Ron Hood/Buck "Thug" & "Punk" any good?

B

BigNate

Joined
Aug 25, 2006
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I've been eyeballin' these two as the Hoodlum is not my thing, but the 5160 outdoors knives are. Have any of you put either of these through the paces? What's your thoughts?
 
Ive been wondering the same thing. I really like the looks of the Punk, but I havnt come up with a good reason to get one yet.
 
Well I bought a "Punk" as a gift for my sons tutor. I must say, I really liked the way it feels in the hand. Blade length is about as long as is useful unless you're into chopping things with a knife. Long enough for battoning, fairly lite, the sheath seems as useful as the knife. I may still consider the "Thug" though. I'm not much for choppers but I like the blade design and it would make a hell of a wood splitter when needed. Some of the you tube vids seem to show it to be pretty viable.
 
I have a Hoodlum and a Punk. IMO the Punk is a nice knife and I would echo some of BigNate's comments. My complaint with the Punk is I feel its overpriced for what you get. I bought mine used for about $80 IIRC and I bought one for a retirement gift last summer from the Buck factory store for about the same price and I think the price point should be in the $60-$70 retail range. It just feels like a no frills inexpensive knife.
 
I still chuckle when I see people harping on the names of the Punk and Thug. Does the name affect the performance of the knife? You either like the knife or you don't. I have the Punk and think it is a great knife. The knives were named to follow along with the first Hood/Buck collaboration, the Hoodlum. I also don't agree that the Punk is a "no frills inexpensive knife". The blade is a heavy durable piece of steel with a powder coating meant for heavy use. The removable Linen Micarta handles make the knife very versatile in its uses and the sheath is not your everyday sheath. This is a high quality knife whose "price point" is 9in line with the quality of the knife.
 
I've read many reviews that say the scales need some work to make them comfortable, but haven't handled one personally.
 
Bert, I can only give my opinion and that is my Punk feels very good in my hand. I very much like the feel of the linen micarta handles.
 
sliderfisherman said:
Bert, I can only give my opinion and that is my Punk feels very good in my hand. I very much like the feel of the linen micarta handles.
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Thanks for the input slider. The only thing that has stopped me from buying a Punk is the claims that it feels blocky and squared off in hand. Other than that I love everything about the blade; love 5160, love the choil, love the length and shape, etc.
 
My names on the list for a blem in the Thug and Punk. With a Military discount it'll be a cheap user.
 
BigBert said:
Thanks for the input slider. The only thing that has stopped me from buying a Punk is the claims that it feels blocky and squared off in hand. Other than that I love everything about the blade; love 5160, love the choil, love the length and shape, etc.
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If it's like the Hoodlum handle then yes it's a bit more square than, for example, a Mora. If it's a problem just whip out the sandpaper and go at it. It's a tool. Sometimes you have to modify them for the user.
 
I didn't like the Hood thug at all. It seemed like right up my alley in catalog pictures, but once in hand I couldn't find very much to like about it. The handles are the worst feature, and I didn't think the liners matched the handles very good.

I would recommend passing on the hood thug at least; maybe one of the other sized models are more appropriately designed.
 
I recently purchased the Punk. I found it well below retail online and am very happy with it. I confess that after watching a series of youtube videos, I felt an odd compulsion to beat the snot out of the blade to split wood. It performed flawlessly. No rolled edge, still super sharp and now, a well "loved" look. The handle scales are a little sharp on the edges out of the box, easily cured with some 220/400 sandpaper. All in all, a fine knife; light, tough, feels good in the hand and a decent sheath.
 
Yeah, the names of the late Ron Wood's knives may put off some. I got an early Hoodlum and Punk, but somehow missed the Thug. I guess I'll wait for the 'Jerk' as his next one... Seriously, form and function sells me. Example: Benchmade's 630 'Skirmish'... of my three dozen BM's, it's the dumbest named of the bunch - and the only example I have a duplicate of! Same thing... Spyderco... a few knives - but I have two of the CF Dodo - an ugo named after a flightless bird extinct for centuries. Okay... form and function and being clearance priced and in the half-off bin at the local sharp-things-emporium define my purchases!

I like everything about the Punk far better than I do the Hoodlum - save the too thin scales. Perhaps Buck could offer an extra cost - and thicker - set of liners for it - 1/8"+ on each side would help. I have medium+ sized hands - and CTS problems - which make over-tightening my grip for a thinner handle uncomfortable. Still - a nice knife - and at least it doesn't have a skull on it (BM/Mike Waddell's 'Bone Collector' series.). Oddly, a real Finnish Puukko fits my hand perfectly!

Stainz
 
I have all three and really like them all for different reasons. The Thug is a great mid size though if you want something to chop and split with, but aren't a big "chopper" kind of person. The Punk is great for finer work but can really take a good beating when it comes to a little heavier bushcrafting. The Thug has a hollow grind which I was kind of surprised about for a field knife, but they are coming out with the new flat grind soon and it is really nice. I have a lot more confidence in the flat grind.

I think the expense comes in the steel and heat treating process more than anything, it is a 5160 spring steel so it is very light, very durable and very springy. I was batoning with my Hoodlum once and came to a knot in the wood, I was in too deep to back it out so I had to keep going. The blade started to bend pretty bad (following the grain of the knot) and I got a little concerned, because at this point I was batoning on a bent blade. But once I made it through and pulled the Hoodlum up to check it, it was straight as the day I pulled it out of the box. And the edge would still cut paper.
 
At the BCCI meet someone asked C J about the names hoodlum and thug and he kind of smirked and said noooooo comment,, it was obvious he felt like many of us but someone else got their way.....none for me!
 
dctex99 said:
At the BCCI meet someone asked C J about the names hoodlum and thug and he kind of smirked and said noooooo comment,, it was obvious he felt like many of us but someone else got their way.....none for me!
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The Thug" & "Punk names are stupid, but the knives might be good. I am a Becker type myself on outdoor knives. The KISS principle applies.
 
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