New Buck knife : Fluid

[jec88]

Yep, I just didn't know if the action was supposed to be like that and since it was new I was afraid it was a bad batch. I figured I had better just walk away before my son lost an ear right there at the display counter with me trying to flick it.

 

[oregon]

I really do like that hump. Nothing in life is perfect.

Small can be beautiful. Yes it can. The flat part of the blade leading up to the hump and the rise to the top of the hump gives a finger purchase/control, fine control, as if you held a much smaller blade and therefore you can do fine cutting work like remove stitches, de-stem a small strawberry, remove the eye of a newt for your potion and such tiny knife chores. I talked about this in post #34. With the incredible grip texture of the FRN handle and the hump/wall/flat blade part, well the operator has options that would usually only be available in a multi-blade knife like say the 301. Clever IMHO. Squids are smart, make great bait and they can be tasty if prepared well I'm told.

Yep, I just didn't know if the action was supposed to be like that and since it was new I was afraid it was a bad batch. I figured I had better just walk away before my son lost an ear right there at the display counter with me trying to flick it.

I ma smiling. My sons both know their way around cutlery now. They are two of my toughest critics and hold me to a high standard. They don't exactly revel in my collection. No. They find fodder for criticism in design, engineering, materials, execution, spending habits and so forth. You are creating/teaching a person and at some point he will be on his own team, not against you, but his independent self which is what I wanted but it can be surprising when it happens.

mnblade, I've taken a good look at the screw tips of the pocket clip as they penetrate the handle and the interior nested liner and they do have blue goo thread lock showing. This is medium strength, I believe, so I may be able to free the clip once I acquire a capable T7. However, I and lots of folk had this problem with a Kershaw so I took mine to the factory store (just down the road from me) and they took it into the shop and performed the job (switch clip to tip up as I recall). They would not reveal their method and only said that they had the correct tools... I will try. Hopefully I won't need a T7 impact driver (if such a thing exists)! Heat may be the ticket but not where FRN is the handle material I'm afraid.

 

[pinnah]

I'm liking the looks of this Fluid a lot. I'd love to see a pic of the knife with the clip removed (as I'm very much a tote-'er-in-the-pocket kind of guy).

I'm thinking this knife can make some noise in this niche/price point, taking on the likes of the Rat II, Byrd Meadowlark, Kabar's Dozier Folding Hunter, etc. The difference is that the Fluid is American made. :thumbup:

I think Buck has made a lot of knives in this niche/price point. Vantage, Bucklite Max, Bantam and Spitfire/Slimline all come to mind.

The question is, what holds the Bucks back from competing better against those other knives?

I think the answer to that question might be found in the Bladeforums General forum when the once-every-two weeks thread asking for recommendations for an inexpensive work knife comes up. My sense after reading a bunch of those threads is that buyers in this price range are more interested in out of the box quality and durability (the Rat knives get high marks here) and are less interested in great customer service (it shouldn't be needed).

Victorinox is generally regarded as being at the top of the heap in terms of precision production and QC - this with European labor rates and taxes. If they can do that in Switzerland, I see no reason why Buck can't match it in the US.

Personally, I'm less interested in seeing new models from Buck and more interested in seeing them become known for rock solid lock up and durability for 100% of the time - that is, for having a customer service department that is never needed. I think it's a straight-forward matter of materials and process engineering.

 

[oregon]

I'd love to see a pic of the knife with the clip removed.

OK. Here you go. BTW, I couldn't have been more wrong about the Torx bit size as it was T6 (not T7). Even though the T6 seemed to rattle around a bit within the screw head it worked and the screw came out using Husky. I had a will and when there is a will, well you already know the rest.

I don't feel the FRN clip mount posts in the forward or reverse grips to any extent. However, I'm just fiddling at my desk and not putting in a 12 hour shift where production and seconds count. They look like they would be a snap to whittle, sand, grind or drag along concrete off if you had a mind to eliminate them all together.

 

[Joe58]

I think Buck has made a lot of knives in this niche/price point. Vantage, Bucklite Max, Bantam and Spitfire/Slimline all come to mind.

The question is, what holds the Bucks back from competing better against those other knives?

I think the answer to that question might be found in the Bladeforums General forum when the once-every-two weeks thread asking for recommendations for an inexpensive work knife comes up. My sense after reading a bunch of those threads is that buyers in this price range are more interested in out of the box quality and durability (the Rat knives get high marks here) and are less interested in great customer service (it shouldn't be needed).

Victorinox is generally regarded as being at the top of the heap in terms of precision production and QC - this with European labor rates and taxes. If they can do that in Switzerland, I see no reason why Buck can't match it in the US.

Personally, I'm less interested in seeing new models from Buck and more interested in seeing them become known for rock solid lock up and durability for 100% of the time - that is, for having a customer service department that is never needed. I think it's a straight-forward matter of materials and process engineering.

Very good observation Pinnah - I agree. Just don't see Buvk mentioned too much in General. Stockman suggestions pretty regular tho'.

This thread has lengthened to the point I ordered one for myself as I figured at their price point, couldn't go too wrong. And it'd be a good regift candidate should I not care for it too much.

Goodness knows I've purchased much higher priced knives I ended up not liking very much. Lol.

 

[ChrisB507]

I picked up a Buck Fluid in part because of this thread. Haven't had a chance to use it much, but here's a size comparison if you're curious.

From the top...

• Spyderco Dragonfly
• DPX Heat
• CRK Small Sebenza Insingo
• Buck Fluid
• Spyderco Native 5
• ZT 0566