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How's the Buck 119?

M

Mr. Cain

Joined
Feb 26, 2014
Messages
59
I've watched some videos on it with a few mixed reviews...I know there has to be plenty of users of this knife here. So tell me about it. Should I get one?

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Mr. Cain said:
A basic, all around camp knife.
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It'll work just fine. It's OK for the price.

However, I think there are better choices, these are the things I don't like about the 119:

-420HC Steel is fine for me in something like a SAK or multitool where the cutting blade is just one of the tools, in a dedicated cutting tool I don't like it. Sure, Buck does great heat treatment, but even that can't make a steel perform beyond it's limits.

-Slippery handle. The phenolic handle is quite slick and, while comfortable, not very good when wet. The guard will prevent any accidental cuts, so I guess it's not a huge deal.

-Hollow grind. This is probably just a personal preference, but I prefer my fixed blades either flat or convex ground.

-Bulky sheath. Buck makes their leather sheaths too big, the retention straps are too wide. I like simpler more compact leather sheaths.
 
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Agreed that the tip is a bit on the fine side---it's more of a jack of all trades kind of design, which will do a lot of things decently (a Steel Heart will spank it in chopping, but the 119 will spank the steel heart if you're trying to dig out a splinter). 420HC is actually pretty tough/ductile for a stainless steel. If your camping use is going to be actual--you know--camping, then you will do just fine with the 119. If, however, you're planning on doing extensive lumberjack work with a knife, then it's not a great choice. I agree that the handle is slick, and also wish that it was a little larger.

As to the grind, it's not robust against abuse, but it sure does slice well.
 
The 119 a hunting knife. So no on the camp knife thing. Buck has the Intrepid, Punk, Thug, Sentry, Nighthawk, Endeavor for that kind of thing.
 
I agree with some of the above comments; a fine knife, but for alround camp use, get a 'bushcraft'type knife instead.
 
I've had mine just fly out of my hand when I was chopping small limbs with it. The grip is really poor IMO.
 
bladeboss said:
It would work, but restrict the twisty/batonning-ish stuff a bit.
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This.

I have always been attracted to this knife and fight buying another to play with. I gave mine away to a woman in the far north years ago. Should be fine if you don't expect to use it too roughly. The 105 would be nice to dovetail with a hatchet and folding saw. Could probably fillet fish with the 105, but I haven't tried that yet.
 
The 105 I find fits my hand better, than the 119. I can grip it better with the handle being smaller. Of course they aren't as blade heavy which would cut down on the momentum when chopping, as well as make the 105 less effective.

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Look for an older 1980's used one for less $ and I'm sure it will server you well, I have the longer 120 use it now mostly for boning out meat on whitetails, now but for many years it was the only fixed blade I ever carried. Cleans up easily as well.
I often am bow hunting when I camp and don't make a fire at all, most of the time.
 
I camped, successfully--for years--with a slip joint knife, walking the appalachian trail for ten days-two weeks at a time, and bombing around northern NM and Wyoming for week-long vacations. You can walk around and pick up enough branches to build a fire and a shelter in most places. Early settlers actually survived (they weren't weekend warriors, they didn't have weekends) with thin butcher-type knives doing pretty much all of their trail tasks, and knew far more about it than anyone writing the books today. Again, the 119 is far from the most high performing fixed blade knife available, but if you want one, and don't act like an idiot with it, it'll do fine.
 
t1mpani said:
I camped, successfully--for years--with a slip joint knife, walking the appalachian trail for ten days-two weeks at a time, and bombing around northern NM and Wyoming for week-long vacations. You can walk around and pick up enough branches to build a fire and a shelter in most places. Early settlers actually survived (they weren't weekend warriors, they didn't have weekends) with thin butcher-type knives doing pretty much all of their trail tasks, and knew far more about it than anyone writing the books today. Again, the 119 is far from the most high performing fixed blade knife available, but if you want one, and don't act like an idiot with it, it'll do fine.
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This is what I hear from a lot of experienced campers not of this generation. They got by fine without beating on their knife. However, that is the expectation these days. Young folks hear stories about older designs, like the 119, being used for decades in the outdoors. They promptly buy one, go to the woods, and break the tip off, put it on Youtube, and blame Buck for making a weak knife. You gotta love it.
 
The Buck 119 is a good knife, it's inexpensive and perfectly functional.

Use some common since in using the knife as a knife and it does a good job, just don't expect any miracles. :)
 
Thanks everyone for the replies I've gotten some useful information and plan to use it. Thanks. I also recently learned that the tang on the 119 is only about an inch down which would suck for heavy duty stuff. I guess the same goes for Ka Bars and the like. I'll probably look at something like a large Condor Bushlore or something instead and just use the 119 for a pretty "sometimes use" knife. Maybe even get it engraved.
 
Oh and can someone tell me how to insert an image from computer (upload) rather than URL? Is it possible?
 
I've had one since I was 11 in 1991. It's held up very well, just has surface scratches. It's sheath was nice and held up very well too. It's just one of those blades that takes me back when I hold it. I brought it camping, hiking and pretty much anywhere else outdoors. This was before I knew about all the other knives this world has to offer. back then I was able to get whatever the local stores had and the choices were pretty limited. Gerber, Buck, old timer, and so on. That being said, I loved and still do love this knife. At this point it has sentimental value. As for the new one's they don't look like they've changed any. Maybe blade steel? But buck makes a good knife for the money and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if I didn't already own one.
 
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