Something like a Buck 55 in carbon?

J

javyn

Joined
Oct 2, 2013
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I'd like a traditional lockback knife for EDC....around 3"...clip point preferred, but steel other than 420HC :(

Would anyone mind pointing me in the right direction?

I have a Case Mini Copperlock I'm carrying now and love this pattern. and the chrome vanadium version of this knife looks to be too limited for me to be able to put my hands on.

Thanks

edit: I can't stress this enough, I hate tactical knives.
 
Look for some Weidmannsheil small lockbacks, (about 3-3.25") bone, horn, stag some in Damascus too. Found mine on the Bay.
Good luck.
 
Check out Moore Maker they make(contract) several lockbacks with 1095

Here are a few, they have more
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Pete
 
I was thinking an old Schrade but I'm not sure if they are stainless or carbon. My lockback is a Schrade +.
 
The Schrade 5OTG was carbon steel from '91 to '96. Nice lockback, beautiful patina.
 
What's the issue that you're having with the 420HC? Carbon has it's charm to be sure, but the 420HC that Buck does is really, really nice. Might just be a tweak needed in the sharpening approach?

Anyway, here's a wild goose chase and not a perfect fit. The old Schrade 5OT. Many of the green derlin scaled ones were carbon and many of the brown ones were stainless (marked Schrade +). This one has been tipped. Originally, the tip is longer and pointier. The 5OT is more like the Buck 501 than the 55.


EDC - Shrade 5OT by Pinnah, on Flickr

You'll have to hunt them down on the auction sites and for sale forums but stay clear of the new Taylor/Schrade ones. Not the same thing.

Can you go a skooch up in size? The GEC 72 might fit your needs.

Lastly, are you dead set on a lock back? Would you consider a lock ring knife? If so, you might consider the Opinel #6. That would give you the clip point, carbon steel, locking blade in a lighter and (frankly) more durable package than the Buck 55. If you can do some minor wood refinishing (sand with 80 grit paper, stain, top coat of choice), you can turn boring looking Opinels into really nice looking knives. Here's a carbon #8 with the clip blade. The #6 will be more in line with the size of the Buck 55.


Opinel #8 by Pinnah, on Flickr

Here are some others with the handles and blades reshaped slightly, to give you an idea of how they clean up with some stain.

Opinel by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
Thanks guys, gives me a lot to think about. I have a Case Mini Copperlock in 420HC. I'm having a heck of a time sharpening it, but that's probably due to operator error. I'm just no good at sharpening. I've head the CV or 1095 is easier to sharpen, so I thought I'd ask about one of those.
 
If you are having trouble sharpening get yourself a magnifying glass, you will be able to see what is going on and you can change your angle accordingly or continue with a new angle , I've been sharpening freehand for 35 years and I'll grab a glass from time to time, mostly when sharpening a new knife that I have not sharpened yet, most often it will take a bit to get the angle you want on a new knife that has a factory edge.

Pete
 
Thanks! Not to sound ignorant, but what is a "lock ring" knife?

These all look very nice. Damn, this is going to start yet another acquisition disorder for me. As if pistols, double edge safety razors, and shaving brushes aren't bad enough!
 
Javyn,

If you like the looks and feel of the Buck 55 but don't like how your Case is sharpening, take heart.

Knife companies can buy the same steel, but they each harden it differently using their own proprietary heat treatment processes.

While both Case Tru-Sharp and the Bucks are made from 420HC, Case only runs their hardness up to 56Rc while Buck uses their Paul Bos heat treatment to push it up to 58Rc.

I find there to be a very noticeable difference in how my Case knife sharpens and how my Bucks have sharpened. I find the Case is much more prone to forming a burr, holding on to a wire edge while I hone and more prone to loose it's edge quickly. I would not buy another Case Tru-sharp knife for this reason but I wouldn't avoid a Buck due to their 420HC, provided I otherwise like the knife.

Regarding lock ring knives, I'm referring to the Opinels as shown above. They lock open but not with a lock back. I've come to prefer the Opinels over the Bucks for pocket knives but that's a YMMV thing. They are available in carbon steel (56Rc) and stainless (12C27 at 58Rc). I'm very impressed with the stainless "Inox" on the Opinels. On par with Bucks 420HC from what I can tell.
 
Last edited:
javyn said:
Thanks guys, gives me a lot to think about. I have a Case Mini Copperlock in 420HC. I'm having a heck of a time sharpening it, but that's probably due to operator error. I'm just no good at sharpening. I've head the CV or 1095 is easier to sharpen, so I thought I'd ask about one of those.
Click to expand...

I'm unaware of anyone finding 1095 easier to sharpen than Buck 420HC.


pinnah said:
Javyn,

If you like the looks and feel of the Buck 55 but don't like how your Case is sharpening, take heart.

Knife companies can buy the same steel, but they each harden it differently using their own proprietary heat treatment processes.

While both Case Tru-Sharp and the Bucks are made from 420HC, Case only runs their hardness up to 56Rc while Buck uses their Paul Bos heat treatment to push it up to 58Rc.

I find there to be a very noticeable difference in how my Case knife sharpens and how my Bucks have sharpened. I find the Case is much more prone to forming a burr, holding on to a wire edge while I hone and more prone to loose it's edge quickly. I would not buy another Case Tru-sharp knife for this reason but I wouldn't avoid a Buck due to their 420HC, provided I otherwise like the knife.

Regarding lock ring knives, I'm referring to the Opinels as shown above. They lock open but not with a lock back. I've come to prefer the Opinels over the Bucks for pocket knives but that's a YMMV thing. They are available in carbon steel (56Rc) and stainless (12C27 at 58Rc). I'm very impressed with the stainless "Inox" on the Opinels. On par with Bucks 420HC from what I can tell.
Click to expand...

Agreed.
 
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