I took my brother to the hobby stores today - and stopped at a local yuppee sporting goods store. No revolvers to speak of, so I drifted into the knife section. Yep - $650+ Wm Henry pocket knifes - then I caught the Buck K-Ps - at list. I already had the #408 - but it looked so out of place with such high dollar knives - and it looked better - at $160 - a fraction of some of their prices. I had to handle the 419.
The 419 had a nice heft to it - yet fit and felt fine in my hand - good balance. The opening & closing was 'new' - smoother by far than a Sure Fire $425+ Ti handled folder I was handed earlier, after the clerk assured me it was 'slick' (It wasn't... not as bad as my 560XLT Ti, however.). Still, the 110 'Collector's Tin' I opened today was far smoother on it's first operation. The 419's liner lock sounded about like my Kershaw Blurs - and didn't look much more substantial, my main negative. The side view, blade in or out, showed bright brass liner - a distinctive look, with snappy brass. Nice scales, too. The blade was as near perfect as my 408's. It snapped into lock with some authority, but I'd still prefer something more massive - a lockback, perhaps. Still, at $150, it was a bargain when compared with some of the higher priced spread. That blade in S30V is nice. It's on my list.
The 408 is mine - bought for a bit less than that store's list of $160. I have spent more on custom knives - tactical & hunter style. Neat, one-offs with canvas Micarta & black Micarta handles, techie carbon steel, great sheaths... but they literally pale in comparison to my 408 K-P - it looks that good! It fits the hand - great balance & heft - nice brass fg - scales grooved for better traction (I hate checkered grips/scales of nice hardwoods!) - great finish. Even the leather sheath, which I have heard may get replaced due to a defect, is a cut above. That S30v, with it's a bit different upswept blade tip, is scarey sharp. Really, I like it... guess it was worth the wait! Go look one over - with some big buck knives - you'll be amazed.
Stainz
PS I don't hunt... so what do I do with these fixed knives? Display case!
The 419 had a nice heft to it - yet fit and felt fine in my hand - good balance. The opening & closing was 'new' - smoother by far than a Sure Fire $425+ Ti handled folder I was handed earlier, after the clerk assured me it was 'slick' (It wasn't... not as bad as my 560XLT Ti, however.). Still, the 110 'Collector's Tin' I opened today was far smoother on it's first operation. The 419's liner lock sounded about like my Kershaw Blurs - and didn't look much more substantial, my main negative. The side view, blade in or out, showed bright brass liner - a distinctive look, with snappy brass. Nice scales, too. The blade was as near perfect as my 408's. It snapped into lock with some authority, but I'd still prefer something more massive - a lockback, perhaps. Still, at $150, it was a bargain when compared with some of the higher priced spread. That blade in S30V is nice. It's on my list.
The 408 is mine - bought for a bit less than that store's list of $160. I have spent more on custom knives - tactical & hunter style. Neat, one-offs with canvas Micarta & black Micarta handles, techie carbon steel, great sheaths... but they literally pale in comparison to my 408 K-P - it looks that good! It fits the hand - great balance & heft - nice brass fg - scales grooved for better traction (I hate checkered grips/scales of nice hardwoods!) - great finish. Even the leather sheath, which I have heard may get replaced due to a defect, is a cut above. That S30v, with it's a bit different upswept blade tip, is scarey sharp. Really, I like it... guess it was worth the wait! Go look one over - with some big buck knives - you'll be amazed.
Stainz
PS I don't hunt... so what do I do with these fixed knives? Display case!
...Yep...My 419 arrived the other day and it is one nice folder...To say that the S30V blade was scarey sharp would indeed be an understatement...There is absolutely nothing I can say that would be a negative about the 419...Very much worth the wait...:thumbup:
...It really is a beautiful knife though...
