- Joined
- Jun 20, 2023
- Messages
- 493
Sorry for all the posts, I'm a noob who has lurked on the site for a decade and finally joined!
Been buying/using Bucks since the late 70's. Love them. Also have a few Case knives and a few stag-handled Parker blades from the 80s (beautiful knives, but not for real work). I thought I would post the Buck knives I've purchased in the past few years that I keep in my front desk drawer and make some observations about them, to see if you folks have similar experiences, or if you can straighten out my opinions. Like you, I have many other Bucks, but these are the ones that stay close by.
In the pic from top left:
Row 1
- Stockman 371, dated 2021 (Walmart purchase): Inexpensive knife ($20), shocked at how good the quality is of this knife made in China. Blades sharpened well out of package and have clean, smooth movement. Personally hate the jigged bone scales, though they look nice, but are too hard edged and feel like plastic. Great value.
-Ranger 112, dated 1991 (bought used): Sturdy, perfectly centered blade, 425M steel is my favorite of the 4XX series steels Buck has used. Ebony scales are amazing and have a worn yet familiar, softened feel. My favorite knife to use.
Row 2
-The 055, dated 2020 (bought from Buck): The reintroduction of real Ebony wood is a game changer, so much better than the dymondwood and dymalux of the past decade+. The resin infused handles last forever and look nice, but don't have the feel and don't age gracefully like real wood. The 55 is too small for a large person like myself to use effectively, but is beautifully made and deserves the praise it gets. Sharp and light carry. Never a disappointment.
-Stockman 371, dated 2022 (BassPro Shops): This version of the 371 with rosewood handles is amazing. Again, shocked at the quality of this made in China item. My opinion is the fit and finish is better than the US version 301 Stockman! Not even close. I have several of each model and would pick this chinese product every time. Blade movement is better, finish is cleaner and tighter - a real surprise. This BassPro version with wood is $10 more than the jigged bone Walmart version, but a worthy upgrade. Looks amazing.
Row 3
-501, dated 2023 (bought from Buck): Perfect size for a large handed office worker like myself. A great EDC. Not happy that I can't get a new one in ebony wood- dymalux absolutely sucks! I suppose the custom store could build a proper one, but then it wouldn't be worth the expense to me. Again, love the size and the drop point and can take this anywhere in pocket. The few I've ordered over the last year seem to have a slippage in quality. The blade grind was poor, the blades not always finished, even gritty to the touch on all three I've purchased lately. One has a small misaligned scale. Works well, but the quality slippage on these is a concern.
-Ranger 112 with Finger Grooves, dated 2023 (bought from Buck): Greatest knife ever made (for me). Grooves are a great option and make a difference when cutting for more than 2 minutes. Real wood handle! Brass is such a flexible option and gives a classic look. A bit too big to use at the corporate office, but keep it in your truck, on the nightstand, in a pajama pocket, taped beneath your kitchen table (LOL)... whatever!
Bottom
-110 dated 2015 (bought from Cabelas): Possibly the all-time greatest knife, iconic. I never use it, too big to carry, but love to fidget with it. Always straight, sharp, and centered. Did I mention fake wood blows? Its only flaw. Good news, new ones have wooden handles!
Feel free to show your knives or add commentary. I appreciate opinions and feedback!
Thank you
Been buying/using Bucks since the late 70's. Love them. Also have a few Case knives and a few stag-handled Parker blades from the 80s (beautiful knives, but not for real work). I thought I would post the Buck knives I've purchased in the past few years that I keep in my front desk drawer and make some observations about them, to see if you folks have similar experiences, or if you can straighten out my opinions. Like you, I have many other Bucks, but these are the ones that stay close by.
In the pic from top left:
Row 1
- Stockman 371, dated 2021 (Walmart purchase): Inexpensive knife ($20), shocked at how good the quality is of this knife made in China. Blades sharpened well out of package and have clean, smooth movement. Personally hate the jigged bone scales, though they look nice, but are too hard edged and feel like plastic. Great value.
-Ranger 112, dated 1991 (bought used): Sturdy, perfectly centered blade, 425M steel is my favorite of the 4XX series steels Buck has used. Ebony scales are amazing and have a worn yet familiar, softened feel. My favorite knife to use.
Row 2
-The 055, dated 2020 (bought from Buck): The reintroduction of real Ebony wood is a game changer, so much better than the dymondwood and dymalux of the past decade+. The resin infused handles last forever and look nice, but don't have the feel and don't age gracefully like real wood. The 55 is too small for a large person like myself to use effectively, but is beautifully made and deserves the praise it gets. Sharp and light carry. Never a disappointment.
-Stockman 371, dated 2022 (BassPro Shops): This version of the 371 with rosewood handles is amazing. Again, shocked at the quality of this made in China item. My opinion is the fit and finish is better than the US version 301 Stockman! Not even close. I have several of each model and would pick this chinese product every time. Blade movement is better, finish is cleaner and tighter - a real surprise. This BassPro version with wood is $10 more than the jigged bone Walmart version, but a worthy upgrade. Looks amazing.
Row 3
-501, dated 2023 (bought from Buck): Perfect size for a large handed office worker like myself. A great EDC. Not happy that I can't get a new one in ebony wood- dymalux absolutely sucks! I suppose the custom store could build a proper one, but then it wouldn't be worth the expense to me. Again, love the size and the drop point and can take this anywhere in pocket. The few I've ordered over the last year seem to have a slippage in quality. The blade grind was poor, the blades not always finished, even gritty to the touch on all three I've purchased lately. One has a small misaligned scale. Works well, but the quality slippage on these is a concern.
-Ranger 112 with Finger Grooves, dated 2023 (bought from Buck): Greatest knife ever made (for me). Grooves are a great option and make a difference when cutting for more than 2 minutes. Real wood handle! Brass is such a flexible option and gives a classic look. A bit too big to use at the corporate office, but keep it in your truck, on the nightstand, in a pajama pocket, taped beneath your kitchen table (LOL)... whatever!
Bottom
-110 dated 2015 (bought from Cabelas): Possibly the all-time greatest knife, iconic. I never use it, too big to carry, but love to fidget with it. Always straight, sharp, and centered. Did I mention fake wood blows? Its only flaw. Good news, new ones have wooden handles!
Feel free to show your knives or add commentary. I appreciate opinions and feedback!
Thank you
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