My Buck 380, impressive!

B

bryan123

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Feb 7, 2017
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I'm using my Buck 380 at work today (I'm a physician working in an outpatient clinic), mostly for opening envelopes and cutting articles out of medical journals.

I bought this Buck at a local antique mall for $5 before the shut down. I'm impressed with the build quality, walk and talk,heft and the blade sharpness and slicing ability of this little guy.

Are the other China-made Buck knives as nice as the 380? There are some for sale at the local Walmart.

thanks
 
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If you're cutting out things a Sheepfoot blade is one of the most useful. You might like to look at Buck's Small Stockman for that, very handy pocket size too. I prefer the US made 303 or the 2 blade 309 for this but I think they're only available 2nd hand now. Great knives mind.

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I have an offshore produced Buck stockman and the fit and finish is very good. However, it came completely dull and I've always struggled to get a decent edge on it. I've also got a small single bladed Buck pen knife, also offshore produced. Same issue with the edge. I think it may be the 420J2. I'm in no way a steel snob. I've got plenty of cheap knives that I can get a fine edge on. I've also never had an issue getting a razor's edge on my Buck 110 with 420HC. I even have a $5 knife I use when we go canoeing that I swim with and then when I get home I rinse it off, dry it, and spray the pivot with WD40 and wipe it down with the excess. A real beater. No problem getting it hair shaving sharp. But for some reason I really struggle with the 420J2. It's a shame. I really want to like that knife but I just don't reach for it. The plastic stag even looks good.
 
Went back and felt the edge on my offshore produced Buck 373 stockman. I guess it wasn't as bad as I had remembered but still not amazing. Still, a knife that was that difficult to get initially sharp makes me leery of use and resharpening.... And this wasn't isolated to just one offering. I've had two knives that came butter knife dull.
 
My three 389 Canoes, six 371 Stockmans, and one I forget what the number is XL improved trapper (Wharncliffe with mini serrations instead of a Spey blade) with fish shield and some "professional" bass fisherman's signature (I think his name is "Bill" something.) etched on the blade are all good knives, and each has seen significant pocket time.
 
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