Walmart Buck Mayo Cutback #174

[oregon]

Artistic & compact looking framelock with 440C blade steel and smooth stainless steel handle. Knife and blade are the same sophisticated gray satin (clip, tip down, is same exact color and anodized feel). 7.25 inches overall. Brilliantly sharp slicing edge. Confidence inspiring precision framelock works perfectly open (sweet click sound upon lockup) and closed.:thumbup:

I found that, I'm right-handed, the thumb studs work best using the flat edge of my thumbnail to begin opening then roll to the fleshy part of my thumb pushing the stud opening the blade. The framelock employes itself slightly to keep the blade closed which makes the initial opening push slightly stiff.

The Cutback weighs 3.3 OZ. About 3/4 inch shorter (OAL) than the larger and similar, 8", Buck Mayo Hilo #179 4OZ. Both knives have 5 lightening holes on the handles, both have framelocks, 440C blades and steel handles. I didn't see the Hilo there, unfortunately.

Found it on the rack, bubble packed, with other Bucks and such in sporting goods. $29.94. Last one. Lebannon, OR.

Way to go Mayo, Buck and Walmart.

http://www.buckknives.com/images/uploads/med_174-1-700x700.jpg

Best,

oregon

 

[misque]

Yeah, I bought a Hilo and was pleasantly surprised at the tight fit, nice look and feel of the knife. I haven't gotten around to testing the edge retention on the Chinese 440c but it took a very scary edge when I put it to the Spyderco Sharpmaker ultra fine stones.

If you test the edge holding of it, please post your results.

Nice review!

All the best,
Mike U.

 

[wwells20]

I carry a Cutback, off and on, and have found it to hold an edge comparable to my BM555 440c. I will say the BM feels (or sounds) harder when I sharpen it, but both knives are very comparable in edge retension. One other thing i have noticed, the earlier 174 models had a higher primary grind than the ones I see now.