Recommend me a traditional lockback in high end steel

diverdude7 said:
My first post here. I noticed that your credentials carry a lot of weight, so I was hoping that you could help me with a decision. I have narrowed my first serious Knife choice down to one knife, the Lionsteel Opera. The thing that keeps me from completing my order is choosing between Rams horn and Stag antler. Gut is kinda leaning towards Ram, but I notice Stag is priced higher. Is Stag truly considered the more valuable acquisition? Why, why not? Just any sort of input from yourself or any members here truly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Welcome to BF. My credentials are definitely “bought and paid for.” Thank you for the kind words.

Regarding the Lionsteel Opera: The lionsteel opera is a cost friendly great lockback option. I have an Opera myself, as well as my Dad. I enjoy it quite a bit. Locks up solid with no blade play in any direction.

I believe there is a Big Opera now available, and if you are wanting to go with a larger knife…that may tickle your fancy.

Regarding the Ram’s Horn vs. Stag: The Ram’s horn is an excellent, beautiful handle material for light work and dressy days. The horn is flattened and then attached to the scale liners. If it gets wet with sweat or water, it can and does curl over time. Heat and humidity can also have the horn react negatively.

Stag is a much more resilient scale material IMO. If it is a “go to” knife/everday in your pocket, then I would say go for the stag. Stag is beautiful in its own rights, and a tough natural material. Plus, the character stag has, and the natural discoloring over usage/time, makes it a material that ages with grace.

If it was my choice, and it was gonna be my one big purchase for the year to be used everyday…stag all the way.

Hope this helps. Keep ‘em Sharp
 
Last edited:
Custom Shop Buck 110 with S30V, or if you can find one on the second hand market, some dealers like SK Blades had SFO's with CPM154, and I believe a run with S90V. SK Blades also had a run of the 112 with a D2 blade.
C&C had SFO's with 5160 carbon steel, if you consider that a "premium" steel ... ("premium" compared to 1095?)
Until Buck starts making SFO's again, the second hand market is your only hope of a not 420HC/S30V 110/112.

I'm pretty sure the Buck Collector Club had some made with BG42 blades.
The 1964 to 98/1982 3 dot knives were 440C (the original "super steel"). 4 dot to 1990/1991were 425M, if memory serves.
I think the Alaska Guide series from Cabella's(?) were S30V.
 
Parachuted into this thread because I've been looking for something similar. Posting to leave a "+1" for something by Buck Knives. Their history as a "work knife" makes them better when they're marked up by use, and the stories that go along with those marks.
 
Sharp & Fiery said:
Welcome to BF. My credentials are definitely “bought and paid for.” Thank you for the kind words.

Regarding the Lionsteel Opera: The lionsteel opera is a cost friendly great lockback option. I have an Opera myself, as well as my Dad. I enjoy it quite a bit. Locks up solid with no blade play in any direction.

I believe there is a Big Opera now available, and if you are wanting to go with a larger knife…that may tickle your fancy.

Regarding the Ram’s Horn vs. Stag: The Ram’s horn is an excellent, beautiful handle material for light work and dressy days. The horn is flattened and then attached to the scale liners. If it gets wet with sweat or water, it can and does curl over time. Heat and humidity can also have the horn react negatively.

Stag is a much more resilient scale material IMO. If it is a “go to” knife/everday in your pocket, then I would say go for the stag. Stag is beautiful in its own rights, and a tough natural material. Plus, the character stag has, and the natural discoloring over usage/time, makes it a material that ages with grace.

If it was my choice, and it was gonna be my one big purchase for the year to be used everyday…stag all the way.

Hope this helps. Keep ‘em Sharp
Click to expand...
Very helpful information indeed. I do live in a very hot/humid environment, SE Asia, so that will impact my decision making. I consider this knife to be a bit beyond just 'show' and it's primary purpose is to function as an everyday work-knife... a true EDC. I may well go with the Stag, but that brings me to the whole other issue of not being crazy about the Damascus for an EDC. I may just change gears and consider the Fallkniven TK with the the Jigged Bone. I guess both brands are top notch, which is very important to me. I love the Opera, but maybe love the Fallkniven a bit more, sure wish they did that model in Stag.
 
Or the H1 version if corrosion is an issue.

51301702764_23f6355e8c_b.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top