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- Jun 29, 1999
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- 10,075
Love my lightweight Range Pro 791. While CM-154 is an excellent steel, it would be even better if it came with a Magnacut blade.
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Range series
- Thread starter Alberta Ed
- Start date
DrMegabyte
Basic Member
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- May 29, 2017
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- 240
Mine slides in / out of my pocket with ease and does not seem to be wearing on my pants at all. At the same time, the GFN gives me a good grip.
That would be my ideal version. I don't even care all that much about what steel it is.
I hope sales are strong enough to convince Buck to expand the line, or at least do some BOTM/stealth runs with different materials.
Culprit99
BCCI for Life
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- Sep 13, 2021
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Hey folks! I haven't given an update on the Ranges in a while...
My Range Pro and Mini-Range Pro were delivered in late Aug (technically I picked them up in person from the Knife Center here in Fredericksburg, VA...) so I'm closing in on 4 months of carry and use. About a month later I bought a used Range Elite off the Exchange here on Blade Forums because I wanted to finally give Magnacut a fair shake since I'm a Luddite and generally dislike all powder metallurgy steels. I don't like aluminum/metal handled knives, especially thin folders. I think they're too slippery for my liking. So, I swapped the Magnacut blade from the Elite into the plastic body of the Pro.
I then mailed the Elite knife wearing the 154-CM blade to J justsaymo . He had already made a Dude-carving/review video of the Range Pro, so he carved another Dude with the Elite to share his thoughts and comparisons with us between the two handles. He liked both, and put the knife, and the Dude he carved, back in the mail to me. Thank you, Mo! If I was ever on the fence about keeping the aluminum handled version, I was pushed off the fence after being without it for a couple of weeks while it took its vacation to visit Mo in the Pacific Northwest. The moment I opened the mail and the knife fell back into my hands, I knew I was not going to keep it. They're great knives, the aluminum version just isn't for me. Buck makes so many quality knives that I love, that I don't need to force a fit when there are plenty of others I can choose from.
Over Thanksgiving I showed my son the Range Elite with the 154CM blade, and he loved it. He's never had a crossbar lock before, and the aluminum clicked with him, so into his pocket it went. The Mini Range Pro also found a new home with one of my daughters, so I'm down to just the Magnacut-wearing Range Pro. I carried the mini a lot for about two months, and never found a job it was too small for. A couple of jobs where the larger Range would have been preferred, but the Mini handled everything I threw at it. I would be quite happy carrying the Mini, but certainly can't complain since I'm left with just the Range Pro. It's also gotten about two months of carry and use, and I'm loving it. I haven't even found anything bad to say about the Magnacut yet.
So the bottom line after four months is that Buck has a home run with the Ranges. I've tried both sizes, both trim levels, both blade steels, and haven't found a single negative. Yes, the aluminum version isn't my cup of tea, but that's not a negative, just my preference. My son loves it. They have been 100% reliable, the fit and finish and build quality is excellent. The texture/grip of the plastic Pro scales are perfect. Well done, and thank you, Buck! We'll all be patiently waiting for the canvas or burlap Micarta versions. LOL!
My Range Pro and Mini-Range Pro were delivered in late Aug (technically I picked them up in person from the Knife Center here in Fredericksburg, VA...) so I'm closing in on 4 months of carry and use. About a month later I bought a used Range Elite off the Exchange here on Blade Forums because I wanted to finally give Magnacut a fair shake since I'm a Luddite and generally dislike all powder metallurgy steels. I don't like aluminum/metal handled knives, especially thin folders. I think they're too slippery for my liking. So, I swapped the Magnacut blade from the Elite into the plastic body of the Pro.
I then mailed the Elite knife wearing the 154-CM blade to J justsaymo . He had already made a Dude-carving/review video of the Range Pro, so he carved another Dude with the Elite to share his thoughts and comparisons with us between the two handles. He liked both, and put the knife, and the Dude he carved, back in the mail to me. Thank you, Mo! If I was ever on the fence about keeping the aluminum handled version, I was pushed off the fence after being without it for a couple of weeks while it took its vacation to visit Mo in the Pacific Northwest. The moment I opened the mail and the knife fell back into my hands, I knew I was not going to keep it. They're great knives, the aluminum version just isn't for me. Buck makes so many quality knives that I love, that I don't need to force a fit when there are plenty of others I can choose from.
Over Thanksgiving I showed my son the Range Elite with the 154CM blade, and he loved it. He's never had a crossbar lock before, and the aluminum clicked with him, so into his pocket it went. The Mini Range Pro also found a new home with one of my daughters, so I'm down to just the Magnacut-wearing Range Pro. I carried the mini a lot for about two months, and never found a job it was too small for. A couple of jobs where the larger Range would have been preferred, but the Mini handled everything I threw at it. I would be quite happy carrying the Mini, but certainly can't complain since I'm left with just the Range Pro. It's also gotten about two months of carry and use, and I'm loving it. I haven't even found anything bad to say about the Magnacut yet.
So the bottom line after four months is that Buck has a home run with the Ranges. I've tried both sizes, both trim levels, both blade steels, and haven't found a single negative. Yes, the aluminum version isn't my cup of tea, but that's not a negative, just my preference. My son loves it. They have been 100% reliable, the fit and finish and build quality is excellent. The texture/grip of the plastic Pro scales are perfect. Well done, and thank you, Buck! We'll all be patiently waiting for the canvas or burlap Micarta versions. LOL!
pjsjr
Gold Member
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- Jan 2, 2005
- Messages
- 7,876
Thanks for your up date. Glad you found the combo you did and like it.
I bought both the Pro and Elite, I have carried and used the Elite more. It was in my pocket this morning running errands.
I initially didn't care for it. the clip was very strong and made it difficult to draw it out(my arthritic hand) when clipped to my pocket. It has loosened a bit and is easier now. I prefer it to the Pro because of the cover material.
DrMegabyte
Basic Member
- Joined
- May 29, 2017
- Messages
- 240
I own the Spitfire and its anodized aluminum handles deterred me from the Range Elite. I don't mind them on my Spitfire as I use it for pretty light duty stuff, but they do feel slippery when my hands are wet or sweaty and they do feel (very) cold in the winter. I just couldn't see paying uber premium pricing for a knife with the same handle material as my uber budget model. 
I've been very happy with my Range Pro. Do I wish it was in Magnacut? Sure I do! Am I happy with 154CM? Yes I am.
I've been very happy with my Range Pro. Do I wish it was in Magnacut? Sure I do! Am I happy with 154CM? Yes I am.
Last edited:
DrMegabyte
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- May 29, 2017
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Culprit99
BCCI for Life
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- Sep 13, 2021
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That's a great comparison I haven't seen anyone make yet. There is definitely a strong family resemblance!
Late to the party on this, but I figured I'd add my two cents for people like me who look back for opinions before buying.
I was somewhat interested in the Range series, but I don't typically love aluminum handles or crossbar locks. I don't dislike them, but just not my top choice.
I found a 25% off code at a retailer (Kittery Trading Post), so a 791 Range pro for $94ish (and no tax/shipping) pushed me over the edge. I know prices have gone wild the last couple of years, but sub $100 for a US made/GFN/mid range steel feels about right to me.
Great size, and thinner in the hand than I expected. I thought with the contouring, it would make it thicker. That was a pleasant surprise.
It feels great in the hand, if my eyes were closed, I would have thought it was G10. A little smooth spot where the clip lands maybe would've been a nice touch.
I like the blade shape as well. I've had a couple 154CM knives, and have been happy with that steel.
A couple minor things, blade centering is a bit off, some lock stick and maybe a rough spot on the lock bar. It feels gritty different times pulling the bar back. Not a big deal, it will probably work itself out. I did flush it out, but if it persists, I'll take it apart and clean everything, and can probably true up the centering.
A few Buck comparisons. I added the Spyderco Endela in there, as that is about the biggest of what I typically pocket carry. I usually stay around the 112 size for EDC. The Endela is obviously a completely different knife, but for some reason "feels" similar to me. Maybe just a size/expected usage thing in my head.
I was somewhat interested in the Range series, but I don't typically love aluminum handles or crossbar locks. I don't dislike them, but just not my top choice.
I found a 25% off code at a retailer (Kittery Trading Post), so a 791 Range pro for $94ish (and no tax/shipping) pushed me over the edge. I know prices have gone wild the last couple of years, but sub $100 for a US made/GFN/mid range steel feels about right to me.
Great size, and thinner in the hand than I expected. I thought with the contouring, it would make it thicker. That was a pleasant surprise.
It feels great in the hand, if my eyes were closed, I would have thought it was G10. A little smooth spot where the clip lands maybe would've been a nice touch.
I like the blade shape as well. I've had a couple 154CM knives, and have been happy with that steel.
A couple minor things, blade centering is a bit off, some lock stick and maybe a rough spot on the lock bar. It feels gritty different times pulling the bar back. Not a big deal, it will probably work itself out. I did flush it out, but if it persists, I'll take it apart and clean everything, and can probably true up the centering.
A few Buck comparisons. I added the Spyderco Endela in there, as that is about the biggest of what I typically pocket carry. I usually stay around the 112 size for EDC. The Endela is obviously a completely different knife, but for some reason "feels" similar to me. Maybe just a size/expected usage thing in my head.
- Joined
- May 9, 2007
- Messages
- 1
Something to note about the 791 elite green that I didn't see mentioned on here: it's not remotely close to the OD green color pictured on Buck's website. It's basically charcoal gray bordering on black. In bright light it has a hint of dark jade green, but in any other lighting it's indistinguishable from dark gray.
I thought they sent me the wrong color at first, but it does have a slight hint of green and I saw this in various review videos and comments elsewhere. Not sure if every one was made this way, but the one they just sent me was. It's a very nice knife, but it's not green.
Pictured (if the link worked) in different lighting and with some other actually olive drab knives
I thought they sent me the wrong color at first, but it does have a slight hint of green and I saw this in various review videos and comments elsewhere. Not sure if every one was made this way, but the one they just sent me was. It's a very nice knife, but it's not green.
Pictured (if the link worked) in different lighting and with some other actually olive drab knives
BOTM/Stealth Range idea...
I got the Feb BOTM 104, and REALLY love the milled micarta texture. In the hand, it feels a lot like the rougher part of the Range Pro series.
Along with a lot of people, I'd absolutely love a micarta version of the range, and this milled pattern would be perfect.
I got the Feb BOTM 104, and REALLY love the milled micarta texture. In the hand, it feels a lot like the rougher part of the Range Pro series.
Along with a lot of people, I'd absolutely love a micarta version of the range, and this milled pattern would be perfect.