Opinions on the 184 BuckMaster

Zaphod · Nov 9, 2006

Never mind....

Mods, please lock/trash/delete as you see fit.

JTC · Nov 9, 2006

I have one of these I picked up at a gunshow for a $100. Best money I ever spent on a knife. I love this thing. It's just a neat knife to have made by a great company. You might want to check out this site for more information on these.http://www.quarterbore.com/ I also have a Buck M9 bayonet that has alot of the Buckmaster influences. I was able to chat with CJ Buck at AG russells open house for his new building. CJ was really nice and listened very politely to my "ideas" for a new and improved Buckmaster. I'm really proud of my Buckmaster.

wh4f · Nov 9, 2006

I wish I had bought one 20 years ago...

My Dad said I didnt need a knife like that...
Heck I wish I had bought a case of 'em

Joe Houser · Nov 10, 2006

I can't honestly say that I have ever actually used a 184, but I sure do like them! They were coming off the line when I first started at Buck and have always been a favorite. My wife even bought me a mirror polished one for my 24th birthday! Dang, that was a long time ago!

Buckaholic · Nov 10, 2006

Joe Houser said:
I can't honestly say that I have ever actually used a 184, but I sure do like them! They were coming off the line when I first started at Buck and have always been a favorite. My wife even bought me a mirror polished one for my 24th birthday! Dang, that was a long time ago!

Joe...do you still have that mirrored one around? Can you post a pic? That would be awesome to see.
I too am on the list of "would've, could've, should've".

DarrylS · Nov 10, 2006

...hmmmmm...and HOW did the gooser get a pic of my wife fer his avatar ???...

wh4f · Nov 10, 2006

DarrylS said:
...hmmmmm...and HOW did the gooser get a pic of my wife fer his avatar ???...

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zaphod · Nov 11, 2006

In my case, I have a satin-nickel (or whatever finish it is) one my dad bought me in 1985. I sent it back to Buck in 1998 and when I got it back it looked like a new knife. The sheath is the original with one each of the small and larger Buck pouches. It sits, forever retired, in my gun safe.

I also found a black one (original, without the blood groove) at a fun show for about $50. A little beat up, but nothing remotely beyond the ability of Buck to fix in a few minutes. I'm thinking of having it reblued (or whatever the finish is).

I absolutely love these things. Sure, they may not be a Busse, but I find them immensely comfortable to hold and carry.

110 Dave · Nov 11, 2006

humm ... by the way
have you tryed a 124?
for a big knife user this is a great knife!
i found the saw teeth on the 184
did not work so well in camp use
and i did not like the metal holder in the sheath.
and the graphels, well best to store them.
now the hollow handle could be fited on a
branch to extend reach, but i never did that.
IMHO the 124 is a better working camp knife if
only it had the woven sheath instead of leather...

Zaphod · Nov 11, 2006

Oh, the "saw" teeth on the 184 are worthless. The grapples probably have their uses, but I'd think that sacrificing your knife for them would be a bit......... weird.

I have always used it without the anchors, and only once for sawing.

Buckaholic · Nov 11, 2006

I have wondered about the saw teeth on that knife (184). While I partially serrated blades bug me, I don't mind serrations on the back of the spine.
Zaphod...what did you cut using the saw?

Have been thinking of picking up a 124 Dave. Do you like that better than the 120 for overall use?
I'm thinking that I would like the wider blade of the 124 but rather like the 120 for the longer blade.

Oh welll...just ramblin'...

Zaphod · Nov 13, 2006

I remember trying to saw a tree limb about 2 inches in diameter. Absolutely worthless. It cut a notch, but I never would have been able to saw anything useful.

BTW, concerning your avatar.....

wh4f · Nov 13, 2006

Zaphod said:
I remember trying to saw a tree limb about 2 inches in diameter. Absolutely worthless. It cut a notch, but I never would have been able to saw anything useful.

They sure look tough though , don't they!

Macclint · Nov 14, 2006

I have a 184 that I took into the hills about 20 years ago and very lightly used. It's pretty much lived in it's box since then....

(Too Heavy, too thick but definitely cool looking).

I also have a couple 185's, one in a box and one that had been abused when I bought it. I still have fun playing with the beat up one.

The 185 (Buckmaster LT) was a much better design.

Buckaholic · Nov 14, 2006

Macclint said:
I have a 184 that I took into the hills about 20 years ago and very lightly used. It's pretty much lived in it's box since then....

(Too Heavy, too thick but definitely cool looking).

I also have a couple 185's, one in a box and one that had been abused when I bought it. I still have fun playing with the beat up one.

The 185 (Buckmaster LT) was a much better design.

Got pics?

m40 · Dec 28, 2006

I thought you folks might get a kick out of a 184 that actually works for a living: http://www.m4040.com/Survival/184.htm

There are plenty of "pretty" blades out there, but in my eyes, nothing will ever be quite as nice as the tool that has stood up to all of the use and abuse for which it was originally intended. I call it "character". There are few things more useless in this world than a big blade sitting unused in a case.

Evil Eye Earl · Dec 28, 2006

m40 said:
I thought you folks might get a kick out of a 184 that actually works for a living: http://www.m4040.com/Survival/184.htm

There are plenty of "pretty" blades out there, but in my eyes, nothing will ever be quite as nice as the tool that has stood up to all of the use and abuse for which it was originally intended. I call it "character". There are few things more useless in this world than a big blade sitting unused in a case.

Welcome to blade forums ,I like the 184 also,sadly both of mine are safe queens,even though I bought my first 184 in 1984 as a survival knife
it has only left the box to admire.

Joe Houser · Dec 28, 2006

I enjoyed your evaluation m40! I am surprised at how good of shape the blade is in despite the heavy use. I bet we could bring it back to original with a little work although I suspect that you like it just the way it is?
Thanks for sharing and welcome to the forums!

m40 · Jan 1, 2007

Joe Houser said:
I enjoyed your evaluation m40! I am surprised at how good of shape the blade is in despite the heavy use. I bet we could bring it back to original with a little work although I suspect that you like it just the way it is?
Thanks for sharing and welcome to the forums!

Joe,

I do own a variety of grinders, sanders, buffers and the like. I could not only bring it back, but I could make her shine like a mirror if I thought it might be some sort of advantage.

That time is better spent in assuring that every single inch (and especially that important LAST inch at the tip) can mow hair from my arm. As far as the blade being in good condition, it is well maintained in every way that counts.

There's only one "pretty" blade in my collection (http://www.m4040.com/Knifemaking/NewBlade.htm ). It is my own design and was my first attempt at building a "good looking" field blade from billet to finished blade. It did turn out rather pretty (especially for a first attempt), and I've been unwilling as yet to abuse it. I have some decent store bought blades that I abuse regularly (Becker Brute, Cold Steel SanMai Trailmaster, etc) so I don't know that my own will get beat up anytime soon!

-M40-

Yoffione · Jan 2, 2007

Sweet knife! I do not see it mentioned often. I received mine as a birthday present in 1984 (I was 13) from my grandfather. He was a Buck dealer and gave me a knife and a gun for every birthday and Xmas (man, I miss him). I still have all of the guns, but sadly most of the knives were stolen years ago. I still have the 184 though, with all of the parts and it is in great shape.