Knife for my old man : Would the 55 be a good choice?

[grownstar]

Hey guys, I just wanted to bounce an idea off of y'all and try and get some feedback on the 55. My father's bday is coming up this month and I was thinking of doing something different and getting him a knife. He's not really a knife guy, but just the other day I pulled my 110 out of it's sheath and he literally stopped and said, "That's beautiful." He probably hasn't carried a blade since he was in Vietnam, so to hear that was a big deal.

He spent a couple of minutes fidgeting with the 110 and proceeded to hand it back to me. He's in his 70s so he had a little trouble pressing down on that backlock, but then again we all know how large, sturdy and no-nonsense the 110 is. Which brings me to the 55. I figured since he liked the looks of my knife, he would definitely be into the 55. It's a beautiful piece, and it's smaller size/lighter weight means that he just might carry it every now and again.

Am I correct in assuming the 55 is a quality piece? Can any owners chime in with some experience? Is it comfy in hand? Do you think it will fill a light EDC role? I sincerely appreciate any and all discussion/pics/suggestions in this thread. Thanks, guys!

 

[Badhammer]

I've never had a 55 but they look nice. If your dad isn't a "knife guy" a regular 55 might make more sense but having said that I purchased these two 501's from the Buck Custom Shoppe with S30v, kept the oak and gave my father the walnut. We're both very pleased.

Walnut

Oak

 

[Badhammer]

Double Tap

 

[ItsTooEarly]

The 55 is a great small knife and the 501 is my favorite knife...
But the 55 is a great pocket carry knife too... Good size for us old guys...



Even the small 525s are nice and thin and carry nice in your pocket...
They are a good lock back knife...



I guess clean them up... Some day ...

 

[GoJoJo]

I carried a 501 for a long time. But, since I got my 55 a year ago the 501 has been sitting in my drawer. I like the 55 a lot. It is easy to carry in my pocket, it's convenient, easy for me to use and I am in my 7th decade. I do have a 110 on my belt most of the time as well but use the 110 less than I use the 55.

I vote for the 55.

 

[grownstar]

Wow. Thank you gents for the insight and the pics. Very helpful stuff. I'll also check out the 501 and 503, I believe those are the Squire and Prince. I could be wrong.

 

[oregon]

The 301 is easy open and no lock to work. A little bit bigger than the tiny 55.

 

[Pondoro2310]

I love my 55 and carry it to work every day.

 

[DesertChris]

I like my 55's they are the same size as a 503 (which I also like) and slightly.smaller than a 501 (Which I like alot too)

 

[Pondoro2310]

I've actually arrived at work once or twice and noticed that I missed a spot shaving. I only shave every few days so when I do shave and then miss a spot it is a thick ugly patch. Out comes the 55 and I shave in the men's room.

 

[jb4570]

Hmmm,

"Shaven in the men's room" kinds reminds me of an old song I heard a long time ago

The 55 is the same size as the 503 and both are tiny little knives, to me just right for cleaning your finger nails. However, if you were to have one in you pocket you would never even feel it. I do like the looks of the 55 better than the 503.

55's


55 with 503


55


503

jb4570

 

[treeshaker]

Based on your dads service in Vietnam, and his age, I am a large part taken back by your "old man" banner. Therefore I will address this to the fine gentleman who at 70 served his country and now may enjoy a knife. I have gifted many Bucks to various hunting, business and general friends. I have been stuck on the Buck 503 Prince knife, a really nice blade length, for real field use, 440 steel and enough back bone to muscle through the task. Knife fits in the field and in your pocket Sunday Morning. Plenty Mid 1980's rosewood on sites for < $40.00. While still made today, the older blades are far superior and the scales are remarkable.

 

[Sosa]

I was thinking of my dad, now I want a 55. Never knew it existed.

 

[pinnah]

Several older guys I talk to report having troubles with locking knives as their fingers get older.

Slip joints are easier. Some guys prefer slip joints with half-stops.

One guy who posts regularly in the trad forum says he's move to an Italian friction folder due to the arthritis. Others prefer "easy-open" designs that allow the blade to be gripped easily.

Good luck in your hunt.

 

[DocT]

I really like the 55 and wish Buck offered this one at the custom shop. I also like the 501 and 503. If he is not a knife person then the 55 would be my choice followed by the 503 as he will not be thinking of the knife as anything more than something to cut string, open envelopes, boxes, or for eating the occasional apple. If the brass bolsters get dull and little polish with spruce it up nicely.
However, Buck offers custom knives and if I were going to go that route I might choose the larger 501 because there are more options such as S30V steel (but much harder to sharpen than 420HC) and scale in many materials.

 

[David Martin]

As mentioned the 501 is still offered in Buck's Custom Shop. So, many different handles and steels available. A good size. If he went thru Vietnam he's only around 60 and can still handle a knife well. Thank you for thinking of your Father with this gift. Plus, tell him Thank You for Serving. DM

 

[sunandsteel]

I've never had a 55 but they look nice. If your dad isn't a "knife guy" a regular 55 might make more sense but having said that I purchased these two 501's from the Buck Custom Shoppe with S30v, kept the oak and gave my father the walnut. We're both very pleased.

Both are beautiful looking knives. Do you carry your 501 in the belt sheath or pocket? I've been using a pocket sheath to carry my 501 but still hang onto the belt sheath.

 

[screened porch]

Based on your dads service in Vietnam, and his age, I am a large part taken back by your "old man" banner. Therefore I will address this to the fine gentleman who at 70 served his country and now may enjoy a knife. I have gifted many Bucks to various hunting, business and general friends. I have been stuck on the Buck 503 Prince knife, a really nice blade length, for real field use, 440 steel and enough back bone to muscle through the task. Knife fits in the field and in your pocket Sunday Morning.
View attachment 486372

I like this idea. I have a 505 and never carry it. It's tiny enough to challenge my dexterity, though not yet my strength.

 

[grownstar]

Based on your dads service in Vietnam, and his age, I am a large part taken back by your "old man" banner.

Trust me brother, it's a term of endearment. I'm in my 30s with a family of my own and he still calls me "young punk" haha. He's been my hero all my life; that's why I want to get him a nice looking knife and of course Buck came to mind. Thank you kindly for the 503 suggestion. It's definitely been added to the short list :thumbup:

I was thinking of my dad, now I want a 55. Never knew it existed.

Haha it's a great looking smaller knife. I love how it keeps the iconic 110 look, but in a more manageable size.

As mentioned the 501 is still offered in Buck's Custom Shop. So, many different handles and steels available. A good size. If he went thru Vietnam he's only around 60 and can still handle a knife well. Thank you for thinking of your Father with this gift. Plus, tell him Thank You for Serving. DM

I'll definitely tell him you said thanks. He's turning 71 later this month, and doesn't move as well as he used to before he retired, but he can still whoop my butt and can definitely handle a nail nick.

@oregon and pinnah: Thank you guys for the slippie suggestion. I was thinking of something along those lines before I posted the thread. I may still look into it. I have a couple of weeks to get this all put together.

 

[Badhammer]

Both are beautiful looking knives. Do you carry your 501 in the belt sheath or pocket? I've been using a pocket sheath to carry my 501 but still hang onto the belt sheath.

Pocket carry. Usually in the watch pocket on my blue jeans so keys and or change don't take a toll on the finish. Very handy especially around the office.