Hoodlum Issues

A

arcobb

Joined
Feb 20, 2011
Messages
11
Hello, first time posting on here. I look for my question but couldn't find anything so I thought I'd ask here for advice.

I have a Buck Hoodlum, one that says "Hoods Woods" (not the newer Ron Hoods on the blade). Anyway the edge is looking like its starting to roll or have dull spots and I have not done anything with it other then take it in and out of the sheath a few times (zero chopping or any other use) and none of my other knives have done this (I have a small armory at this point!). I've heard the first production run had some issues, but I'm not sure of what kind. Did they have some tempering issues with the first run?

Anyway I'm trying to figure out if I should talk to Buck to ask for a replacement with the newer "Ron Hoods" version, the other part of me thinks maybe I should hang on to this one as a collector because they are not going to be making the "Hoods Woods" version anymore (maybe worth something someday over "Ron Hood" version?) ... or maybe should I keep this one and get a new one as a user? (I don't really need two though ... was planing to use this on some up coming backpacking/hunting trips.)

Thanks!
 
Well, I'm not sure about the marking of the knife. These were released this year and I really haven't seen one with different blade marking. Ron recently passed away so if you have a specially marked knife, i'd say hold on to it. On the other hand, a knife with blade issues isnt worth anything any way. I'd send it back and have it replaced or repaired. I know some of the issues discussed here were blade discoloration and the grind on the blade was uneven and caused a wavey look in the coating. Nobody has brought up any issues of tempering or problems with the edge being too thin. Some times you just get a bad one. Buck quality control is typically pretty good. But, nothing is 100%. Send it back and state your issue and your desired out come. They will take care of you, They always do...
 
I just got one with the Ron Hood marking and it seems to have none of the fit and finish issues others have been reporting. I can't comment on the blade other than to say its evenly ground and sharp.
 
Is this what you have? I don't think it's a Buck product.

ron-hood.jpg
 
Yes, Buck probably won't replace anything made by another manufacturer.

They're good, but there's a limit.

;)
 
Yeah, I gathered up a few old generic junkers and was getting them ready to mail......darn.

:D
 
Thanks for the reply's,

The knife I have is the first run of the buck hoodlums, not the tops. It says "Hoods Woods" on the side. Buck decided to replace "Hoods Woods" with "Ron Hood" on the new runs otherwise they are the same. As I understand it, the "Hoods Woods" Hoodlum is the first run of the buck hoodlums (that's a mouth full to say!).

The knife I have seems to dull just by taking in out of the sheath more the more and doesn't see right.
 
Nutnfancy has a new review of the knife on youtube where he claims the edge remains sharp even after lots of hard field use.
 
arcobb said:
Thanks for the reply's,

The knife I have is the first run of the buck hoodlums, not the tops. It says "Hoods Woods" on the side. Buck decided to replace "Hoods Woods" with "Ron Hood" on the new runs otherwise they are the same. As I understand it, the "Hoods Woods" Hoodlum is the first run of the buck hoodlums (that's a mouth full to say!).

The knife I have seems to dull just by taking in out of the sheath more the more and doesn't see right.
Click to expand...

Does it have the Buck stamp? Is it the same steel as the current issue Hoodlum?
 
Hello Arcobb,
Thats an odd issue with your blade for sure. I've never heard of one becoming dull without it being used so that a real head scratcher. You can certainly send it in to us and we will see whats going on. If there is a problem in the steel or edge grind, we will replace it under warranty. If you decide to send it, please put my name on the outside of the box because I will need to show it to the engineers for review.
If it is replaced, it will have the current blade markings, not the first run.
I hope this helps.
 
Correct. It has the buck stamp and the same steal. It is the buck version. Maybe I'll post a picture of it. I hate to get ride of it if they become collectable, but I'm not crazy about a knife loosing its edge so easily. I guess I'm wondering if I should hang on to this one as a collectors piece. I know Buck has great costomer service and likely they'd replace it with the "ron hood" version.
 
Joe Houser said:
Hello Arcobb,
Thats an odd issue with your blade for sure. I've never heard of one becoming dull without it being used so that a real head scratcher. You can certainly send it in to us and we will see whats going on. If there is a problem in the steel or edge grind, we will replace it under warranty. If you decide to send it, please put my name on the outside of the box because I will need to show it to the engineers for review.
If it is replaced, it will have the current blade markings, not the first run.

I hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Hello Joe,

Thanks for the reply. If I decide to send it in I'll mark as requested. Love the knife! Just seems like it should take more to dull it then removing it from the sheath. I'm look forward to using it on some upcoming trips.
 
Arcobb,

I am going to go out on a limb here...IMHO it is impossible to dull your knife pulling it from and putting it into its plastic sheath...think about it..how is that even possible? What part of the blade was dulled??? maybe you got some sand or dirt in your sheath from the knife blade??That could maybe dull your edge a bit if there was enough sand and grit in your sheath...?
 
Yes and No... SAME Knife but with a few changes.... I am pretty sure the two differences is that the scoring knotch on the end of the blade is not as deep on this next generation Hoodlum and the lazer markings are differant and say Ron Hood on the upper right of stamp Ron Hood. Typing this is making me sad again for Karen Ron's widow and their 7 year old :(
 
I don't know what the sheath material on the Hoodlum is, but it could potentially be the source of the problem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmVNyKFiuQw

Check out this video. Bear with his accent, he's Japanese and English is not his first language. None of the knives or sheaths here are Buck, but your problem reminded me of this, because he also had an issue with one of his knives dulling just by sheathing and unsheathing it. He sharpens all his knives and demonstrates their sharpness in the video before and after using them with various sheaths. The issue, as I understand it, is with sheaths made with FRN or some other plastics with abrasive materials. The glass fibers or whatever the abrasive material may be are enough to mess up the edge a bit.
 
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Gaurdian_A1 said:
Arcobb,

I am going to go out on a limb here...IMHO it is impossible to dull your knife pulling it from and putting it into its plastic sheath...think about it..how is that even possible? What part of the blade was dulled??? maybe you got some sand or dirt in your sheath from the knife blade??That could maybe dull your edge a bit if there was enough sand and grit in your sheath...?
Click to expand...

I don't believe it is from dirt in the sheath, The knife is new and has only lived unused in my kitchen so far. When I look at the edge under a light I see flat spots as if it was going dull or used hard. I've own several Becker bk9's, esee knives as well as a few customs. All have showed similar wear only after hard use, and then I would expect to see such wear. The Hoodlum has been out of the sheath a dozen or so times. I think its a great blade, I suspect my particular sample has a heat treat issue.

jcl-MD said:
So is there a NEWER version of this??

This one ROCKS!!!

THANKS!!
Click to expand...

That is the version I have, the new ones say "Ron Hood" instead of "Hoods Woods". Your knife looks great! I look forward when mine shows the same love!

GundaManiac said:
I don't know what the sheath material on the Hoodlum is, but it could potentially be the source of the problem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmVNyKFiuQw

Check out this video. Bear with his accent, he's Japanese and English is not his first language. None of the knives or sheaths here are Buck, but your problem reminded me of this, because he also had an issue with one of his knives dulling just by sheathing and unsheathing it. He sharpens all his knives and demonstrates their sharpness in the video before and after using them with various sheaths. The issue, as I understand it, is with sheaths made with FRN or some other plastics with abrasive materials. The glass fibers or whatever the abrasive material may be are enough to mess up the edge a bit.
Click to expand...

Maybe, however the sheath insert seems to be more of a plastic material when compared to the Becker in that video (I own a bk 11 and never had an issue with it, great knife!).

Thanks for the reply's guys! I'm planning on sending into buck and I'm sure they'll make it right. My only thought was to hang on to the "Hoods Woods" version because I Thought it may have some collectors value someday. Being a Ron Hoods fan (I've got almost all his videos) I'm sure he'd say send it in and then get it dirty. That's what I'm planning to do.
 
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Actually, I believe the sheath in that video was plastic, and the knife he was having trouble with was an EsKabar. But I guess the point is moot since we're talking about your Hoodlum here, which is neither a Becker nor an EsKabar. Let us know how your new Hoodlum performs after you get it and start using it!
 
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