To get a Buck fixed blade

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Sep 6, 2012
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I don't have a Buck knife in my collection. I have enough folders to last a lifetime and more and also I like fixed blades. I have been looking at several and would like your recommendations.

The knife should have a wood handle. The phenolic is hard wearing but it is nonetheless plastic. I have enough synthetic handle knives and would like something else. My choises right now are Woodsman and Vanguard. I like the overall shape of both and they should carry nicely being quite light. I don't need a longer blade than 4 inches for the application I have in mind. I have been looking at Blackjack model 125 but it is out of my budget and consider it too large, the Vanguard has some of the similar looks. Also if I get the Vanguard I might be tempted do some metalwork and grind a swedge, it would not be the end of the world if I fail.

Truth to be told I like the Woodsman visually even more. The question is which one would be better for general use? It would be used mostly for food prep and maybe occasionally for processing fish. It should not be afraid of doing some light woodcarving, making chips to get a fire going. I like the knife to have a good tip for piercing. Both have the old time look I am after.

So what are your thoughts?

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I think the narrower blade of the Woodsman will serve most of your purposes better, though the Vanguard might be better on a cutting board.
 
I like the Woodsman, small handy blade for general work, master of none but jack of all trades for utility.
 
I'm a big fan of the 100 series of fixed blade Buck's. I do find the handle on my Buck 102 to be a tad small, not too small, but just a bit. I tend to go with the Buck 118 (you didn't ask about it) but it has the blade length of the Buck 102 and the handle size of the 105 and can be found with a wood handle - just something to consider. OH
 
I'm a big fan of the 100 series of fixed blade Buck's. I do find the handle on my Buck 102 to be a tad small, not too small, but just a bit. I tend to go with the Buck 118 (you didn't ask about it) but it has the blade length of the Buck 102 and the handle size of the 105 and can be found with a wood handle - just something to consider. OH

Thank's, I'll consider it. Might be a good idea, allthough I like the mini-bowie shape of the 102. But I'll consider the 118.
 
Oh man Finn, now you've done it! A thread about Buck woodsmen to go off abut.

I got my first Buck 102 in 10969, and for the next 30 years out was my go-to small game and fish knife, and did well on deer too. It was my camp knife, my backpacking knife, and it got so well used that by 2000 it was a sharpened toothpick. My better half bought me a new one in 2000 to replace the worn out 102. I don't hunt anymore and haven't for many years, but it's my mainline fishing knife and camp cooking knife. It still goes on my hip when hiking about the woods. It augments my peanut or whatever SAK is in my pocket.

During the 1970's to the mid 1980's my knife addiction was in full swing, so I tried all kinds of knives, including the famed Randall's. In short v ersion, the higher end customs were a huge disappointment, and the little Buck 102 did just as good a job if not better on field dressing a deer than a Randall small hunter. A very impressive little knife.

One of the best points of it is, that the feel in hand is much like the "Little Finn" uni yes that were popular in the 1950's and 60's. The smaller diameter handle and the birds head pommel make a great dexterous grip but very secure at the same time. My only complaint on each of the 102's I've used is the phenolic handle needs to be roughed up with some sandpaper for a good grip when wet. A problem you may not have with the wood, but it ;oops like the wood handle has a slick finish.

I LOVE my 102 and wouldn't leave home without it!!!!!

The 102 with my edc 'nut.
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Either 102 or 118 would be sweet with a sheath like this. One of the reasons I am considering the 102 is that I would like to make a custom sheath. It would not have the heavy retaining strap of the original, the sheath itself would take care of retainment. Also it would be a multiple carry version including horizontal on the belt.

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Oh man Finn, now you've done it! A thread about Buck woodsmen to go off abut.

I got my first Buck 102 in 10969, and for the next 30 years out was my go-to small game and fish knife, and did well on deer too. It was my camp knife, my backpacking knife, and it got so well used that by 2000 it was a sharpened toothpick. My better half bought me a new one in 2000 to replace the worn out 102. I don't hunt anymore and haven't for many years, but it's my mainline fishing knife and camp cooking knife. It still goes on my hip when hiking about the woods. It augments my peanut or whatever SAK is in my pocket.

During the 1970's to the mid 1980's my knife addiction was in full swing, so I tried all kinds of knives, including the famed Randall's. In short v ersion, the higher end customs were a huge disappointment, and the little Buck 102 did just as good a job if not better on field dressing a deer than a Randall small hunter. A very impressive little knife.

One of the best points of it is, that the feel in hand is much like the "Little Finn" uni yes that were popular in the 1950's and 60's. The smaller diameter handle and the birds head pommel make a great dexterous grip but very secure at the same time. My only complaint on each of the 102's I've used is the phenolic handle needs to be roughed up with some sandpaper for a good grip when wet. A problem you may not have with the wood, but it ;oops like the wood handle has a slick finish.

I wonder if the wood handle is less slippery than the plastic one, but the handle shape and guard might save my hand. I have had some very close calls with slippery handles without any guard while doing kitchen work or fishing. The Finnish puukko with a wooden handle is great when working with wood, but horrible with fish or food like chicken. Therefore I lean towards knives with guards these days.

Actually it was the christmas couple years ago that I almost lost a fingertip + had other wounds. My wife was not very pleased that she had to cut up everything by herself because my hand was stiched and bandaged.
 
I wonder if the wood handle is less slippery than the plastic one, but the handle shape and guard might save my hand. I have had some very close calls with slippery handles without any guard while doing kitchen work or fishing. The Finnish puukko with a wooden handle is great when working with wood, but horrible with fish or food like chicken. Therefore I lean towards knives with guards these days.

Actually it was the christmas couple years ago that I almost lost a fingertip + had other wounds. My wife was not very pleased that she had to cut up everything by herself because my hand was stiched and bandaged.

That pretty much mirrors my own experience. I had a very nice Jarvenpaa Puuko, and it was great for carving a spare tent peg, cutting line, or whatever. But the first time I cleaned fish with it, I nearly had an accident with it slipping in my hand due to fish guts slime. The Buck never felt like I was going to loose it, even before I sanded the grip. The 102 handle shape kind of nestles into the hand. You've got a guard that prevents going forward, and the birds head pommel keeps it from going back. The 'Little Finn' shaped knives were very popular for a good reason.:thumbup:
 
I guess you got me convinced. �� I will get the 102, might take a couple of weeks to get it

Talking of knife safety, the only Finnish knifemaker that has puukko's with a guard is Marttiini. There are some other makers that have those, but it is frowned upon by the more traditional crowd. Wonder why.
 
Because only children need guards!
I have a Jarvenpaa puukko (kauhavaleinen) I rarely feel grown up enough to use, because of its short handle tapering toward the blade.
 
Will say you can get the Vanguard in S30V from one of the larger camping and fishing outfits, as part of a "signature" line. They had about five models with it, not too overpriced, but I don't know if they had the 102 or not. Just food for thought. I tend to carry plenty of narrow folders, at least one of which locks, so I don't mind having the wider blade. Just a thought, whatever suits you best is best. GL.
Thanks, Neal
VM me if you want the name of the outfitter.;)
 
Just this past week I field dressed a whitetail buck using my Buck 118. I worked inside the animals cavity by feel and it was quite wet, however the Phenolic handle was not slippery in that it fit well within my grasp. I do think a wood handle would be even less apt to slip, but I don't own one and cannot say for sure from experience. If I thought the Phenolic was too slippery, and apt to get me cut, then I wouldn't use it. OH

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I've had a Buck 102 since I was a scout in the '70s. It was the first decent knife I bought on my own (paper route earnings). I've used it for many years, and it's a darn good knife. Price is right too.
 
I ordered the knife. My favourite shop usually does a fast delivery, allthough this was a special order, they did not have it available right away.

I have been drooling for pictures of custom cross-draw sheaths for 102. Some forum member also said that he carries the 102 as a boot knife. I do not intend to carry anything strapped to my boot, but the horizontal or cross draw makes sense.
 
Just this past week I field dressed a whitetail buck using my Buck 118. I worked inside the animals cavity by feel and it was quite wet, however the Phenolic handle was not slippery in that it fit well within my grasp. I do think a wood handle would be even less apt to slip, but I don't own one and cannot say for sure from experience. If I thought the Phenolic was too slippery, and apt to get me cut, then I wouldn't use it. OH

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Great! I have hunted only small game (birds) with a bow and not even that for a long time. Great picture!
 
I guess you got me convinced. �� I will get the 102, might take a couple of weeks to get it

Talking of knife safety, the only Finnish knifemaker that has puukko's with a guard is Marttiini. There are some other makers that have those, but it is frowned upon by the more traditional crowd. Wonder why.

Recent Marttiini knives such as the Kätevä and Jätkänvuolu actually have a finger notch instead of a guard, I find this excellent. As we know...holding the puukko is crucial, many have a swell-centre bulge and this usually prevents you from slipping. It may be the national knife but I've never felt like spending much money on a Puukko, could not imagine going for an expensive custom, so the low cost Marttiini have always satisfied me, they're superior to Mora in my view too :D

Hope you enjoy that Buck!
 
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