New to Buck...a few questions.

stevekolt

stevekolt

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Hi all, I have been collecting knives for quite some time, and unbelievably, Buck was never on my radar!?:eek: So I joined the BCCI, and have a few questions. I've ordered a 112 Slim Select in the tan web exclusive color. I believe that the 110 is an iconic Buck, so I am planning on ordering a 110 from DLT in either S35N or 20CV. Followed by a Vantage Pro, and possibly a Spitfire from the custom shop.
As far as non-folders, it seems that the 119 is the go to for a first sheath knife, can a lefty sheath be ordered from Buck?
Any other suggestions?
Finally, I am unfamiliar with 420HC steel, please share your experience and thoughts with me...

Thanks!
 
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Buck has the "best" 420HC, since they use the BOS heat treat (even tho the 420HC blades don't have the BOS cartouch, they still have that heat treat)
It holds an edge well, and is easy to resharpen when needed, without needing things like diamond or SiC stones.
I've skinned 2.5 whitetail deer without resharpening. I did dry strop to finish that last 0.5 deer.
For me, stropping brings back a good edge. I rarely have to put my blades to a stone. (so they last longer; as in "are not reduced to "toothpicks"".)

You'll want at least one standard production Brass 'n Wood 110 with a 420HC blade in your collection.

From what I've read on here, I don't think Buck currently offers any left hand sheath options for any of their fixed blades.
There are some nice after market lefty sheaths available on sites I cannot mention here, and there are several sheath makers who hang out here in the Buck subforum, who will be quite happy to sell you one of their works of art.
Makael Makael pops to (whats left of my) mind first.
Welcome to Buck.

FYI "Buck Fever" is rampant.
There is no cure. All you can do is treat the symptons by buying more of them. :)
Fortunately, (most) Buck knives cost less than say vintage/classic automobiles and motorcycles, guns (new or vintage/antique), Swiss watches, a week's worth of ski lift tickets and resort/hotel stay, deep sea fishing, "Professional" class Italian bicycles, (new or vintage) and/or a second or third wife (concurrent or otherwise), ten or more kids ...) :)
 
I wouldn’t worry about the lefty sheath. I’d have one made. The factory sheaths are serviceable but aren’t anything special.

a custom sheath made the way you want it that fits the knife adds to the whole experience. Especially if you intend to use and carry it.
 
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You can get a left handed sheath for the 119 direct from BUCK. It's on the website.
Actually I believe I once read if you buy the knife direct from BUCK, you can get them to swap it out before they ship it.
But I would call them to confirm.

But I agree, a custom sheath is a great way to make a knife your favorite.

I think the 119 is a little big for practical use. I would suggest a 118, 105 or a 117.
But that's just me. What do you want to do with it?

Heck for an EDC they have lots of cool small fixed blades.
A really cool one would be a new ebony 113. Small enough to edc and I have gutted many deer with that knife.

Welcome aboard. There's some cool folks that hang out here.
 
Welcome and congratulations on your decision! You can expect some good things to come and a lighter wallet. Lol.

For me I tend to go with premium steel in the folders and then 420hc in the fixed blades. My reasoning is that I use my folders for the bulk of the work just about everyday. My fixed blade usage is more occasional so the standard Buck 420hc is plenty good for that amount of work. I have one fixed in s30v and another on the way just in case I do need more edge retention for those instances that are more demanding. As others have mentioned Bucks 420hc with Bos heat treatment is no slouch and no other 420 grade knives I know of don’t come close to the performance. The premium grade steels are made for more demanding type of work and the professional users such as guides and industry where performance is a must. But it is nice to have a knife stay sharp for an extended time even for the occasional user.
 
stevekolt said:
Hi all, I have been collecting knives for quite some time, and unbelievably, Buck was never on my radar!?:eek: So I joined the BCCI, and have a few questions. I've ordered a 112 Slim Select in the tan web exclusive color. I believe that the 110 is an iconic Buck, so I am planning on ordering a 110 from DLT in either S35N or 20CV. Followed by a Vantage Pro, and possibly a Spitfire from the custom shop.
As far as non-folders, it seems that the 119 is the go to for a first sheath knife, can a lefty sheath be ordered from Buck?
Any other suggestions?
Finally, I am unfamiliar with 420C steel, please share your experience and thoughts with me...

Thanks!
Click to expand...
The 212s is available in A few different steels as well as the 192. 420, S30V, 5160, 20CV, and 440. I think that's makes up the choices.
 
Welcome to the club. Enjoy the ride.
If you are a BCCI dues paying member don’t forget to use your member discount.
Buck is probably the most customer supportive knife builder out there. Jmho.
And the Collectors here are the best... and that’s a fact!
 
stevekolt stevekolt , welcome to the Buck Collectors and the Buck forum. All good suggestions. I like the size and usefulness of a 119. It can handle many jobs. I am left handed but can do many things right handed. Thus, I just got use to a right hand sheath. Still, that option is available to you at Buck. (Or it was available).
You naming other steels makes me think your into knife steels. I like many different steels but don't think it takes 440C to cut my lunch apple.
That can be accomplished just fine with 420hc steel and no one can tell the difference by how it tastes. It's a basic stainless and holds a decent
edge for a decent amount of time. If the knife package has other features I like but has a basic steel, I'll still buy it. Especially, for a daily carry,
user. Have you noted how many, cutlery companies will bring out a new model with a basic steel. Then if that sells they'll bring out a upgrade with better steel. In this manner it helps keep the cost down. Many of Buck's popular models follow this pattern. Thus, a 110 can be found with
a dozen different steels. DM
 
Thanks for all the replies and info! Will look into the other models mentioned. David Martin David Martin , I am a lefty with right eye dominance, so my carry pistol is on my right, hence the need for a lefty sheath. Keep the info coming folks!
 
Well Steve, your in trouble now. Or at least your bank account is. As far as knives, I like premium steels and there is a reason Buck states S30V is the best knife steel.

I love the look of a 119 but have always found it a little awkward in use, at least on animals. It's fine as a camp knife though. If your looking for a heavy duty knife in premium steel look at the S30V Akonua. A thick piece of steel that has both style and function, at a dang reasonable price. Good luck with your search. pete
 
welcome to the club and to Bucks.

hard to go wrong with any 110 and 119. I like the 119 and find it a great general use fixed blade. the 104 I tend to favor more as a general use or camp type knife myself. comes in 5160 hollow grind but one of the dealers skblades has a d2 ffg version available right now. worth a look....
 
Ok i keep seeing The Akonua mentioned? It doesn’t seem to be a stocked item? Where do i get one? My Kalingas are lonely......
Kossetx or anyone??
 
David Nowlin said:
Ok i keep seeing The Akonua mentioned? It doesn’t seem to be a stocked item? Where do i get one? My Kalingas are lonely......
Kossetx or anyone??
Click to expand...
dlttrading has the s30v model...there a supporting dealer here.
 
The 110 & 119 are excellent choices for first Bucks. And Buck's 420HC punches way above it's weight.
 
I prefer custom sheaths, but there are often stocked handmade sheaths for popular knives like the 119.

I think the 105 is a pretty solid design. I honestly love my 119 in 5160 though. I had a 118 for a long time as a hunting knife, and it's a lot better size for hunting than the 119, but now that I do more camping and such, I like the bigger knife. It also looks BA, which can be important.

From a user standpoint, and not a collector, love the 110 LT.
 
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