Should Buck offer different blade grinds?

D

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Jan 23, 2011
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Let me start by saying I support Buck Knives, the company, and their products. If you have read my other posts, you would know this. I love that Buck manufactures most of their knives in the USA and offers affordable products to ordinary folks.

It seems to me like 95% of Buck's offerings have hollow ground blades. Every one of my 5 Buck knives has them. For a hunting knife, I guess the hollow grind is efficient for cutting flesh. For EDC, I much prefer a flat ground blade, because the blade is thinner overall. It cuts cardboard and apples a lot better. My Bucks terminate in a thick spine, which takes more effort to push through tough materials.

In one sense, I like that Buck stays true to a design concept. In another, I have developed other preferences, and wish I can get these features in a USA made Buck.
 
I like "Heavy Duty" in a using knife, and I see my Buck's as using knives - so I like their blade grind. However they might consider offering both (the flat grinds in limited runs like Case does with different scales) to enhance sales for folks that want a flat grind. OH
 
I think the hollow grind does cut apples and cheese better than a flat grind would. For hunting and most any cutting task this grind works better. I have other knives with flat grinds and fail to notice any advantage in how they cut better. However, Buck did offer their 300 series with flat grinds for years so procure these should you think that type cuts better. DM
 
I think a hollow ground blade cuts just about everything better, but I would like a flat ground blade on a large bladed sheath type hunting knife. I think the flat ground blade is a better all around knife for campsite chores.
 
Why fix what ain't broke?

This is the same as "Why doesn't Kabar make The the MkII with a full tang?"

Because what they do is time proven over and over and over and over again.
 
jimh0220 said:
Why fix what ain't broke?

This is the same as "Why doesn't Kabar make The the MkII with a full tang?"

Because what they do is time proven over and over and over and over again.
Click to expand...

Ok, but just because its a good tool doesn't mean it's the right tool, or the best for the job. I can skin a deer with a butter knife, but it would be allot better if I had the proper tool. Lots of companies offer multiple versions.
 
That's why other companies make different knives. You don't have to use a Buck if the style doesn't suit your needs.

Buck has been making money with the same style knives for nearly a century. And they still sell a buttload of them. Because the knives they make are the same as always.

Remaking a new grind costs alot of money, and when they change something so proven, you risk alienating customers, of selling so few of the new knife that it doesn't pay for the tooling changes.

They do the same knives so well, they don't need to change. Smart business.
 
I find that Buck's grinds result in a meatier blade than an fully flat ground blade. For example, the grind on my 302 solitaire, pictured below:
302extended.jpg

This is a strong blade, but it does not cut as well due to a less acute vee in the cross section. In fact, when I cut an apple, it wants to cut in an arc, making it take a lot of effort to make a straight cut. Not the end of the world; just less than desired.
 
That model holds the newer grind style. Which to me is a hollow grind. The 300 series from the 70's to early 80's were the ones that had the grind you like. DM
 
mbjannusch said:
I think a hollow ground blade cuts just about everything better, but I would like a flat ground blade on a large bladed sheath type hunting knife. I think the flat ground blade is a better all around knife for campsite chores.
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Do you think a hollow cuts better than a convex? A lot of people pay a lot of money for true convex grinds, and they have to be done buy hand. Hollow is a good grind, and can be mass produced, and along with bucks good heat treat and customer service is why they have done well. But Buck has responded to the customers before and if there is enough interest im sure they will do some different grinds. The Hood punk is a flat grind BTW.
 
Yes, those are. That makes a sizeable number of Buck models which are flat grinds should one desire them. Plus, for 25yrs. Buck did convex grinds on their models. The convex grind is in vogue for now and I'm hoping the pendulum swings away from this soon. Yet, in the mean time one can easily find these older models for a decent price with up grade steel. So, again guys your in luck with Buck. DM
 
All 14 of my Bucks are factory hollow ground except for my two 380's. And (sacrilege!) i flat ground and did some other mods on my Buck 124 a few years back though.
I generally prefer flat grind and scandi grind but i can live with a regular hollow ground as well. Never understood the cult around convex grinds, i 've had convex grind knives i'd take FG, Scandi-grind and hollow grind over a convex any day! Still whatever floats your boat...
 
Well, did you not read the above... Again, the Hood, Thug, Punk series is flat grind as well as the 300 series knives from the late 1968 to 1986. Buck's fixed blades and locking folders were convex grind from 1962 to 1980. Do some examining of these models in order to become familiar with Buck's grinds and knives.
Here is a good place to start as much on the internet doesn't know. Buck has also done some chisel grinds. DM
https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/...K9L2yjXmeW_fz-y7PiMT7GPAeTpIlHvO7D_v3i3EAG3nA
 
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David Martin said:
Well, did you not read the above... Again, the Hood, Thug, Punk series is flat grind as well as the 300 series knives from the late 1968 to 1986. Buck's fixed blades and locking folders were convex grind from 1962 to 1980. Do some examining of these models in order to become familiar with Buck's grinds and knives.
Here is a good place to start as much on the internet doesn't know. Buck has also done some chisel grinds. DM
https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/...K9L2yjXmeW_fz-y7PiMT7GPAeTpIlHvO7D_v3i3EAG3nA
Click to expand...


Ah. Ok. I get it.

I was hoping there was an official Buck website that listed the grind patterns on their current production knives. :)
 
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