STR customized 172

DaveH

DaveH

Joined
Dec 2, 1999
Messages
12,249
Here are some pix from STR he customized a Buck 172 for me, flipped the clip, enlarged the lock cutout and dehorned.


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I'm a little surprised the Buck Mayo series don't get much attention in this forum, the 172 is I think the best knife Buck has ever made by far. Is it the price that limits its popularity?
 
Cool.
I really like the clip being changed like ya did. It looks like a different clip was used for your project.
The 172 is a great knife. I carry mine every time I have to wear "grown up" clothes (a suit).
 
DaveH said:
I'm a little surprised the Buck Mayo series don't get much attention in this forum, the 172 is I think the best knife Buck has ever made by far. Is it the price that limits its popularity?
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Agreed; the 172 has been my EDC ever since it came out. Because the blade is 1/8" thick and has a full hollow grind, it binds less than my flat ground folders of the same thickness.

Price is on the high side for a 3" production folder, but you can find them for under $150 pretty easily. The first runs had some issues, which are fixed in later runs. Buck replaced my 172 twice under warranty because of these problems - that's customer service!:thumbup:

The 172 has been a popular folder for mods, too. STR did a great job on this one!
 
DaveH said:
Here are some pix from STR he...flipped the clip...
Click to expand...

So now you can pull it out of your jeans pocket and open it without having to flip the ends...that's cool... :thumbup:

Are you left handed??? It looks like your 172 would be pulled out of a left pocket... ;)
 
Not only is STR a wizard with modifications, he's a fast wizard, too. I've sent him three 110s and a 560, and each was back to me in a little over a week from the day I mailed it. One of these days I'll post pictures of all of them.

Nice 172, DaveH. I know you're happy with it. Give us a later report on using it as an EDC.
 
DaveH said:
I'm a little surprised the Buck Mayo series don't get much attention in this forum, the 172 is I think the best knife Buck has ever made by far. Is it the price that limits its popularity?
Click to expand...

That is a good looking knife, DaveH. Steve does do wonderful things to the knives that I've seen posted on the forums:thumbup:.

For me, being a "traditionalist" in many things and Buck knives especially, it is not the price but the design. I would also put memories in the mix...read through the 110 story thread. Many have such good, meaningful memories of the 110. maybe after some time passes the 172 and others will have a base and a following like the 110 and reach new heights.

I see many posts here from forum members about 110s and 100 series FB that run more $$$ than the 172 so I don't think that it's the price.

I think that the 172 is a great value and would carry very well...BUT, I prefer the 110/112, thank you:D.

It's good to have so many choices. Preston
 
DaveH said:
I'm a little surprised the Buck Mayo series don't get much attention in this forum, the 172 is I think the best knife Buck has ever made by far. Is it the price that limits its popularity?
Click to expand...

The TNT is the only knife in the Mayo series that is USA made. So that hurts them a little with the forum members, and I think that $150.00 +/- is alot for a pocket knife. (to use and abuse)

I have carried other mayo series knives but am currently using my 110, Tempest, and sirus. I can buy all three of these knives for less than 1 TNT.

It is a very nice knife dont get me wrong, just pricey.
 
pjsjr said:
I see many posts here from forum members about 110s and 100 series FB that run more $$$ than the 172 so I don't think that it's the price.
It's good to have so many choices. Preston
Click to expand...

The 110's and 100 series knives I believe are mainly collector knives.
I have spent that much on a knife before but not to go and cut anything with it! :D If I wanted a S30V blade I would go buy a cabelas AG 110 for around $60.00. We all have different price ranges and thoughts but I think 150 is alot for a user.
It is GREAT to have soooo many choices!!!
 
I was really excited about the 172 as well, but the price and the fact that the darn clip is backwards have kept me from pulling the trigger. I have been tempted a couple of times, most recently at a Knife show where a dealer had one NIB for $120. Depending on what Steve charges for the work, I may reconsider.


GregB
 
Wow! Way late finding this. Yeah that 172 is a knife that flew below my radar until Dave sent me one. I like it better now that I took the top wings off the body. I'd do that with my own too. Gives your thumb a much better rest and doesn't interfere with the index finger as much when you want to reach up to grab the blade for more control using it that way.

I had to custom make the pocket clip on it. I had to search for a place to find clear spots to mount it though for that position. For a short time it looked almost like all the spots had already been drilled. As it is though it turned out pretty great. I was instructed to cut out around the thumb ramp for better lock access to release it as well as sharpen it and anodize it blue. Had to rebead blast the entire handle first though to bring out all the same surface again so it all looked the same shade in the anodizer bath. I was a little hesitant to cut out the thumb ramp but Dave knows what he wants and I followed the line he drew exactly.

I have a thread on the gadgets and gear forum for custom low rider clips and it also includes many of my other mods I do for folks around the knife world. $30 plus shipping is the standard fee for a ti clip. But contact me in private for more if interested in having me do something.

Thanks for the compliments. Dave enjoy. I think the 172 USA made knife is the best frame lock in Buck's line up personally. I liked it a lot better than either Skirmish I've handled.

STR
 
I've bought several knives since the 172 but it is almost exclusively what I carry when not at the office. It has also prevented me from buying other knives, like the fantastic Spydie Caly III, b/c I know I won't use them. The 172 is all I need.

I love it.
 
I'll add a couple of notes after carrying it for about a week.

The lowrider clip is great, it totally disapears in the pocket. (I carry right front pocket against the side seam) Several times I've stood up and thought, "Ohcrap, I just lost the knife, nope, it was still there. It doesn't catch on sweaters, seatbelts and the like either, it's a great addition.

There might be one small change the transition from the knife handle over the screws of the pocket clip is a little steep. I do a little "wiggle" when I put it in and it slides in fine. I'd suggest to STR, I was gonna email you but haven't, that a little clip thickness left in front of the screws would help it slide in better.

There seems to be a trend to make lock access smaller and smaller. I think that's wrong. IMO if you make the lock right, then it should both hold and be easy to unlock. Hence asked STR to make the access bigger. I think that's a key to increase ease of use.

I forgot to mention is post one, but Steve does great work. Thanks again! As you can see above, the work he did looks factory (or better).
 
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