Which drop-point--BM 190, Gerber Freeman, or Buck Alpha Hunter Standard?

K

Kevan Taylor-Perry

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Sep 3, 2000
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It's time for a new drop-point fixed blade for hunting. I'm torn between the three: The Benchmade 190, the Gerber Freeman or the Buck Alpha Hunter Standard. All three seem like quality knives, but I'd like some input on which gets the nod for the highest quality of the three. I'm leaning heavily towards the Benchmade out of personal preference, but the Gerber looks promising. The Buck Alpha intrigues me. Decisions, decisions....Help!
 
I'd like to know what kind of steel the Gerber Freeman has. The web site says "Surgical Stainless Steel". I'm guessing it falls somewhere between 420 and 440a considering that the word "surgical" is a generic marketing name. I tried calling Gerber, but they told me the same thing that there site says. Boring! Go with the Benchmade.:cool:
 
My trusty Cabela's catalog says the Gerber Freeman is 440A. It also says the Buck Alpha is ATS-34. My trusty Benchmade catalog says the BM190 is 440C. By the way, the Buck Alpha I'm referring to is the fixed-blade, not the folder.
 
Oops! The Buck Alpha is ATS-34 only on the rosewood handles one The rubber handles one is 420HC. Price difference of about $24 more for the ATS-34. The BM190 costs a bit less than the Buck Alpha ATS-34. The Gerber Freeman, of course, costs less than either. But price is not the object here. So far, I agree with you Wunderbar---Benchmade.
 
I should have checked the Gerber website! The Freeman is AUS-8. Just for fun, I checked the Buck website and they also have a fixed blade Alpha with walnut handles that is 420HC. The Rosewood handled is indeed ATS-34 and the rubber handled is 420HC. Hmmmm.....maybe I just ought to get all three.
 
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