Most under-rated Buck folder...?

R

Roamad

Joined
Feb 1, 2016
Messages
606
I'm sort of new to the Buck world. I've had a number of Gerbers and Kershaws and other fine US-made knives. But for some reason, Bucks haven't entered the picture much. I do have a Vantage Pro, which I'm very happy with. And it got me wondering about other models I may have overlooked. I'm also a fan of underdogs -- that simple bargain knife that performs beyond expectations. So I'm wondering: What do y'all experts feel is the most under-rated Buck folding knife, either a current model or past? And don't say the 110, because everybody already knows that's a great knife. :D
 
My vote would have to go to the Bantam 285.

It's no titanium wonder knife but for ~$20, it's very hard to beat.
 
Hooo, jday I like it. I was thinking of doing the same thing. Glad you got to it first. The 334 Trapper is a good performer. DM
 
I'm with Rupe, the Bantam is a great knife for the money, I have one in my pocket every day. It performs well and makes short work of the things I need it for. I was a Vantage fan but with all the blade play problems, the Bantam is a much better buy.
 
The 482 bucklite Max, it's a great knife that isn't as readily available 285 bantam which I think has an ugly handle with too much going on.
 
I would say the Medium sized Bucklite Max and the Bantams.

If you can move up in price, the Buck 500 is awesome.

The tip on the Large Bucklite Max doesn't have enough belly for me to recommend (I like the Bantam's blade shape better).

I could almost but not quite recommend the Buck Slimline, the Walmart Spitfire variant. I've purchased three and all have a significant amount of blade play and painfully misaligned scales. I wanted hard to like the Slimline (3 attempts hard) and the design has a lot to like. If they could dial in the production it would be a killer EDC knife.
 
Large Bucklite Max. So underrated they don't make them anymore. (At least it appears they don't.)

Zieg
 
I'm glad to see the Bantam series getting so much love. I thought I would be the only one. Maybe it's not under-rated after all! :thumbup::thumbup:

From the past, I would go with the Buck 175 Lightning HTA II. I thought it was ahead of it's time. One hand opening, locking blade, ergonomic thumb placement, pocket clip. Everything I needed (and still do). I don't know if it was under-rated. I only know that when I went to buy another one years later, it had been discontinued. :(
 
The Zieg said:
Large Bucklite Max. So underrated they don't make them anymore. (At least it appears they don't.)

Zieg
Click to expand...

Still on the Buck website and still on the website with an incorrect picture.
http://www.buckknives.com/product/folding-bucklite-max-large-knife/0486FAM01/

I would buy a version of that knife with the blade shape shown. In fact, I've purchased it 3 times from different vendors and each time, got something with a much smaller, pointier tip on it. After the 3 time and some time on the phone with the folks at Buck, it seems that a Photoshop error has resulted in an incorrect picture on the web site.

It's an otherwise nice knife if you don't push it too hard. I've had several and they loosen up with hard use. Wish they would actually make it as it's shown in the picture.
 
Thanks for all the great feedback so far! Never heard of the 175 before -- looks interesting. Did not realize there were so many Bantam varieties available (head spinning, etc., :eek:)
 
Roamad said:
But for some reason, Bucks haven't entered the picture ..And it got me wondering about other models I may have overlooked. So I'm wondering: What do y'all experts feel is the most under-rated Buck folding knife, either a current model or past? And don't say the 110, because everybody already knows that's a great knife. :D
Click to expand...
And that's just it!
back in the day,
buck was primarily the brass and wooden scales folder brand.
Unfortunately future markets in the likes of tactical knives and such
was being written by competitors.
This is not to say that buck didn't try to make inroads.
It's earliest attempt (the cross lock series) was a great start.
However, IMHO there just wasn't a steady enough consistent release with new trends.
or maybe it was an upper management thing to stay clear from designs with martial applications?
Having said that, I found the odyssey a nice attempt
But I guess it wasn't an overwhelming success.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/426637-Buck-182-help-(photos)
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/305234-Odyssey-181-discontinued
 
Last edited:
20160613_195656_zps6qhnlhgk.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
20160613_195724_zpsoqhauaz9.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
20160613_195752_zpsqwsjgbn8.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

Nice knives. Both are tight lockup and very smooth.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top