Ranger, Mountain Man, or Squire?

BJE

BJE

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Apr 12, 2006
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I have been carrying my Buck 110 recently and I really like it. I work at O'Reilly Auto Parts and the nature of my job has me cutting open packages, breaking down boxes, cutting shrink wrap, trimming plastic displays, ect. Nothing very hard on a knife and my SAK Tinker can do them all just fine, but I enjoy carrying and using my 110. I am looking for something that has the same soul to it that is just a bit smaller as I don't need all that knife, and it would be easier to use in public. I think I have it narrowed down to these choices

1. Buck 112 Ranger, I have handled in person and it a little on the heavy side but it is basically a short 110. Should I get the finger grooves model or regular?

2. Buck Squire, never handled one but have heard good things about them, it is a Buck it has to be good. I am a little worried it might be a little small, but if it is big enough to come with a belt sheath than I don't think I will have any issues.

3. Queen Mountain Man, beautiful knife that looks to be lighter than the Bucks. I like Queens knives in general but I know it will have to be sent to Tom Krein for a regrind as I have never gotten an acceptable edge from Queen. I will also have to find a belt sheath for it that looks good and fits well. Between the higher cost of the knife, regrind, and sheath it has the highest cost of the three.

What do think about my choices and I could use some opinions. Has anyone found a good sheath for the Mountain Man? How is the lockup?
 
All are sound choices, I love my 112, I don't have the squire but Have the prince, I really like buck's slim line! Very easy to pocket and very sturdy, so for the use you mentioned, the squire gets my vote!
 
I like the 55, but I think it might be a little small for me. I would also rather have a knife with a belt sheath as pocket real estate is already very limited.
 
I really like the Buck 112. Another one to look out for is the Buck 500. The 112 and 500 are about the same length, but the 500 is slightly slimmer. Either one would make a great EDC for what you are doing.


John
 
A second vote for the Buck Duke 500. Much slimmer than the 110 or 112, but still a hefty knife.

John
 
I have a 110, two 112s, and a Mountain Man. My favorite is the Mountain Man. It is noticeably slimmer than the 110 or 112, and I like the design a lot. Just be warned there there will always be the possibility of a little blade play with the Mountain Man.
 
lambertiana said:
I have a 110, two 112s, and a Mountain Man. My favorite is the Mountain Man. It is noticeably slimmer than the 110 or 112, and I like the design a lot. Just be warned there there will always be the possibility of a little blade play with the Mountain Man.
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+1. Own a few Mountain man knives, love them, but have had terrible luck with blade play problems from Queen brand ones.

If you decide to get one, I'd suggest hunting down a Schatt & Morgan, file and wire (ATS-34) series one. Although also technically made by Queen, none of mine ever had issues. Both of my Queen brand ones did.....
 
Update: I have a 112 and an older Squire in micarta and 440C on the way now. I may get a Mountain Man before too long though.
 
I got them yesterday, I really like the 112 because it feels great in my hand although the blade is a little short for the handle IMO. The Squire I havn't been able to like as much as I would have hoped, it is a little thin and the blade is a little thick. Maybe it will grow on me.
 
Yeah, if the handle is the flat and not radiused, it can feel a little too thick fo the blade length. I EDC a two dot Buck 112 most of the time and I have have gotten more accustomed to the thick handle to blade ratio.
 
BJE said:
I have been carrying my Buck 110 recently and I really like it. ...

1. Buck 112 Ranger, I have handled in person and it a little on the heavy side ...
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You carry a 110 but find the 112 to be on the heavy side? :confused:
 
BJ,

I think you will favor the 500 over the Mountian Man. I personally own all of the discussed knives and for pocket carry when you need a study knife, I vote for the 500 then 112 but on the belt. The squire is more of a gentleman's knife.

You do see what's in the pic next to my name. Get one just like it (micarta). You will be pleased.

By the way, I know that 112 you got is a heck of a box cutter. ;) g
 
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