Hey guys. I've got a good friend who could definitely benefit from a new knife and since christmas is rolling up soon, I've been looking at potential gift ideas. Any opinions on the Buck 119? Also, maybe looking into a Ka-bar USMC, so any feedback on that would be appreciated.

I used to have that knife. I gave it to my brother cause it was just too big for the uses I needed it for. He now uses it for hunting and he loves it, keeps a nice sharp blade.

 

I would be hesitant in getting your friend a big bowie knife. I think it's good for everyone to have at least one big heavy duty bowie, but some people don't need/want them. You should figure out what he needs it for, or if he is going to use it infrequently or very frequently.

 

If all he is doing is cutting some small things, daily carry, etc, then you should look at a nice folding knife from Sog, Gerber, Kershaw, etc.

 

If he is using it for hunting and camping or needs a big knife for big duties, then yeah a bowie or large fixed is going to be good for the job.

 

Just trying to give you some advice. You definitely don't want to spend money on a nice bowie knife and then find out he uses it one weekend a year for a camping trip, in which he basically just has it to 'have it' on him. Z

 

I felt bad that my friend bought me that Buck cause I knew it wasn't cheap but I would have much preferred a small folder as I use them a lot more than big knives. I think he thought that it was a cool knife and knowing I was into backpacking a lot, thought I would use it frequently. But FOR ME, it was just too much knife.

 

You know you're friend well use good judgement and get him a knife that he will use accordingly, be it a small EDC knife or big bowie.

Well, he's definitely outdoor a lot, which is why I was considering getting him the buck, but an EDC folder might not be a bad idea. Last I checked he was still using the same dull swiss knife that he's had for years. I'll look into it. Thanks for the reply!

Well, he's definitely outdoor a lot, which is why I was considering getting him the buck, but an EDC folder might not be a bad idea. Last I checked he was still using the same dull swiss knife that he's had for years. I'll look into it. Thanks for the reply!

 

Hope my comments help!

 

I am pretty outdoorsy. I backpack frequently and am outside a lot, but I still don't feel the need to carry around such a large knife doing these things. If anything, I would use it more for protection than for other applications. Plus I use bearspray for backpacking, which in my opinion, is a better option for self protection than a knife.

 

Not saying he is like me, but I think many people think if someone is an outdoorsman or a gun enthusiast or whatever, they needs a big knife. Not so true in my opinion. It all depends on the person. Some people like having a big knife they can cut tree limbs with and hack away at things and do all that stuff, but not many people are doing that sort of stuff.

 

You know him well, but I think a nice folder might be a better option. They can be sharpened to have a very nice blade and have a variety of uses, rather than a bowie where its uses are limited.

Hope my comments help!

 

I am pretty outdoorsy. I backpack frequently and am outside a lot, but I still don't feel the need to carry around such a large knife doing these things. If anything, I would use it more for protection than for other applications. Plus I use bearspray for backpacking, which in my opinion, is a better option for self protection than a knife.

 

Not saying he is like me, but I think many people think if someone is an outdoorsman or a gun enthusiast or whatever, they needs a big knife. Not so true in my opinion. It all depends on the person. Some people like having a big knife they can cut tree limbs with and hack away at things and do all that stuff, but not many people are doing that sort of stuff.

 

You know him well, but I think a nice folder might be a better option. They can be sharpened to have a very nice blade and have a variety of uses, rather than a bowie where its uses are limited.

 

Thanks a lot for the reply man! I've been thinking about it a lot, and I am starting to lean towards an EDC knife, considering he could potentially use it for work too, so it would see a lot of use. It'd need to be something that would have to take a lot of abuse though. I personally have carried a Gerber Paraframe II and a few Spyderco Byrd knives which have served their purposes, but I never really had to abuse them. Any recommendations in that regard?

Thanks a lot for the reply man! I've been thinking about it a lot, and I am starting to lean towards an EDC knife, considering he could potentially use it for work too, so it would see a lot of use. It'd need to be something that would have to take a lot of abuse though. I personally have carried a Gerber Paraframe II and a few Spyderco Byrd knives which have served their purposes, but I never really had to abuse them. Any recommendations in that regard?

 

Yeah, I think a folder or any EDC knife would be more beneficial to him as it would have multiple uses.

 

I have quite a few knives from Gerber and Kershaw, as well as Sog, Spyderco, and SMK. I used to have a Paraframe as well, but I lost it in Canada at my friends cabin. I was pissed as that was my first knife and always wanted to have it in my collection.

 

I can suggest those manufacturers, but I can't suggest you many specific knives. I prefer small folders, while 90% of other people prefer large and I am sure your friend would prefer as well. For me, I use my one medium sized one for backpacking, and that rarely gets abused . The EDC knives of mine are all pretty small as I only need them for some small uses, these don't ever get abused. In my opinion, there is no need for someone to carry an 8 inch folder when they are just going to use the knife for opening boxes at work and carry it JIC. I will say there are a lot of people like that though.

 

Now this does not mean guys who are in trade work or construction or a handyman or anything of the sort don't have any use for big[ger] folders. If he is in some sort of trade like that, then I would suggest getting him a medium sized folder. Maybe an overall length of 5-8 inches. There are tons of knives in that category. I wouldn't go 10inches+, that's just too much knife for edc or work.

 

I would suggest the prior manufacturers, but I think Sog and Benchmade's quality start leaving others in the dust when you hit $75 or $100+. Not sure what you plan on spending for the knife, but there are A LOT of knives from all said manufacturers in the $20-$100 range (what I consider affordable). If you're looking for something over $100, Benchmade seems to be where it's at. If you're looking for something that can be abused, my guess is anything like $75+ is going to be pretty hefty. Most of the -$50 are smaller knives will have thinner blades and thinner grips that are made to be produced with a small chunk of change. Hence, their cost of under 50 bucks.

 

One last thing, don't pass on researching multi-tools. If he is in trade work, these are very good to have as well since they do have a medium sized knife, but will usually have a smaller knife, screwdriver, flathead, scissors, etc. Just to give you ONE more thing to think about when you already have a lot on your plate

I loved my Buck 120 I had when I was a kid and the 119 is about the closest to what I had, however keep in mind that this style knife is very limited in use, as others said a folding knife might be a better option.

 

Harry

Haha, yeah, I actually did start looking at some multitools last night. Might end up getting a med-sized folder though, since I'm sure he'd use the hell out of it. Thanks for the help man.

Not a problem! Good luck on your search..

I have two fixed blade Buck knives and has several folders. Buck makes FANTASTIC fixed blade knives, and I'd recommend them to anyone.