Vs. thread for Reaper, Hoodlum, Punk, Vanguard

Yo Mama

Yo Mama

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For all you Buck aficionados, I am stuck with my next dilema. Which fixed blade for the collection? I was set on the Vanguard, due to it's more classic look. However the Reaper, Hoodlum, and Punk are in the running. I know the different steels and such, but Buck's 420hc has been fine for my uses.

Which models have the best sheaths? I like ease of use to attach and detach from my body.
Which are the most useful models?
Are skulls on the handles of the Reaper lame or cool? I'm liking them, but....?

If it were up to you, and could only buy one, which would it be?

Thanks in advance!
 
I think the Punk/Hoodlum knives are the best all around of the ones you mention. They have good steel, nice sheaths and are well made. Not that the Reaper or Vanguard are not good but they don't have quite as good of steel (depending on what you use it for) and their cases are not near as good, IMO.

However, you've really made a wide ranging list. The Hoodlum is a 10" blade, the Punk is a little over 5" ( I think), the Vanguard is even smaller. So you really need to decide what length of blade fits your purposes best. The Punk and Reaper are good all around sizes for a survical/bushcraft knife, the Vanguard is a good hunting style knife, but could be a survival knife if needed. The Hoodlum is just a beast. If you need something partially machete and partially survival knife it's the king of the hill. However, if you are a hiker the hoodlum would be a lot of extra weight to pack if you don't need to clear brush...ect.
 
mcrow, thanks for the reply

I'm not really looking at length this time. Doesn't matter. I started looking at Buck last year, and want to make all my knife purchases Buck knives this year. It's kinda a goal, one year just Buck. So just got the folder (Marksman-love it!), and now switching up to a fixed blade.
 
If length doesn't matter, I'd probably go with the Punk. It's a good multi-purpose knife (survival, bushcraft or hunting) and has a nice sheath, great knife.
 
I have a reaper. IMO the handles look and feel cheap and to me detracts from the knife. I took the handles off mine and wrapped with paracord for the real survival feel. I also did this with an Endeavor (which make a great camping knife). Along the similiar lines of the shape of the Reaper is the Thug, I like the look of the Thug, It is on my Wanna buy list but I have no real use for survival knives so I plan on buying other knives first. I do have a Punk. Its a nice knife ,once again I have no real use for it . I have never really put it through its paces and feel that it is pricey for what it is.IMHO. I would rather the feel of a 124 in my hand personally and they can be bought for about the same $$
Vanguards are nice to look at . they have several handle variations over the years I have a elk handle ,tracks edition thats a real looker but once again IMO other than hunting I don't think I would find it useful. Personally my all time favorite fixed blades are Alpha Hunters.
As for a sheaths go I would say the Hood Knives are the better for survival use but are more cumbersome. The Reaper is cordura with a plastic insert. Vanguards are leather both of which probably are less cumbersome to wear on a belt.
 
Though I only have experience with the Vanguard I believe all of the models you mentioned are well made and quite serviceable. That being said, as far as collecting goes the Vanguard has a lot more variations out there to truly collect.
 
I would get the Hoodlum. Great knife and not many others in that market. The others are good options but I see that market far more crowded with lots of competition if you miss one you want.
 
I would go with the Hoodlum but I've always went for biggest first 500 S&W and 44mag in guns F350 for Trucks. the bigger and heavier the better I guess its from my weightlifting days "Go heavy or go Home"
If on the other hand you want to use common sense and just wanting it for no specific reason I'd go with either of the smaller ones I love 5 inch blades they can cover almost anything you need to do with a knife.
 
Depends on what you want to use it for:

Deer hunting -> Vangaurd
Survival/Bushcraft -> Punk (tough steel, flat grind)
Survival/short machete/chopper -> Hoodlum (same reasons only very, very long)
Zombie apocalypse and hanging with mall ninja crowd -> Reaper


Note Buck... Flat grinds for general purpose outdoor knives please. Ron Hood got it. Follow his lead.
 
Of the ones listed the Reaper is the only one I have. It might look mall ninja and have a silly name but the knife is good. Very good,It can Bushcraft with the best of them. I like mine more then I ever thought I would.
 
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