BUCK Hoodlum: What's The Latest On The Notch?

C

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After watching the videos of BUCK Hoodlum blades snapping off after being driven into logs in batoning tests, it's obvious to me that he breakage always begins at the bottom of the notch and extends to the edge of the blade. I've got two of these knives and have one packed in my bugout bag. But it's mostly for self defense and whatever other uses one might have for a knife. Even so, I have no use for the controversial notch except, of course, its exceptional beauty and touch of class.

The question is, I've always considered the Hoodlum as a lightweight. The flat grind knives are lightweight and the life is light in the hand. It's a poor chopper but has excellent reach. It's never surprised me that the things break when splitting logs, but it has surprised me that BUCK continues to keep the notch when no one but Ron Hood's family seems to want it (and then more as a tribute than for utility). There's been some discussion that the notches were initially laser cut. Then they tried milling the blades to correct the problem; however, I'd say it's the notch itself that's the problem. My question is to owners and users, which is more important -- batoning or being able to conveniently lift a pot off a fire? And if the former, wouldn't outdoorsmen prefer a knife that isn't a flat grind?

If I were going to do a lot of chopping, I'd take a knife like an Ontario Marine Raider, or better, a hatchet. Even a flat grind knife like the Ka-Bar Large Heavy Bowie doesn't usually break, but the blade has a thicker spine and is broader. Still, it's not considered a great chopper, but has been used widely for batoning. But even the Hoodlum can do a fair amount of batoning based on what I've seen on the YouTube videos. The ones that have broken, to me, seem to be pretty well beaten to pieces.

So what's the real story behind the notch? Is it being kept largely for sentimental reasons? How many of you guys think the notch should stay, and how many of you think the notch should go? Also, should a knife the size and weight of the Hoodlum be expected to baton? Finally, how many of you have either not bought a Hoodlum, or not kept yours because of the notch?

The reason I ask is because I got one of those controversial D2 knives on auction, and two of them have sawtooth tops, each of which looks very similar to the notch on the Hoodlum! Then I thought if BUCK put sawtooths on the Hoodlum, it not only would look better than a single notch, one could get a pot off the fire with any of the notches! As for grip and handling, the D2 model below (if D2 it really is) is the most comfortable knife of the two.


 
I didn't buy one because of that notch. Plus, I'm not into malleting knives. I prefer a decent, well designed hatchet for the heavy work. So, many like beating on their knives these days. I don't hear of nimrods beating on their hatchet until it breaks. It needs more beef and the notch removed. DM
 
David Martin said:
I didn't buy one because of that notch. Plus, I'm not into malleting knives.
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Well, batoning isn't something I'd do with a knife the size and weight of the Hoodlum, anyway, as I said, but so many YouTube reviewers seem to feel it's a prerequisite for all outdoor knives, period. Even Nutnfancy wailed on his in his review. The difference is, Nutnfancy tested his with the respect he'd show towards any of his tools. Others on YouTube act as though they were actually trying to destroy their knives. Anyway, you said you didn't buy the Hoodlum because of the notch, yet you seemed to say you wouldn't beat on yours even if you had one. So did the notch's appearance keep you from making the purchase?

I prefer a decent, well designed hatchet for the heavy work. So, many like beating on their knives these days. I don't hear of nimrods beating on their hatchet until it breaks. It needs more beef and the notch removed. DM
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But don't you think adding "beef" to the weight of the knife would pretty much negate what the knife was supposed to be? Like the aforementioned Ontario Marine Raider shows, if you put enough steel into the spine, almost nothing can break it (and I emphasize the word almost). A few dissatisfied reviewers have even argued flatly that when it comes to steel and wood, steel should win every time. But how about ice? If steel should win over ice all the time, what of the Titanic and all those steel ships caught in arctic ice? Any woodsman can attest that quite often wood is stronger than steel. Too much air also is stronger than steel, as we all know, so when someone drives a blade into a knot of wood, then commences to beat and pound it with the heaviest thing he can find, he shouldn't be surprised to find that it breaks. And with a smallish blade to begin with, if you put a notch into that blade, I'd be willing to bet that it'll break there every time -- which, to me, indicates that for potential survival use, the notch offers a huge liability for very little in return.
 
I got a hoodlum and really like it. I batoned with it to see if I could do it. I had no problems. I recently go a Compadre froe. That is what you would want to baton with. It does a great job.

As for the notch in the hoodlum, if I was to carry it camping, it would take hot pots off of the fire.
 
Notches are crack-starters, regardless of how they look or what utility they may have. There is no way to make a notch that does not weaken the blade. As far as lifting pots off of a fire I'd prefer to use a stick.
 
But if BUCK is insistent on keeping the Ron Hood Memorial Notch, is there a way to mitigate it somehow? Based on everything I've seen and read concerning the man, I believe he would have changed the notch himself if he'd lived. I say that because he honestly believed in the integrity of 5160 steel -- and that it was strong and flexible enough to compensate for any weakness caused by notch and the relatively thin, light blade (which is one thing I love about the knife).

One question I've pondered is, even without the notch, would the blade be up to the incredible pounding many people inflict on it during batoning? The Notch would be the natural place for the blade to fail (if it was so inclined), but the blade seems like kind of a lightweight. Still, even if the blade was up to it, I wouldn't be. Too datgum light for log-splitting or chopping in my view, though in a pinch it would be up for it. And though I don't like those saw-teeth designs on top of blades, having eight notches in a row is better than just one notch a third of the way in.
 
Having read a couple of reviews, the Hoodlum is light for it's size. I'm no expert but I believe lighter steel is weaker than heavy steel and with the Hoodlum you get a large knife with the weight of a much smaller blade. I have no doubt the blade being as long as it is that one could break it without the notch, just not as easy.
Best way to mitigate the notch is use the knife like a knife instead of a knife shaped hatchet. A large blade has it's benefits, cutting through vegatation like a machete yet doing camp chores and such. It's probably not as good as a machete but would do if you didn't want to carry a knife and a machete. The hoodlum is probably great for what it is, just get a small hatchet for processing wood and use the knife like a knife.
 
for those of you with a buck hoodlum...
any idea if an ontario sp8 would fit in the hoodlum sheath?
thanks!
 
I think the notch breakage issue is no longer relevant.
Internet posts are forever but the early heat treat issue was corrected long ago.
Lifetime warranty.....
 
you tube "reviewers" ... I would not base a purchase of anything based on those moron's "review". ANY knife will break if you abuse it enough. Batoning is abuse. Try an axe or hatchet. If you MUST use your knife, try whittling a notch around the branch. Want to destroy a comcrete block? use a dam sledge hammer, not a frigging knife!

THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB
 
They used to complain about the notches in this Buck as well.

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I'd like to see the Hoodlum offered without the notch. In my opinion it adds nothing and MAY weaken the blade. I've seen several people say they are hesitant to buy the Hoodlum because of the notch but have never seen anyone say they would not buy it if the notch were gone.
 
Alright, in my opinion, you have to cut through a lot of static, nose, and loyalties to get any good idea from the internet of what you're buying before you buy. There's a lot of complaints about the notch but recent models have changed. There's even a YouTube video of Buck Knives reply about removing the notch. Buck said they are keeping it in honor of Ron Hood but they have changed their annealing process. Since then I haven't seen any more videos of it breaking.

So notch aside, what you have is a light weight, decent length knife, with a Forever Warranty. I'm a machete man and used to only carry a machete and a pocket knife. I've recently added the Hoodlum because for its length is the lightest I can find. I have no fear of it breaking. It's becoming my go to knife. I'll try the notch on anything I can find, recently fire steel, and post any uses I may discover.

One last thing. Confederate, you mention the flat grind. I prefer a hallow grind myself but early reviewers stated they wanted a flat grind on the Hoodlum, because it was originally a hallow grind. Since then, Buck changed it to a flat grind. Thoughts?
 
It is to be discontinued. Buy one if your thinking about it. My son bought one and loves it.
 
I love my Hoodlum! It's great as a light machete trimming up around my property, very fun to use.
 
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