Buck 55: OHUB Review | OutdoorHub

I’m an enormous fan of the Buck 110 folding knife, nevertheless it comes with drawbacks; it’s lengthy, and it’s heavy, and knives that measurement scare folks. The Buck 112 is a bit smaller, nevertheless it’s nonetheless sufficient knife to boost an eyebrow in hoplophobic firm. I used to be searching for one thing smaller final winter for an EDC, however I wasn’t searching for a knife made from unique (one other option to say “costly and hard-to-sharpen”) metal, and I wished a basic wooden deal with. Enter the Buck 55.

I wished to strive one this yr, however couldn’t discover one in shops. I turned to eBay as an alternative, ordering one for $67.52 delivered, just below Buck’s $69.99 MSRP.

This tiny knife simply suits within the palm of your hand. [Zac K.]

What It’s Made For

What I received: A conventional-looking lockback that can work as a non-frightening EDC in virtually any workplace surroundings. It can be used to pores and skin small sport or clear a fish on the weekend. Whereas I wouldn’t carry it as my main knife for large sport looking, it is a superb backup to a hard and fast blade.

Ranking: A conventional knife that’s robust sufficient for severe use.

9 / 10

The brief blade remains to be lengthy sufficient for a lot of outside chores. [Zac K.]

Blade High quality & Metal

The Buck 55 makes use of the 420HC chrome steel for the hollow-grind blade. Some fashionable customers may sneer at an older materials like this, however with their proprietary warmth remedy developed by Paul Bos, Buck’s knives nonetheless maintain their very own. The knife got here very sharp out of the field, which is sweet; the skinny blade could be troublesome to suit into many mechanical sharpening techniques. Personally, I might limit it to pull-through cutters, however I haven’t felt it essential to do something apart from a touch-up after half a yr of use. One advantage of 420HC metal is that touch-ups or full re-sharpenings are straightforward.

Most of that use has been day-to-day stuff like opening packages and packing containers, however the Buck 55 has additionally come alongside on many fishing journeys and is sharp sufficient to simply cope with any cleansing duties. Though it’s not serrated, when obligatory to chop by way of rope, the Buck 55 has achieved fast work in that job, too.

I’m not an enormous fan of the clip-point blade form on bigger knives; I feel it makes the person appear to be a Jim Bowie cosplayer, with the tip unnecessarily fragile. Having stated that, the shorter Buck 55 blade means the tip’s level is much less pronounced, and I feel the form works effectively for high-quality work whereas nonetheless being robust sufficient for extra intensive reducing obligation.

As a result of the Buck 55’s blade size is simply 2 ⅜ inches, it’s airline-legal in Canada, the place I dwell (however clearly not in TSA territory). This makes it straightforward to hold on journeys the place I don’t need to examine a bag, a particular bonus in my guide. That implies that once I’m touring in-country for work, I can deliver a real-deal conventional folder with me as an alternative of some flimsy junk.

Ranking: Not fancy-pants metal, however as much as any real-world duties because of Paul Bos’ remedy.

8 / 10

A correct wooden deal with, for individuals who need that kind of factor. [Zac K.]

Deal with & Ergonomics

You’re getting the basic brass bolsters and ebony scales discovered on Buck’s bigger basic folders. No finger grooves reduce into the deal with, as some prospects like on the 110 or 112; they wouldn’t work on the 55’s smaller deal with, because it’s a bit cramped for actual property on bigger palms like mine.

I wouldn’t need to use this with gloves on, though it’s high-quality when your grip is moist. And it’s not a knife I’d need to use with a pinch grip, though it labored for me in customary and pointed finger grips. I can’t think about why you’d need to use it in a reverse grip, however the deal with does work effectively in that orientation if you happen to want it.

For what it’s—a tiny-but-strong traditionally-styled knife—I feel the Buck 55’s deal with works very effectively.

Ranking: A tiny knife that’s nonetheless extremely usable.

8 / 10

A nail nick that’s troublesome to make use of, because of the knife’s small measurement. [Zac K.]

Locking Mechanism & Deployment

The Buck 55 makes use of a scaled-down lockback, a smaller model of the lock seen on the Buck 110 and 112. To date, it has been extraordinarily dependable for me. The small measurement of the knife means one-handed opening is troublesome for somebody like me, with fats fingers. A nail nick theoretically makes it simpler to deploy the blade, however I’d desire a thumb stud. I anticipate that in some unspecified time in the future, the aftermarket will supply this, however even with that improve, I feel one-handed opening could be arduous. At the least the two-handed opening means it really works as effectively for lefties because it does for right-handed customers.

I notably just like the Buck 55 as a result of its lock is stronger than you possibly can normally anticipate in a traditional-looking knife of this measurement. On mine, there is no such thing as a play within the lock in any respect, and I might belief it greater than most lockbacks I’ve used of any measurement.

Ranking: The sturdy lockback is that this knife’s best characteristic.

8 / 10

Working bear bait. No must take a Bowie knife for stuff like this when a small pocket knife will do. [Zac K.]

Carry & Pocket Clip

Buck sells no pocket clip or sheath for the Buck 55. I’m completely pleased with no clip, however a tiny sheath would have been good; the shortage of both possibility looks as if an oversight to me.

I have a tendency to hold the knife in my denims’ change pocket, the place it disappears with no printing. With no thumb stud and a slim type issue, it attracts from that pocket with no snags. For my part, it is without doubt one of the best-carrying pocket knives I’ve ever owned, not less than for truly carrying it in my denims pocket versus a sheath or a clip. However the lack of a pocket clip or sheath implies that if you happen to’re carrying slash pockets, you may lose this knife while you sit down. When you’re carrying khakis or cargos that don’t have safe pockets, then perhaps go away this knife at dwelling.

Ranking: If I had been solely ranking this for my jeans-pocket-carry mode, I’d give it a ten/10. It’s that good. However different customers may need extra options.

7 / 10

A sweet-looking knife. After all, the brass dulls finally, however you possibly can shine it up if you need. [Zac K.]

Match and End

The blade is just not completely centered when closed, however that doesn’t trouble me as a result of I purchased it to be used, to not visually critique. Other than that niggle, every little thing else on this knife feels high-quality; the brass and ebony deal with really feel like they’re made to final for a number of lifetimes. There have been no unpleasant machining marks, no cracks between the scales and the bolsters, no tough edges—you’re shopping for a stupendous knife right here.

Ranking: To get a nicer conventional knife, I feel you’d must go customized.

9 / 10

For such a skinny knife, it’s very robust. [Buck]

Worth

Seventy bucks is some huge cash for a small, mass-produced pocket knife with no unique supplies, however I used to be keen to pay it as a result of it’s well-made, and it’s made in the united statesA. of metal, brass, and wooden. I might suggest it as a considerate present, perhaps a superb first knife for a kid (so long as they’re accountable sufficient to maintain monitor of it).

You may actually discover different knives of comparable measurement for lower than $70 MSRP; Buck’s personal lineup has some choices if you need a small, high quality pocketknife at a superb worth. However for a miniature model of a basic American-style lockback folder, I feel you’re getting what you pay for. That’s all you possibly can ask for.

Ranking: Worth is the way you understand it. I’m pleased with cash well-spent on made-in-America high quality.

8 / 10

I’d purchase one other Buck 55 if I misplaced this one. [Zac K.]

Total Ranking

Until I handle to lose it in some way, the Buck 55 goes to be one among my favourite EDC selections for years to return. If I had been seeking to buy a mini-lockback once more, this might be the primary one I’d think about buying. I might suggest it to anybody who needs a classic-looking knife with a sturdy lockback mechanism, however with out the majority (and potential authorized hassles, in some jurisdictions) of a full-sized looking folder. It received’t shock your cubicle-mates while you pull it out on the workplace, and on the weekends, while you need to go fishing, looking, or tenting, it’s sufficient knife for any job that you must do with a folder.

Total Ranking: A helpful knife for somebody who values custom however needs a discreet carry possibility.

8 / 10

Zac K.

Zac Kurylyk hunts and fishes to feed his household within the northeast. His work has been in Out of doors Canada and different journey and outside publications.