why no love for the Punk?

W

wheats09

Joined
Jun 28, 2011
Messages
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I have been contemplating getting the Punk for some time now. Seems like the perfect camp knife for me, length, steel, blade shape. It doesn't seem this knife gets much attention on the forums. Any particular reasons for this? Is there something I am missing?
 
Just my own twisted 2 cents on it...

I think it's a good thing for Buck to extend it's base.

While not my cup of tea, I think the general bushcraft/survivalist scene is closely related to Buck's hunting/camping tradition to work.

But I think Buck does best when they retain clear connections to their traditional lines.

To my eyes, the Punk looks like it could be made by anybody. CRKT, Bark River... really, anybody.

Could Buck use some fixed blade knives with drop points and thinner, flatter grinds for more general camp use and less specifically for hunting? Sure. But imo, they should use the traditional black handles. Or tie it more directly to some of the other hunting lines that I would recognize as "being a Buck knife". Heck, the problem could be easily solved by producing a larger version of Vantage and/or the Bucklite Max fixed blade.
 
"It doesn't seem this knife gets much attention on the forums. Any particular reasons for this?"

Changing the name might help.
 
pinnah said:
Just my own twisted 2 cents on it...

I think it's a good thing for Buck to extend it's base.

While not my cup of tea, I think the general bushcraft/survivalist scene is closely related to Buck's hunting/camping tradition to work.

But I think Buck does best when they retain clear connections to their traditional lines.

To my eyes, the Punk looks like it could be made by anybody. CRKT, Bark River... really, anybody.

Could Buck use some fixed blade knives with drop points and thinner, flatter grinds for more general camp use and less specifically for hunting? Sure. But imo, they should use the traditional black handles. Or tie it more directly to some of the other hunting lines that I would recognize as "being a Buck knife". Heck, the problem could be easily solved by producing a larger version of Vantage and/or the Bucklite Max fixed blade.
Click to expand...

I agree with the majority of this. I think Buck does better with the traditional knives and that is their wheel house. I've had the Hoodlum and didn't like it so I'm guessing I won't like the punk. There too big and for the uses of the knife just don't equate when it comes to cost. I can get a crap machete for $40 that will do the same thing these others will do. I'm guessing that if it wasn't a collaboration it probably would have gone away already.
 
Guess I should have posted this in the general forum. I get why Buck traditionalists don't dig it. Just seems like a great blade for my system /tastes.
 
Wheats, I'm glad you posted here. Question, would the punk have interested you if it had a more traditional (for Buck) handle?

What is it about the punk that you like? The blade shape? The steel?
 
shape and steel won me over on the Punk. The Buck name was a factor as well, even though I am not a fan of the traditional Buck look, I have great respect for the brand.
 
I love my Hoodlum and like the Punk. However, not enough to buy one. The Punk (bad name) is in a crowded market place, lots of competition in that size range.
 
6" knife is jack of all trades, master of none. Plus, it's a bit of a boutique item at that price.
 
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The market for the Punk is probably pretty small.

No doubt it's an excellent knife, but I think everybody who likes that type of thing spent all their excitement on the Hoodlum.

The Hoodlum was unique for several reasons and generated a lot of excitement.......the Punk, not so much.

:)
 
I nearly purchased a Punk recently but backed off after sticker shock. 5160 is tough stuff but the lofty price (even for a collaborative piece) caused me to think twice and walk away.
 
Yea I like the hoodlum alright, have not used it much but it feels decent just have too many other blades in the size of the punk such as beckers etc that are less spendy and will handle anything I can throw at them. I will buy one if I find a smoking deal but otherwise meh...
 
I hope Wheats09 returns to add more to the conversation.

Personally, I would love to see Buck offer some different blade patterns in their traditional 420HC/Phenolic handle line that were more oriented towards general outdoor use. I would love to see the Vanguard with a simpler Phenolic grip - something to slot in between the Vanguard and the Bucklite Max. Lots of people out there looking for traditional knives for general camping and bushcraft type stuff but who find the dramatic clips of the 119 and 105 off-putting.

Regarding the price of the Punk, seems in line with the Alpha and Ergo hunters, no?
 
The price is a little steep, but I like the blade shape and ffg over the offerings of Becker, and it's cheaper than the offerings from esee & fallkniven.
 
I like the Punk and need to get one soon to go with my Hoodlum. Maybe at this year's Buck Factory Sale. I do think its a bit overpriced. When most of the Buck line is priced under $75 the $100 plus knives seem too expensive.
 
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