When it comes to “traditional” style outdoor knives, it is hard to beat the pedigree of Buck Knives. Most companies would be happy with one knife that reaches true icon status. Buck has a pair of them in the 110 folder and 119 fixed blade.
Earlier in our 100 Knives in 100 Days Giveaway, we gave away a Buck 841 Sprint Pro. The Sprint Series knives are Buck’s new entry in the EDC folder niche.
Today we will be giving away a new Buck Pursuit fixed blade (large).
If you want to win this knife, you must Register for a free account, and leave a comment on our official contest thread (here)
The Pursuit series of knives are so new, that the press release just arrived from Buck this week:
Post Falls, ID — Tuesday, July 2, 2019– With a dedication to providing high performance products of uncompromising quality, Buck Knives is excited to introduce a variety of new knives to their lineup this year, including a new hunting line featuring fixed and folding knives designed for beginner to serious hunters.
A multi-purpose alternative to traditional hunting knives, the Pursuit Series features a variety of competitively-priced knives available in fixed and folding versions with standard or guthook blades in 420HC steel. Added detail was put into the design creating a comfortable, non-slip profile. Designed for excellent performance, the Pursuit Series line is a perfect field option. The three fixed and folding versions include a black polyester sheath with green trim.
MSRP: $55-$75
Made in the USA
All knives in the Pursuit Series line feature blades finished with Buck’s advanced Edge2x™ technology that makes them sharper out of the box, hold an edge longer, and easier to re-sharpen. All are made in the USA and backed by Buck’s respected Forever Warranty.
Specs:
- 420HC, Satin Finish
- 4.31” Drop Point
- 0.140” Blade Thickness
- Full Tang
- GFN with Versaflex
- Polyester Sheath with Belt Loop Attachment
- 6.2 Ounces
- 9.5” Overall
- Made in the USA
Personal Observations:
It might not have the classic lines and finish of the venerable Buck 119, but the Pursuit looks to be tough as nails. The glass reinforced nylon handles have a rubberized coating that is not as soft and fragile as many I have seen. It doesn’t feel like it could easily be scraped off.
Some may scoff at the 420HC steel, but it has several things going for it. First and foremost, Buck has a reputation for wringing the absolute most of 420HC during heat treat. I have never had a problem with inadequate edge retention in a Buck, and when it does dull, it is one of my favorite steels to sharpen.
Another plus for the 420HC is it is ridiculously stainless. I recently found my “lost” 119 in a drawer in a camper that had been hail damaged. There was mildew and on many surfaces. The knife had been sitting in the back of a storage cupboard, and the sheath had completely mildewed. I pulled the knife out and it was unblemished. There are many “stainless” steels that would have been a mess after the 2 years it sat neglected.
The ergonomics are pretty good. The GFN handle matches the contours of my hand, though the jimping on the spine falls behind where my thumb naturally wants to rest.
My pinky finger hits the jimping at the back if the handle, but this does not seem to be either a help or a hindrance. There is no hot spot, nor does the jimping seem to grab my finger. But the whole package is meaty enough to fill my hand.
Conclusions:
The Buck Pursuit is too new of a release to have any outside reviews out yet, but I am confident in what I am seeing upon table top observation. As a general rule I avoid making cross-brand comparisons, but I am making an exception here.
The Buck Pursuit fits squarely in a head to head niche against the Mora Garberg – at half the price. They are both tough as nails, polymer handled full tang knives, but I think the hollow ground Pursuit would have a performance advantage in slicing over the scandi-ground Garberg. It would fare slightly worse in wood processing.
I would like to thank the folks at Buck Knives for donating both the Sprint Pro and this Pursuit to our 100 Knives in 100 Days giveaway. It is nice to see Buck branching out from their legacy knives and trying to compete with stylistically more modern knives.
If you want to win this knife, you must Register for a free account, and leave a comment on our official contest thread (here)