Is there such a Buck?

Bellasdaddy · Mar 15, 2011

I currently edc a Buck 442. I like the blade geometry and that it is light, a lock back, is USA made and relatively inexpensive.

Some of the things that I do not like are the somewhat bulky handle and that it is not one hand open capable and the blade is a little wiggly.

Therefore, does anyone know if there is a Buck model that is USA made, a lock back, with a 3 inch or under blade that has a slimmer profile that can be opened with one hand and is relatively inexpensive??

Thanks!!

Plumberdv · Mar 15, 2011

Bellasdaddy said:
I currently edc a Buck 442. I like the blade geometry and that it is light, a lock back, is USA made and relatively inexpensive.

Some of the things that I do not like are the somewhat bulky handle and that it is not one hand open capable and the blade is a little wiggly.

Therefore, does anyone know if there is a Buck model that is USA made, a lock back, with a 3 inch or under blade that has a slimmer profile that can be opened with one hand and is relatively inexpensive??

Thanks!!

Maybe a Bucklite Max in the medium size. It has a 3" blade and has a thumb stud for one hand opening. Here's a picture of the larger one, the Boone and Crockett model, but they also come in black and are really inexpensive.

There's also the Bantam, but it has a 3 1/8" blade in the medium model and is also inexpensive.

David Martin · Mar 15, 2011

Plumber, Thanks for the photos . DM

ohen cepel · Mar 15, 2011

The Buck Max is a great knife and worth a look. I like the thumb stud and the low ride pocket clip myself. The black blends in well on a social level but I also have the small and large in orange for my Boys when we go to the woods so I can hopefully find them if the knives get lost.

As Plumb said, great knife for the money!

Bellasdaddy · Mar 15, 2011

Do either of the models mentioned come in a model with a blade shorter than 3 inches? And, thanks for the suggestions!

edbeau · Mar 15, 2011

The Buck Max has three sizes to pick from. The 486 (my EDC) has a 110 size blade, the 482 is 4 3/8" closed with the same blade as a 112 (3"), and the 484 is 4" closed with a 2 3/4" blade. All have the same style pocket clip and thumb studs.

Colt6731 · Mar 16, 2011

If you can live without a one hand opening feature, the 112 Ecolite would be a great choise.

oregon · Mar 16, 2011

I pocket carry a 424 (black one above) and my collector piece 444 (red above) is similar to yours (both have blades within your limit). I clip into my RF pocket a lazuli-colored paperstone 345 one hander which, unfortunately is 1/8 inch over your 3 inch blade length limit. I don't mind the two handed opening of the 424, which I use the most of the two.

Buck has so much depth in their product line, past and present, your universe of choices is a big one. The 112 and the 422 both have blades within your limit. Add a thumb stud via alan wrench and set screw and you have a one-hander. However, the 112 and 422 are heavy enough that I flip them open by pinching the blade between my thumb and index finger, tip up, and throw the handle in a rotation around the pivot one-handed.

Bellasdaddy · Mar 16, 2011

once again, thanks for all of the great information!

imafritz · Mar 16, 2011

The Bantams have 4 sizes, 286(3 3/4"), 285(3 1/8"), 284(2 3/4") and the Nano Bantam 283(1 7/8") which is small enough to be used as a keychain knife. I like em and now the blades are USA, athough the handles may still be of imported stock.

st8yd · Mar 16, 2011

Bellasdaddy said:
I currently edc a Buck 442. I like the blade geometry and that it is light, a lock back, is USA made and relatively inexpensive.

Some of the things that I do not like are the somewhat bulky handle and that it is not one hand open capable and the blade is a little wiggly.

Therefore, does anyone know if there is a Buck model that is USA made, a lock back, with a 3 inch or under blade that has a slimmer profile that can be opened with one hand and is relatively inexpensive??

Thanks!!

Personally I like the 501, my wife has the 444 (same blade as 501 but plastic handle)

While these may not be considered one hand openers, I always open them with one hand even if the other hand is empty.
Hold the knife in your hand with blade facing away from palm.
Pinch blade with thumb and middle finger and push open.
Follow it on out with pressure from you thumb (as if it had a thumb stud) or a lot of times I open it against my leg.

This can be done with just about any single blade lockback I've ever held.

Plumberdv · Mar 16, 2011

Another option is the Father and Son 112 Ecolite model that was made for SMKW's. They seem to be out of them, but they can be found on auction sites. It looks like it has the 442 blade (new style 442 but without the serrations).