- Joined
- Dec 22, 2007
- Messages
- 990
Hi all,
This is my first review on this site, hopefully not the last.
Today, I received the first knives I've purchased in a couple months: a Buck 112 and a Schrade 94OT (Trapper configuration) with ironwood slabs. Both are knives I've wanted for a while, and a little bit of extra money finally rear its beautiful head, so I decided to indulge. I'll start with the 112.
I've wanted a Buck 112 for a long time. My grandfather still carries one, and for the longest time, I thought it was its larger sibling, the 110. In fact, I didn't find out it was the 112 until early last year, when I saw him use to cut an apple. Call it a bit of hero worship, and perhaps a bit of Buck-philia, but I've been itching for a similar knife for nearly two years.
The knife itself weights more than it would seem at first. It's not the boat anchor the 110 is, but it has some definite weight to it. Enough so that it feels very nice in the hand, and perhaps enough to wear a hole in the pocket of blue jeans. But then, considering the use brass bolsters and liners, I knew what I was getting into.
The fit and finish are what I've come to expect from a Buck. My 110 and 371 before it have zero blade play after a year and a half of use, and the backspring, liners, and wooden scales are all very much flush with each other. It's a work of art.
The blade is a work of art. I very much like the severe clip point that nearly resembles a rhino's schnoz. It's more or less the same shape as my 371, which has dug out more splinters than I can count...okay, it's only been 2 splinters, but the sentiment stands. That may make for a comparatively fragile tip, but it's great for fine work.
Over all, a great knife that I am looking forward to putting through the paces.
The Schrade 94OTW (henceforth referred to as the Trapper) is also a very nice knife. This is only the third slipjoint that I've purchased in recent years, the first two being the aforementioned 371 last May or June, and a Case Sodbuster Jr. last in October. While not a slippy fan historically, these knives are starting to grow on me nonetheless.
The trapper, with its long clip and spey blades, came razor sharp. While the clip blade is not has radically clipped as the 112, its long, gradual clip lends it an air of elegance.
Conversely, the spey blade is still something of a novelty for me. Despite its (short) presence on the 371, I haven't really used one before. I know its traditional use, and its shape screams "work blade". While I don't plan on speying any livestock, I do have a feeling I will be using this blade more than the clip, if only because it will be redundant; I usually carry two knives, most of which are clip points, or at least have a defined tip (i.e. an SAK).
My only gripe about the blades, or even the knife in general, is that both blades have a noticeable amount of horizontal play in them. Not a terrible amount (<1mm), but enough to be noticeable and a little irritating. Many knives develop play, and but usually after months or years of use.
The rest of the knife is a work of art. The desert ironwood scales are much brighter than the dark woodgrain of the 112, but much more "swirly", and do not feel as laminated. The fit and finish are also much like the 112: smooth across the back. The blades do rest a little bit off-center, but that irritant doesn't even leave a blip on the radar. Despite the slight wiggle, I can find myself growing very attached to the Trapper pattern.
All in all, I am pleased with my new toys. Now I just have to work them into my EDC, and find time to use them all.
I do apologize for the crummy pictures; they originate from an equally crummy camera under a "harsh" California sun.
This is my first review on this site, hopefully not the last.
Today, I received the first knives I've purchased in a couple months: a Buck 112 and a Schrade 94OT (Trapper configuration) with ironwood slabs. Both are knives I've wanted for a while, and a little bit of extra money finally rear its beautiful head, so I decided to indulge. I'll start with the 112.
I've wanted a Buck 112 for a long time. My grandfather still carries one, and for the longest time, I thought it was its larger sibling, the 110. In fact, I didn't find out it was the 112 until early last year, when I saw him use to cut an apple. Call it a bit of hero worship, and perhaps a bit of Buck-philia, but I've been itching for a similar knife for nearly two years.
The knife itself weights more than it would seem at first. It's not the boat anchor the 110 is, but it has some definite weight to it. Enough so that it feels very nice in the hand, and perhaps enough to wear a hole in the pocket of blue jeans. But then, considering the use brass bolsters and liners, I knew what I was getting into.
The fit and finish are what I've come to expect from a Buck. My 110 and 371 before it have zero blade play after a year and a half of use, and the backspring, liners, and wooden scales are all very much flush with each other. It's a work of art.
The blade is a work of art. I very much like the severe clip point that nearly resembles a rhino's schnoz. It's more or less the same shape as my 371, which has dug out more splinters than I can count...okay, it's only been 2 splinters, but the sentiment stands. That may make for a comparatively fragile tip, but it's great for fine work.
Over all, a great knife that I am looking forward to putting through the paces.
The Schrade 94OTW (henceforth referred to as the Trapper) is also a very nice knife. This is only the third slipjoint that I've purchased in recent years, the first two being the aforementioned 371 last May or June, and a Case Sodbuster Jr. last in October. While not a slippy fan historically, these knives are starting to grow on me nonetheless.
The trapper, with its long clip and spey blades, came razor sharp. While the clip blade is not has radically clipped as the 112, its long, gradual clip lends it an air of elegance.
Conversely, the spey blade is still something of a novelty for me. Despite its (short) presence on the 371, I haven't really used one before. I know its traditional use, and its shape screams "work blade". While I don't plan on speying any livestock, I do have a feeling I will be using this blade more than the clip, if only because it will be redundant; I usually carry two knives, most of which are clip points, or at least have a defined tip (i.e. an SAK).
My only gripe about the blades, or even the knife in general, is that both blades have a noticeable amount of horizontal play in them. Not a terrible amount (<1mm), but enough to be noticeable and a little irritating. Many knives develop play, and but usually after months or years of use.
The rest of the knife is a work of art. The desert ironwood scales are much brighter than the dark woodgrain of the 112, but much more "swirly", and do not feel as laminated. The fit and finish are also much like the 112: smooth across the back. The blades do rest a little bit off-center, but that irritant doesn't even leave a blip on the radar. Despite the slight wiggle, I can find myself growing very attached to the Trapper pattern.
All in all, I am pleased with my new toys. Now I just have to work them into my EDC, and find time to use them all.
I do apologize for the crummy pictures; they originate from an equally crummy camera under a "harsh" California sun.