Recommend a First Buck

Flying Guillotine

Flying Guillotine

Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Messages
1,118
Hi fellers,
I've been really enjoying traditional slipjoints lately, collecting but primarily using them. After hanging around the traditionals section of this forum I realized that I have a hole in my collection: I do not own, nor have I ever owned a Buck knife. Figured it would be best to come to the dedicated section of fanatics for a solid recommendation on where to start.

I'm a fan of older classic traditional style knives, and more often than not I've got a stockman pattern in my pocket. If the blades can take a patina, all the better. So please help me out with what in your considered opinion would be the top choice model Buck for a starter, old or new.

Looking forward to it :)
 
A 110. For a user I'd say an Alaskan Guide 110 from Cabelas, or a bass pro 110, or a custom shop 110 with upgraded steel (S30V) available from the Buck web site.
 
There are some very nice Buck slip joints that have been made. You might try one of the 700 series slip joints that are a step up in style, as they have a nice wood handle, or a yellow handle 300 series. they are getting hard to find at times though, and the blades are stainless on both styles, so no patina. they will take and hold a decent edge though. Good luck in your search, and let us know what you decided on. HL
 
I believe all knifemakers have their strengths and weaknesses. Buck's strengths are clearly fixed blades and lockback folders. Frankly I do not think you can do much better than a Buck 110 folding hunter or its smaller sibling the Buck 112. These are excellent 'first timer' knives that will last a lifetime.

When it comes to fixed blades the issue becomes more complex because Buck makes so many different designs. If you are into classics, the Buck 119 Special is perhaps the best starting point.
 
Howdy FG. As I4Bucks stated the discontinued 700 series is a nice one with the 701 Bronco, stockman pattern being my personal favorite. In my opinion it's almost overbuilt for a slipjoint and a heck of a value.

In addition to the 701 I carry a new 301 "chairman" series stockman on close to a daily basis and would consider it a worth while addition to any slipjoint junkies collection.

Another very nice and handy model you might consider is the 302 Solitare. While only a single, clip point blade it's very slim and carries extremely well. I've got an earlier version that's marked as a 301 which I really enjoy but as far as I know the 302 marked version is the same knife. Might be worth checking out. Not a stockman pattern but a darn nice knife all the same.
 
I would suggest a nice buck "whittler"model.I love the knife ,it feels great in my hand,and while i'm using it there are no hot spots that blister your hands,gotta love a great folder like that.
 
This the modern recommendation which will be a classic in its time.

301 Stockmen
301Group.jpg


My current pocket pal. Thats not really true, I carry it in a belt holster.
Yellow301frnt-1.jpg


Yellow301Rear.jpg


Heres the whole clan, the 303 is just a touch smaller and unless you are a big knife guy may be
more pocket friendly. I like 309s for slacks wear, but try not to let wife drag me to slacks events. They also fit well in watch pockets.
Yellow301-1.jpg


If you want to take time to search for an antique, I have other opinions........ 300Bucks
 
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A yellow 301 is always in my pocket.I may carry other knives but that one is always with me.
 
You really can't go wrong with a Buck (unless you get a bad one like me), so long as you stick to the 420HC knives (or better steels). If you want a good modern "tactical" folder, go with the Vantage. The Paperstone one is very nice, but the handle is slick. If you want a traditional lockback, the 110 or 112 are great, but if you don't like the weight or brass, you can get the EcoLite 110 or 112. Buck has at least one knife that will please everybody, even more so now with them releasing variations on their classics (like the EcoLite models).
 
This is great info, I'm glad I came to the right place.

So far it looks like a 300 series should be in the works and of course the classic 110.

Keep the suggestions coming, folks :)
 
Just to expand my suggestion, when you get your 110, my recommendation would be to get one with upgraded steel, like the ones I mentioned. The standard 110, like the ones at Walmart with the 420hc steel are good for a drawer where you keep your screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, etc. but the steel is softer than an upgraded steel like S30V or 154CM. The upgraded steel will be marked by the steel type on the blade or tang. So... if your knife is something special for personal carry, it's worth it IMO to have one from a special run like the Cabelas AG, Bass Pro or a Buck Custom Shop knife. In the Custom Shop you can select the handle material, type of bolster (brass or nickel silver) and I do recommend the Nickel Silver, but that's just me...

Have fun shopping. :)
 
Caution Flying!!!

Go ahead and look up your local chapter of Buck Anon!

You can't have just one. :D

Very first thing I would do is go to the Buck website and look at the web specials.

There are some models for around $18. Free shipping on order over $50.

Now i'm off to the local chapter to confess my last order and seek support. :o
 
And Flying,,,, don't be afraid of 420HC!!! Unless you plan on seriously beating on one, it will do anything you need a knife to. I use some S30V simply to increase my use time between sharpening during deer skinnin season.

I did see an ad in the local Academy flyer for a 110 for $25.
 
300Bucks said:
This the modern recommendation which will be a classic in its time.

301 Stockmen
301Group.jpg


My current pocket pal. Thats not really true, I carry it in a belt holster.
Yellow301frnt-1.jpg


Yellow301Rear.jpg


Heres the whole clan, the 303 is just a touch smaller and unless you are a big knife guy may be
more pocket friendly. I like 309s for slacks wear, but try not to let wife drag me to slacks events. They also fit well in watch pockets.
Yellow301-1.jpg


If you want to take time to search for an antique, I have other opinions........ 300Bucks
Click to expand...

I aggree with 300, The 301 is a great knife. I would personnally find a Camillus contracted 301 or for the older find the Schrade contracted 301. I really love the Schrade made 303. Any of the stockman patterns with the blade stamp BUCK MADE IN USA are my favs...
 
I hafta agree with my brethren above, the 301 series is worth having, carrying, and having extras.

The older two-spring, flat-ground 301 pieces just plain rock.

I don't know if the Muskrat (372) is in current production, but if you can find one, that's a really sweet knife. I have the older 313 version of that knife, and I would happily pay double what I paid for mine to have a spare 313. (Actually, if you look at the Buck Muskrat, you will probably wonder if it should have been called the "Buck Moose," since it has a toothpick/clip point on one end and a spey/skinner on the other.) Still, one sweet knife.

I'm currently having fun with the newer EcoLite 110 and 112 series, as it is now possible to comfortably carry a 112 in pocket. The Paperstone Ranger on Buck's "Web Specials" page is a steal. I received two yesterday. Quite pleased.


Also hafta agree with the guys that their fixed blades are really kind of a benchmark. While the 119 is the first thing most guys mention, I would seriously suggest looking at the 105. It's a classic, and it's just about perfectly sized for general use.


Some of Buck's newer designs are being made with 13c26 Sandvik steel (for example, the Vantage Avid), and I find I prefer this steel. It's not as hard as S30V/154CM, but it holds its edge well and is easy to sharpen. I would be all over a 301 made with that steel. Not sure if they do a 110 or 112 in Sandvik, but that would also be sweet.

If you like a compact gent's folder, there's always the Buck 55 (smaller version of the 110) and the 503 (about the same size, but with a drop point).

I think this is where I should stop, though. Otherwise I'll be rummaging around in boxes.

 
I recently bought a black 301 and so far i'm really liking it. I had to choose between the black and yellow but the Buck logo on the yellow ruins it for me. Either that or a 110. good luck
 
Okay guys, I've put in an order for a "new old stock" 307 to start with. Couldn't resist the long pull feature, always a classic. The beefy 307 ought to hold up well to whatever I throw at it. I'll post up some pics when it comes around, and in the meanwhile I can consider a yeller 301 or 303. That older hammer and blade logo is much cooler than the blue rectangle, though.

Thanks for the advice and photos, I really appreciate it!
 
Thought I'd do a little update for the folks over here. I ended up with a pair of the saw-cut black plastic scales, a modern 301 and an old stock 307 purportedly from the 80's. I like them both, and while they won't win any beauty awards, they'll sure out-cut whatever knife did win. The solid industrial design really appeals, with the modern 301 being the rougher of the pair. The 301 has a protruding rivet on the back side that digs into my hand a little, but to be honest it just makes me want to put the knife to work and ride it hard for giving me some backsass :D If there's anything you guys can tell me about the 307 I'm interested to learn, though there's probably a thread already about that.

Now I can appreciate another classic blade made in the USA. For the future, I'll have my eyes open for a 112, a yellow solitaire, and maybe a 55. Thanks again, everybody, for your input. Here are a few pics:

Buck307-2.jpg


Buck307-2point5.jpg


Buck307-3.jpg


Don't know if you can tell in this last pic, but the hammer and bolt logo is a little different on the 307:
Buck307-4.jpg
 
Buck Collectors Club members have a 307 history on the club website. There have been several threads on the forum but I don't think I ever published a complete history here. The thread below has info spread throughout but gives most of the needed data. For more info than this do a 307 search and get a couple of pages of threads. Logos changed slightly over time, usually tied to the different contractors making the early 300s. Your 307 has the old style with open end hammer, as it was made by Camillus, your 301 has the newer SC shield with long hammer handle as it was a new Buck made knife. Read the thread before digging into the 307 history.
300Bucks

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ell-me-if-it-s-for-real?highlight=307+History
 
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