

JB, Those are some nice Alpha's. I agree, 'smooth as silk'. Plus, it has a self cleaning feature and a lanyard hole. DM

Badhammer · May 27, 2011

Well this sucks. Got my Alpha Hunter from Sportsman's Warehouse and it's marked 12C27M. Their site still states that the wooden handle, foldiing Alpha Hunter is 154CM and even the Buck box has 154CM BOS sticker on the top of it. Since Buck has changed this model to 12C27M I figured that's why these were on clearance, moving out old stock. Don't get me wrong, I like the way the knife feels and looks, it is after all a Buck but I had every reason to believe I was getting what was described. I emailed CS at SW and told them I didn't get what was advertised and at the very least they should update their website. Oh well, another Buck is still better than no Buck at all.

David Martin · May 28, 2011

Jeff, I wish you'd hurry up and get this knife. How much stronger do you guys think the Alpha Hunter is than the 110? DM

Badhammer · May 31, 2011

Followup:

Sportsmans Warehouse customer service replied back to my email that they were sorry for the inconvenience and that they would correct their website and would refund my money and return shipping if I wanted to return the knife. Still don't know if Buck shipped them the knife in a box marked 154CM or if they sent my knife in an old box but I guess I'll keep it.

As I stated in my other post it's a nice knife and I got it for a great price so it's not a total loss, just not what I thought I was ordering.

rprocter · May 31, 2011

I have not yet picked up my Alpha Hunter but i'll post pics when i have it.
BH, my bet is that both steels will perform equally well. I don't think it is a big deal. We'll see what mine has when it arrives.
roland

Flatlander1963 · Jun 1, 2011

rprocter said:
Rather than start a new thread, i thought i would revive this one. Although i have about 30 Buck knives, mostly folders in the 300 series, i'm not really a Buck collector so my knowledge here is limited.
I just bought a Buck 277T (2003) which seller says has 154CM steel, with it's sheath, new, unused for $34. There's plenty of Buck collectors so usually the unused Buck knives get bid up appropriately on ebay.
Here's the only pic. 154CM is not marked on the blade.

I assume a big folder like this with this higher end steel is worth considerably more than what i paid. Did i just get lucky here, or is this an inexpensive Buck with their regular steel (420 HC ?) ?
thanks for helping me out.
roland

I locked in on your comment that there was no stamp. I see its a #277 which is the premium rosewood knife. The steel stamp is on the right side. You made a good deal for $34.

rprocter · Jun 1, 2011

Thanks Fl. I'm going to the P.O. tomorrow, so i'll post back here in the evening. If the steel type is unmarked, then i have the 420HC version. Which will still be o.k. by me. I'm not a steel snob. The 420HC has performed very well for many years in the 110, partly because of Buck's excellent heat treatment, so if that's what my knife has, it still should cut just fine. That said, 154CM is my favorite knife steel. I have a number of customs with this steel, like Halfrichs, that i use and really like.
roland

Flatlander1963 · Jun 2, 2011

Roland,

I have a 277 in 154CM. These Alpha Folders are belt knives IMO due to size. I took the rosewood off and replaced with rubber scale I bought from the Factory Store. I also got a factory nylon sheath that carry's horizontal on the belt. I find this to be the best setup for the knife. Enjoy your new Alpha!!

rprocter · Jun 3, 2011

Got It ! BOS 154CM it is, and edge looks unused. Sheath has 276 on the back.
Blade looks to be bead blasted or stone washed.
What strikes me first is that the knife seems unnecessarily heavy. The steel of the side scales is fairly thick plus the double spacers at the butt must give it the weight. But not weight like fat, more like Arnold. The locking liner is the opposite: skinny !
The designers must have had reasons for all this and certainly it's not a copy of any other tactical style knife i have.
Second aspect that seems different is how deeply the blade sinks into the frame in the closed position, the blade tip getting pretty close to knife spine, giving the knife a sunk joint.
But, I like it ! I'll be putting a lanyard on and carry it in this top notch "276" sheath.
The blade is nicely shaving sharp so i need to decide if i keep it a 'for flesh only' hunting knife, or use it as an all-purpose outdoor EDC. Any suggestions about this ? or my comments above ?
Thank you all for the help you've given me here. It's great to be able to drop in to this forum and receive such friendly expert advice.
roland

David Martin · Jun 3, 2011

I noticed those aspects as well. But the liner does have ample strength, its no heavier that the 110, it also has a self cleaning feature, lanyard hole (as stated), the leather sheath is nice and it is very smooth/ quick opening. Also, should you care to change the handle slabs, this is far easier to do than on a 110. I EDC mine and that steel will take a very nice edge. The blades are easier to change out than a 110. Your welcome,DM

Plumberdv · Jun 3, 2011

rprocter said:
Got It ! BOS 154CM it is, and edge looks unused. Sheath has 276 on the back.
Blade looks to be bead blasted or stone washed.
What strikes me first is that the knife seems unnecessarily heavy. The steel of the side scales is fairly thick plus the double spacers at the butt must give it the weight. But not weight like fat, more like Arnold. The locking liner is the opposite: skinny !
The designers must have had reasons for all this and certainly it's not a copy of any other tactical style knife i have.
Second aspect that seems different is how deeply the blade sinks into the frame in the closed position, the blade tip getting pretty close to knife spine, giving the knife a sunk joint.
But, I like it ! I'll be putting a lanyard on and carry it in this top notch "276" sheath.
The blade is nicely shaving sharp so i need to decide if i keep it a 'for flesh only' hunting knife, or use it as an all-purpose outdoor EDC. Any suggestions about this ? or my comments above ?
Thank you all for the help you've given me here. It's great to be able to drop in to this forum and receive such friendly expert advice.
roland

It's more the other way around. If you check out the CSAR-T (Pro), you will see that it uses the same frame as the Alpha. It is wider to allow for the thicker blade on the Csar. The CSAR-T Avid looks to have the exact same frame and the Reponder only differs because of the added seatbelt cutter.

You made the comment that it's "unecessarily heavy". What would you suggest to make it lighter? Lighter, less robust material or smaller size? Just curious.

Badhammer · Jun 3, 2011

Something I noticed right away about mine is the way the sheath is made. The knife only goes in one way and being right handed I wear it on my right side. Because of the way the sheath is designed it places the thumbstuds to the rear which is the opposite direction a right handed person needs them to be.

When I unsnap the top of the sheath and draw the knife I have to flip it around before I can get my right thumb on the thumb studs because it presents with the back of the knife facing forward instead of the front. If you look at the Buck website they show this knife in the sheath but the model shows it on the left side which places the studs to the front. It's like the sheath is made for a left handed person.

Plumberdv · Jun 3, 2011

Badhammer said:
Something I noticed right away about mine is the way the sheath is made. The knife only goes in one way and being right handed I wear it on my right side. Because of the way the sheath is designed it places the thumbstuds to the rear which is the opposite direction a right handed person needs them to be.

When I unsnap the top of the sheath and draw the knife I have to flip it around before I can get my right thumb on the thumb studs because it presents with the back of the knife facing forward instead of the front. If you look at the Buck website they show this knife in the sheath but the model shows it on the left side which places the studs to the front. It's like the sheath is made for a left handed person.

I see the picture that you are referring to, but I tried to put mine in like that and it's a real chore to stretch the flap over it. Here's the way I think they are supposed to fit which puts the knife in the perfect position for a right hander. The knife slips in the brand new sheath and the flap snaps just as it's made too with no effort.