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Range series

Some of what I consider competition pricing. There are many knives that could be on this list; these are just my own.

- Benchmade Bugout (S30V): $180
- Hogue Deka (Magnacut): ~135
- Ontario RAT 1.5 (Magnacut, imported): $90

Buck's pricing of the Range is in the ballpark enough that I'm ok with it. I'll pay more for a Buck as a brand loyalist and for my perception (true or not) that you get a better heat treat, which is as important as the steel choice. I wonder if Buck's 154CM would compare favorably to other manufacturers' Magnacut in edge retention with Buck's heat treat? Hope someone on YouTube does this comparison.

The edge geometry of the Range is a competitive factor...thin and slicey.

Call me vain, but the large Range models are more attractive in appearance than the competition. Great lines.

I'll be buying the large Pro and hoping they someday offer the Magnacut blade in the Pro handle.
 
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jbmonkey said:
why do some of y'all dislike the aluminum handles?
Click to expand...
Every painted aluminum handled knife I have had/carried/used has felt slippery and the paint/coating/whatever has scratched, chipped, and worn leaving it looking junky.

I much prefer wood and Micarta. They give me a better grip, and when they get character marks from hard use, they look good, in my opinion, not junky like scratched aluminum. And they're warm, not cold, to the touch.

And when I can't have wood or Micarta, I'll accept plastic (whatever version of FRN, etc. they're currently using), especially since it's the choice that comes with the good steel. Again, my opinion, but I prefer non-powder metallurgy and non-Vanadium carbide steels. So, if that means I can't have 440C, 425Mod, or 420HC, then I'll gladly choose a plastic 154CM over a painted aluminum Magnacut. Here's hoping for a future canvas or burlap Micarta Range in hollow-ground 440C!

I'm still patiently waiting on a shipping notification from my Knife Center pre-order from three-ish months ago. So, until they arrive, I'm happily rotating through my current daily favorites: the BCCI 112 in 440C and Koa, a green G10 (better than aluminum :) ) Marksman that I swapped out the S-whatever-VN blade for a better 154CM blade (bonus: it's hollow ground instead of flat-ground like the original), and a 2002 100th Anniversary 532.

I won't publicly admit that that daily rotation also includes a Paradigm Shift with a powder-metallurgy Vanadium-carbide blade, because then you all might get the impression that I'm not a dogmatic, stubborn, irrationally-principled man, but instead am a fickle human who simply likes what I like, including quality, American-made, mechanical tools which sometimes includes steels that aren't my favorite. :)

Did the mailman get here yet... :)
 
Last edited:
jbmonkey said:
why do some of y'all dislike the aluminum handles?
Click to expand...
Not grippy, i prefer micarta.
I have a build out Vantage with aluminum handles, and tho it's a nice knife, It just doesn't feel right.

The aesthetics of it , I associate it with the other aluminum handled Bucks I own that were far less expensive.
The paint scratches off of the aluminum wth use. I'm not interested in my $200+ knife looking like my $40 Spitfire.
 
Culprit99 said:
Every painted aluminum handled knife I have had/carried/used has felt slippery and the paint/coating/whatever has scratched, chipped, and worn leaving it looking junky.

I much prefer wood and Micarta. They give me a better grip, and when they get character marks from hard use, they look good, in my opinion, not junky like scratched aluminum. And they're warm, not cold, to the touch.

And when I can't have wood or Micarta, I'll accept plastic (whatever version of FRN, etc. they're currently using), especially since it's the choice that comes with the good steel. Again, my opinion, but I prefer non-powder metallurgy and non-Vanadium carbide steels. So, if that means I can't have 440C, 425Mod, or 420HC, then I'll gladly choose a plastic 154CM over a painted aluminum Magnacut. Here's hoping for a future canvas or burlap Micarta Range in hollow-ground 440C!

I'm still patiently waiting on a shipping notification from my Knife Center pre-order from three-ish months ago. So, until they arrive, I'm happily rotating through my current daily favorites: the BCCI 112 in 440C and Koa, a green G10 (better than aluminum :) ) Marksman that I swapped out the S-whatever-VN blade for a better 154CM blade (bonus: it's hollow ground instead of flat-ground like the original), and a 2003 100th Anniversary 532.

I won't publicly admit that that daily rotation also includes a Paradigm Shift with a powder-metallurgy Vanadium-carbide blade, because then you all might get the impression that I'm not a dogmatic, stubborn, irrationally-principled man, but instead am a fickle human who simply likes what I like, including quality, American-made, mechanical tools which sometimes includes steels that aren't my favorite. :)

Did the mailman get here yet... :)
Click to expand...

GPyro said:
Not grippy, i prefer micarta.
I have a build out Vantage with aluminum handles, and tho it's a nice knife, It just doesn't feel right.

The aesthetics of it , I associate it with the other aluminum handled Bucks I own that were far less expensive.
The paint scratches off of the aluminum wth use. I'm not interested in my $200+ knife looking like my $40 Spitfire.
Click to expand...
thanks guys. appreciate your thoughts on it.
 
The Kershaw Bel Air is probably even closer comparison... Aluminum handles (some other versions too), USA made, Magnacut, crossbar lock, and they are $150.


Generalist said:
Some of what I consider competition pricing. There are many knives that could be on this list; these are just my own.

- Benchmade Bugout (S30V): $180
- Hogue Deka (Magnacut): ~135
- Ontario RAT 1.5 (Magnacut, imported): $90

Buck's pricing of the Range is in the ballpark enough that I'm ok with it. I'll pay more for a Buck as a brand loyalist and for my perception (true or not) that you get a better heat treat, which is as important as the steel choice. I wonder if Buck's 154CM would compare favorably to other manufacturers' Magnacut in edge retention with Buck's heat treat? Hope someone on YouTube does this comparison.

The edge geometry of the Range is a competitive factor...thin and slicey.

Call me vain, but the large Range models are more attractive in appearance than the competition. Great lines.

I'll be buying the large Pro and hoping they someday offer the Magnacut blade in the Pro handle.
Click to expand...
 
brianv said:
Okay. I got a question. Why not Delrin for scales? Don't get me wrong wood or micarta are two of my favorite scale materials. But why isn't anyone using Delrin on anything larger than a larrge Stockman?

I'm asking out of ignorance, sincerely.
Click to expand...
That’s a great question, and I have no idea.
 
brianv said:
Okay. I got a question. Why not Delrin for scales? Don't get me wrong wood or micarta are two of my favorite scale materials. But why isn't anyone using Delrin on anything larger than a larrge Stockman?

I'm asking out of ignorance, sincerely.
Click to expand...
I’m no materials engineer maybe knarfeng knarfeng could elaborate but what I’ve gleaned is Delrin is machined to shape and something like Zytel (Fiber reinforced nylon) can be injection molded and has higher tensile strength and better resistance to temperature swings. FRN possibly lending itself to mass production better.
 
Nylon and Fiber Reinforced Nylon (FRN) are less expensive than Delrin; and are both somewhat more durable.
Delrin can be injection molded. So can Nylon and FRN.
Delrin is easier to machine, but there's no reason that injection molded parts can't be used, and injection molded is less expensive in sizable batches.

Delrin was used on traditional pocket knives because it could be dyed like bone with the color penetrating from the outside and creating a richer colored exterior and a paler interior. And it could be machined like bone if they needed to. So it looked more like bone than FRN.

If you are not going attempt to reproduce the appearance of bone, then I don't see a reason to go to the added expense of using Delrin. It costs more, but has no benefits when used as a knife handle.

Anyway that's my opinion on it.
 
Generalist said:
Same as others have stated. In order of importance to me:

1. Conducts cold
2. Not grippy
3. Shows scratches
4. Heavier
Click to expand...
agree.

In general, I'm not a fan of aluminum handles. But it's not a deal breaker. I have some knives with aluminum handles that I like. Those handles have shapes/features which make up for the more slippery surface of aluminum. So it depends on the knife.
 
knarfeng said:
Nylon and Fiber Reinforced Nylon (FRN) are less expensive than Delrin; and are both somewhat more durable.
Delrin can be injection molded. So can Nylon and FRN.
Delrin is easier to machine, but there's no reason that injection molded parts can't be used, and injection molded is less expensive in sizable batches.

Delrin was used on traditional pocket knives because it could be dyed like bone with the color penetrating from the outside and creating a richer colored exterior and a paler interior. And it could be machined like bone if they needed to. So it looked more like bone than FRN.

If you are not going attempt to reproduce the appearance of bone, then I don't see a reason to go to the added expense of using Delrin. It costs more, but has no benefits when used as a knife handle.

Anyway that's my opinion on it.
Click to expand...
that's some good detailed info on it. thanks, Frank.
 
Range Pro is next on my list. Unfortunately I already grabbed three others the last few weeks (one is still in the mail!) before I ever saw this series, so this one will have to wait til next month. I’m still a bit on the fence between a Pro and Elite - I really like the looks of the Elite, but I typically prefer a more contoured handle. Buck’s nylon handles never look plasticky, so looks don’t play into it as much. And while the MagnaCut surely is enticing, I’ll be much more likely to pocket the Pro than its more ‘spensive brother. And of course, I am (supposed to be) a cheapskate. This is a great looking series - can’t wait to see what they’re gonna throw a crossbar lock on next.
 
As far as Delrin, that can be a little soft, no? Any of the Delrin handled slipjoints I have, have steel liners and are more of an insert/overlay.

FRN can be used without liners, and Id assume these Pro models just have the typical half liners to support the crossbar lock.
 
jbmonkey said:
that's some good detailed info on it. thanks, Frank.
Click to expand...
When it comes to metallurgy questions of cutlery or tool steel I’d defer to the good Doctor (although Frank is no slouch in that department either) but all other materials questions Frank is the guy.
 
MattWRog said:
When it comes to metallurgy questions of cutlery or tool steel I’d defer to the good Doctor (although Frank is no slouch in that department either) but all other materials questions Frank is the guy.
Click to expand...
ya Dr. Larrin has always shared great info with us all.

in general on others here...... I dont know who knows more than who....but Frank has always provided me with good solid information on topics I know little to nothing about. im glad we have him and the others here to share their knowledge with us.
 
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