Buck 119 S30V

[JEBar]

my new Buck 119 with an S30V steel blade arrived today .... I purchased it from Amazon ====> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LZ ... UTF8&psc=1 .... my initial impression is very favorable .... fit, finish, general appearance, sheath are all excellent .... I am strongly considering ordering one for each of our sons for Christmas .... the blade is shaving sharp but not smooth shaving sharp .... I plan to spend some time fine honing it tomorrow so as to get a feel for working with the S30V steel .... for those not familiar with S30V, here is a link about it that is written in clear language ====> https://knifeup.com/d2-vs-cpm-s30v-stee ... or-knives/ ....

[PT7]

Congrats on your new Buck 119.
That is one cool & very sharp-looking blade!

Looking forwarding to your fine-honing results and what you think of the S30V steel hardness.
Enjoy!

[JEBar]

its first task will be carving thick pork chops out of a two foot long loin .... it feels plenty sharp for that but with our Bucks and other good knives, I'm partial to a shaving edge

[JEBar]

after posting the opening comment in this thread, I worked with the 119 on a barber razor strap for a few minutes .... the edge is now smooth shaving sharp .... I don't anticipate any more work on the edge until it has been in use for a while

[JEBar]

7-17-18 .... first cut .... used to help process a large pork loin .... this type of thing was a prime motivator in my desire to purchase a 119 for use in food prep .... it really performed well

[PT7]

Can just imagine the good smell that will waft up from your grill top and beckon your neighbors to your campsite!!
Beautiful cuts of meat. Enjoy the feast.

[JEBar]

kind words appreciated .... we hope to have some of my wife's relatives over later this week .... our plan is to use this recipe ===> http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=4796

[JEBar]

it looking at the 119 I was surprised to see that it appears to be one of their 75th Anniversary models and another mark clearly states the blade is made from S30V steel .... as a side note, after playing with it a while this morning I have determined that it can be sharpened using our diamond covered stones .... also it is very hard indeed and will take a while to sharpen .... the sharpening angle is much different than I'm used to, it will take a while adjust the angle I'm used to holding the knife

[PT7]

Interesting, Jim. I ordered my 119 because is was marketed as a 2017 Special Edition. Was yours?

I have the 75th anvil on my blade also, but I don't have the S30V engraving as my knife steel is 420HC. So Buck must be marking all knives built in 2017 with the 75th designation. The main difference in my knife is the special edition insert in the handle. (Couple of pics below from my 119 "intro" post back whenever). Sure is a challenge keeping track of all the variations Buck (and other manufacturers) do with their knives.

Appreciate your comments on sharpening that tough steel you now own. I've never been able to get a handle (no pun intended) on how to sharpen a knife. I've tried to do so with different sharpening tools, stones, rods, etc., but it eludes me still. I think the only way I might figure it out is to take a class or one-on-one training with someone. Wading through it hands-on with the guide looking over my shoulder might get me there someday! Anyway, good to hear you'll be able to maintain the 119 okay.
PT7

The 75th in 2017_c.jpg

The 75th in 2017_d.jpg

[JEBar]

I have seen advertisements for ones with the insert in the handle .... mine doesn't have one .... I've enjoyed getting to know this 119 ....

[JEBar]

per Buck on their S30V steel blades : "However, it is difficult to resharpen yourself, but we do offer sharpening service for a nominal fee"

to make it clear, when the 119 arrived, it was shaving sharp but I didn't like the grind marks left from it being sharpened at the factory (picture 1) .... so, even though it didn't need to be sharpened to enhance performance, I decided to do so to enhance appearance .... the last 4 pictures show the results .... using the Smith's 8-Inch Diamond Tri-Hone Bench Stone discussed at this link ===> http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... one#p47336 <=== it took less than 15 minutes to correct the appearance and bring it to a smooth shaving sharpness .... based on this experience, I'm most relieved to no longer have any concerns related to being able to keep it sharp .... my question has moved on from that point to wondering how long it will hold the edge before needing to be resharpened

[PT7]

Wow! Great before/after photos, Jim....doesn't even look like the same blade!
Again, cool that sharpening issues are all handled.
A good point to the new 119 saga.

[Mags]

my opinion, they shoudn't have shipped a fine knife with grind marks like that. perhaps a $ ploy to get customers to use their sharpening service "for a nominal fee".

I second PT on that WOW sharping you did. Maybe you could go into a "nominal fee" business with that workmanship!

[JEBar]

kind words appreciated and THE SAGA CONTINUES .. .. the main reason I stopped carrying a fixed blade hunting knife was it usually managed to get in the way when in a vehicle, deer stand or at other times as well .... its always possible that I may use the 119 as a hunting knife, I still believe its major use will be in food prep .... while I don't know if I will carry it in a sheath at home, I can see doing so while cooking when we are camping .... accordingly, I find this Custom Leather Cross Draw Knife Sheath for a Buck 119 to be very interesting ===> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K5 ... UTF8&psc=1 .... it has high ratings for quality of materials and construction .... I;m happy to say my Christmas Shopping for our two sons has been taken care of .. .. with the price for the 119 that is the subject of this thread, I've ordered one for each of our sons .... will most probably order them one of these sheaths as well, they will almost certainly use theirs for hunting

[JEBar]

my opinion, they shoudn't have shipped a fine knife with grind marks like that. perhaps a $ ploy to get customers to use their sharpening service "for a nominal fee".

I second PT on that WOW sharping you did. Maybe you could go into a "nominal fee" business with that workmanship!

must admit I am still a bit perplexed by it .... its the only Buck I've ever seen come that way .... must admit I'm looking forward to looking at our son's knives when they come .... ordering the same knife from Buck's custom shop it would have cost about $50 more .... I don't think that would make a difference but who knows

[PT7]

I'd like to catch you in time, hopefully on your order for kids.

I checked back to the cost of your 119; it was $124.99 and free ship, correct?
Copper & Clad carries the same knife for $114.99 and free ship.
Check this out to see if it is the identical SKU:
http://copperandclad.com/buck-knives-11 ... -119rdssh/
PT7

kind words appreciated and THE SAGA CONTINUES .. .. the main reason I stopped carrying a fixed blade hunting knife was it usually managed to get in the way when in a vehicle, deer stand or at other times as well .... its always possible that I may use the 119 as a hunting knife, I still believe its major use will be in food prep .... while I don't know if I will carry it in a sheath at home, I can see doing so while cooking when we are camping .... accordingly, I find this Custom Leather Cross Draw Knife Sheath for a Buck 119 to be very interesting ===> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K5 ... UTF8&psc=1 .... it has high ratings for quality of materials and construction .... I;m happy to say my Christmas Shopping for our two sons has been taken care of .. .. with the price for the 119 that is the subject of this thread, I've ordered one for each of our sons .... will most probably order them one of these sheaths as well, they will almost certainly use theirs for hunting

[JEBar]

effort appreciated but I already have them on order .... I'd never heard of the company in your link .... looks like they carry an impressive line ....

[PT7]

Sorry I didn't get the info on C&C to you sooner. I think I first learned of this shop through Blade Forums. There is a group of Buck owners there that have mentioned it at times. I agree with you that C&C carries a very nice line of Bucks. I usually check there if I'm looking for a specific knife; sometimes the prices are a little better.

BTW, those 119s you've ordered will be impressive gifts for the sons! Special stuff.
PT7

effort appreciated but I already have them on order .... I'd never heard of the company in your link .... looks like they carry an impressive line ....

[Lyman]

Nice knife. Years ago I worked for a welding supply company. One of my clients was Buck Knives. That was back when they were still in El Cajon CA. A few miles from my home.
I enjoyed seeing how the knives were made and meeting the people that make them. Great Company BTW. The owners of Buck are good people and when they moved they offered to pay the moving expenses for any employees that wanted to follow them to Idaho. I have had many Bucks over the years as Im sure many of you have. One of the best memories of being in the old Buck plant was seeing the bin full of knives that were old and worn out from customers. Knowing that they had sent a new one out to replace each and every one of them under warranty.

[daytime dave]

I have the same 119 with the red handle but in the regular steel, 75th anniversary. Mine has a special marking on the blade also, 007. Copper and Clad is an excellent place to do knife business with. He is a great person to deal with. If I see something I want, I request the specific serial number I collect. He'll find out if it's still in stock and send it. By the way, 007 is not the number I request. 007 is the second red handled 119. It rides in the center console of the truck, ready to work if called upon. The other resides in the collection in the man cave. C&C is a great place to buy a Buck knife.