Home Forums Gear Knives and Blades Buck 102 Woodsman

Not close to a custom, but does anyone else think this knife is a great little cutting tool? I get mine sharp as hell, and it is the cats ass for taking out tenderloins and the backstrap on deer. Works great to core out a butt hole too!

I start things with my Ingram, but lacking a bird and trout custom, I whip out the woodsman and never feel deprived. There are lots of good factory blades out there if you look around. The woodsman I have is an old one, but it is a design that I highly recommend. Don't know what steel the new ones are made from, but mine keeps an edge.

The only ones I've seen in action weren't worth a damn, but it was because the idiots were first time deer hunters that didn't know how to sharpen a knife. In my opinion it's an okay knife but not a optimum design for a skinner.

No, not a skinner! Read my post.

Oh sorry...gotcha now. I tend to use the same knife through the whole process. I'm sure the 102 is good for the tasks you desribe.

The 4" 102 Woodsman is the perfect companion to the Buck 6" 119 Special. Careful shopping can put you into both for under $100.

Some folks, including some outfitters, feel that the 119 might be the best price/quality on a knife for the only one big game knife crowd.

I bought one this last fall. It's the only Buck own that I really don't like that much. Balance is wrong ... too much handle for the amount of blade. I almost bought the 105 (pathfinder) instead and in hind sight I made the wrong choice.

For whatever it's worth, my favorite buck is the rubber handled Vanguard.

I use a smaller knife yet for butt-hole work on deer. 2 to 2-1/2 inch blade max. Typically a Gerber LST folder.

Tom

Crappyast 420HC.

I bought a Buck 119 about 25 years ago. I still have it and it is an excellent knife. The smaller 102 has always appealed to me.

I have the 105 and think it is about perfect balance wise. Sometimes think the 5" blade is too long, but it works as a compromise all around knife.

I bought this Buck 105 in 1976, back then I believe they were made of 440 steel. The 102, 105, and 119 are the same design in 4", 5", & 6" blades. Like Bay Dog, I think the 105 is the perfect all around size for this style knife.

I just picked up a Buck 402 Akonua at the Wannamacher show in Tulsa. I love it's upswept design and the micarta scales. Heavy knife but that is the way I like them. I don't know what steel they used on these big game series knives from the late 70's and early 80's. Anyone know?

You can spend more on a knife but won't beat a Buck or US made Uncle Henry.