Buck announced three new 005 Gen5 variants this year to follow their expensive LE 005 of last year. One - the 005GY - is already out - and available for as low as $50 + $5 s/h from evil-bay. Mine came this last week.
This is a 3" drop point 420HC bladed hollow-ground/secondary bevel 'skinner' that in my tests was easy to control whether de-barking a 1" sapling or re-pointing a broomstick or .5" dowel. The single forefinger groove, and long groove for the remainder of the fingers, in the full tang/charcoal colored resin-impregnated wood scales was quite comfortable, while the .125" blade spine was a bit thin for serious deep notching control with the thumb. Choking back helped. The knife and handle was well executed - and safe, with a decent finger guard of what looked like polished Ni-Ag, but was probably Al. The nylon, made in the PRC, sheath was for horizontal carry with the peel-apart velcro straps around a belt - or vertical with a backpack strap or suspenders. The knife is nicely made and was typically sharp.
I'll look for the middle priced one - the 005RW - as well. At $140 MSRP, it should be available some time this year for <$90. It'll have 154CM steel, brass fg, and rosewood scales - and a leather vertical (?) sheath. These should be decent tag-alongs for short day hikes. Check them out!
Stainz
This is a 3" drop point 420HC bladed hollow-ground/secondary bevel 'skinner' that in my tests was easy to control whether de-barking a 1" sapling or re-pointing a broomstick or .5" dowel. The single forefinger groove, and long groove for the remainder of the fingers, in the full tang/charcoal colored resin-impregnated wood scales was quite comfortable, while the .125" blade spine was a bit thin for serious deep notching control with the thumb. Choking back helped. The knife and handle was well executed - and safe, with a decent finger guard of what looked like polished Ni-Ag, but was probably Al. The nylon, made in the PRC, sheath was for horizontal carry with the peel-apart velcro straps around a belt - or vertical with a backpack strap or suspenders. The knife is nicely made and was typically sharp.
I'll look for the middle priced one - the 005RW - as well. At $140 MSRP, it should be available some time this year for <$90. It'll have 154CM steel, brass fg, and rosewood scales - and a leather vertical (?) sheath. These should be decent tag-alongs for short day hikes. Check them out!
Stainz