EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Have ever liked a band and when you started to explore their musical catalog — their deep tracks, what they used to call B sides — you realized how truly amazing they really are?
Well, I have a similar feeling when it comes to Buck Knives, the iconic U.S. company that revolutionized the pocket knife industry with their Buck 110 folding hunter back in the 1960s.
Among my primary EDC knives are the Buck 110 LT and the Buck 112 Slim Select, lighter versions of their classic 110 and 112 hunter knives.
Buck 112 Slim Select, left, and Buck 110 LT displayed on a Junkin Genius hank. Photo by Dave Burge/KTSM
I also own a Buck 102 Woodsman, one of the company’s classic fixed-blade hunter knives.
Also in my collection is the Buck 373 Trio, a mini-stockman, a folding pocket knife with three blades.
I have a confession: I have been a fan of Buck since I was about 12 years old and would see the male adults in my life – my dad, uncle, scout master carry these types of knives.
Buck 102 Woodsman displayed on a Junkin Genius hank. Photo by Dave Burge/KTSM
Anyway, I recently bought a Buck 284 Bantam BBW. This is a knife equivalent of a deep B side track, but it’s turning out to be a new favorite of mine.
I had never heard of this knife until YouTube channel Baxters Blades made mention of it in a recent video.
This is a small, compact knife with a lockback design. It is about 3 ¾ inches closed and its drop-point blade comes in at a compact 2 ¾ inches.
It’s lightweight at just 1.5 ounces and its handles are made of glass reinforced textured nylon, according to the Buck website.
Buck 373 Trio, which is a mini-stockman-style knife. Photo by Dave Burge/KTSM
Mine is in an orange camo colorway, which is perfect for this time of year around Halloween.
The blade also has thumb studs on both sides for easy one-handed opening.
This model also comes in black and a “country camo” color.
There are no pocket clips or fasteners, but it is small and light enough to throw into your “fifth pocket” in your jeans or one of the side pockets in your cargo pants for a convenient everyday carry.
All in all, it kind of feels like a mini-version of either the Buck 110 or 112, with their classic, iconic style.
Buck 284 Bantam BBW with orange camo handles. Photo by Dave Burge/KTSM
In my book, it is another winner from Buck.
My orange camo version is currently listed for $28.99 on the Buck website.
I ordered mine from Chicago Knife Works for about $26 including shipping.
Here is a link to the Bantam BBW on the Buck website.
Here is a link to it on the Chicago Knife Works website. As of this writing, it is listed for $18.87 at CKW. I have found this site to have some great deals if you randomly just check for a particular knife you want to buy and then jump on it when it goes on sale.
Buck also offers the Bantam in two larger sizes – the 285 Bantam BLW and the 286 Bantam BHW. Don’t ask me what the initials at the end of these knives stand for or mean.
I do know that I will be looking into these larger versions of the Bantam now that I know they exist. Maybe, they will B sides that turn into big hits.
Here are some YouTube channels that offer fun and informative EDC and knife content:
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