Looking to pick up another inexpensive lockback

[BJE]

I have found that over the years, I have a preference for the back lock over any other lock style. I work as a mechanic and usually carry a SAK (Vic Tinker as of late, but sometimes a Wenger SI) and a medium sized lockback for use when my hands are too dirty to stick in my pockets and too greasy to want to handle my Tinker (though it still gets a large portion of use at work).

Been on a Buck kick lately and have started carrying my 110 on my hip and have temporarily put the Delica 4 that I have faithfully carried everyday for over a year on the dresser. However, when I am not at work I don't want to attract too much attention to what I am carrying since I am currently and unfortunately living in a large city (Columbus, OH). This usually means I put the Buck up and carry the Delica once more, but I guess I have grown overly comfortable with the Delica and miss the terrific blade on my Buck, I love the this hollow grind, and the wonderful 420HC.

So since it has been quite a long time since I have purchased a new kinfe, I think I will order a new blade. Now, I have it sort of narrowed down to two different Buck models that will help fill the gap between my Delica 4 and Buck 110/112.

The Buck Bantam BLW in camo

And the Buck Bucklite Max with the orange handle

Now I know which knife I will like better can only be determined by me, but as a knife knut, I like talking about what I like and hearing what others like about the knives that interest me. So, what say you? Which of those two models strikes your fancy and why?

I noticed the handles are made of two different materials, one is thermoplastic rubber, and the other is FRN, any input on which you prefer or the pros and cons of each?

The lock placement is different as well as blade shape and clip placement, do you prefer the midlock like on the Bantam or the backlock like the Bucklite Max?

Lets just say for the sake of entertainment, how do these folders stand up to similar competition, say a Ka-Bar Dozier folder for example? Given the choice between one of these Bucks and the Dozier, which would you spend your money on?

I don't expect to be blown away by either of these two knives given the price, and since they are so economically priced and still USA made, I may just purchase both, but probably not at the same time so I don't feel so guilty about spending money on "another knife".

So, what do YOU have to say about them?

 

[crom]

Never owned the Bantam but did have the large Bucklite Max and although there was nothing wrong with it I gifted it to a friend and picked up an Ecolite in 112. Check those out as well, very solid and attractive.

 

[BJE]

I would like the see the ecolite in person before I order one sight unseen, I am not sure I like the handle material. How much lighter is it than a regular 112, comparable to a modern folder like my Delica 4?

 

[crom]

It's noticeably lighter than a wood and brass 112. The material doesn't feel plastic-like, it's more like wood in texture. I wanted to like the Bucklite Max I had but it was an unlined zytel knife and it (I'm sure it is not flimsy but I only used mine briefly) felt flimsy. I'd have to weigh my Ecolite 112 but I'm guessing it's around 4oz? It has full liners under the paperstone material, it's very well made.

 

[9blades]

I'd stay away from the bantam i have the small one and imo the lock up is not good or very safe.

 

[BJE]

You could always send that knife to buck, I bet they will make it right. Seems better than never getting full enjoyment out of it because of the one flaw.

 

[Wing-Man]

I have a large Bantam in the black handle, and the only bad thing I can say about it is that when you are deploying the blade via the thumbstud, the lock back spring sort of pops the blade off your thumb. I can feel the sharpness of the blade when I open it, and I haven't gotton used to it yet, but maybe its just not broken in yet. Besides, its my only "two-handed flying dive" lockback