Just picked up 2>3! sod busters. and have a steel question

clich

clich

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Apr 19, 2011
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So i dont delve in traditional slipjoints all too much, mainly because i dont like folders too much, and i felt a lock is better on a folder than one without a lock. But a coworker of mine pulled out a case sodbuster at work the other day and i asked to see it. I was so impressed how well built it was, and how it seemed like such a hardworking knife, i ordered two. A case large, and a 2005 bulldog green handle one. should be here mid week. Im very excited, and just wanted to share.


EDIT TO ADD, just picked up another, and would like to know what steels are used on these three, and also what angles for resharpening?
oh and since im new to the traditionals side, do you think i should carry and use the bulldog or keep it mint since there were only 40 made in 05? to me that sounds like a collectors item, but then again dont these slippie companies only put out a few dozen of every model?

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Make it 3. Just got a buck creek dirt buster with stag. Never heard of it but price was right
 
So what type of steel are these knives and what angles should i use for sharpening.
 
Others will give you better answers, but meanwhile....
The Case SodBuster is made in what they call "tru-sharp" steel. Basically, from what I understand, it's their version of 420. I have no idea of the Buck Creek, or Bulldog knives, so I rather not speculate.
As for using the Bulldog or not...
I am no collector. I may keep a knife as a "safe queen" only if it was a custom of some kind...and probably, I wouldn't do that either. I like the green scales on your Soddie quite alot, and I would use it right away.
As for sharpening angles...I'm the last one here who can account any credit for his opinion :D so I rather leave it to others who are more skilled at sharpening and know more about steel than me.
Finally...welcome to the amazing world of traditionals. You may only understand it in a week, or a month, or a year...but you are already in a trap :rolleyes:

Fausto
:cool:
 
Case uses Tru-Sharp stainless in their black handle sodbuster, and I think the blue handled ones. They provide the CV carbon steel in the yellow handled sodubuster junior. I am not familiar with the steel used in the Buck Creek (nice knife there by the way). I believe the steel in the Bulldog is high carbon steel similar to 1085, but I could be wrong. Queen uses D2 in their Country Cousin sodbuster type.

As far as sharpening angles, that would depend on what you expect to cut, but I use a fairly low ange somewhere around 15-20 degrees per side on mine; I try to stay close to 15 degree because for my uses, that angle seems to work better for me in all of my knives. There is a point that is too shallow though for the degree of hardness of the blades in these sodbusters. You will have to determine what works best for you.

I have some Bulldog knives, but not a sodbuster, and do not own a Buck Creek of any style, but I like the steel that is used in the Bulldogs; it sharpens well and holds an edge well. Very similar to the Case CV. I have not had it tested, but it seems to be a touch harder than CV, but I can't say that for sure. The sodbuster style is a work knife and the steels that are used match the needs very well. All of the steels (except for the Buck Creek, which I am not familair with) sharpen up very nicely. It should be intuitive that the carbon steel will corrode fairly easily, but proper care will mitigate that; it will discolor or stain over time forming what we call a patina. You are probably familiar with that already. You have some really nice knives to start your journey down the slippery slope of traditional slip joint pocket knives. We'll see you at the bottom....

Ed J
 
The original Buck Creek knives were made in Germany, likely in the Olbertz factory. I have never read anything that proved the currently made knives branded "Buck Creek" are being made in Germany. I think they might pass through Germany on their way from a factory in China to the USA distributor. However the knife's origin is no indication of quality.
roland
 
rprocter said:
The original Buck Creek knives were made in Germany, likely in the Olbertz factory. I have never read anything that proved the currently made knives branded "Buck Creek" are being made in Germany. I think they might pass through Germany on their way from a factory in China to the USA distributor. However the knife's origin is no indication of quality.
roland
Click to expand...

Yeh I looked into it as well. Some.say they are made in Germany some say they arent, and some others says they they are Chinese parts assembled in Germany. Oh well. For under $30 shipped you can go wrong with stag. Which is the one thing that all the sources are saying is that its genuine stag.
 
Clich that stag knife is lookin good! I am not huge into traditionals either but I have way more traditional folders then modern. My grandpa was a big collector. I EDC a case peanut! Love that thing, if I need a bigger blade then I just use my Swiss Army Knife
 
rprocter said:
The original Buck Creek knives were made in Germany, likely in the Olbertz factory. I have never read anything that proved the currently made knives branded "Buck Creek" are being made in Germany. I think they might pass through Germany on their way from a factory in China to the USA distributor. However the knife's origin is no indication of quality.
roland
Click to expand...

This is what I've experienced with the marque German Bull, the last name may say it all....really think they are Chinese but there's nothing wrong with the finish or steel, the stag on mine is really decent too.

Another brand worth looking into is Böker Argentina, their Sodbuster is a bit rough, but tough and the carbon sharpens up something really wicked.
Herder from Germany with wooden handles are well worth considering and are reputed to the the source of CASE's Sodbuster. I'd use that Bulldog too, they made small runs in just about every type of handle in other patterns, can't see them skyrocketing in value the fit&finish is just not up to much.

The Yellow sodbuster is for me, a type of American Opinel, brilliantly simple, discrete and easy in the pocket yet up for work.
 
As mentioned, the Case is 'Tru-Sharp', a.k.a. 420HC.

I have a Buck Creek stockman in stag. Though I don't specifically know what steel it uses (other than it's stainless), it reminds me of 440A/440C, either of which can be quite good and will take very fine edges. 440C is also used by Boker (another German maker), although theirs seems to be fairly soft; it reminds me of the steel used in Victorinox SAKs, in terms of how it sharpens up (takes a great edge, but you need to be careful not to overdo it on the hones). I get the impression the steel in the Buck Creek is a bit harder, which I view very positively.

The Bulldog, I'm pretty sure, uses the same carbon steel as Eye Brand; it's great stuff, takes a beautiful edge. The knife itself is identical in pattern, size, shape to Eye Brand's soddie (I have versions of both, including red, green and yellow-handled Bulldogs). I'm certain they were made in the same factory; the Bulldog is more highly finished, polished & etched.
 
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