Posts Tagged ‘buck knife’
Don’t Scrimp on the Knife
Whether you’re an avid hunter or a general outdoorsman, it’s important that you have a high quality knife that you can take on your various outdoor ventures. The uses for that knife can vary greatly, but every outdoorsman will tell you that a knife is indispensible in the wilderness. Just take the children’s book “Hatchet.” It wasn’t far off when the main character was able to survive in the Canadian wilderness simply by having a trusty hatchet at his side.
And while you probably won’t have to rely that heavily on your knife, it is nice to know that you have a high quality product to help you in the wilderness. When picking out your knife, make sure that you go with a company that has a lot of experience crafting knives. A new company might not be able to deliver the expertise that an established company can offer. So if given the choice, it’s best to purchase Buck knives with over 100 years of service than some fly by night knife company.
The Buck Zipper
I’m going to review the guthook hunting knife by Buck- the Buck Zipper.
I think you’ll like this knife. It’s a simple yet very effective knife created in response to some negative comments by customers in reference to the standard “guthook” knife.
Of course this is a classically well made and handsome knife…as are all knives made by Buck. It comes with a nice quality leather sheath and Bucks “Forever” warranty.
The Sheath: Made of good quality leather, it has a belt loop to allow the knife to hang comfortably and snap to secure the knife. It has heavy stitching and rivets so this sheath can take some abuse and protect the knife well.
The Knife: I’d have to say, this is a handsome knife. The blade is 4 1/4in made of 420 high carbon steel and is hollow ground. There is no skimping on the steel here- the blade has a good, thick spine. The guthook is ground on both sides making it far more effective than the “standard” guthook knives. This knife opens up an animal like a zipper! The handle is made of resin impregnated Birch wood that has been polished smooth and shiny! Both the butt cap and finger guard are brass. With an excellent fit and finish, this handle fits very naturally in the hand.
Knives very often reflect the taste and personality of the owner. This knife says “I have a refined taste” – so if your looking for a classy hunting knife…..
Why Buck?
Buck knives are famous for holding their edge. First, they use a specific steel for each type of knife. Second, they heat-treat their blades to match the end use of the knife. Third, their proprietary, computerized Edge2x⢠Technology was developed to edge their blades to be sharper out of the box, hold the edge longer and make sharpening easier. Their automated technology, combined with hand edging and sharpening, results in a consistent, thinner and sharper edge that lasts longer.
Buck has over 100 years of experience with making knives. Buck knives has developed many unique processes, and they know what works. Buck is dedicated to their craftsmanship, quality, integrity and customer satisfaction. All of their products are tested in -48º C (-55º F) temperatures without significant embrittlement of the blade, handle, or sheath materials. If you experience temperatures in the minus range, try to keep your knife dry and free of ice, and be sure to keep the blade lubed.
They don’t cut corners in materials, processes or workmanship; and they back it up with their famous 4-Ever Warranty. Buck Knives warrants that it will repair, adjust or replace its knives if they are found to contain any defects in materials or workmanship.
Survivormans Knife
The Buck 119 Special that Survivorman, Bear Grylls, uses is the most popular fixed blade Buck knife. It features a six inch clip point 420HC stainless steel blade that is hollow ground. It is 10.5 inches long and weighs in at 7.5 ounces (213 grams).
The handle on the Buck 119 Special knife is phenolic with an aluminum finger guard and butt. The standard black leather sheath is perhaps more traditional than the more modern kydex that some find superior.
Most people who buy the Buck 119 Special knife are very pleased with its performance and durability. Because this is a stainless steel knife it is less likely to pit when used in wet environments than the high carbon steel blades, a definite plus in many survival settings.
If you are looking for an overall good fixed blade survival knife that has been tested by thousands of outdoorsmen over the years, you may want to consider Survivorman’s knife, the Buck 119 Special.
Taking Care of Your Buck Knife
BUCK KNIVES ARE DESIGNED FOR CUTTING
Please don’t throw, pound, pry or chop with a Buck knife. It’s not safe and if you damage the knife using it that way, it may void the warranty. Strong impact or twisting can also damage your knife or worse, cause an injury. If you have a lockback blade, always check that the locking mechanism is in working order before you use it.
A SHARP KNIFE IS SAFER THAN A DULL ONE
Buck knives are built to last. Take good care of your Buck and it will serve you well.
Keep your knife dry; that means the entire knife, not just the blade.
Keep your knife clean, particularly moving parts and locking device.
Keep your knife oiled; especially pivot points and the blade.
Keep your knife sharp; a sharp blade is safer than a dull one.
Don’t try to repair a damaged knife yourself. Send it to Buck and they’ll do their best to make it good as new.
KNIFE CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Store your knife in a dry place, out of the sheath. Lightly wipe the blade with clean oil two to three times a year to keep rust from starting. You may need to oil more often if you live near water.
At Buck, they use stainless steel for the blade. They use other components that minimize the weathering effects of liquids and oxidation, because they want your knife to last. Cleaning and caring for your knife will maintain performance and enhance the life your knife.
CLEAN THE ENTIRE KNIFE REGULARLY
That includes the blade, pivot points and locking mechanism. It’s best not to immerse the knife in liquid. But if you do, be sure to dry your knife thoroughly. Spray cleaners are a good alternative. Clean and oil your knife regularly to avoid sticky residues, light surface oxidation and the beginnings of rust.
DISCOLORATION IS A SIGN OF OXIDATION
If you find the metal has a blue, grey or black color, it is a sign of oxidation and a precursor of rust.
Stainless steel, which is what Buck uses, does not discolor easily. If you do notice a change in the color of the metal, clean it immediately. It’s a sign of rust waiting to happen.
Discoloration is common to non-stainless steel. But regular cleaning will keep the metal from rusting.
NIP RUST IN THE BUTT
Rust is reddish-brown in color and will eat pits into your blade and contaminate what you cut. Light rust can be cleaned and removed with oil. Heavier rust requires more abrasive action.
Remember: Proper knife care is important to maintain the quality of your knife.