Is the Buck Special Really Special?

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CRossRifles2008

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Sep 30, 2010
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Is the Buck Special really good? I hear a lot of bad things about 420HC. The Buck Special Blade is 420HC. Is their heat forging really that good?
 
CRossRifles2008 said:
Is the Buck Special really good? I hear a lot of bad things about 420HC. The Buck Special Blade is 420HC. Is their heat forging really that good?
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It's not a bad steel at all really, it's OK for general use.

No it won't hold an edge as long as the Super Steels will, but then the knives don't cost near as much as they do either. I will be easier to keep sharp in the field than the Super Steels also.
 
I did a test one time using S30V, D2, and M2 hs vs bucks 420HC, and let me tell you that buck is no slouch and I have no problem recommending it to anyone as a user knife. It "Will Not" lose its edge as quickly as you think it will, and it will hold its super fine edge longer then S30V and D2, though it won't hold a working edge as long. But again, its real easy to sharpen up and get that super sharp edge back onto the knife. It's one of my favorite steels to be honest.
 
Heard bad things about 420hc, or have you heard bad things about the other 400 series steels, like 440a (which is not a good blade steel IMO)

bucks 420hc is really very good, combine that with their great heat treat and the better edge geometry and yeah, the steel is pretty good. Probably the better steels, just under spyderco's vg-10 in my use, better than SOG's AUS8.

The bucks I have in 420hc are a 110, a 112, and a BSA 501. spydies are a delica, SOGs Trident folder. For perspective.
 
I used a Buck Special in 420HC to field dress a moose: gutting, skinning, quartering (and backpacking out -- ouch!). After an hour I stopped to touch up the edge, which took maybe five minutes. Can't complain about that kind of performance.
 
Ok so if you had to use just one, would you use the Buck Special in 420HC, or the Benchmade Bone Collector Fixed Blade in D2? The Task being field dressing a Moose.

By the way I have ordered a special a few days ago. Just trying to gauge how happy I will be with it. Still considering a Benchmade Bone Collector to add to the Collection.
 
I'm not a big fan of D2. I have a snody designed benchmade activator and it chips a lot, and that is not even hitting a bone. Plus the D2 will be harder to sharpen. If you said Dozier's D2 I would say hell yes, but I like 420HC much better then D2.... doesn't hold a working edge as long, but takes one hell of an edge to begin with and holds that wicked edge longer then D2, then when you need to sharpen it, it doesn't take but a second and you are back in the game.
 
CRossRifles2008 said:
- Is the Buck Special really good?
- I hear a lot of bad things about 420HC. The Buck Special Blade is 420HC. Is their heat forging really that good?
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- The Buck Special is a good enough knife to get the job done and can be had for a very reasonable price. I see it online for ~$50.

- Yes, Buck's 420HC heat treat, developed by the legendary Paul Bos, is that good. Buck routinely takes their 420HC blades to a Rockwell hardness of 58HRC or better. Most 420HC is only hardened to a 55HRC. That difference in hardness makes a tremendous difference in performance.

The other thing with the current Buck Special is the blade profile. It's been optimized for slicing and skinning, but it is tough enough for general camp chores.
 
I would put Buck's 420 HC heat treat up against any super steel. As a side note, if you can believe the reviews you should bet money on the 420 HC while your at it. I understand it is a very good way to earn money. :)

I recall testing a Buck knife for a few months and was very impressed. When I found out the blade was made from 420 HC I thought for sure it it much be a mistake. Ive been a fan of Buck's blades since that day and have owned, used, and purchased for others quite a few of them.
 
cultivateitnow said:
I would put Buck's 420 HC heat treat up against any super steel. As a side note, if you can believe the reviews you should bet money on the 420 HC while your at it. I understand it is a very good way to earn money. :)

I recall testing a Buck knife for a few months and was very impressed. When I found out the blade was made from 420 HC I thought for sure it it much be a mistake. Ive been a fan of Buck's blades since that day and have owned, used, and purchased for others quite a few of them.
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I wouldn't go that far as to say any....
 
knarfeng said:
- The Buck Special is a good enough knife to get the job done and can be had for a very reasonable price. I see it online for ~$50.

- Yes, Buck's 420HC heat treat, developed by the legendary Paul Bos, is that good. Buck routinely takes their 420HC blades to a Rockwell hardness of 58HRC or better. Most 420HC is only hardened to a 55HRC. That difference in hardness makes a tremendous difference in performance.

The other thing with the current Buck Special is the blade profile. It's been optimized for slicing and skinning, but it is tough enough for general camp chores.
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How long has the "current" model been current? I have one made in 2000 and as far as I can tell it's the same as the new models, but I know they've been around since the 60s. Some of the vintage ones kind of look like filet knives.

Anyway, I don't know where you're hearing bad things about the Buck Special, and I'm pretty sure that for everyone one person that doesn't like it, you'll find ten more that have never been unsatisfied with it. I've had mine ever since I was 12 years old, and I think that a knife can survive an abusive little adolescent as I was is a testament to durability I've never seen. I remember at one point the edge it had on it ( and held quite nicely ) for years was put on with a hand file. Just recently re profiled it and it's as if it's a brand new knife.
 
I never heard anything bad about the Buck Special, just heard bad things about 420HC. More than likely anyone who dislikes 420HC probably have a blade with that steel made by another manufacture. The Key seems to be Buck Heat Forging. If you have a Gerber 420HC it probably wont hold a candle to the Buck. Like I said I ordered one, I just wanted to verify it was a good decision.
 
I bought a new Buck Special about 6 months back to replace the one I sold 25 years ago.I love the Special and will take it out this deer season.Mine got hair screaming sharp,it should have no problems with a deer.Yeah,I have knives that cost me 20 times as much,but that Special really takes me back to the day.:cool:
 
Yeah not having much experience with using it, I still love it. I remember them from childhood seeing them around in the basement. Its a great knife that you would find in Grampa's foot locker. That why I had to get one for myself.
 
A few years back, we had a poster here, Cliff Stamp, who really tested a Buck 119 special. I think he was a physicist type. Brilliant, but many here thought he had poor people skills, and at times, it appeared he did. He was a knife and steel junkie and knew tons, and tested tons of blades.

He took a simple Buck 119 with 420HC and showed it to outperform a very high dollar S30V knife by a large margin. I believe it was a Green Beret. People were stunned. You could read about it on Cliff's website, which is no longer available.

It will open your eyes. Also, if you've ever watched Survivorman, he took the Buck 119 as his only survival knife to far away places, and did fine with it.

It's a big knife, and 420HC is very tough, apparently, and well suited for this size of a knife.

I think you will like it
 
I enjoy using my Buck 119 Special. I've found it to be a good knife, really tough. I let kids practice sharpening on it. (Then spend time re-edging it.) Good camp knife. The only thing I don't like is the handle is a little big for my hands. For the money it is an awesome knife.
 
The name "Special" has been around for several decades and relates to the pattern/style of the knife. It has nothing to do with the steel type which went into use in the early 90's.

Buck gets every bit of performance out of its 420HC which is a Latrobe steel and rumor has it there is a smidge of vanadium in it. Buck also runs it to max. hardness. Performance is very adequate ot above average compared to the super steels and excellent if you factor the price difference.

If your concerned about the steel itself, try a Buck 110 Folding Hunter from the Px for around $30. That should let you know if you'll be able to live with the steel's performance characteristics.

One thing that has been mentioned is the ability to get it razor sharp and the fact it stays that way longer than you would expect. If you like a very sharp blade and like to get it there quickly then Buck’s 420HC might be a favored steel for you. It also has outstanding stain resistance. It’s not H1 but it’ll take a lot of mistreatment before it rusts.

I guess you know I like it. The 119 Special is recommended.
 
I think your confusing 420HC from Buck and many other brands with 420j2 thats used by frost cutlery and united to make knife shaped objects. I've got a Buck 119 that lives in my GHB which means out of all the knives I have I trust this one to help me make it home in the event of an emergency.
 
Now here is a special "Special"
My ATS-34 and Desert Ironwood 119
DSC_1496-1.jpg
 
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