Buck N Bear Tactical Tanto Tracker Review Videos

Getting a good knife doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. While many custom knives go for several hundred dollars—or more depending on whom you're commissioning the knife from—it's more than than possible to get a handmade knife without selling a kidney.

But are these handmade knives for those on a upkeep worth it? We aim to observe out by taking a await at one.

BucknBear makes a variety of handcrafted knives that are surprisingly affordable for featuring flourishes similar quality materials and Damascus steel. In this review, we take a expect at the BucknBear Damascus Hunting Knife to encounter whether it's worth your time. Because information technology is a custom knife, this model is no longer available for purchase, but at that place are similar models similar the BucknBear Damascus Cali Hunter.

Nearly BucknBear

If yous haven't heard of BucknBear, you're probably not lone. The relatively new brand was founded in 2011 and is based out of Pennsylvania.

BucknBear is a manufacturer of fixed blades and folding knives made from a variety of quality materials, similar D2 steel, 1095 and 15N20 high carbon Damascus steel, and exotic woods.

You lot'll oft find the make spelled as Cadet N Bear, but a representative insisted the official name is BucknBear, and then that's how I'll be writing it throughout the review.

The products from BucknBear are touted equally handmade items past skilled artisans and craftsmen. While non explicitly said anywhere, it's probable these knives are from Pakistan, which is a mutual place to find relatively inexpensive Damascus knives.

Nearly knife enthusiasts volition tell y'all that Islamic republic of pakistan has a reputation as a mixed purse for its knives in terms of quality. BucknBear explained to me that they have quality control experts who maintain a high standard throughout the unabridged process of production.

Over the years, BucknBear has grown its following and brand image. It'southward not more evident than on the BucknBear Instagram page. You tin can tell they care well-nigh and honey their knives, which is always a good sign.

On to the actual pocketknife.

First Impressions

Before I get a knife to review, I normally do a little pre-research to meet what others accept said about the knife. Unfortunately, there's pretty much no reviews of any BucknBear production out there, except for a few Facebook reviews and a positive video review of a BucknBear Damascus Lockback.

So I went into this completely blind and without any expectations. Needless to say, I was blown away by the knife upon receiving it. The hunter came neatly packaged in a branded BucknBear box, and the minute I took it out, I was smitten by its bonny look.

Again, since these are custom-made knives, there are limited quantities. The particular model I have is no longer available, simply they exercise make pretty similar hunters, such equally this BucknBear Damascus Cali Hunter.

Here are the specs for the i I received.

• Bract Length: 4.625 inches
• Overall Length: 9.25 inches
• Blade Cloth: 1095 and 15N20 Damascus
• Handle Fabric: Burlwood & Micarta
• Knife Weight: 13oz
• Sheath: Leather
• Toll Range: $95

With some of the initial thoughts out of the mode, let'due south delve deeper into the knife.

Blade

The blade length of 4.625 inches is pretty standard for a hunting knife, though maybe on the longer side, depending on your task. With a drop point on the blade, the knife is more than in the vein of a camp knife that's designed to exist a multipurpose outdoor knife. I'm definitely not lament nigh that.

Information technology has a polished border with a recurve. Some people hate the recurve because information technology'south a little harder to sharpen, merely it's mostly a thing of preference.

Then, of course, the highlight of the blade is the Damascus steel. Modern day Damascus steel is fabricated from at least two unlike steels that are folded over each other, creating a distinguishable pattern when etched. In the case of this hunting knife, BucknBear used 1095 and 15N20 steel—as they practise in all their Damascus knives. These two steels are frequently used together in Damascus production because they complement ane another.

1095 is a high carbon steel, and 15N20 has a loftier nickel content. This not just gives a squeamish contrast in the pattern but it also gives yous a functional blade steel. 1095 has a high hardness level and strength, and 15N20 is a tool steel with good toughness. When combined, they give yous a tough steel with nifty strength. BucknBear says its knives have a hardness of 58 to lx HRC after estrus treatment. We'll talk a piffling more about that after.

Bated from the sexy twist pattern, the blade features some nice custom file work along the spine. Many Damascus knives include this blazon of file piece of work with interesting patterns. It doesn't add annihilation to the functionality, but it does add some extra flair to the overall wait.

The BucknBear logo is also on the blade.

Handle

The relatively thick total tang extends down into a handle that's absolutely gorgeous. It has a stainless steel bolster that gives the knife excellent residue. The rest indicate is pretty much right in the eye of the knife. And then at that place's a burlwood accent piece that's a deep brown and surrounded past contumely spacers. Finally, black Micarta scales extend down to the butt of the handle.

The Micarta scales look to be fastened with contumely pins, and a lanyard pigsty offers extra security and dissimilar carrying options.

In terms of functionality, the handle is a plus. The Micarta scales have a lite texture to give it some grip. The ergonomics are understated just appreciated. It conforms pretty nicely to my hand. Cheers to the knife's bract, there's a small finger guard that kind of acts every bit a choil. It's just enough to keep the hand from sliding onto the blade when things are glace.

I won't spend too much time talking about the sheath. Information technology's a pretty standard leather sheath that fits the pocketknife well. I believe it has some sort of inlay that appears to be snakeskin, but I'm not entirely sure.

Fit & Finish

Now on to one of the about important aspects of these Damascus knives that aren't overly expensive: fit and finish.

I'chiliad happy to study that this hunting pocketknife is solidly built.

Everything fits together snugly and seamlessly. The stainless steel bolster blends almost perfectly with the full tang. If I'm being actually nitpicky with the fit and finish, there'due south a tiny portion that doesn't line up with the bolster snugly. The brass spacers also have a very slight space between the bolster. Zilch I would make a big deal out of.

On other Damascus knives or cheaper imported knives, you'll discover imperfections in the steel and worse (nicks, defects, and substandard edges). This does not take any of those. The Damascus steel looks fantastic and well-made. On extremely cheap knives, places will try to pull ane over on people and really depict on the Damascus pattern. One way to tell is by looking at the spine. If you can see the layers inside the steel, information technology'south legitimate. In this knife, you can see the layers in the file work. It'southward a little hard to see in this image, but it looks like fingerprints.

A major complaint I take near the knife is its edge. It'due south not as precipitous as I would have liked. The uncomplicated newspaper exam revealed it's not upwardly to snuff with other manufacturing plant edges. Information technology's adequately abrupt but not the razor sharp edge you should keep on a hunting knife. Hopefully that's not indicative of other edges on their knives.

Another event with some cheaper knives is rut treatment. Heat treating involves heating and cooling metals at extreme temperatures to achieve the desired hardness. BucknBear says it uses Rockwell testing equipment to maintain control over the hardening procedure and that its knives have a hardness of 58 to 60 HRC.

Information technology'south pretty difficult to check something like that, merely nothing I have encountered with the knife would pb me to believe otherwise.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the BucknBear Damascus Hunter is a bang-up knife that I practise recommend. While some people have moral qualms about buying imported knives from exterior the United States (something I don't fault people for), others are more than worried about what kind of quality they're going to go. BucknBear is but some other in a growing number of brands with knives made elsewhere that are proving quality knives tin can come up from other countries (I'one thousand looking at you lot, Kizer!)

Many of these knives are fabricated in limited quantities, so you probably won't find this exact hunter, but BucknBear volition oftentimes come out with pretty similar models. If you lot're interested in checking out other products, bank check out the BucknBear brand page or visit the BucknBear website.

I'chiliad looking forward to seeing more knives from BucknBear and hearing what others take to say as they continue to get more popular.

clarksonguat1982.blogspot.com

Source: https://blog.knife-depot.com/bucknbear-damascus-hunting-knife-review/

Share this post