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Picking out the right knife can be overwhelming. It's best to ask yourself these questions when trying to make a decision on what to purchase.

WHAT DO YOU WANT IN A KNIFE?

  • How will you use your knife?

  • What features are important to your activities?

  • What materials are most critical to the use?

  • What safety features do you expect?

WHAT FEATURES ARE IMPORTANT TO YOUR ACTIVITIES?

  • Fixed-blade - sturdy, dependable, always ready for use.

  • Folding knife - compact, safe to carry. Most lock open for safe use.

  • Blade Shape - what shape best serves your needs. See our blade shape section for more info

  • One-hand open/close - essential when one hand is occupied.

  • Thick blade - heavy-duty tasks.

  • Lightweight - feel unencumbered, easier in your pocket.

  • Gut hook - field dressing/skinning game.

  • Saw tooth - cutting wood or bone.

  • Ergonomic design - fits your hand comfortably.

WHAT IS IT MADE OF? WHAT MATERIALS ARE CRITICAL TO YOUR USE?

Blade Steel

A good blade combines good edge retention, rust resistance and ease of re-sharpening.

  • 420HC is a stainless steel that provides excellent rust resistance, ease of re-sharpening and medium edge retention.

  • 154CM is a custom steels with much higher carbon content, giving it a higher hardness ratings and dramatically higher edge retention.

  • S30V is a high vanadium stainless steel with even higher edge retention.

Handle Materials

  • Rubber, Micarta and textured handles provide a superior grip in wet conditions.

  • Wood and metal handles provide durability and aesthetics.

  • Composite handles provide fit, grip and durability.

WHAT SAFETY FEATURES DO YOU EXPECT?

  • Would you prefer a knife that locks open? Locks open and closed?

  • What type of locking mechanism makes you feel the most comfortable? See Fixed vs Folding for locking mechanisms

  • For a fixed blade, would you prefer a larger blade guard?

  • Also consider handle materials for a better grip depending on its intended use.

Fixed vs. Folding

First, you must decide between a fixed blade or folding blade. Fixed blades are heavy duty, easy to clean and easily accessed with a sheath. Folders are very safe; most lock open and won't accidentally open in your pack or close on your hand. They may be harder to clean and you have to be careful of keeping the folding mechanisms clean, but they are easier and more convenient to carry and conceal. Whether you decide on a fixed blade or folder, you also need to pick a blade shape and steel that best suits your needs.

Fixed Blades:

A fixed-blade knife will never surprise you in use because it is a solid piece of steel.Fixed-blade knives are one solid piece of metal that can have tang or full-tang construction at the handle end. “Tang” construction has a taper that disappears into the handle (wood or other material). Full-tang construction has a solid metal frame, to which “handle slabs” are attached on either side. Full-tang knives are stronger, but a little heavier with a handle anchored to it. If you are looking for a blade you really trust for tough jobs, such as field dressing and tough camping tasks, a fixed-blade is the best choice.

Folding Knives:

Folders combine the safety of a closed blade and the carrying convenience of compact size. Folding knives have different methods of opening and closing. Not all folding knives lock, but those that do are commonly referred to by their locking mechanisms.

Folding Knife Locking Mechanisms

Lockback

Locking folding knives have mechanisms that lock the blade in the open position, activated by opening the blade all the way. A lockback gets its name from a rocker (rocking “lock” bar) partially visible on top of the knife. Opening the blade causes the “rocker” to lock against the blade so it locks open. Pushing down on the rocker on top of the handle releases it and enables the user to close the blade. Lockbacks require two-hand closing, though some are one-hand openers.

Liner Lock

A “Liner Lock”  (AKA “locking liner”) is a folding knife that locks open via a tensioned metal liner inside the handle. Similar to a “Lockback” opening the blade activates the lock. Unlocking is achieved by placing the thumb on the front part of the liner and pushing to the left, which releases the blade. Liner locks are typically one-hand open, one-hand close. A blade thumb stud or hole enables one-hand opening.

Frame Lock

A frame lock functions like a liner lock, but the locking mechanism is a section of the handle “frame”-on the side of the knife. The “frame lock” is a channeled lock arm that moves inward to lock against the blade when the knife is opened. Pushing outward releases it from its “locked position” so the user can close the blade. Benefits are fewer moving parts and lighter weight. Frame locks are typically one-hand open, one-hand close.

Button Lock

A push-button is usually located near the front of the handle. The push-button acts as a lock in either the closed or open position. Pushing the button unlocks the blade and allows you to open or close it. Button locks may be one-or two-hand open, one-or two-hand close.

Strong Lock System (SLS)

This is a newer locking mechanism and may be referred to as “Strap Lock” by others in the industry. Utilized on our 830 Marksman model, the SLS uses a metal “strap” along the spine of the knife as a lock bar. Using a flipper to engage the blade, the strap lock bar snaps into the blade lock recess at which point the strap and blade are aligned linearly providing a configuration similar to a fixed blade knife. It has proven to be one of the strongest locking mechanisms available. To disengage the blade, simply lift up the strap with your thumb and use your other hand to rotate the blade closed.

Assisted-Opening

With assisted-opening knives, the user initiates the blade opening, after which a mechanism completes the opening. Typically, the user presses on part of the blade, then once the blade has moved past a detent, the assisted-opening mechanism takes over and opens the blade the rest of the way. A safety lock prevents accidental blade opening-the user disengages it prior to blade opening, then re-engages after the blade is closed. Assisted-openers are typically one-hand open/ one-hand close.

Note: Knife laws may apply (not to be confused with automatic or switchblade type knives).

Pocket Knives

Pocket knives are still high on the list of favorites - great to carry in your pocket for all the times you might need a blade. The blades don't lock open, but that's not critical for their utilitarian use. When a non-locking blade is opened, generally a spring holds the blade in the open position. Typically, pocket knives are two-hand open/close and have nail notches to aid opening.

Usage & Safety

At Buck Knives, we encourage you to use your knife safely.

BUCK KNIFE SAFETY TIPS:

  • Always handle your knife with care!

  • Cut away from your body, not toward it.

  • If you drop your knife, let it fall. Don’t attempt to catch it.

  • Never run with a knife.

  • Don’t throw a knife to anyone. Hand it to them, handle first.

  • Never point a knife at anyone.

  • Do not use a locking blade if the lock will not lock open. Make sure the lock is working before using it.

  • Keep your knife folded or sheathed when carrying or storing.

  • Use a sharpening stone, not a power grinder to sharpen your knife. A power grinder can make the edge brittle and will void the warranty.

  • Use the right tool for the job.

  • Don’t use a knife for prying. It can cause the tip to break, possibly causing injury.

  • Use in a well-lit area, so you can see what you’re doing.

  • Do not use a knife “live” electrical items like appliances.

  • Keep your knife clean, particularly the locking mechanism.

  • Keep your knife oiled and sharp. A sharp knife is safer than a dull one.

  • Don’t try fixing a Buck knife yourself. It is dangerous and voids the warranty.

  • If you get cut, seek first-aid immediately.