New 3.25" Diamondback-works for me!

Joined
Mar 29, 2000
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My new Buck Diamondback (3.25" blade) came the other day. Officially listed at the Buck Knives site as a Hunting/Fishing knife, it has now become my everyday general utility knife. The blade is just the right size and shape for my needs, which range from trimming excess paper off of computer generated drawings and opening cardboard boxes and polyethylene packing tape at the office, to chipping at cracked concrete, and scraping rust and peeling paint off of steel structures at company field sites. The blade came shaving sharp out of the box (of course) and I haven't had to touch it up yet.

The rubber textured handle is excellent. Despite my size X-large hands, the 3-3/4" handle is a good fit. I think my high opinion of the handle is due mainly to the shape, and the texture of the rubber. I have virtually no fear of this baby slipping or turning in my hand.

The sheath is adequate, but in my opinion, it could be a little better. Basically it is a hard synthetic material with two pre-moulded "dimples" that match two points of contact on either side of the rubber handle. The body is then attched via two small rivets to a section of what appears to be cordura nylon that offers two means of attachment to your belt/gear. The Cordura/Nylon strap is essentially a loop that can closed or opened using a Hook & Loop (Velcro) closure. At the top is a stitched across section that secures a D-Ring shaped piece of Synthetic/Plastic which I assume you can attach to your pack, fanny pack, etc.

I cut through the stitching and removed the ring. This allowed the Nylon loop to open up wide enough to fit the wide Garrison style belt I usually wear. The knife sheath is then stuck in my right side back-jeans pocket. It is comfortable, light, and unobtrusive.

Considering that I was able to obtain this knife from Smokey Mountain Knifeworks for $14.99 plus shipping, I think this is probably the best deal i've gotten on a knife all year. I would highly reccommend the Diamondback to anyone in need of a small, dependable, inexpensive general use knife.

Another Buck success story;)
 
Glad you like it!! I've got the larger one and it's a real good knife for the price.:)
 
I just bought one hoping it would become my new EDC. Love the knife... hate the sheath. I may not keep it. If I could find a better sheath it would be a keeper for sure.
 
Hi there --

I have a Diamondback 4.25 and I've wondered about the sheath and whether there was some sheath stress-testing involved, as that's the first knife sheath I've ever owned that doesn't have the snapping safety-strap around the handle. My buddy grabbed my 4.25, by its sheath, and started trying to shake the knife free of the sheath. As he was shaking it near a wall, over a carpet-covered concrete floor, and too darned close to me, I stopped him before he might've succeeded and damaged the knife/broken the blade, and/or cut off someone's toes.
What can the Buck Diamondback 4.25 and it's sheath be subjected to that could cause the knife to fall out of it's sheath, without actually pulling it out? Did Buck do any testing on the Diamondback's sheath?
For packing purposes, I unsnag the velcro then twist the strap and wrap the "belt loop" around the handle, then redo the velcro, locking the knife into it's sheath. I wouldn't want to reach into a backpack pocket and find that the knife has gotten loose from it's sheath, the hard way....
I'm just wondering, as I can't imagine Buck making a sheath that loses it's knife after it's owner climbs over a hundred barbed-wire fences, should the need arise.

Thanks for your time! GeoThorn
 
I have a 4.25" and I love it as well! Great blade shape and edge thickness for hunting as well as general utility, even though it is one of Buck's cheaper knives - and made in Taiwan! - I like it better than some of the more expensive ones that I have. Hmmm... not sure if you guys want to hear that or not - but I still buy the expensive ones anyway... so you're safe with me (by the way when IS the new Nighthawk coming out?)

I actually haven't had any problems with the sheath carrying it camping, hunting, etc. and being pretty active with it, seems pretty secure unless you just try to shake the knife out.

I do have one question: This is the only Buck knife I know of that is stamped with Taiwan - what's the story there? I assume that the QC and heat treat, etc. are all on par with the U.S. facilities.

Thanks,
Dan
 
Hey Dan --

I screwed-up and replied to this old thread about Buck Diamondbacks, and I haven't had any replies to my new questions about sheath testing. I should just start a new thread, I'm thinking.

Since my new reply to this old (2001) thread hasn't received any responses, I'm not sure that your question will get a reply, either. There is another thread that discusses Buck Knives made elsewhere and imported, specifically "Buck!!! What were you thinking?" http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266375

I haven't seen any threads that list which Buck Knives were made and/or assembled elsewhere and then imported to America, but, speaking from my personal knowledge, the Diamondback 4.25 I own has TAIWAN stamped into the blade. Maybe others will add to this thread and mention which Buck Knives they have seen or purchased that have something other than USA stamped onto their blades.

We should maybe both post new threads. GeoThorn
 
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