Today, I'm looking at the Buck X-Tract, model 730BK (BK meaning black handle color). It's designed by Peter Whittaker, and is made in China. Here's the review...
First Impressions: Everything locks open, which is good. Nothing feels cheap or flimsy. I thought the pliers would be larger, but they get the job done.
Specifications: The X-Tract is 4.25" closed. The handles are thermoplastic, and the inside (liners, etc.) are steel. The entire thing weighs just 6 ounces. The blade is 420HC with Edge2X, while the tools are just 420. There is a lanyard loop built into the butt of the knife, and it comes with a nylon belt sheath.
Part-By-Part Specs and Testing: The blade is 3" long, and half serrated. It's made of 420HC with Buck's Edge2x treatment. There is a thumb stud on the left-hand side of the blade to facilitate easy opening. The blade locks open very solid with a liner lock. It came out of the box a little dull; it wouldn't even cut paper. After a few swipes on a medium-grit diamond stone, it didn't even need the ceramic --- it shaved hair readily. The edge held up quite well against cardboard and wood. After all, this is an outdoor knife and has to be able to cut into wood repeatedly.
The pliers are about 1.75" long when fully extended. They consist of needle-nosed pliers, standard bolt pliers, and wire cutters. The pliers are spring-loaded and they lock open with a button. The pliers open by pushing and sliding them out of the handle toward the end with the blade pivot. I didn't test the pliers extensively, although I cut some wire (about 16 gauge) with them. They worked flawlessly. The needle-nosed pliers came in handy for holding hot metal dishes, heated by campfire.
Next is the can opener. It's on the butt-side of the X-Tract. The can opener tool can also be used as a cap lifter / bottle opener. It's about .75" long and opens with a thumb stud. It locks open via liner lock. The tool has no play in it when locked. It does what it's supposed to do --- it open bottles with ease, and will open a tin can with little effort.
The X-Tract also feature a dual screwdriver. It starts with a push-button mechanism centered on the back of the X-Tract. Push the button down and slide it toward the knife blade pivot, and you get a #2 Phillips-head screwdriver. Push the button down and slide it toward the butt of the X-Tract, and you get a flathead screwdriver. The screwdriver locks open in all three positions (flathead, Phillips, or closed). The screwdrivers stick out about 1.3" from the edge of the handle when locked open. Again, the screwdriver does what it's supposed to do with no problem.
The lanyard loop looks like a triangle on the butt of the knife. It's large enough to put 550 coard through, and is built quite strong. I was surprised by how tough this thing is. It can also be used as a blunt striking tool. Think about using it to chip away ice, or as a less-than-lethal weapon if need be.
The belt sheath is made of black nylon, and closes with a snap. It has loops to be worn either horizontally or vertically.
Last Impressions: If I could change a few things, I'd have a pocket clip on the X-Tract. It's not too large for a clip at all. I would also like to have the option of a plain-edged (ie. no serrations) blade. I love how the pliers function. This tool costs around $33, depending on where you go. It's worth it.
First Impressions: Everything locks open, which is good. Nothing feels cheap or flimsy. I thought the pliers would be larger, but they get the job done.
Specifications: The X-Tract is 4.25" closed. The handles are thermoplastic, and the inside (liners, etc.) are steel. The entire thing weighs just 6 ounces. The blade is 420HC with Edge2X, while the tools are just 420. There is a lanyard loop built into the butt of the knife, and it comes with a nylon belt sheath.
Part-By-Part Specs and Testing: The blade is 3" long, and half serrated. It's made of 420HC with Buck's Edge2x treatment. There is a thumb stud on the left-hand side of the blade to facilitate easy opening. The blade locks open very solid with a liner lock. It came out of the box a little dull; it wouldn't even cut paper. After a few swipes on a medium-grit diamond stone, it didn't even need the ceramic --- it shaved hair readily. The edge held up quite well against cardboard and wood. After all, this is an outdoor knife and has to be able to cut into wood repeatedly.
The pliers are about 1.75" long when fully extended. They consist of needle-nosed pliers, standard bolt pliers, and wire cutters. The pliers are spring-loaded and they lock open with a button. The pliers open by pushing and sliding them out of the handle toward the end with the blade pivot. I didn't test the pliers extensively, although I cut some wire (about 16 gauge) with them. They worked flawlessly. The needle-nosed pliers came in handy for holding hot metal dishes, heated by campfire.
Next is the can opener. It's on the butt-side of the X-Tract. The can opener tool can also be used as a cap lifter / bottle opener. It's about .75" long and opens with a thumb stud. It locks open via liner lock. The tool has no play in it when locked. It does what it's supposed to do --- it open bottles with ease, and will open a tin can with little effort.
The X-Tract also feature a dual screwdriver. It starts with a push-button mechanism centered on the back of the X-Tract. Push the button down and slide it toward the knife blade pivot, and you get a #2 Phillips-head screwdriver. Push the button down and slide it toward the butt of the X-Tract, and you get a flathead screwdriver. The screwdriver locks open in all three positions (flathead, Phillips, or closed). The screwdrivers stick out about 1.3" from the edge of the handle when locked open. Again, the screwdriver does what it's supposed to do with no problem.
The lanyard loop looks like a triangle on the butt of the knife. It's large enough to put 550 coard through, and is built quite strong. I was surprised by how tough this thing is. It can also be used as a blunt striking tool. Think about using it to chip away ice, or as a less-than-lethal weapon if need be.
The belt sheath is made of black nylon, and closes with a snap. It has loops to be worn either horizontally or vertically.
Last Impressions: If I could change a few things, I'd have a pocket clip on the X-Tract. It's not too large for a clip at all. I would also like to have the option of a plain-edged (ie. no serrations) blade. I love how the pliers function. This tool costs around $33, depending on where you go. It's worth it.
