Buck 55 or 500 Series Knives

[Saluki]

As someone with an interest in knives, I have always admired the Buck 110 Folding Hunter as an iconic knife that ushered in the modern era of locking folders.  However, I never had a huge interest in purchasing one, since they are too large and bulky for my needs and tastes.  I knew Buck made some smaller models based on the 110 design, but I never made it a priority to acquire one.  In fact, I had never owned any Buck knives.

That all changed yesterday when I made an impulse buy at my local big-box home improvement store.  I came across a Buck 55 that begged me to take it home.  I succumbed to the pressure and picked it up.

Overall, I am impressed with this little knife.  I work in an office environment, so I am always on the lookout for small, non-threatening, gentlemanly folders that will carry well in dress slacks.  This knife certainly fits that bill.  It has a 2.25 inch blade, only weighs 1.9 ounces and is roughly the same width as a Victorinox Cadet.  Below is a picture of it next to a Pioneer for reference.

Despite its small size, it feels sturdy and well built.  The cool factor for me is that it looks almost identical to the classic 110, just in a much scaled down version.

My only criticism so far are some minor fit and finish issues.  The rivets that attach the wood scales don't sit flush, leaving a gap between the rivet and the wood under a portion the rivet.  There is also a tiny gap between one of the scales and the bolster/liner. 

Overall though, I really like this knife.  Does anyone else have experience with the 55 or 500 series of Buck knives?




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[Philby]

I have a 55, it is a great knife! I was told by a knife maker that the nobbly rivets serve the purpose of giving better grip on a smaller knife.

[Gareth]

Not got a 55 but  I do have a 110, no doubt that they are excellently well made knives and a real classic.

[sawman]

In my experience (and I used to sell Buck knives), Buck's rivets are notoriously smurfty. I once ordered a box of 20 (I forget the model) riveted folders and they all had incompletely stamped rivets!

Buck is a mediocre low-budget knife.

[Grathr]

Looks like a great edc knife


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[Flying Dutchman]

I always liked the classic Buck knives, I have the 110 and also a 55. The 55 is great for pocket carry. After I bought those two, I found a Buck 501 Squire in a leather sheath at work. I left it in the lost & found for a solid 29.5 days...its in the knife drawer now!

[Crow]

Buck 110 is one of the knives, i always have wanted to try. I have couple similar design knives, that i like. 55 looks to be really great size for edc.

[comis]

I do have the Buck 110 and Buck 55.  When I was really young, my first knife was given by my Grandfather and it was an imitation of Buck 55.  It wasn't anything valued, but it always hold a special place in my heart.  After getting a real Buck 55, I then decided to get the Buck 110 since it is such an iconic folder and close resemblance to Buck 55.

[Philby]

I do have the Buck 110 and Buck 55.  When I was really young, my first knife was given by my Grandfather and it was an imitation of Buck 55.  It wasn't anything valued, but it always hold a special place in my heart.  After getting a real Buck 55, I then decided to get the Buck 110 since it is such an iconic folder and close resemblance to Buck 55.

My first knife was also an imitation 55, bought by my Nan. I thought it was great! 

[Gareth]

I do have the Buck 110 and Buck 55.  When I was really young, my first knife was given by my Grandfather and it was an imitation of Buck 55.  It wasn't anything valued, but it always hold a special place in my heart.  After getting a real Buck 55, I then decided to get the Buck 110 since it is such an iconic folder and close resemblance to Buck 55.

My first knife was also an imitation 55, bought by my Nan. I thought it was great! 

Not my first ever knife, but also given a 55 clone when I was a kid, in fact I still have it somewhere.  Just a shame it can barely cut butter.

[comis]

I do have the Buck 110 and Buck 55.  When I was really young, my first knife was given by my Grandfather and it was an imitation of Buck 55.  It wasn't anything valued, but it always hold a special place in my heart.  After getting a real Buck 55, I then decided to get the Buck 110 since it is such an iconic folder and close resemblance to Buck 55.

My first knife was also an imitation 55, bought by my Nan. I thought it was great! 

Not my first ever knife, but also given a 55 clone when I was a kid, in fact I still have it somewhere.  Just a shame it can barely cut butter.

Philby, small world!

Gareth, it wasn't the sharpest thing but I didn't know that until I was cutting a lot of cordage in boy scout.  Then I learned/experimented on how to sharpen it on a whetstone.  Looking back my sharpening technique was a joke, but I remembered it did keep certain part of the knife quite sharp and it was fun. 

[Gareth]

Mine is so nasty I STILL can't put any kind of edge on it, and I'm really not bad at sharpening these days.

[sawman]

Mine is so nasty I STILL can't put any kind of edge on it, and I'm really not bad at sharpening these days.

I'm no pro at sharpening, and I don't use any fancy "Lansky" systems. I use a double-sided diamond edge stone and I stick to the grind of the blade and generally can manage without scrape marks on the side. I'd say I do a pretty good job all said and done