Coupla Bucks

[Onomea]

For those of you who own Buck knives, are you aware of their warranty whereby if you mail them your knife, they will polish it up and resharpen it, what they call their “spa” treatment, and mail it back to you, for $6.95?



The knife above I acquired in the early 1980s or maybe late 1970s. My pal gave it to me because he managed to lose a SAK I’d lent him. It was a hard knife to sharpen, and was looking a bit rough after 40 years. I gave it to my youngest son some time ago, when he was maybe ten or so, and was surprised that he, now 26, recently remembered it. I had Buck refurbish it so that I can give it to him when he comes home next time.

That knife, the 102 Woodsman, is a very small sheath knife. Since I’d no longer have a Buck sheath knife in the house, I thought I’d best get a new, bigger one for me:



The new one is a 120, “the General,” I think it is called. The model seems to have been around since the early 1960s or so. I was surprised at how light it is compared to, say my Falkniven A1 or my Cattaraugus 225Q. But, it is nicely balanced. Has a large, very comfortable handle, too. The blade, at over 7” is a bit large for most practical purposes, but, properly sharpened, would make a nice carving knife. (I have yet to come across a truly razor sharp new knife here in the US. Japan, yes.)

The 120 will probably spend its time with me as a bookshelf or desk knickknack, as most of my knives do, but I enjoy having a new knife. It’ll go, along with the rest of them, to one of my sons when the time comes.

[NB4EST]

They're far from my favorite blades to re-sharpen if I'm restricted to Arkansas stones. However, several passes on an EZE-LAP diamond stone, followed by a few licks on a "crock stick", then pulling any Buck I ever owned across smooth leather a dozen times literally makes shavers of'em.....Different strokes....

[Dougaz]

From the Buck web site:

https://www.buckknives.com/about-kni...ever-warranty/

[Texas Star]

I think $10 replacement blades refers to folders.

YouTube has good Model 120 videos. One teen honed his well and whacked a water bottle in half with it

I have 3 Model 120's. I just like them. Also Model 105 and Model 119.

Model 120 was in several movies and TV shows, inc the, Scream series.

[Onomea]

T-Star, I reread blade replacement on Buck’s site, and you are correct: $10 blade replacements refer to folders. I have edited my original post. Thanks!

[chief38]

I won't buy another Buck knife!

Nothing wrong with them but other than a Buck Model 110 I still have, I have lost every Buck pocket knife I've ever had! I have never lost any other brand knife and I'm not really superstitious, but I have not had good luck holding on to Bucks!

The very last one I lost slipped out of my pocket when exiting a car. It fell out when I opened the door and just my luck ..... there was a sewer drain right there!

Never lost any other brand - go figure!

[Jonzim]

Sent in my Buck 112 and it came back sharp and looking like new. Great deal.

[Kid44]

he hadn't taken the best care of it. Sent it to Buck for their
"spa treatment". It came back looking like a brand new knife, I gave it to my son who will cherish it forever. I was very impressed by the before and after condition of the knife on it's return to me. You can spend way more on a knife than a Buck but I see no reason to, Buck makes a great knife, as long as you stick to Made in USA models.

[hivel37]

About 50 years ago I had a Buck Stockman that I broke the
clip blade while cleaning a redfish. Misuse I know. I sent it
in for new blade and was sent a new knife. The bolsters were
made differently on the new one.
I’d rather have the old knife broken blade and all.

[eveled]

You have to tell them it’s sentimental to you. Or they may just replace the whole knife. I’ve had a half dozen 110’s and 112’s get new blades. Some of the other smaller folding knives Buck did not make, so they don’t have a lot of parts.

[Onomea]

Originally Posted by Texas Star

....I have 3 Model 120's. I just like them.....

T-Star, I know you have spent a lot of years considering knives, and reviewing them in respected publications. I have a lot of respect for your opinion on knives.

As a new owner of the model 120, though a long-term owner of Bucks, I would like to know what it is about the 120 that appeals to you. Knowing would, I think, increase my appreciation of this fine knife.

[Texas Star]

Originally Posted by Onomea

T-Star, I know you have spent a lot of years considering knives, and reviewing them in respected publications. I have a lot of respect for your opinion on knives.

As a new owner of the model 120, though I long-term owner of Bucks, I would like to know what it is about the 120 that appeals to you. Knowing would, I think, increase my appreciation of this fine knife.

Well, it's one of the more inexpensive Bowie types, light for size and quick to use. I like the balance, and it;ll chop some lighter limbs, although I don't baton wood with a knife. The handle is very durable, and the sheath is better than most factory ones. If the edge is well honed, the blade will chop a plastic water bottle in half, which is pretty dramatic to see.

It has the blade length to kill a dangerous animal and has been the companion of many a soldier. It's stainless, unlike the USMC Ka-Bar.

And I just like how it fits my hand and the way it swings and thrusts. It'll kill a good sized fish with one whack. Or behead a game bird.

I don't see it as a paring knife, but it can serve as one and can make a fuzz stick easily.

And I'm sort of amused by Hollywood's use of it.

I guess it just sort of sings to me and I like the song.

[Onomea]

Thanks, T-Star. Well said!