zyhano
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2009
- Messages
- 1,593
Hey guys,
yesterday I received my new buck hoodlum, a knife I pretty much wanted from the moment it was announced. Needless to say, I was pretty excited to see it arrive.
My first reaction to holding an inspecting the knife was a bit strange.
The weight pleasantly surprised me, I knew it was pretty light for a knife that large (especially compared to my esee junglas) and the balance is very nicely situated under the choil, feels really well.
the sharpness is pretty good from the factory, shaves hair and slices paper over the full length of the blade.
It's a little less big than I made it in my head I think, especially the height was something that I imagined would be a little more. but hey, that's expectations.
The shape of the handle and the choil are very good for me, though I think Ron Wood has slightly bigger hands than me, since the forward choil grip makes me spread my ringfinger a little more than I'd like, I'll see how it goes after I've used it some more. Also, the rear part of micarta of the normal grip choil is a bit pointy, I can see irritation coming up in use, I'd maybe have to sand it down a bit.
But, handling so far has been nice.
The color and the shape.. are beautiful as I see it. The handle with it's slight angle and large angled pommel gives me a good grip.
My issues with the knife came upon inspecting the edge.
The extreme tip of the knife has a grind burn spot on it
What? Isn't it oil, or dirt, or a piece of the sheath?
No, definitely a burnt metal spot.
Furthermore, the tip isn't a perfect V, it's a bit offcentered (see next issue)
Then, when inspecting the edge, not only is it not a V, one side is more obtuse than the other, but it is also a wavy grind. In the pictures attached you can clearly see both issues.
THen, the sheath. I really dislike the plastic insert in the sheath. THe nylon outside it fine and looks strong, the sowing is good.
But the plastic insert, it has no retention, and the knife makes a sound from banging against it in the sheath.
Why not kydex? It's so much better than the type of plastic used.
Then, there was still grind dust ON the screws from where the micarta has been drilled which led me to inspect the handle a bit more.
Right now, I'm in a state where I'm really having a good look at all the details.
The fit and finish of the handle is not as good as (my reference) my Esee junglas.
I know they are different knives, but they are in the same price category, and the junglas was just flawless in F&F, from grind, to handle, to coating to sheath. For about the same price. I'm posting a review from the junglas on an expedition in FInland in about two weeks on my channel and I'm very happy with that blade. So my expectations of the hoodlum were in the same category.
back to the handle, the handles are not totally flush. Granted, you'd have to take a good look, but after the burnt tip and the grind, I'm looking really close. The screw holes are still a little jagged, not 'deburred' for not knowing another word for it.
I like buck knives, this knife is very usable and I still like it enormously, let me get that clear.
I had expected a bit more though. the handle and sheath things I can live with, but the burnt tip and grind is too bad. Especially when I compare it to the flawlessness of previously mentioned junglas.
I'll contact buck about it too, this shouldn't have passed their Q&A imo.
Only being disappointed about it or posting bad stuff just isn't me. I'll use the knife, happily
Since sending it back would be expensive from the Netherlands I guess that will not be an option.
So, what do you think? Is this something I should just accept? I should just expect for a $170 knife? From buck?
burnt tip
wavy grind
yesterday I received my new buck hoodlum, a knife I pretty much wanted from the moment it was announced. Needless to say, I was pretty excited to see it arrive.
My first reaction to holding an inspecting the knife was a bit strange.
The weight pleasantly surprised me, I knew it was pretty light for a knife that large (especially compared to my esee junglas) and the balance is very nicely situated under the choil, feels really well.
the sharpness is pretty good from the factory, shaves hair and slices paper over the full length of the blade.
It's a little less big than I made it in my head I think, especially the height was something that I imagined would be a little more. but hey, that's expectations.
The shape of the handle and the choil are very good for me, though I think Ron Wood has slightly bigger hands than me, since the forward choil grip makes me spread my ringfinger a little more than I'd like, I'll see how it goes after I've used it some more. Also, the rear part of micarta of the normal grip choil is a bit pointy, I can see irritation coming up in use, I'd maybe have to sand it down a bit.
But, handling so far has been nice.
The color and the shape.. are beautiful as I see it. The handle with it's slight angle and large angled pommel gives me a good grip.
My issues with the knife came upon inspecting the edge.
The extreme tip of the knife has a grind burn spot on it
What? Isn't it oil, or dirt, or a piece of the sheath?
No, definitely a burnt metal spot.
Furthermore, the tip isn't a perfect V, it's a bit offcentered (see next issue)
Then, when inspecting the edge, not only is it not a V, one side is more obtuse than the other, but it is also a wavy grind. In the pictures attached you can clearly see both issues.
THen, the sheath. I really dislike the plastic insert in the sheath. THe nylon outside it fine and looks strong, the sowing is good.
But the plastic insert, it has no retention, and the knife makes a sound from banging against it in the sheath.
Why not kydex? It's so much better than the type of plastic used.
Then, there was still grind dust ON the screws from where the micarta has been drilled which led me to inspect the handle a bit more.
Right now, I'm in a state where I'm really having a good look at all the details.
The fit and finish of the handle is not as good as (my reference) my Esee junglas.
I know they are different knives, but they are in the same price category, and the junglas was just flawless in F&F, from grind, to handle, to coating to sheath. For about the same price. I'm posting a review from the junglas on an expedition in FInland in about two weeks on my channel and I'm very happy with that blade. So my expectations of the hoodlum were in the same category.
back to the handle, the handles are not totally flush. Granted, you'd have to take a good look, but after the burnt tip and the grind, I'm looking really close. The screw holes are still a little jagged, not 'deburred' for not knowing another word for it.
I like buck knives, this knife is very usable and I still like it enormously, let me get that clear.
I had expected a bit more though. the handle and sheath things I can live with, but the burnt tip and grind is too bad. Especially when I compare it to the flawlessness of previously mentioned junglas.
I'll contact buck about it too, this shouldn't have passed their Q&A imo.
Only being disappointed about it or posting bad stuff just isn't me. I'll use the knife, happily
Since sending it back would be expensive from the Netherlands I guess that will not be an option.
So, what do you think? Is this something I should just accept? I should just expect for a $170 knife? From buck?
burnt tip
wavy grind
I look forward to your review!
