Which Folder is Stronger? Buck or Kershaw?

C

Confederate

Joined
Sep 5, 2005
Messages
2,826
Hi. I'm looking at two knives and am interested only in strength and comfort. I'm looking at the Buck Cabela's Alaskan 110 and the Kershaw Bump. Both have s30v blades (black) and a roughly the same size. And of course if there's any significant difference in quality between blades, that would be nice to know.

I realize the Buck is a more traditional knife with brass and wood, but the Kershaw looks plentry strong, too, though with more modern materials.

If anyone has any views on this, please let me know. Also any druthers. I've heard great things about both knives. The Kershaw does sell for more, but I'm not conerned with opening speed.

Thanks!
 
I don't think you can really answer that question as it will come down to which of the two the poster likes best. Of those two, I like the Buck better, especially if it were a Custom Shop 110.
 
Yeah...that's okay. I'd like some opinions, though it's difficult to find people with strong opinions on this board. :D I just wanted to head off any potential problems with either knife, though I don't expect any with the Buck.

The shape of the Bump's blade turns some people off. Others find that its recurved configuration helps cut through some things a little better. Since I don't own a Buck, I was thinking of getting it.

Or, I might get both. I'd just like to hear some opinions.
 
This is kind of provocative question. You always may start huge flame with question like "What is better Kershaw or Buck, Canon or Nikon, Toyota or Honda, Republican or Democrats...".

There are Kershaw Forum and Buck Forum you may ask on each of them "How strong Kershaw" or "How Strong Buck", and have in result more informative answers then results of fanWars.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
I would have to say that the blade design of the Buck is more practical than the re curve of the Bump. Quality wise, they are both excellent. One other note, the Bump has a pocket clip and the Buck does not.
 
nozh2002 said:
This is kind of provocative question. You always may start huge flame with question like "What is better Kershaw or Buck, Canon or Nikon, Toyota or Honda, Republican or Democrats...".

There are Kershaw Forum and Buck Forum you may ask on each of them "How strong Kershaw" or "How Strong Buck", and have in result more informative answers then results of fanWars.

Thanks, Vassili.
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Hi, Vassili.

That would be:

Buck or Kershaw (to be determined)
Canon over Nikon
Honda over Toyata
Libertarian over Democrats/Republicrats
MacArthur over Marshall
South over North
Ice Cream over Bee Pollen

Cheers!

:cool:
 
Confederate, you do ask some questions that could be taken the wrong way, and truthfully, when I first started reading your posts I thought you were out to start flame wars. Now, truthfully again, several of your questions have provided me with some valuable information as I took time to reflect on the responses the posts received.:o So I apoligize to you for thinking you had another agenda,:D, and I can appreciate your question much more than before.:thumbup::thumbup: But I still don't think the Cold Steel Tanto can hold up to a Strider!!:eek:;):) Keep it up.....................the questions I mean.
 
cutter17 said:
Confederate, you do ask some questions that could be taken the wrong way, and truthfully, when I first started reading your posts I thought you were out to start flame wars.
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Well, don't tell anyone, but to me these things are just knives. I mean, how controversial can that be? Actually, I was surprised. I've already had one fellow here tell me he was going to put me on his "ignore" list because he took offense at something I said. I never thought anyone could get as "bent" over what I see as a friendly discussion. If I want controversy, there are dozens of political and religious sites I could frequent.

Now, truthfully again, several of your questions have provided me with some valuable information as I took time to reflect on the responses the posts received.:o So I apoligize to you for thinking you had another agenda.... Keep it up...the questions I mean.
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Thank you. I've been told my questions are better than my answers...which might not be a compliment now that I reflect on it. :D
 
Thomas W said:
Which Bump are you looking at? Frame or Stud Lock?
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I'm looking at the Ken Onion Opening Assist plain-edge Bump Model 1596, all black. The thing looks very comfortable, but that recurve blade kind of makes me wonder how I'd like it. The only reason I'd lean towards the Buck is that I've heard so many good things about the heat treat of the steel. I've got to admit I'm not fond of brass bolsters and finger nail slits, but who am I to argue with a legend?

Truth is, I'll probably get both.

I just wondered if anyone had both and had a preference.

Cheers.

.
 
If you like recurved blades, look at the Buck Kalinga Pro, I have a picture, below, of my (T - B) #408 fixed, #419 folder, and a #110 ('07's 'Collector Tin') for size comparison. The K-P's are S30V bladed. I EDC-ed that 419 for a while. Fantastic blade - I pulled it out at a Christmas party to trim some ham - didn't even mar the fine paper plates! It's the strongest and surest liner-lock I've ever tried, and one of few such I own. It runs $150 MSRP - expect to pay $95-$125 at a good source - full MSRP here at a yuppee store.

IMG_0456_edited.jpg


Stainz

PS The AG110 is nice, too. My AG110 and AG192 are definite keepers.
 
Thanks, Stainz! Beautiful knives. Great polish job on the 110's blade. I can
see a tiny scratch on your lens in the reflection. :D
 
That shiney 110 was the '07 'Collectors Tin' 110 sold at Wally World for $30 before Christmas. Leftovers were closeout priced $21. Many of them made it out of the Idaho factory without a year of manufacture indicated - probably something of a keeper. Heck, the run of the mill 110, usually $26 at Wally World, and it's Paul Bos heat treated 420HC blade, is one heck of a performer. I cannot tell the difference between my AG110 with it's S30V blade and most of my 110's (My EDC user is an exception - needing another touch up - my Spydie Sharpmaker gets it fine quickly.), as far as armhair shaving sharp. I know the S30V will go further between 'touchups', too. Mine is in a display stand with my two Buck Custom Shop 110s, a basic 110, and a 560XLT (A 110 with Ti handles.).

I have several older Kershaw Blurs, Scallions, a Chive (My wife's!), and Leeks - including my only recent Kershaw - a Damascus Leek from last autumn. They are all Kershaw's original knife blade metal (440A?). Several had to be heated to cut butter - they all took on a new life once that Sharpmaker arrived. The older Blur and Scallion were EDCs for 4+ yr. I have had no problems with any of them - save that dullness they acquired after my years of cutting anything & everything with them. The new Dam Leek did have a minor problem with a frozen clip screw (I remove all of my clips.), which all but twisted my Torx driver in a knot. Kershaw sent me new screws, a clip, and a keychain Torx driver 'kit' - gratis! Great Folks. Of course, Buck is legendary for their customer service.

All said, I'd get a 110 - even if 'just' a Wally World version - everyone needs a 110. And get the S30V Kershaw, too. If you get the regular 110 first, you may still have to get an AG110.

Stainz
 
Well, I ordered two Cabela's Alaskan 110s and got them in. One had some tool marks on the blade, but some polishing with Semichrome cleaned them up nicely. That same knife also had a leather sheath that wasn't quite up to par. The Buck emblem wasn't quite stamped well, but I wouldn't have thought anything about it if I hadn't seen the second one. Anyway, both knives are gorgeous. I can see why people rave about them.

What really amazes me is the quality Buck is said to get out of 420HC. Can Paul Bos really make 420HC better than, say, Boker's 440C? Boker, Spyderco, Benchmade and Cold Steel all use cryogenic quenching, but many Buck users seem to think of Buck's 420HC as almost a miracle steel. (Having never used it, I can't say.)

Anyway, I'm thrilled with Buck's quality and am glad I went with it first. Now I have to save my pennies for a Kershaw.

Oh, and regarding Kershaw's 440A, I've never used it, either, but I have some Cold Steel 440A knives that cut exceptionally well. The only company's steel I'm having problems with is CRKT's. But that's another thread.
 
They are both good enough for almost any cuttign tasks needed, buy what appeals to you more, its that simple...If it were me I would love and use either of those 2 knives, can't go wrong either way!
 
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