The Pathfinder Club - Members Only!

MT_Pokt · May 31, 2018

I had only one 105 in all of the years I've been buying/selling/trading Bucks. I'm not a huge fan to be honest. The 118 suits me better.

For fighting, I would take a 105 over a bare fist any day, but that doesn't make it a great fighter, and I definitely wouldn't choose it for my primary self defense knife. I think your "D" grade is sufficient. It would be an "A+" if there were no other options, right?

sassafrassdogs · May 31, 2018

Out of all the Buck knives I have there are only 2 105's...

Elgatodeacero · May 31, 2018

If they coated the 105 in black and changed the name to Recon Pathfinder they would sell a million more....

imafritz · May 31, 2018

I only have one. Inverted 3-liner, part of my ongoing attempt to complete the set

There’s a 2nd in my case, but it belongs to my daughter. It’s a 1998 model given to her by ole Plumbrdv, who was fond of sending her knives from her birth year.

Takoma · May 31, 2018

TAH said:
Back in the day, Buck used the 105 in their advertisements more than any other model. I think Buck saw it as a knife that would appeal to a wide range of sportsmen.

Recent issue of F and S criminally ommitted Buck from it's knife issue....though I did notice a small illustration of a knife above one section. It was clearly a 105. Those guys do know how to work around their corporate masters with subtle nods to those in the know.

pjsjr · May 31, 2018

TAH said:
pj, tell me about that top knife.

Tom, it's one of the Signature Series, ATS 34, Oak scales, Chuck's signature(of course) and a hardness test dot...not sure of the hardness, someone else will have to say. Preston

TAH · May 31, 2018

sassafrassdogs3 said:
Out of all the Buck knives I have there are only 2 105's...

Yea, but that top one equals three. :thumbsup:

pjsjr said:
Tom, it's one of the Signature Series, ATS 34, Oak scales, Chuck's signature(of course) and a hardness test dot...not sure of the hardness, someone else will have to say. Preston

Thanks Preston. It has very nice lines and looks like it would be comfortable in the hand.

TAH · May 31, 2018

MT_Pokt said:
I'm not a huge fan to be honest.

Slow down there, partner. If you upset the members, you might not get invited to bingo night.

TAH · May 31, 2018

What's the story on this tan sheath? What year was it offered?

Old Hunter · Jun 1, 2018

The first fixed blade Buck Knife I ever owned was this 105 Pathfinder (top picture); purchased at the PX at APG MD in 1976 - carried as my ARNG field knife until 1990 (when I switched to a M4 bayonet gifted to me from my father). The 1966 Pathfinder belonged to my late cousin - it was his field knife for many years of ARNG service - he retired around 1987. The white bone handled 105 was one I bought at Bass Pro Shops in Raleigh about four years ago - gave it as a thank you gift to a great customer a year and a half ago (yeah, I miss it!) OH

DeSotoSky · Jun 1, 2018

A pair of pre factory. Without looking at my records I'll assume Lignum Vitae and Ebony. (a terrible picture, not sure why I kept it... laziness?)

DeSotoSky · Jun 1, 2018

Another barrel nut. Skyler showed us one with leather spacers, this one is fiber.

DeSotoSky · Jun 1, 2018

Something a little newer. 2014 with a Cocobolo dyed handle and brass furniture.

eveled · Jun 2, 2018

The pathfinder and personal are obviously closely related, do any of you sharpen the top false edge on these knives? It seems to be much more pronounced on the later versions. It just begs to be sharpened. Did Buck ever ship these with that edge already sharpened?

TAH · Jun 7, 2018

eveled said:
The pathfinder and personal are obviously closely related, do any of you sharpen the top false edge on these knives? It just begs to be sharpened.

Sincere question: Curious, why would you want a sharpened false edge on these type of knives?

TAH · Jun 7, 2018

Old Hunter said:

OH, is the top guard on this knife longer than usual? Might just be the photo angle.

TAH · Jun 7, 2018

David Martin said:
Tah, I like your sheath.

David, here's a shot of the knife in the sheath. This sheath was specifically made for the 105 by a sheathmaker in Texas. I added the handle tie-down. I really like the high-ride design, especially when sitting and it's less bulky than the original flap sheath.

David Martin · Jun 7, 2018

Thanks. I like the early asterisk stamped 105. DM

eveled · Jun 7, 2018

TAH said:
Sincere question: Curious, why would you want a sharpened false edge on these type of knives?

That's part of my question. The first inch or so of the top edge, looks like it was meant to be sharpened. I was curious if anybody does this or not. The only reason I could see for it is for that first cut through the anus on a fish.

I'm in a location were double edge knives are not allowed, so not a lot of practical experience.

TAH · Jun 8, 2018

eveled said:
That's part of my question. The first inch or so of the top edge, looks like it was meant to be sharpened.

Okay, got it. Personally, I would not have a need for a sharpened false edge on my Pathfinder, but I only use it for common camp and kitchen duties. Generally, I think of a sharpened false edge on a fighting knife, but I know the Randall Bird & Trout Knife comes with a sharpened false edge to be used for cutting through bone and cutting off fish heads, thus preserving the main edge for finer cutting. But the Randall false edge is approximately 2" long (and straight) making it more functional than the Pathfinder's short false edge. I believe the Pathfinder's false edge is to simply give the blade a finer tip for whatever the need may be.