Thoughts on the Buck 119 pro?

Y

y53p

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May 11, 2022
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Is the s35vn, micarta handle upgrade of the iconic special worth the $200+ it’s priced at? What are your opinions on it?
 
The canvas looks great on this and the steel is excellent. Can't see why it's not a good deal. And the BOS heat treat should be a step above most using the same steel.
 
Then convince us why. The OP questions it’s value not it’s awesomeness.
 
Yes it's absolutely properly priced for an American made knife of that size using those materials in addition to what would likely be a top quality heat treat (Paul Bos) with a life time warranty.

I don't know how anyone can compare this to the 119 in 420HC with a plastic (a great top quality plastic most likely) handle. I think because the name of the manufacturer is Buck you feel entitled to a bargain price.

I prefer 420HC (I like Buck's 420HC) in that size blade for it's toughness. You cry an wail for super steel on every knife but don't want to pay a fair price. Sorry that is my view.

You want S35VN and Micarta OK so Buck up (punn intended.)
 
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greater said:
Yes it's absolutely properly priced for an American made knife of that size using those materials in addition to what would likely be a top quality heat treat (Paul Bos) with a life time warranty.

I don't know how anyone can compare this to the 119 in 420HC with a plastic (a great top quality plastic most likely) handle. I think because the name of the manufacturer is Buck you feel entitled to a bargain price.
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Of course we are going to compare it to the base model. It’s the same knife. But I see your point on its own it seems like a better deal.

Some of your reasons it is worth extra apply to the base model too.

American made. Both
“That size”. Both
Top quality heat treat Both
Lifetime warranty. Both

Handle materials? Both are phenolic resin. Functionality exactly the same. But still I agree the Micarta is an upgrade and unique. A slight upcharge is justified. $50?

So that would leave you with an $85 upcharge for the steel.

Ok. I talked myself into it. Its worth it on paper.

It may or may not be worth it in functionality. The deer being dressed won’t know the difference.

No I do not feel entitled to anything. Everything I have I worked for.
 
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I think there is much much more overpriced knives out there.
Could be that many consider it overpriced because it’s Buck, just like some people think Mora Garberg is overpriced despite the fact that it’s one of the best knives in the category with CHEAP price for what you get.
Just my opinion.
 
IMO, the Heritage d2 is a nicer knife, cheaper too. If you have the Buck Club member discount, its a no brainer. Also the pro is cheaper with BCCI Discount,
 
zippo123 said:
IMO, the Heritage d2 is a nicer knife, cheaper too. If you have the Buck Club member discount, its a no brainer. Also the pro is cheaper with BCCI Discount,
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own that one as well, but prefer the pro and s35vn over d2. bcci membership is worth it if you're a Buck collector...
 
I think that if you like Micarta, and S35VN with Bos heat-treatment, and 'made-in-the-USA', then yeah, it's probably worth it. If those things don't appeal to you, then no, it's still not over-priced, it's just not for you.
 
I feel it's a fair price, maybe it'll not do any better task wise, but the upgrades justify the price to me if that's something you like
 
It should hold an edge better when skinning an animal. Maybe the deer won't know the difference but the person skinning would likely do much less sharpening so I have read in posts made by hunters. This where this super steel stuff really shines. When it comes to abuse super steel is not so super with only a few exceptions. Batoning or other rough stuff I think 420HC would handle much better. 420HC will work for skinning but I have read depending on how big the game is multiple sharpening/touch ups will be necessary.

If you skin a lot big animals or do lots of cutting with a blade of that design this is (S35VN) probably a good knife to buy. A good value with a good warranty along with one of the best bets in the mass production industry for a proper heat treat (Paul Bos.)

It's not just a matter of switching blade steels. Experts correct me if I am wrong but heat treat and quality control for CPM steels like S35VN is more difficulty than for a simple stainless like 420HC and even if it weren't the process of dealing with S35VN is different enough that tooling up for it and using it will increase production costs.

If you anticipate rough use and don't need a steel that holds an edge longer than average (depending on ones perspective of what average is) your best value and bet would be the less expensive and more suitable for rough use 420HC version. That makes sense to me.

I have heard of this happening before. There are cases of knife companies known for producing budget knives that introduce a high quality high end knife that is fantastic, worth the price and would normally be a hot seller but ultimately fail because people can't get over the perception that the company is only good for budget knives and whatever they produce no matter how good the quality and value must sell at a dirt cheap price or it's a ripp off which is not true at all.
 
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greater said:
It should hold an edge better when skinning an animal. Maybe the deer won't know the difference but the person skinning would likely do much less sharpening so I have read in posts made by hunters. This where this super steel stuff really shines. When it comes to abuse super steel is not so super with only a few exceptions. Batoning or other rough stuff I think 420HC would handle much better. It will work for skinning but I have read depending on how big the game is multiple sharpening/touch ups will be necessary.

If you skin a lot big animals or do lots of cutting with a blade of that design this is (S35VN) probably a good knife to buy. A good value with a good warranty along with one of the best bets in the mass production industry for a proper heat treat (Paul Bos.)

It's not just a matter of switching blade steels. Experts correct me if I am wrong but heat treat and quality control for CPM steels like S35VN is more difficulty than for a simple stainless like 420HC and even if it weren't the process of dealing with S35VN is different enough that tooling up for it and using it will increase production costs.

If you anticipate rough use and don't need a steel that holds an edge longer than average (depending on ones perspective of what average is) your best value and bet would be the less expensive and more suitable for rough use 420HC version. That makes sense to me.

I have heard of this happening before. There are cases of knife companies known for producing budget knives that introduce a high quality high end knife that is fantastic, worth the price and would normally be a hot seller but ultimately fail because people can't get over the perception that the company is only good for budget knives and whatever they produce no matter how good the quality and value must sell at a dirt cheap price or it's a ripp off which is not true at all.
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That is a good point. Usually, in urban tasks, you won't have any issue with 420HC or BD1N and stuff, but I've heard of people having to hone in the field while hunting and skinning game. That doesn't sound ideal. Yeah, Cruwear or something would be great for that. S35VN, I hope, is reliably tough.
 
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