Is the Buck Special Really Special?

The Buck Special is one of the first fixed blades I aquired many moons ago.

I've said before, if it wasn't stamped on the blade, 99% of knife users probably couldn't tell you what type of steel was in their knife or tell a major difference in performance, other than perhaps corrosion (stainless vs carbon). Assuming it was made from one of quality steels out there from a reputable manufacturer.



I think the Special could probably fulfill the requirements of the vast majority of ourdoorsmen/women out there in terms of a mid-sized field knife. No, not super tacticool or made from the latest/greatest/high $$ supersteel. But for about $40 from the local retailer, its a darn good knife. Considering how long its been around, I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't tens of thousands of them performing in woods these days.

BOSS
 
I've had a Buck Special since about 1980, so I don't know what steel is in it. I have knives that cost more, look prettier, have more features. But it's the Special that ends up on my belt or in my pack. It's in my day pack now, awaiting tomorrow's trip to the San Juan River in New Mexico to go fly fishing with my son. Probably won't use it, we catch and release, but it's like having an old friend along on the trip.

Done everything I asked it to.
 
Coyote3855 said:
I've had a Buck Special since about 1980, so I don't know what steel is in it. I have knives that cost more, look prettier, have more features. But it's the Special that ends up on my belt or in my pack. It's in my day pack now, awaiting tomorrow's trip to the San Juan River in New Mexico to go fly fishing with my son. Probably won't use it, we catch and release, but it's like having an old friend along on the trip.

Done everything I asked it to.
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Your 1970's and early 80's Special is probably going to be 440C.The 420hc is great,but the old 440c is a bit better IMO.
 
Blade magazine did an article about ten years ago recording the top choices of knives used by the US Special Forces. The Buck 119 Special was one of the top rated. The article as well showed pics of a few Green Berets weilding Buck 119s. My first knife was a Buck 119 that I used to filet many bass fish for many summers. I edc a Buck nearly every day for work and outdoors. Mine hold a great edge. If I had to choose between some of the higher end knives and Buck. I'd pick Buck for affordability and longevity. For me they are special.
 
there venerable, basically timeless. and very american. something about them, i have heard of tip breakage but , i never had this occurr. i gave one to my brother {who breaks everything} and he cant break it...but sometimes i find it hard to sharpen and cannot figure out what im doing wrong? ive tried convexing the edge ...but like a old buddy i use it when hiking....its just a very cool knife..it probably out sells many competitors....yea U.S.A:thumbup:
 
Now the edge on the Buck Special is 30 Degrees right? 15 Degrees on either side of the bevel? I email Buck and the response was 15 Degree. Speaking of soldiers caring buck Special in theater does anyone know a a tactical sheath for them.
 
CRossRifles2008 said:
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.
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I love D2 and have several knives in D2 (that includes my RAT7 which has had the blazes beat out of it). Never had a problem with it, so it leads me to believe that there are those that might not be getting the heat treat just right.

That being said, I also have my Buck special that I bought in *gulp* 1970. It is a tremendous knife. It was my only large sheath knife for a long time, and it did all the things I needed when camping, hunting, canoeing, and hiking. It is damn near indestructible. It takes a keen edge, holds it a LONG time, and is a breeze to sharpen.

I hadn't thought about it until this post, but damn... 40 years! It has butchered meat, cut steaks, chopped up firewood, opened tin cans of food (emergency after a canoe tip), whittled about 5 cords of wood for walking sticks, tent pegs, fish spears, made shelters, etc.

Due to its large sweeping upcurve, it is even a dandy skinner.

The ONLY think I don't like is the slick handle. I don't hunt bigger stuff anymore since I can't afford it. But I have friends that use this knife on bigger game and they simply put ranger bands, or hockey stick tape on the handle when they are afraid of slippage. But from the factory, when your hands are bloody from a messy gutting and butchering of an animal, they are slippery. Medium game, no problem. Every other task, no problems.

If you aren't thrilled with that knife I will really be surprised.

Robert
 
My favorite steels are Bucks 420Hc and 1095. Over all of the super steels out there, those 2 simple steels are my favorite. I have tried almost all of them and those 2 steels just seem to work the best for me. I'm not a big fan of S30V. On a side note, I do carry a Spyderco Native as an EDC but I dont like the S30V steel blade. I just carry it because its light and I like the shape, I would rather have it in another blade steel. I do love the knife itself.
 
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