I’m an enormous fan of the Buck 110 folding knife, nevertheless it comes with drawbacks; it’s lengthy, and it’s heavy, and knives that measurement scare folks. The Buck 112 is a bit smaller, nevertheless it’s nonetheless sufficient knife to boost an eyebrow in hoplophobic firm. I used to be in search of one thing smaller final winter for an EDC, however I wasn’t in search of a knife fabricated from unique (one other strategy to say “costly and hard-to-sharpen”) metal, and I needed a basic wooden deal with. Enter the Buck 55.
I needed to strive one this 12 months, however couldn’t discover one in shops. I turned to eBay as a substitute, ordering one for $67.52 delivered, slightly below Buck’s $69.99 MSRP.
What It’s Made For
What I obtained: A standard-looking lockback that may work as a non-frightening EDC in nearly any workplace atmosphere. It can be used to pores and skin small sport or clear a fish on the weekend. Whereas I wouldn’t carry it as my main knife for large sport looking, it is a wonderful backup to a hard and fast blade.
Ranking: A standard knife that’s sturdy sufficient for critical use.
9 / 10
Blade High quality & Metal
The Buck 55 makes use of the 420HC chrome steel for the hollow-grind blade. Some fashionable customers may sneer at an older materials like this, however with their proprietary warmth remedy developed by Paul Bos, Buck’s knives nonetheless maintain their very own. The knife got here very sharp out of the field, which is nice; the skinny blade could be troublesome to suit into many mechanical sharpening programs. Personally, I’d prohibit it to pull-through cutters, however I haven’t felt it essential to do something moreover a touch-up after half a 12 months of use. One benefit of 420HC metal is that touch-ups or full re-sharpenings are simple.
Most of that use has been day-to-day stuff like opening packages and bins, however the Buck 55 has additionally come alongside on many fishing journeys and is sharp sufficient to simply cope with any cleansing duties. Though it isn’t serrated, when vital to chop by rope, the Buck 55 has finished fast work in that process, too.
I’m not an enormous fan of the clip-point blade form on bigger knives; I feel it makes the person appear to be a Jim Bowie cosplayer, with the tip unnecessarily fragile. Having stated that, the shorter Buck 55 blade means the tip’s level is much less pronounced, and I feel the form works effectively for positive work whereas nonetheless being sturdy sufficient for extra intensive slicing responsibility.
As a result of the Buck 55’s blade size is just 2 ⅜ inches, it’s airline-legal in Canada, the place I dwell (however clearly not in TSA territory). This makes it simple to hold on journeys the place I don’t wish to test a bag, a particular bonus in my e book. That implies that once I’m touring in-country for work, I can carry a real-deal conventional folder with me as a substitute of some flimsy junk.
Ranking: Not fancy-pants metal, however as much as any real-world duties because of Paul Bos’ remedy.
8 / 10
Deal with & Ergonomics
You’re getting the basic brass bolsters and ebony scales discovered on Buck’s bigger basic folders. No finger grooves lower into the deal with, as some prospects like on the 110 or 112; they wouldn’t work on the 55’s smaller deal with, because it’s a bit cramped for actual property on bigger arms like mine.
I wouldn’t wish to use this with gloves on, though it’s positive when your grip is moist. And it’s not a knife I’d wish to use with a pinch grip, though it labored for me in customary and pointed finger grips. I can’t think about why you’d wish to use it in a reverse grip, however the deal with does work effectively in that orientation should you want it.
For what it’s—a tiny-but-strong traditionally-styled knife—I feel the Buck 55’s deal with works very effectively.
Ranking: A tiny knife that’s nonetheless extremely usable.
8 / 10
Locking Mechanism & Deployment
The Buck 55 makes use of a scaled-down lockback, a smaller model of the lock seen on the Buck 110 and 112. Thus far, it has been extraordinarily dependable for me. The small measurement of the knife means one-handed opening is troublesome for somebody like me, with fats fingers. A nail nick theoretically makes it simpler to deploy the blade, however I’d want a thumb stud. I anticipate that in some unspecified time in the future, the aftermarket will supply this, however even with that improve, I feel one-handed opening could be onerous. At the least the two-handed opening means it really works as effectively for lefties because it does for right-handed customers.
I significantly just like the Buck 55 as a result of its lock is stronger than you may normally anticipate in a traditional-looking knife of this measurement. On mine, there isn’t any play within the lock in any respect, and I’d belief it greater than most lockbacks I’ve used of any measurement.
Ranking: The sturdy lockback is that this knife’s best function.
8 / 10
Carry & Pocket Clip
Buck sells no pocket clip or sheath for the Buck 55. I’m completely pleased with no clip, however a tiny sheath would have been good; the dearth of both choice looks as if an oversight to me.
I have a tendency to hold the knife in my denims’ change pocket, the place it disappears with no printing. With no thumb stud and a slim type issue, it attracts from that pocket with no snags. In my view, it is without doubt one of the best-carrying pocket knives I’ve ever owned, a minimum of for really carrying it in my denims pocket versus a sheath or a clip. However the lack of a pocket clip or sheath implies that should you’re carrying slash pockets, you may lose this knife while you sit down. When you’re carrying khakis or cargos that don’t have safe pockets, then possibly go away this knife at dwelling.
Ranking: If I had been solely ranking this for my jeans-pocket-carry mode, I’d give it a ten/10. It’s that good. However different customers may need extra options.
7 / 10
Match and End
The blade is just not completely centered when closed, however that doesn’t trouble me as a result of I purchased it to be used, to not visually critique. Other than that niggle, every part else on this knife feels high-quality; the brass and ebony deal with really feel like they’re made to final for a number of lifetimes. There have been no ugly machining marks, no cracks between the scales and the bolsters, no tough edges—you’re shopping for a phenomenal knife right here.
Ranking: To get a nicer conventional knife, I feel you’d must go customized.
9 / 10
Worth
Seventy bucks is some huge cash for a small, mass-produced pocket knife with no unique supplies, however I used to be prepared to pay it as a result of it’s well-made, and it’s made in the united statesA. of metal, brass, and wooden. I’d suggest it as a considerate present, possibly a superb first knife for a kid (so long as they’re accountable sufficient to maintain monitor of it).
You’ll be able to actually discover different knives of comparable measurement for lower than $70 MSRP; Buck’s personal lineup has some choices if you’d like a small, high quality pocketknife at a superb value. However for a miniature model of a basic American-style lockback folder, I feel you’re getting what you pay for. That’s all you may ask for.
Ranking: Worth is the way you understand it. I’m pleased with cash well-spent on made-in-America high quality.
8 / 10
Total Ranking
Except I handle to lose it one way or the other, the Buck 55 goes to be one in all my favourite EDC selections for years to come back. If I had been seeking to buy a mini-lockback once more, this may be the primary one I’d think about buying. I’d suggest it to anybody who needs a classic-looking knife with a sturdy lockback mechanism, however with out the majority (and potential authorized hassles, in some jurisdictions) of a full-sized looking folder. It received’t shock your cubicle-mates while you pull it out on the workplace, and on the weekends, while you wish to go fishing, looking, or tenting, it’s sufficient knife for any process that it is best to do with a folder.
Total Ranking: A helpful knife for somebody who values custom however needs a discreet carry choice.
8 / 10
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