Over-rated Buck knives

The first knife that dad gave me when I was a wee lad, was a Buck. Still have it to this day, in the original leather sheath I made for it. I gutted and skinned many a deer and elk using that Buck... it worked well for me.

Now days, most knives, like many other things, are made as cheap as possible....
Best to find that quality knife that works for the job...and hold it forever.

 

Lots of folks may not know this, but Buck knives are heat treated to excellence --so much in fact, many custom knife makers are willing to pay for the Paul Bos heat treat. A knife needs to be sharp, hold its edge, and remain in working condition. Buck knives do these things, and more.

And @Hanzo I do appreciate Bear as much as any normal person, but this cheerleader squad needs to come to a close. It gives me the willy's. That's just me as a member talking my mind, no mod hat on at the moment, nor is it needed here.

 

Perhaps this is the problem with a younger generation --they are not properly educated. Please allow me to tell you a short story. I am not trying to sell Buck knives, nor flame you for stating your opinion. As far as I see it, we've got ourselves a communication breakdown. Perhaps this occurred at some point after the State started educating our children. I remember as a child of ten, my father would be sitting at the kitchen table sharpening his Buck 110 on his favorite stone. This was no ordinary sharpening stone, like the fancy diamond types we see now, --no it was an Arkansas whetstone. I remember looking intently as he sharpened, watching his technique and studying every action. The stone is worn down heavily, a sign of frequent and long term use. The blade is old but in good shape, yet the wooden handle has seen better days. He allows me to inspect the blade carefully. Sharper than a razor! "Dad, is this the knife you used to kill that mountain lion you told me about?", I asked him. My father grew up in the 1940's and 1950's, and back then there weren't as many police, corporations or rules to follow. There also weren't as many gimmicks, fads, and disposable cheap items. A manufactured good needed to last or else the company would go out of business. My father skinned many deer and other animals with his folding Buck knife and he carried one his entire life, although not the very same knife. (note for researchers - the Buck 110 revolutionized the knife industry and started around 1964. So technically, my Dad also used other knives when he was a child. Other Buck knives, most likely...)

It seems to be like far too many kids these days want the easy answer, want the very best of everything delivered to them. They seem to miss the point that people like my father forged their answers with a lifetime of effort. And this is the difference I see with the youth of today compared to the older generation --one created the future with hard work, the other has the future planned out and handed to them while they hardly have to work.

A Buck knife epitomizes the working man's kind of blade. It isn't a specialized tool, it's a knife.

 

No offense at all. Bear is a wonderful guy, who doesn't like or admire him for his kindness and generosity?
Your PM was very kind and I respect your insight.

On the topic of knives, Mora and Victorinox are also high quality blade makers, and they fit nicely into the niche that Buck knives has been in for quite some time. I especially like how Mora has been at the lower end of the pricing, while Victorinox often scales a bit toward the higher end in pricing, but each are equal in quality and usability for various reasons. There's a new Mora full tang coming out later this year which will give many knife makers a run to catch up and compete, even if the Mora Garberg is expected to retail around $100. This price fits right in with several hunting blades from the Buck line.

 

You've stated your opinion, and each is entitled to their own. You shouldn't be surprised to find a few comments on a forum such as this in opposition to your own beliefs, but unlike your own, they are based on decades of experience, innovation, and tradition. Your opinion is valued for what it is, nonetheless.

And what is better than a quality item which endures? You may believe a Buck knife is antiquated, but it is also a hallmark of tradition and excellence to find such a long lasting product line. The heat treating made Buck so famous, and it revolutionized the industry and remains a great example of the finest work in modern history of steel heat treatment.

Now, one could say that they don't like the design of their tactical knives, and that would be a decent opinion, too. Perhaps some folks don't like the feel and look of their hunting line, maybe some are just too heavy and they prefer a lighter knife. These are examples of very good objections/opinions and they can welcome a discussion for other knives to be offered for critique and comparison.