- Joined
- Mar 19, 2013
- Messages
- 7
Stumbling onto this now as I was starting to look at them again. My favorite Buck model. Still have my first from 2015. Was my daily for about 6 years until I stepped away from carrying one everywhere. Opened cans, turned screws, was a light hammer. Probably opened half a million boxes over that 6 year period. Some of those sharper corner edges have been rounded over and the bare aluminum is all over the knife. Whittled wood and sticks, kept it clean to slice my steaks, and I had to replace both lock screws (heads broke off), and I had a couple hard drive spindle screws on hand (same thread), but they're hardened, so they haven't failed in 9 years. I love the one-handed open/close, ambidextrous design. No matter what hand I have it in, I can deploy, use, and put it away without needing an extra one. It flips just as smoothly now as it ever has. The lock has needed 2 small adjustments for wear.
I bought a "gray ghost" version when they were out - definitely better edge retention in the S35VN on that one. My original has 154CM, but honestly, that steel holds up pretty well. The screws need to be harder, as I've broken 3 strap screws (yup, gray one broke a screw, too), and perhaps slightly reshape/thicken the clip material so it doesn't break, as I broke that part on both knives. Never tried getting a replacement, but that's one other reason I don't wear them as much.
Aside from those two (easily solved) issues, the experience has been excellent. I hope they bring it back.
I bought a "gray ghost" version when they were out - definitely better edge retention in the S35VN on that one. My original has 154CM, but honestly, that steel holds up pretty well. The screws need to be harder, as I've broken 3 strap screws (yup, gray one broke a screw, too), and perhaps slightly reshape/thicken the clip material so it doesn't break, as I broke that part on both knives. Never tried getting a replacement, but that's one other reason I don't wear them as much.
Aside from those two (easily solved) issues, the experience has been excellent. I hope they bring it back.