Buck 119 special....

[New Hampshire]

Anyone have one/use one?  Im looking for a 6" fixed blade knife (Im sticking to 6" because thats the legal length allowed should it become concealed even though its actually for oods use.)  I dont really want to spend more then $40.  The only thing Im not sure about is how "slippery" the handle may or may not be.  Any problems there?  Im not looking for an actual "hunting knife" in the sense for gutting and skinning.  I have a Wyoming knife for that.  Im just looking for a last ditch stabbing weapon should I loose my gun hunting, or walking in the woods without a firearm (say like hiking or out with the ole camera.)  Sometimes it just easier to carry a nice light knife than a 2 or 3 pound handgun.  So any opinions on this knife?
Thanks in advance
Brian M.

[TimWieneke]

Brian - Don't know about the buck knife but I just finished forging a very light blade for myself about 8" long.  It's not impossible to make a light 6" blade - many commercial blades are ground too thick imho.

As far as a slippery handle - that's usually an easy fix.  Just take some medium grit sandpaper to it.  I used to live in Boston and I found that with the cold weather up there - warmer handles are less slippery in the cold hunting seasons.  Knives like the Buck Vanguard are warmer as it's a hidden tang and does not put your hand in direct contact with a lot of warmth-sucking metal.  Knives like the Buck Alpha Hunter - on the other hand - are very slick and suck the warmth right out of yours fingers, rendering you fingers less sensitive and more prone to slipping....  Just a personal observation.

I will say this - as much as I love knives, they aren't guns.  If it were a personal defense issue and I could carry a very lightweight gun like a .38 or one of those small .380 pistols.  

Just to throw another monkey wrench into the issue - have you considered a tomahawk with a hammer head on the reverse?  I've found these to be very, very handy tools for a myriad of tasks -  and would make a very effective personal defense implement.

BTW - Why not take the gun, the knife and the tomahawk?  

Tim

[7magWoodsman]

Brian - Don't know about the buck knife but I just finished forging a very light blade for myself about 8" long.  It's not impossible to make a light 6" blade - many commercial blades are ground too thick imho.

As far as a slippery handle - that's usually an easy fix.  Just take some medium grit sandpaper to it.  I used to live in Boston and I found that with the cold weather up there - warmer handles are less slippery in the cold hunting seasons.  Knives like the Buck Vanguard are warmer as it's a hidden tang and does not put your hand in direct contact with a lot of warmth-sucking metal.  Knives like the Buck Alpha Hunter - on the other hand - are very slick and suck the warmth right out of yours fingers, rendering you fingers less sensitive and more prone to slipping....  Just a personal observation.


I will say this - as much as I love knives, they aren't guns.  If it were a personal defense issue and I could carry a very lightweight gun like a .38 or one of those small .380 pistols.  

Just to throw another monkey wrench into the issue - have you considered a tomahawk with a hammer head on the reverse?  I've found these to be very, very handy tools for a myriad of tasks -  and would make a very effective personal defense implement.

BTW - Why not take the gun, the knife and the tomahawk?  

Tim

add a good water purification system and your set for the "survival situation"

[Joel]

My own" wander out the back door" outfit these days consists, usually, of my 6" bladed A-2 steel/black micarta handled knife that I ground with a serious distal taper to it so it weighs 7.5 oz(less than a Buck 110), an old tomahawk that first belonged to my dad that I've carried for years, and a NEF 12 ga with the barrel cut down to 18 inches and fitted with Uncle Mike's swivels and a cartridge carrier that holds 5 rounds.  Weighs about 4.5 lbs; not much more than some of these larger Mag pistols weigh.  Actually probably less than the scope sighted ones.  Not fun to shoot(with slugs) but has a high security quotient.  Usually carry a 6' walking stick also that I made which has a 3" piece of 1/4" stainless rod sharpened to a triangular point.  We've been having some serious black bear problems here in central Pa lately(had a BIG one stick his head in my cellar door!), plus the knife and the Hawk take care of any cutting/light chopping/pounding needs I need while hiking/canoeing/messin' around etc.  I think a lot more folks would be carrying a 'hawk once they used one.  Both the Native Americans and the white woodsmen didn't lug them around just for looks and fighting.

[TNrifleman]

I have used a Buck Special for the past 15 years or so. Great knife. It is well balanced, nicely designed, and finely crafted. Mine takes and holds a very good edge. I understand that many private purchase Buck Specials went to Vietnam for use by our soldiers. In my book, that's a good recommendation. The knife is not slippery in my hand, even when wet or bloody. I highly recommend the 119 as a good field knife. Today, we have many good knives to chose from. You won't go wrong with the Buck.

[anthony passero]

i loved my buck special. i had the blade ground a little bit thinner and it took and held a wicked edge. my ex who still lives in montana took possession of it and used it as her everyday camp and kitchen knife!!!

                                         anthony

[Bob]

I've got a customized 119 that is great. I reprofiled the edge to app 15* per side and it takes a very sharp edge and holds it well. My grip is non standard so I can't speak to the factory grip as I haven't used one yet. If it's like everything else Buck, it's built right.
Bob

[Prof. Fuller Bullspit]

I have a 119 and haven't had a problem with the handle at all. It works well. You guys have me interested in the hawk. How do you carry them safely?

[DWARREN123]

I have had one for quite a few years now and it is okay but I like the Gerber Gator I got last year better.