In praise of the Buck 119

extremefishin00

extremefishin00

Joined
Mar 24, 2001
Messages
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I just wanted to give a short write-up for what is becoming one of my favorite knives, the Buck 119, or Buck Special. I've had this knife for about 4 years now, and I'm sad to say that for a majority of those years it spent its time in a box. Then, a couple of years ago, I decided to try it out as a hunting/butcher knife. A friend of mine and I both shot a couple of deer, so I figured it would be a pretty good workout for the Buck. The Special was used to clean all four deer, including splitting the rib cage, and still remained very sharp afterwards. The next day, the knife was used to skin and butcher two of those deer. Though it may have been just a little long for the task, it performed well. After this, the knife needed a little touch up, as it had nicked bone a couple of times. The knife was used again this year in the same manner, and like before, it performed admirably. In other words, for the price, I'm very impressed with the knife. The handle, even though it feels very slick, never slipped out of my hands when they were covered with blood or other fluids. The edge held up very well even though it is *only* 425. I've experienced no chipping, even as thin as the edge is, and most edge degradation has been through edge rolling. All in all, I consider the Buck 119 Special to be a winner, I just wish I had figured that out earlier.

Chris
 
Like the 110, I believe the 119 Special is a classic from Buck.

I got mine in Mexico several years ago, it was in a window display and I got a good price on it (by Mexican standards), the sheath was a bit dried out and cracking somewhat at the loop (from being in the sun I guess), I´m using it as is but will have to replace it sometime, the knife is indeed great.

I´m pretty sure they used to make the same blade shape in a diferent handle (and have seen a Brazilian knockof of that one), but can´t remember the model name or number.
 
I have a "brand new" 1991 Buck 119 that I bought from a forumite a while back. Nice knife, but I've never used it. It's been sitting in my BOB. May have to get it out and give it a workout.
 
A little tid bit on the 119 Special. Its been in the Buck line since the 50's, when it was known as the Fighter, model 104.
I guess its longevity proves it was a good design.
Take care,
 
Interesting. I've been collecting knives for years but I did not get one until summer 2002. Ever since I had it I thought that with a more secure grip it would make a good fighter and in fact would be a better fighter than some knives sold as fighters. I thought that it was a knife designed as a hunter that unintentionally made a good fighter. :)
 
I bought my first 119 in the '60's when I was 12 and lost it some years later. Got my second in the late 70's, and then my third with cocobolo handles a few years ago. A veritable classic. It doesn't see much EDC use, but I put it on when I want to show off...People invariably say "I had one of those"!
 
The 119 is a great knife! I got mine around '85 to use as a field knife in the Army, bought it at the Ft. Gordon, GA, PX. It went on lots of field excersises with me (every other week for quite a while), never let me down.

After my ETS, I used it to clear fishing holes along the reservoirs and small lakes at the local fish and game areas. Although I have more knives to choose from now, I still slip it into the outdoors rotation from time to time, it still works great and brings back lots of memories.

I loaned it to my brother last year for some deer processing he was going to do with his father-in-law. His F-I-L "borrowed" it from him, and liked it so much that he went out and got himself a new one for this year!
My Dad and a co-worker of mine both liked mine enough that they got one last year, too! I should get commision...

One thing, I would love to see this get a steel upgrade, maybe with A2, D2, or 0170-6 some day. I think that would just rock! With Micarta handles. :)
 
Steve,
In 1998, Buck did a limited run of 119s with BG-42 steel and green dymondwood handles. If you can come up with one of them, your wish for a 119 with an upgraded steel will come true.
 
Cool :cool: !
Thanks, Larry! Something else to keep on the lookout for at E-bay and gun & knife shows. Was the blade stamped with "BG-42" like the custom shop 110s?

Would still be nice if they offered a better steel as a standard upgrade, maybe even on the cocobolo handled ones. I don't entirely dislike 420HC, but it's not my favorite. Choices are good! :D

Hey, I was just down your way last weekend, took my brother-in-law to the Seven Pillars and to the Mississinewa spillway to he could take pics. Beautiful area around there!
 
Steve,
Yes, the blade is marked BG-42. You can find the green dymondwood with gunstock type checkering (the original) and you can find some smooth green dymondwood models which were made later from leftover parts. The original models had a limited edition medallion inset in the handle, also.
Glad you liked the area. I hunt rabbits on one of the farms just across the Frances Slocum Trail from Seven Pillars. If you thought that area was nice, you would really like the spillway at Salamonie Reservoir and the trails and ravines with waterfalls back in the Salamonie State Forest just north of the dam. It is about 25 miles east of Peru and, in my opinion, is even prettier than the Mississinewa area.
In the winter, water seeps out and freezes upon the east side bluffs along the Salamonie River just below the spillway and you can get some fantastic pictures. It just depends on how much moisture as to how spectacular the pics will be.
The next time you plan to come over this way, try to let me know and maybe we can meet and discuss Buck knives.
Larry
 
I may do just that, thanks. :)

You're right about Salamonie, it's really nice there. I live in South Whitley, and I take my family down there whenever we can. Shoot, I think my 3rd son caught his first fish at Hominy lake! That's one of the places where I used to use my 119 to cut fishing spots, back along the banks of the reservoir for cat fishing. :D It's a great size for the hike back to the good fishing spots, but still big enough to do some work!
 
I just got one from Cabela's. The bubble(clam-shell...whatever the correct term is.) packing is different. I'm used to getting fixed blades in boxes. :) Now the General has a companion.
 
I've had my Buck 119 for about 22 years now.It's served me well on countless moose,elk and the likes.I'm on my second sheath because the first one(the best one) finally fell apart!Short of losing it I don't expect to ever have to replace it.I recently purchased a 103 Skinner to compliment it.Great combination of knives.
Dave
 
Hi All,
I bought my first Special about '67. Used it alot in the Jungle in "Never-never land". It never failed me! I went through several sheaths, but I still have the origional flap-pouch sheath. I wish Buck would go back to that style, cuz the current sheaths s--k big time. The knife rattles and the keeper strap was made for a knife handle about twice as big. There were quite a few guys with Bucks over there.
Dan
 
Hi,
I got a 119 from my Mom for Christmas 1974.I still have it and use from time to time.The first 15 years saw the most use though.Great design and a classic.
Pete
 
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