Which one?

S

street soldier

Joined
Feb 21, 2003
Messages
784
Hello. I've recently developed an interest in traditional slipjoint and lockback style knives. As such, I've gravitated towards the Buck brand, due to the reputation that their knives hold. I've also lurked around on this subforum for a while and have noticed what people have said in regards to the quality of Buck knives and to their excellent customer service. Plus the fact that the owner of the company and other 'higher ups' regularly visit is a nice personalized touch.

It was time to get my kids their first pocket knives and I went with a Trapper for the oldest and a Stockman for the middle one. The youngest insisted on a different brand, but after getting it home, the edge geometry was such that it didn't make a good cutter for him. So he will be getting a Buck knife of some sort shortly to compensate.

I had to get something to fuel the addiction as well, so I also picked up a Trapper and a Trio for myself. This was in addition to the Nobleman that I had gotten a week earlier. All are great knives and I look forward to many years of happy service.

Now, on to my question/ dilemma. Even though I have been EDC'ing both the Trapper and the Trio for the last couple of days, I want to pick up a lockback of some sort. I am aware of the high esteem that everyone has of the 110, and I think that it is a great knife. But I don't want something that requires a sheath. I want to be able to stick the knife in my pocket and not worry about it.

I have been looking at the 55, the 503, and the 501. All seem to fit the bill, as far as size, I believe. They seem pretty comparable overall. My question is this: Is the only real difference between the 55 and the 500 series knives, apart from the aesthetic brass vs. nickel bolsters and the handle material, the clip point vs. the drop point blade?

I am leaning towards the 500 series, as I prefer the drop point, but if there is some glaring issue that makes one better than the other, I would appreciate it if someone would let me know.

Thank you and I look forward to continued learning about Buck knives from all here.
 
I have no personal experience with the 55. However, the 501 and 503 are outstanding pocket knives. Nice classic look, great lockup, and great in the pocket. Either of these will be sure to satisfy you pocket knife needs.
 
Soldier welcome and thanks for the nice Buck words and starting your kids off right .I have always liked the 500 Duke w/ its 3" blade and classy appearence.Its offered in so many configurations one is bound to please you.Good hunting.Let us know what you end up getting.DM
 
I have to agree with David . I have always been a fan of the older Micarta 501's and they can be had at a reasonable price sometimes on that auction site. Recently, I have aquired a couple of the 500 Dukes. One was fairly beat up and needed a good clean up, But it was tight with a full blade and has a lifetime on use left in it. After getting it sharpened up, I have been carrying it daily. The shape of the handle and bolsters really makes for a great carry knife. Nice and flat with no sharp corners to wear your pockets out.The Duke is a big and sturdy knife , But it carries like a much smaller knife.
 
seaplane said:
...Nice and flat with no sharp corners to wear your pockets out...
Click to expand...

I found this statement to be absolutely true. I see lots of jeans with wallet outlines worn in them, and although I prefer a 560 in my front pocket, I can see how a regular user would get a knife "print" in their pocket.

In fact, it's such an obvious annoyance, that I wonder if this was not one of the reasons that Buck rounded off the 110...I have both flat and round scaled/bolstered 110's, and those sharp corners are real jean ruiners... :D

(Heh...Is that a Buck knife in your pocket, or are you just happy...) :p
 
Soldier,

I have carried a 110 edc for years usually with jeans or work pants without a
sheath. Its never been a burden and doesnt get too beat up even though it shares the pocket with my change. For dressier ocassions and with shorts I agree with Dave and others about the 500 Duke-personally my favorite knife.
You can also go with the 112-not as thin as the 500 series but shorter than
the 110. I have and like the 503 but I personally like a "big honkin" knive as 300 Bucks calls it, and find knives smaller than the 500 to be too small(IMO).

Welcome to the forum
Fritz
 
Okay, so I head over to Bass Pro Shops today to check out the 55, 501 and 503 and decide which one I'm going to pick up. The lady at the counter is very pleasant and pulls out all three for me to handle.

After much debate, I settle on the 503. It just felt right and disappeared into my pocket when I slipped it in there. So she gets one from the case and gives it to me to inspect. There is a little wobble with the blade so I ask her if she has anymore.

She looks but can't find any. I'm checking out the one that's in the display case when she pulls out another box and opens it up. Out drops a 347, Vantage Pro! She makes an offhand comment that it was supposed to have been put out in the display case but someone must have accidentally put it away.

I asked to see it and she handed it over. The thing is a tank! The lock up is rock solid; no blade play at all. Aesthetically it is a work of beauty. And with the pocket clip, it disappears in my pocket. The flipper, while not a necessity, is a nice touch and it opens as smooth as butter.

I asked her how much it was and she told me $44.99. I kindly told the saleslady that she wouldn't need to put it in the case as I would take it right then and there.

Add in a Buck sharpener and I was one happy customer.

Can't wait to try it out.

Still planning on picking up the 503, but with all the talk I see on here about the trouble of finding the 347, I had to pick it up.

Thanks for listening.
 
Lucky find,
I was at BPS in Myrtle Beach a couple weeks ago and they had no Vantagi
(plural for vantage?;)) at all. Should be happy with that for sure.
 
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