What is it about a 118?

[Boattale]

There's something that is just so right about the 118. Blade length? The perfect proportion between blade and handle with balance right in your hand? Is it the subtle finger grips in the handle? The guard that provides protection from finger slipping forward to the blade and just the right amount of thumb rest? The pommel that helps with control while using the knife? My 118 is a pro. So is it the BOS treated S35 VN blade that takes and holds such a screaming edge? Is it that beautiful green micarta that has such a nice grip? Is it that old school black leather sheath that keeps knife and user safe?

IMHO, those characteristics come together to make a truly wonderful knife. But they're not what it is about a 118 that makes it so unique and desirable. To me, it's the blade shape. That sweeping narrow but still super strong clip is really one of a kind in my knife experience. They are truly GREAT knives. It would be a never ending debate but the 118 Pro is my nomination for the best production fixed blade knife Buck has ever made.

Thoughts?

 

[BP_]

They are great knives, and yours is a fine example. I like the 5160 version as well.

 

[pjsjr]

The 118 has been my choice for the field since the late 60s. I have tried others thinking that the 118 can't be that good/versatile of a knife. My conclusion is, yep, it can be and is!
Top photo my first 118.

Members of the 118 clan.

 

[MT_Pokt]

I said in another 118 thread that the reason they discontinued it was because it's the perfect hunting knife. Folks would get one and realize that and be not by another hunting knife.
Buck seen this and discontinued it so people would keep buying knives looking for the perfect hunting knife again.
It's marketing brilliance, really.

I could be wrong though...

 

[Meadowlark]

It's just the perfect design.

It's all you need.

 

[Old Hunter]

Long my favorite hunting knife. My first Buck 118 in the top picture, bought new at a pawn & gun on Bragg Blvd in Fayetteville NC. My favorite (a two line) in the middle picture, my oldest (a one line) in the bottom picture.

 

[kyhunt]

I haven’t used mine in the outdoors yet. I have used it in the kitchen frequently. I told my wife a few months back that if Buck ever brought the 118 back it was one knife I would buy in a heart beat. While I like other knife designs better I like the 119, the 118 is just about perfect for most applications I would ever need. Mine is 5160.

 

[eveled]

I always felt the clip point models looked best. I believe Buck made them because they are what an American raised in the 50’s WANTS a knife to look like. I mean just look at them, be still my beating heart!

The 105 118 and 121 were obviously designed by and made for the guy who put function over form. The guy who knew how to use a knife on game animals



The Caper, Skinner, and to an extent the Sportsmans Axe were made as single purpose game processing tools.

 

[tinfoil hat timmy]

I like how pokey it is.

Eta i have a 102 i very much like. The 118 looks a Smudge bigger based on the above comparison.

Amazing how little money is worth these days