Some time ago, I purchased a Buck Inertia folding knife. It features an assisted opening mechanism, milled aluminum handles, and its looks appealed to me.
I’ve used Buck knives before, but never an assisted opener from them. I was curious, and it seemed like a good opportunity to try something new. At the time, it fit the criteria of what I was looking for, USA-made folding knives that could be had for between $35 and $75. This one was $60.
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My first Buck Inertia knife had a problem with the liner lock, and so I returned it for a replacement. The second seemed to work fine. And by “work fine,” I mean that there was no obvious manufacturing defect.
Part of the appeal of this knife is that it has a lock that prevents accidental openings, and it works differently than the one in my Kershaw Onion Leek knife, reviewed here. But that’s also what I really don’t like about this knife.
I’m going to cut to the chase, even though this is a short review. I do not like this knife. It seems okay, and has some nice qualities, but overall it just doesn’t work for me.
Features & Specs
| Buck Inertia, 0293BKS | |
|---|---|
| Deployment | Flipper Assisted Opening |
| Length | 7.75″ Open 4.5″ Closed |
| Blade Length | 3.25″ |
| Weight | 4.11 oz. |
| Blade Material | 420HC |
| Blade Style | Drop Point Plain Edge Stonewashed |
| Lock Style | Liner |
| Handle Material | Aluminum |
| Pocket Clip | Fixed, Right-Hand |
| Made in | USA |
| Street Price | $60 |
When you first open the knife, it looks like this:
That little locking nub slides forward to create a smooth and seamless spine. I don’t like having to do that extra step each time. If this would be your only knife, you’ll get used to it, fast. But it’s not my only knife, and it bugs me.
The locking nub has to be in this back-pivoted position in order to be able to flip the knife open.
Here it is in the forward position, preventing the knife from being opened unintentionally, such as if it’s jingling around in your pocket.
The blade itself is usable. It’s nothing special, but I also don’t have much to complain about.
The pocket clip is deep-carry style. It’s also a little large, but I don’t mind it much, especially in the context of the locking tab.
One other concern I have is about liner lock wear. There are already gouges on the blade where it slams into the liner lock. Some wear in is expected, but this seems a little much for a knife that I rarely handle. Is the metal improperly hardened? Blade steel should be more resilient than that.
I bought the knife thinking yay, a USA-made assisted opening knife by Buck. But my immediate and lasting impression is that the knife just doesn’t fit me well.
If someone were looking for an affordable USA-made folding knife with assisted opening mechanism, I’d direct their attention to the Kershaw Dividend, reviewed here instead. That knife doesn’t have a safety lock, though. For a safety lock, look at the Leek.
Overall, I feel left down.
Oh, and the rounded and lighter color edges? That’s part of the look. I’m guessing it was anodized and then thoroughly tumbled. The same handle and blade would have worked a lot nicer if the knife was instead built with a manual opening mechanism, whether thumb stud, flipper, or the elongated hole that’s already machined into the knife. Maybe I can try to convert the knife, but probably not.
I am hesitant to recommend against buying this knife, so I’ll say this – if you think you might like it, try it out at a knife shop or buy it from an online retailer with a lenient return policy.
Buy Now(via BladeHQ)
Buy Now(via Amazon)
This knife was purchased at retail.
Oleg Kuperman says
I wouldn’t give it a second look, seeing how it’s made from 420″hc” lol I work as a maintenance engineer at a hotel and my Milwaukee Hardline doesn’t see too much use and yet I have to resharpen it every two weeks. Now, given the fact that my knife is made from D2 steel I can only imagine how often this knife will have to be sharpened. Seriously, 420hc is one of the most basic and cheapest steels out there, it’s not very tough, doesn’t hold the edge well, bad shock absorption and can’t be hardened in the high digits either, the only benefit of this steel over D2 is that 420hc is less prone to pitting, however, with minimal proper care D2 will outlive it tenfold.
Plus, if it was super cheap then maybe I’d consider it but Milwaukee with a 3″ blade runs the same $70, 3.5″ will run you $80, plus they have a smaller $60 version which is still worth it simply because of the excellent build quality and the reliable, smooth ball-bearing opening mechanism.
Just an FYI: I’m NOT in any way affiliated with Milwaukee, I just think that this knife should cost half of what you say you paid.
Stuart says
I paid $54 back in May 2015. Well, technically ToolGuyd paid $54.
At the time I also bought a Kershaw Link, which is so much better than this one, not to mention cheaper.
Diplomatic Immunity says
And how’s Milwaukee’s heat treatment of D2 vs Buck’s heat treatment of 420HC? By all accounts Buck has always done some sort of voodoo heat treatment to make their 420HC blades turn out above and beyond better than what 420HC is on average from other companies. I’m not a fan of this knife in any way but I would certainly trust Buck’s version of 420HC.
Bruce says
Yes, Buck does a good job at heat treatment, but you can’t overcome the basic soft nature of the steel. Every Buck I’ve ever owned needs more sharpening than my more usual every day knives. It’s a find steel for a hunting blade that gets pulled out twice a year if you manage to get two tags.
DJA says
For many years, Buck’s 420HC was heat treated under the oversight of Paul Bos, and since 2010 his protege Paul Farner. But expert heat treatment + edge geometry will optimize the steel, it won’t make it something it’s not. All steel has characteristics that suite different uses. 420HC has excellent rust resistance, ease of re-sharpening but only medium edge retention. It’s a good steel for those who just want a good quality knife for basic, non-demanding (mass market) uses.
Don says
How did that handle feel? It just doesnt look like it would be comfortable in my hand.
Thas disappointing for Buck to come out with a blade like this. I have several Buck blades that im very happy with.
Stuart says
Groovy, baby.
All the edges are eased and comfortable. The pocket clip is very mildly annoying to my palm.
Joshua Latham says
I love my Buck Vantage Select small and Avid large. The small is my edc and i forget it is even there. What Buck does with their 420HC is superb. Much better than the 420HC on my Kershaw Link. I don’t beat on mine, so my edge doesn’t get abused. But it is easy to sharpen and holds a good edge. If the edge is still in decent shape all i have to do is strop mine and its back to razor sharp. I am waiting to get a Buck Vantage Pro with the S30V steel, that should be an awesome knife.
OBDave says
I used to love my Buck knives. That was before they moved from San Diego to Idaho and my buddy, whose suspension parts company was next door, would take them in for me every few months to get refurbished as an excuse to flirt with the girl who ran the showroom.
But all of the complaints here are legit, and I’ve moved away from Buck in the last decade…mainly toward disposable crap that I toss about as often as I’d send my old knife back. I’m watching the knife reviews here with interest, though – thinking it’s time to drop $100 or so in the next few months to get something I might actually keep for a while. Thanks Stu!
Jonathan says
@Stuart,
I’m assuming you live in a state where your not allowed an Automatic (vs Assited open) knives. Another silly Fed. law, that has slowly been rolled back by states.
A year or two back I had some SYW/Sears points that were use or loose and I bought a knife with a neat opening feature from the KAI/Emerson partnership, it was created at request of a Navy SEAL(s).
‘Emerson Wave Feature’- blade opens upon removal from your pocket, but not an Assited opener. It was a cool knife and it worked (EWF), the model I bought was just to small for my hand, I ended up giving it to my 17y.o. daughter.
I can appreciate the accidental opening concern, but even with S/A or D/A Automatic knives even the OTF Automatics the springs are too weak to be a trench knife but thoughts of being stabbed from a misfire in that region.
The blades still cut tho, I’ve been nicked by assisted openers several times mainly from trying to close one handed.
Stuart says
Correct, at least not without justification. But I have also never really been interested in them. For that matter, I’m not completely fond of assisted openers. I find that I much prefer manual opening knives.
I have one or two samples that have the Emerson Wave Feature, but I have never really liked opening knives that way.
Assisted openers can deploy unintentionally, although this has only happened to me a handful of times. Usually, the back of the blade is pressed against the outside pocket, helping to counter any motion that might otherwise accidentally press the small flipper or thumb tab.
With assisted openers, I really don’t like thumb stud designs. There’s one CRKT sample I tested a while back, and it places your thumb near a fast moving blade. There’s low risk of contact, but the proximity and speed always makes me nervous as I feel the knife sailing its way open.
Casey says
The Plant is local for me in Post Falls, ID and would suggest taking the tour if you ever have to go to Spokane with time to kill, its just across Idaho state line. I recently did some work on the wireless access points across the plant (and walked every inch a number of times to survey it) anyhow, they offer free guided tours and of course the store on site. Cool to see all the processes that go into the products.
Robert says
I picked up a little EDC Kershaw from cabelas. $8 one day special marked down from $40. Bought it about a year ago. Has been the best little knife I have ever had 3″ blade. Goes everywhere with me even into church service.