Is it possible to love an ugly knife?

T

TheFishman

Joined
Aug 23, 2022
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I rescued this 1987 Buck 422 yesterday from the pawn shop. As you can see, someone thought it would be a good idea to sharpen it with the coarse wheel on a bench grinder. It was so dull I doubt it would have broken your skin. Besides the massacred blade, it is in relatively good condition for a 36-year-old knife.

Now for the questions. Is it possible to love an ugly knife? I really like the way the knife fits in my hand. It has a lot of life left in it in its current condition. Should I love it the way it is or should I see if Buck will put a new 112 blade on it? This is my first knife with 425M steel. I am having a heck of a time trying to get a good edge on this knife. I have worked on it since I took the last photo. It will cut paper, but it isn’t easy and the edge is still rough. Do you think I just need to keep trying to sharpen it to get rid of the jagged edge? Did the previous owner ruin the temper and the jagged edge is the result? Is this just a characteristic of 425M steel? From everything I have read on 425M, I don’t think that is the case, but I am open to suggestions.

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TheFishman said:
I rescued this 1987 Buck 422 yesterday from the pawn shop. As you can see, someone thought it would be a good idea to sharpen it with the coarse wheel on a bench grinder. It was so dull I doubt it would have broken your skin. Besides the massacred blade, it is in relatively good condition for a 36-year-old knife.

Now for the questions. Is it possible to love an ugly knife? I really like the way the knife fits in my hand. It has a lot of life left in it in its current condition. Should I love it the way it is or should I see if Buck will put a new 112 blade on it? This is my first knife with 425M steel. I am having a heck of a time trying to get a good edge on this knife. I have worked on it since I took the last photo. It will cut paper, but it isn’t easy and the edge is still rough. Do you think I just need to keep trying to sharpen it to get rid of the jagged edge? Did the previous owner ruin the temper and the jagged edge is the result? Is this just a characteristic of 425M steel? From everything I have read on 425M, I don’t think that is the case, but I am open to suggestions.

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wow they took most of the blade steel away....id bet the hardness had been affected by the bench grinder use. also the edge has been moved so far up the blade you're gonna have to remove a lot of steel on the hollow grind......to get a useable edge.

to me it's a lost cause...but i get a project...good luck.....
 
plb said:
BennyBlade somehow talked Buck into switching out his 442 blade with a 112, so I'm sure Danny can do it. It would be worth contacting Buck to find out.
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My plan today is to call Buck and see. When I first saw the knife, my initial thought was that I could have Buck put a new blade on it. It wasn't until after I bought it that I thought about it being discontinued and Buck not having the parts. I read here on the forum that Buck might not want to mess with the rivet, but it gave me hope to read that someone on this forum had Buck put a 112 blade on their Bucklite. If Buck says no, then I have an $8 ice pick.
 
gedlicks said:
I have heard that buck will not reblade the bucklites. The handle ends up ruined. Buck might send you one of their new versions as a replacement though.
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Well that puts a damper on some of my project pieces...

Looks like I may have to source a 112 and a 110 blade, and do some more Torx conversions.
 
What a shame. I'm glad you can give it a better home.

I have a soft spot for Bucklites, as one of my early 'good' folders was a 422. I gave to it to my dad and he recently passed the knife along to a local kid.
 
I really wouldn't be surprised if Buck knife company just send you a new similar knife. They have done this for a few people already that I know of. They do not play around. Some of the best service I have ever used.
 
TheFishman said:
I rescued this 1987 Buck 422 yesterday from the pawn shop. As you can see, someone thought it would be a good idea to sharpen it with the coarse wheel on a bench grinder. It was so dull I doubt it would have broken your skin. Besides the massacred blade, it is in relatively good condition for a 36-year-old knife.

Now for the questions. Is it possible to love an ugly knife? I really like the way the knife fits in my hand. It has a lot of life left in it in its current condition. Should I love it the way it is or should I see if Buck will put a new 112 blade on it? This is my first knife with 425M steel. I am having a heck of a time trying to get a good edge on this knife. I have worked on it since I took the last photo. It will cut paper, but it isn’t easy and the edge is still rough. Do you think I just need to keep trying to sharpen it to get rid of the jagged edge? Did the previous owner ruin the temper and the jagged edge is the result? Is this just a characteristic of 425M steel? From everything I have read on 425M, I don’t think that is the case, but I am open to suggestions.

53034379317_cc8a426362_b.jpg

53035139429_24588af29b_b.jpg


53035351555_e07d1964d4_b.jpg
Click to expand...

My opinion: too much of the blade is gone to make it worth trying to salvage it.

As you mentioned, I think contacting Buck to review your options for a blade replacement is the best course of action. That handle with a new 112 blade would make an awesome EDC knife (much like it was when new).
 
I filled out the form and mailed it in with a bunch of other knives for spa / blade rep. I asked for the 112 install and knowing about the pivot issue, I removed it myself. I safely packed the original blade (not sure if this is recommended), with the handle.
I am very happy that Buck made the knife for me as it is fun to take and post pictures of. It is more of an apple cutter though, and not much of a worker. The pivot point is the issue and there is a minute amount of wiggle when the blade is open. The above mentioned Torx customization would probably be the best option. Always worth a shot to see if Buck would do that for you. worst they could do is say no.
 
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I talked with the Buck warranty department this afternoon and was assured that they could put a 112 blade on it without a problem. I came home from work and started sharpening it again. I used a coarse stone for about 75 strokes each side and I was able to repair most of the damage. It is by no means Buck factory sharp, but it will cut paper pretty easily now. I think I am going to use it for a while and learn to live with ugly. The blade is a conversation starter if nothing else.
 
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