How do you like your 486s (Lg. Bucklite Max folder)?

D

dogstar

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Jan 23, 2011
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For people who have owned these knives a while, how do they hold up? Does it get loose around the pivot?

I was wondering if Buck molded some washers in the pivot. That would be cool.

Does one hand opening ever get easy? I know the traditional lockback design doesn't really lend itself to opening with a thumb stud.

I know FRN is strong stuff, but if things get loose over time, I'm going to look for a model with metal liners.

Thanks!
 
I really like the 486's, especially the orange/pink version. I rarely carry one myself, but about three years ago I gave one to my cousin who's retired but is his Church's handyman. He's also the go to guy for all the elderly folks in his neighborhood and church for home repairs and such. He loves that knife to this day (he nick named it "pinky") and works it hard. If it's developed any issues over the last few years of use/abuse, he won't admit it. I have three more of them and have offered him a new one when ever he wants it, but so far he says it's holding up fine.

I haven't used one enough to see if it gets easier to open using the thumbstud. It's a bit harder to open than say a Vantage or a Alpha, but not as hard as a Bantam. It's ton's easier to open than a 110 with a thumbstud.

I'd expect it to get a bit loose over time and hard use due to the construction, but hey, we're talking about a very inexpensive knife here and not a premium one. It has a lifetime warranty just like any Buck, so if it does develop unacceptable issues, they will fix or replace it if you send it in. But heck, they're cheap enough, I wouldn't even bother to send one back. I'd just replace it myself.

If you want liners and a knife that will perhaps hold up longer, step up, spend a little more and get the 110 paperstone model, it has partial liners.
 
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My experience aligns with what PlumbrDv suggests. I've owned both a large and a medium and I use my knives pretty hard. Both developed vertical play. The folks at Buck took a look at them, and as Buck PlumbrDv says, there's some slop inherent in the light plastic frames.

My Ecolite has held up better. But, I trust the all metal classics more.

Although, I think it would be ideal if Buck would thin the Ecolites a bit. They're so nice and light that they become pocketable like the Bucklite Max are, but I find them just a tick too thick for that.

If you could live with something a bit shorter and more modern looking, the new Spitfire might an option too.
 
I used one as a work knife for awhile until I lost it. The clip gets bent easy and it's pinned so it's kind of a pain to get it straight again. But for $20 it aint bad at all.
 
I like mine a lot slim light and sharp! it is a good knife and no loose blade so far!
 
I have been carrying mine for over a year and have had no problems at all. A bit of oil on the pivot once and a while helps the opening.
 
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