Help me decide about which knife

[t.r.]

I've rec'd a nice sum of cash from my kids for my B-day. But can't decide between BUCK 102 or 105.

I'm focused upon BUCK because of its reputation.

The 105 is longer but appears to be nearly same use-able shape as the 102. This knife will be used to dress white tail deer.

Please provide your suggestions.

Thank you.

TR

[Nath]

My Buck knieves are great, only owned two, a ranger and a 6" special.

The special is my bow hunting knife

Other than that I can't advise. Is one of your choices the 'woodsman'? If so a bud has one and is a very usefull blade, I am still waiting for him to give it to me

N.

[L_Kilkenny]

Look instead at the Buck Vangards and Mini-Vangards. I think the Mini may of been a Bass Pro exclusive and may not be available any more but it is my favorite knife. Pictured here with my 949:


BTW, bought it at Bass Pro last winter for $50.

LK

[Marlin32]

105, that is what I gave my father a few years ago.
I have the old Buck 121, a couple of them. That is the best all around one and they quit making it.

Ka-Bar hunting knife will work well too!

[adirondakjack]

For my tastes, though the Buck 102 is a classic, it is a little long for field dressing deer. Unless ya got really long fingers, I wouldn't want a knife over 3.5" for the job. The reason is, with a knife of the right size, you can lay yer index finger beside the blade, all the way to the tip when going in after a windpipe, etc. A big knife is clumsy for that kinda work. I also like a little bit more of a round belly to a dressing knife.

[Griff]

Browning Whitetail fixed blade. I have a couple of Browning knives and love 'em. For a hunting knife I much prefer a fixed blade over a folder, no getting stuff inside the folder part, easily cleaned and with their 3- 3-½" blades, just the right length for skinning/gutting.

[Hobie]

Those are U.S. made blades, right?

[jeepnik]

Of the two, I'd prefer the 102. But, in my opinion, neither is well suited for dressing deer. There are many better blade designs for that chore.

[Blaine]

Either of those Bucks will be wonderful. IMO, get a diamond sharpener, the Buck steel is so hard, you will find it easier to take of. After you get the right edge, polish it on a good piece of leather, and you can skin the entire deer easily. (if you don't try to go thru the bones, anyway )

[adirondakjack]

Browning Whitetail fixed blade. I have a couple of Browning knives and love 'em. For a hunting knife I much prefer a fixed blade over a folder, no getting stuff inside the folder part, easily cleaned and with their 3- 3-½" blades, just the right length for skinning/gutting.

That's what I'm talkin about

[Dave]

Neither one of those choices seems like an ideal deer knife. The Buck 102 with cocobolo handles might be worth considering.

[Pitchy]

I still carry a assortment of different fixed blade knives during deer season until a buddy thats shot more deer than i can count showed me that all he uses is his Leatherman.
Plenty of blade for the job and that little saw works great for sawing through the pelvic bone, started using mine and found he was right.

[RIHMFIRE]

Both are good knives....and I pretty sure both of those are US made...
bought my BIL one many years ago....super sharp and holds an edge...
but for skinning whitetail....I like a drop point, shorter blade...
Cant go wrong with either....

[madman4570]

Got fancier knives "but" if you want a USA made knife for deer hunting etc. I have yet to find a more ergonomic/sharper easier handling knife than http://www.backcountry.com/gerber-gator-ii-folder-knife

No sheath required/the material of the handle just makes that knive carry very well in your pocket and the blade is plenty big.
I have a Buck 102 but I carry the Gerber. This is one time cheaper price isnt cheaper knife.

[BigSky56]

I use Mora knives , sandvik stainless steel and has a built in angle for easy sharpening, can get thru a elk or steer before I need to touch up the edge best thing their 12$ weight is 4-5 oz.http://www.ragweedforge.com/11824.jpg. danny

[mklwhite]

I use Mora knives , sandvik stainless steel and has a built in angle for easy sharpening, can get thru a elk or steer before I need to touch up the edge best thing their 12$ weight is 4-5 oz.http://www.ragweedforge.com/11824.jpg. danny

I know the question was about buck knives... so I wasn't going to post my opinion as I've on;y handled one or two and it wasn't to skin anything. However when I saw that Danny echoed what I was thinking I just had to chime in. I have skinned and processed deer with my mora and it was still plenty sharp when it was over. They are a great knife. You can find youtube videos of guys pushing those blades way beyond what I would do. Chopping at metal and cinder block. Bending the heck out of them and they come back for more. They are an excellent value and my goto fixed blade.

[t.r.]

Thanks for the input.

- I already own a Martiinni (Finland) knife and love it except handle is small for my hand
- Mora's are well built but not exactly eye-appealing to me
- I've never cared for Gerber's single edge grind
- The Browning custom knife is very attractive but outside my budget
- BUCK mini Vanguard is no longer available

I located a BUCK 102 with cocobolo handle on eBay for a fair price.

TR

[Bruce]

I have a Browning very similar to Griff's and I highly recommend it. I know some butcher shop people who speak very highly of Gerber knives.

[BigSky56]

TR the old moras wont win any beauty contests but the new clipper, companion and HQ allaround series knives look good and handle well they are available in CS&SS and when your hands are wet or bloody you dont loose your grip. at the price I get 3 or 4 at a time and give them to hunters and family that I guide for once a guy uses them and sees how easy you can sharpen them their hooked. Plus if you lose one you dont have to get a loan to replace it. danny
link to Mora knifes
http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html

[Jeff H]

I use Mora knives , sandvik stainless steel and has a built in angle for easy sharpening, can get thru a elk or steer before I need to touch up the edge best thing their 12$ weight is 4-5 oz.http://www.ragweedforge.com/11824.jpg. danny

Now, that's just dangerous and irresponsible - sending a fella there!

I have a number of custom knives (and have had a boatload in the past) that are the few that survived a thorough purge. They work great and were made by some great fellas, but to be completely honest, I have compared each end every one of those customs to the Mora 510 (discontinued and replaced with one with a finger guard - which is easily ground off), which cost me all of $10. The bright red plastic handle is garish, but easy to spot too.

I won't tell a man what kind of knife to buy if he has something in mind already, but I have found that the shorter blades (4" and under) have become the ones that work best for me. It needn't be any thicker than 3/32" and the height of the blade is good at 7/8" to 3/4". Beyond that, construction, materials and craftsmanship are what counts and I believe Buck meets those qualifications as long as you find one that fits you.

[Rusty]

Sorry this isn't what you asked but to let you know I've been a Buck fan for 40 years. I even have a #110X that Chuck Buck himself autographed for me, but went they went shopping in China I lost faith.
I bought a German made Puma and have been happy ever since.

[vancelw]

I've rec'd a nice sum of cash from my kids for my B-day. But can't decide between BUCK 102 or 105.

I'm focused upon BUCK because of its reputation.

The 105 is longer but appears to be nearly same use-able shape as the 102. This knife will be used to dress white tail deer.

Please provide your suggestions.

Thank you.

TR

SOG.jpg

I use this. It will reach in the the pelvic/anal cavity and cut all around the rectum without me having to go spelunking. It will cut thought the rib cage with ease ( I seldom save capes). I used a Buck folding knife with 4.5 inch blade for years, but this beats it by far.

[pokey]

Those are U.S. made blades, right?

right? one can only hope.