Hilo and Cutback steel?

J

jpsmith

Joined
Feb 6, 2009
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Hello all. I have been talking myself into getting one or both of the titled knives for a while, but i have run into a hitch. I have been watching eBay for several months now and routinely asking sellers, as they appear, if the blade is the 420HC or the 440C. Every one of them has so far said they are selling a 420HC blade steel. Recently i got a response from a seller stating that the 440C is a misprint and all of these knives are 420HC. Is this true? If there was even a small number made in 440C then i will hold out and patiently keep hunting for one. Does anyone have a definitive answer on this? Are there really Cutbacks and Hilos out there with 440C steel? Thanks for any and all input.
 
Jpsmith,Welcome.This is a good question as I've wondered when I read that in the Buck catalogue in 2006(I think),when they were first offered.I remember asking Larry O. at that time and he said that was a misprint.DM
 
jpsmith said:
Hello all. I have been talking myself into getting one or both of the titled knives for a while, but i have run into a hitch. I have been watching eBay for several months now and routinely asking sellers, as they appear, if the blade is the 420HC or the 440C. Every one of them has so far said they are selling a 420HC blade steel. Recently i got a response from a seller stating that the 440C is a misprint and all of these knives are 420HC. Is this true? If there was even a small number made in 440C then i will hold out and patiently keep hunting for one. Does anyone have a definitive answer on this? Are there really Cutbacks and Hilos out there with 440C steel? Thanks for any and all input.
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They are 420HC

If you get them, back the clip screws out and put blue locktite on them and reseat.

I edc either one pretty much on a daily basis. Preference is the 179, but use the 174 about as much. I picked two each so pretty much have a sharp one all the time. Do a group sharpening when they all get dull.

I am impressed with the clips in that they haven't lost tension like some other clip knives I have had (non Buck).


I recently saw what is probably a misprint in a Cabelas catalog that called a 110 and a 119, 440 steel.
 
I'm sitting hear wondering about 420hc steel in a Chinese knife.
Would that not require importation of American steel into China for Buck's Chinese knives to be so equipped?? Second question, is 420hc a Latrobe proprietary steel (at least the designation) or is it generic??
I did check in the 2006 Catalog and they are listed as 420hc.

Third Question for those like P.R. that carry and use these two knives...how about a review or opinion? I see they are discontinued and have been working myself up to adding both but the Chinese factor has put me off. Which is no good reason since the Chinese Bucks I have had were good ones. Thanks fellas.
 
Well I went and order a Hilo for $27 delivered and a Cutback for $28 delivered.
How did I do on price fellas?
 
I have the 174 and its one o the best folders for the money. The F&F is very good for a folder costing so little. There is no blade play and lockup is solid. Its very smooth opening. It has a sort of gun blue color all over every part of the knife and it seems pretty good at resisting scoffs & scratches. The clip is a solid deep carry. The only problem is the thumb studs stick out a little too much and get caught on my pocket when I remove the knife.
 
Flat, I got a 2006 Hilo on the bay for $23 shipped. Cannot figure why no one else bid on it. Robb, I also noticed that the thumb studs are a bit high for the narrow knife.
 
Flatlander1963 said:
Well I went and order a Hilo for $27 delivered and a Cutback for $28 delivered.
How did I do on price fellas?
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That is about the going retail for those at Wally, back when they first had them. Have seen them a tad less on ebay and some times a lot less, but you know how that goes.

Far as users, I have enjoyed carrying them for ease of carry, opening and closing, and sharpening them up. Had that one loose clip thing once and lost one screw, but no biggie.

They clip in my left rear pocket just to be out of the way of everything else. I deploy the blade left or right handed and can close it with one hand either hand.

Far as the china thing, well, as long as it says Buck I am happy. Naturally would rather it say USA.

I will say that I was edc'ing a Swamp Rat Rat Trap that I got in one of the initial offers. Quickly found that I didn't need the longer blade, and it was wider than I needed it, the clip sprung and had to keep bending it back down, and it folded on me once or twice. It has long since gone away.

Thats when I picked up the first 179 at a Wally in Abilene, Tx in 2005. and have been carrying it since. I found that I just didn't need the $130 knives to edc.

I do wish it had some indent or cross grooves where the thumb lays on top of it when using. So maybe one of these days me and a file or the dremel...

In preference, I will go to the longer Hi LO 179 over the shorter Cutback 174, first. Much as my preferences of the 110 over the 112.

Now,,,,,if it was only a clip instead of a drop....:D:D
 
ROBB said:
The only problem is the thumb studs stick out a little too much and get caught on my pocket when I remove the knife.
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Robb,
If that thumb stud is a real drag, look at how it appears to be "stacked".

Might try a file and take the top stack off, or more. I don't think your opening thumb would ever miss it. don't leave a sharp edge or your thumb will hate you.

No, I haven't done this, but might if I ever get around to cutting thumb grooves. I have noticed the drag a little, but hasn't ever been an issue. Maybe I just got used to it.
 
Pack,I have filed those thumb studs down and it works.They'er usually soft steel.Just like you said,be sure to radius the edge before using.DM
 
Thanks for all the input. After everyone's comments here and a little more poking around on the internet, I decided there is no such creature, so i went and grabbed both models. Can't wait to get em and see how they feel. I wonder if i will like one more than the other. hmmm.
 
I got the Hilo and Cutback.
Made in China and I could see some things that fall into the "could improve" category, but these are both really really nice designs. I surprised they were canceled. I assume the sales just were not there.

I've dropped in the EDC box and will try them out shortly. I'm just not ready to put away my Vantage Pro or stag 701.

If you think your lusting for a TNT for sure get your hands on a cutback...very similar.
 
I'm still waiting on mine to arrive. Y'know, what is the use of Del. Confirmation if it's not used/shows no activity until it arrives in the mailbox? Anyway, i am envious. I too am really digging my Vantage Pro, but i gotta give these guys some pocket time when they get here. Of course, you realize that when they DO show up, my Kershaw Tyrade and Blur will arrive back from the Shop and demand to be carried. I'll chime back in when i can get a good idea of these cool looking Bucks.
 
jpsmith said:
I'm still waiting on mine to arrive. Y'know, what is the use of Del. Confirmation if it's not used/shows no activity until it arrives in the mailbox? Anyway, i am envious. I too am really digging my Vantage Pro, but i gotta give these guys some pocket time when they get here. Of course, you realize that when they DO show up, my Kershaw Tyrade and Blur will arrive back from the Shop and demand to be carried. I'll chime back in when i can get a good idea of these cool looking Bucks.
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The problem with Delivery Confirmation is that it's usually exactly what it says. It's not really tracking. I've found that if the seller takes the package to the PO and adds DC there (a green sticker), it's scanned at that time and a few times inroute. If they use the print at home postage w/DC, they seldom get scanned until delivery.:mad:
 
Outstanding information. I was not aware of that. That explains why sometimes it shows activity and sometimes not. Good on ya.
 
Well, i got my Hilo and Cutback and right out of the gate, I Love em! They do not feel as thin as they look. They are quite comfortable in the hand. Having owned two TNT's, i think i actually find these guys more comfortable than the TNT's. I originally bought both so i could handle each and decide which i liked better. Then i would return the other. Big surprise, I Cannot follow through on that. I have to keep them both.

I completely agree that the thumb studs are just unacceptable. Gotta get them reduced. Anybody got any suggestions on who to send it to for that?

I am also taken back by the weird way the Cutback seems thicker in the handle than the larger Hilo. I know...it's an optical/tactile illusion because the handle is larger and more stretched out, but it still really seems thinner.

Anyway. I am very pleased with these knives. They have excellent lock up. The lock bar engages at the 50% mark. The are very sharp. So glad i got them.
 
No need to send it to someone to shorten the thumbstud. Just take a hone or stone and get with it. Go slow or you might take off more than you want.

However, I would carry and use it for a while before I would do that.

I just used a coarse diamond Lansky hone and took off the top stack (as I call the layers) in a very short time. Like a minute or less.
 
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Flatlander1963 said:
If you think your lusting for a TNT for sure get your hands on a cutback...very similar.
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I don't know why, but I thought the TNT was more the length of the Hi-LO.
But I see it is closer to the Cutback. Sold my TNT a long time ago.

Looking at my first hi lo, I can see why wouldn't carry the TNT. So far I have identified, tar from the tarpaper and shingles from the deerstand roof, jb quick from some project, adhesive from gluing down some carpet, and what ever that gunk is you seal leaks on roofs with.

methinks it needs a good cleaning and sharpening. I think it is beyond steel wool. Will probably have to go the staged sandpaper routine. :eek:
 
O geeze,,,,I can already feel in the force, prices on ebay going up as we speak.... :rolleyes::D:D
 
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