What are your thoughts on the Buck Hoodlum?

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Nikkogi

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Hello,

I was wondering what your thoughts are on the Buck Hoodlum?

I can't wait to buy this blade. To be honest, I was completely unaware of a survival instructor named Ron Hood. But nevertheless I am really looking forward to this blade. Very manageable weight, excellent sheath, 1/4 in stock, and just overall engineering. It is designed to not transfer shock which is mind blowing in my opinion. So yeah, what are your thoughts on this new survival tool?
 
It looks like a pretty good blade to me. However, it seems kind of like the answer to a problem that doesn't exist. I mean I think there are better blades to be had for that price. Notwithstanding all the piezo-electric mumbo jumbo. I'll stick with my Battle Rat with Res C.

Also, it looks sort of narrow (spine to edge). Might not be all that advantageous in chopping. Just my first thoughts.
 
I'm just excited to see Buck branch out from the norm not that theres anything wrong with what there currently offering I just think that Buck has alot of potential in the tactical/survival arena.
 
What is the price going to be? I'm assuming Tops has or will stop making it.
 
Ron is the real deal and has been teaching outdoor and survival skills for a long time. He prefers a larger knife than I do, but I may get this one. It is nice to see Buck branching out and doing this. For those who don't know, Ron is battling prostate cancer right now and if buying a knife helps him, then I am all for it.
 
It's a lighter weight take on most of the bigger knives out there now. It's not as heavy as most, but it's still ten inches long and you can swing it faster and more frequently than a heavier blade, while still being very capable.

For a general outdoors knife, I would still prefer something a little heavier and with a bit more width, and for $250 there are a lot of cheaper options out there that will get the job done just as good. But, the designer is a pretty cool guy (watch Nutnfancy's interview with him at SHOT 2011) and the knife does look sweet, so I might buy it some time.

Something I really like about it, though, is that because it's not as thick (edge to spine) it comes to a much finer tip. Coupled with reduced weight and it's reach, I think it would make a quicker and much more stabbier combat knife than something like a Junglas or BK9. The lighter weight also makes it even better for someone who has to hump it around all day.
 
If I had a use for it I'd be all over it because it looks like an awesome blade. The only reasons that I wont buy it are the facts that I have a limited, well near nonexistant income due to college, and I simply dont have a use for a knife like that. If the BSA didn't hate big fixed blades, I would get it for the summer though.
 
I have lots of big choppers like that. It looks good to me. Big knives are great for using in heavily wooded areas. They can do the work of a knife, an axe, and a machete. It's nice to see one from Buck designed by a real outdoorsman.
 
I wonder since Buck has partnered with TOPS if they will be repro'n any other designs? Like the hoodlum if the pricepoint is right I may try the one from buck
 
I'm getting one as soon as I can scrape up the cash luckily they should be going for around 150.00 street price. Will be intresting to read the reviews once they start getting out there and people start using them in the field.
 
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Just watched the vids last night.

Wish I had the money, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. The MSRP/list price is definitely not yet street price from vendors yet. It looks like a very good weapon/tool in one functional package and looks like it could be "alive" in the hand.
 
ElectrikHellfire said:
Notwithstanding all the piezo-electric mumbo jumbo.
Click to expand...

You must not have understood. During the development of the knife, they used piezoelectric sensors to measure the vibration during chopping. They used those measurements to gauge and refine the shock-absorbing properties of the design.

Your comment I quoted is like referring to the "thermometer mumbo jumbo" involved in heat treatment, or "chemistry mumbo jumbo" involved in metallurgy.
 
Mumbo jumbo indeed. One knifemaker even stated that hollow handles “Act like tuning forks, and actually TRANSMIT vibration.”

Umm, tuning forks are open at one end, that’s how they vibrate…. I guess he missed that part. Still, the myth persists. Fehrman knives utilize hollow handles as well, in addition to rubber gaskets, and they don’t transmit shock to your hand either. It may be rocket science to some, but some knifemakers can design hollow handle fixed blades that transmit less shock to your hand than solid handles. Let your hands decide if they are telling the truth or not. Hollow handles offer another big benefit: lower overall weight.

I have the original TOPS made Hoodlum, which has the same design, steel, handle, etc.
It is a great knife, very well designed and executed. It is also very light and fast. Mine weighs 14oz bare.

Yes, the handle does absorb shock, as stated. The whole design of the knife works well. 5160 does not hold an edge as long as some of the super steels, but it still works very well, and is about as unbreakable as it gets. Too bad I missed out on the Fehrman Hoodlum. This knife in 3V might be the ultimate.

Having owned or used most of the ‘Sharpened prybars” currently available, I can tell you that this knife is different, and, in many ways, better. Ron Hood stated that “The world is full of thick, heavy knives; this is not one of them.” He got that right. (Timed shelter building contest anyone?)

There are times when I really like using a machete. There are other times when a large knife is preferable. They often occur in the same day. This knife does both types of jobs with aplomb.

For the price, the Hoodlum, (or the Junglas), can take on the very best and easily hold its own.
 
i wonder how something like the kabar becker BK9 stacks up to the hoodlum in real world use.

buck hoodlum - 15.50", 14.6oz
becker BK9 - 14.75", 16.8oz
 
gomipile said:
You must not have understood. During the development of the knife, they used piezoelectric sensors to measure the vibration during chopping. They used those measurements to gauge and refine the shock-absorbing properties of the design.

Your comment I quoted is like referring to the "thermometer mumbo jumbo" involved in heat treatment, or "chemistry mumbo jumbo" involved in metallurgy.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but I understand completely. I just think it's bullshit. Giving my opinion does not infer confusion.

IMO any effect of creating a hollowed out tang would be negligible in actual practicality. I don't care what measuring device was used. I just don't see it as being noticeable in use. Additionally, I have to wonder if one can negate the effects in to a similar degree by just wearing some Mechanix gloves? Just my opinions.
 
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