I've had my Buckmaster 184 for over 35 years now. I've used it for camping and 4 wheeling, boating and I wouldn't part with it. Best fixed blade knife I own for heavy use. The reproduction looks close however I dont know what the real quality is. Get yourself a ferro rod and forget the matches, a real compass and be happy with what you bought.
I’m an old fart. I grew up when you could get inexpensive but quality knives. If I pay $40 for a knife I expect it to perform. I’ve never spent more than $80 on a handmade knife and I’ve had good blades. I don’t go after fancy steels and prefer carbon steel. I remember when stainless steels were hit and miss on tempering. I don’t buy case anymore for that very reason. I still don’t trust a lot of stainless blades but I have some good ones from japan, Taiwan and even China. I’ve only had a couple fail me under extreme use. I was beatin hell out of em, way beyond design limits or prying.8cr steel doesn’t do to bad. When you can’t afford high end stuff you learn to be happy with what you can afford and learn to sharpen.
Taiwanese 420J on 3 Rambo IIs I have owned has outperformed by a huge margin, in edge holding, chopping on Maple, everything else I have ever owned, including original Liles, $2000 RJ Martin Blackbird, Busse Battlesaw, and even Randalls, though the Model 12 14 grind I had came close, as did most Seki made knives. Too bad the United R2 handles had to be replaced with a flashlight body (pot metal tube originally!)
@@JohnB-dr8sk It all depends on how clean the steel is and what secret trace elements (usually Boron or Nitrogen) the steel maker has added. The Swedes seem to get away with very low alloy steels and they take a beating and hold an edge ok. The Chinese and the Taiwanese can do the same when they want to.
As a boy scout in the seventies I had the buckmaster took it with me into the coast guard used it instead of my govt issue knife when I was a rescue swimmer. I miss that thing!
@@gregwallace1945 yeah I also heard about that Brother, for anchoring gear nearby like the bottom of a pier or rocks for getting in out and away 👍🏻🇦🇺 ;)
Very nice. I actually just bought a used 184 over the weekend. This video makes me want to grab one of these since the 184 wasn't cheap. Thanks for the review.
Despite some of the interesting gimmickry in these videos, you leave unanswered how well these knives hold an edge and how hard (or easy) they are to sharpen when dull. Most of these knives are reasonably sharp out of the box so the initial testing almost always looks good. However, the real value of a knife for most of us is how long will it hold an edge and how hard is it to restore that edge when the knife gets dull. Food for thought.....
I think it is worth the price, and did better than I expected. If the Rockwell hardness is as advertised then the steel is most likely properly heat treated and should keep an edge fairly well and not be difficult to sharpen. For survival I would supplement it with a knife sharpener and compass of proven quality.
As far as any military connections, elements of this knife, especially the handle connection of the 184 were the basis for the buck designed M9 bayonet.
Basically an excellent test result. Appreciated that you did not get over excited about the rattling guard. I've seen $1000 hollow handle customs where it actually was quite a bit worse: Many quality hollow handle are simply epoxied together, not even any need for screws, which tends to be a feature of cheap ones(!), but the key is the tube handle's inner surface should be rough for the epoxy to lock unto... A few high end makers forget to rough up or notch the tube insides, and the guard then acts as a lever (when hit) to slide the tube a short distance. Tube movement is worse than what happened to this cheapo, which can probably be fixed with a bit of epoxy.
Can you imagine the astronomical aeronautical math equations Bryon has to calculate and re-calculate off-screen just to get them right to prove a knife is balanced? His rocket science background and working for NASA helps a lot. The guy is a genious. My knife throwing hero. Keep up the hard work, Bryon. Keep 'em coming.
I have one. It is also not easy to find nowadays. Average cost $50.00 .. Compass works. Fill open slot of guard and blade with high quality G-glue, loc-tite so guard will not work loose and make noise in the field. Have blade sharpened. Use chain saw file set on sawback of my knife. Make your own in handle survival kit with dual wire, include wrapping a bowstring around kit in the handle so it does not rattle and make noise while hiking. A few simple modifications make the Buckmaster replica a worthwhile survival knife..
At very least it looks way better than the Harbor Freight knife, haha! I think it would help get you out of a pinch, but not too sure of it's long term use. Thanks for the video, Brian!
I have what looks to be the same knife with the nut visible in the handle that I ordered probably 18-20 years ago and I’ve never used it. Mine has the compass in the handle cap, HAS the original matches, a different leather sheath with the stone, fish hooks and split shot, and instead of a wire saw I thought it was a piece of snare wire and two (what I believe to be) snare triggers. I no longer have the box but after watching this I had to go dig it out of one of my old bags. Thanks for the video!
I have a original buck master 184 it comes with the separate compass which goes in the one pouch I ordered second one for the pins. Good knife I also have a lile first blood excellent.
The only hollow handled Rambo style knife I would trust is the Schrade which is milled from one piece of steel. I am afraid the others will break and I have a blade flying toward my head. No way I could chop with one. This knife would make a 10 yr. old boy happy, so there is a big market for them and $42 sounds good to me. Maybe I can find a Buck version at a yard sale for $2. Thanks for showing this knife Brian. As for quality, I would say it is a 7 out of 10 compared to other Rambo knives.
Hit send accidentally. Also it wasn't to be used for climbing. I think the buck knife specifically warned against it. I think it was meant to use as a hook for retrieval of things.
Suggestion...you might try putting a wrist lanyard on the rear of the handle, hold by the rearmost point of the handle, and chop with a loose wrist. Should give a better chopping action by putting weight forward. Also, chop on a 45 degree angle, alternating sides. Interesting knife. Thaks for the review.
One of my greatest laments is an old buckmaster Lt one piece steel with the skeletonized handle which I sold.. never should’ve done that. I put that thing through hell and wish I had it back. It wasn’t much of a carver but it processed more wood before 7am than some knives could do all week.
I had one of these a while back, the problem I had was that the handle and blade are bolted together. I finally locked it down with a bit of jb weld on the threads otherwise it okay..
Traded a "Buck Master" for a Glock 17... Picked up the in the late 80's new in box. Love the Glock the knife was collecting dust. Thank you for the video. : )
Wire saws are notorious for breaking, though they are light and compact. If forced to use one, the best bet to make it last is to find a springy stick and make a bow saw. Hollow knives, except for the expensive forged one piece Chris Reeve, make me nervous. Seeing the German “rostfrei” on a Taiwanese knife was amusing.
Since you asked, the only one I would have wud b the schf1 or maybe the schf2. Can't beat the one piece construction. But I already got the schf56l and am quite happy with it. The. Schf 42 will be my next purchase. I love the recurve design. Then I need a froe and a straight pull blade for cleaning up shakes. Then to build my boat. Work work work.....
I have one of those. I've never actually taken out and beaten on it though. I just bought it because I never got the chance to get a real Buck 184. great bed, can't wait to watch the video of the real Buck 184.
The original Buckmaster 184 came with a silva compass in the pouch with a neck lanyard. As for the pins that go into the handguard are not made for grappling they were designed for being able to use them as a cleat to tie vessels when it was use in Vietnam. The knife overall is a pretty decent knife but very large and hard to do fine camping chores with.
The original 184 was overpriced back in the day, which is why I never got one. When I started seeing knockoffs show up in the late 80s I kept meaning to grab one, but by that time I was doing less and less outdoor activities. This looks great for the price, even though it's now $25 more, three years later.
I will look to get one of these as an addition to my knife collection. It will be a reminder of the Buck 184 and what it looked like. I almost bought one of the originals decades ago but just didn't at the time because I felt they were just too much money. Now I am sorry I didn't. I did buy a number of classic knives that are no longer available that collectors really like. If I see a 184 in good shape, I will consider it, if it is up for sale. I really would not take the Ramster out into the bush and have to rely on it. I'll stick with my Tops. Good review, I always enjoy the balance test.
@@SurvivalOnPurpose Going back in the mid 80s, it was so long ago. But for some reason I remember a cost of $129.00 for a Buckmaster. I just could not afford it at the time and when I could, they were impossible to find here (Canada). I do however have a Buck made, M9 Bayonet, Phrobis 3. Never used, in perfect condition with perfect sheath and a box. I did do something right. And they were rare to begin with here. Buck hasn't had the military contract for about 23 years. Other than used ones you may find on Ebay, as new I imagine would be difficult to find. This knife sits in one of my antique china cabinets I use as display cases. I have never used it and often think that it would be fun to take out into the bush. But that is something I will never do. I have a number of blades I bought to strap on my side and use. Then I got them home and just couldn't do it. My Al Mar folder I have had since the earlier 80s is one of them. So now, for many years, when I buy a knife for my collection, I have a tendency to buy two or more. One that never gets used and goes into my collection and one to use. Really enjoy your videos, I always learn something from you, thanks. And for sure, I always enjoy the balance test. LOL
Man they did a good job and mimicking the buck master, I had one for years and now iam tempted to purchase that one just for the sheath, the grappling hooks where for navy seals to store their equipment underwater , they would wedge the knife in some rocks with their gear attached to it , I like Taiwan products a lot better then China , good review
For $39.00 ,,, It seems to be a winner ! To spend 6 , 7 , $800.00 for an original seems ridiculous to me ! But some folks want the real deal I suppose, but for me, I would be perfectly fine owning this knife ,,, 😁✌
The Buck 184 Buckmaster did NOT come with a compass in the handle. It came with that exact compass in the top pouch. I carried a Swiss Army knife in the larger pouch on mine.
I'm surprised to see that this is the same price in Romania... Here most of name brand knives either cost double either they are very very expensive and take 2-3 weeks to be delivered (probably imported). Great review as always! Have a great day and a nice summer.
I still had my original 184 Buckmaster I picked up with my dad at a gun show back in the 80s. They had different versions of it over the years from Buck. There is a web page still up showing all the different production styles. The one I had had the same external compass with it, they had one that did have the compass in the handle like the Rambo. Any complaints are not that big deal for being a $40 knife, seems pretty nice tho. Finally just sold my 184 on Ebay last fall for about $600 just because it's been sitting in the box for 30+ years. This cheap knockoff is worth buying just to say u have one tho 😎
Hi man,keep on rocking fa all us older brothers just wanted to say rost frie is German for rust free it's telling you it's stainless steel peace to you and yours bruv atb Dave
My research seemed to indicate that the spikes were to allow the knife to be used as an underwater anchor point to allow divers to work without drifting with the current.
I bought a Buck 184 in 1988. Broke the tip on it a year later. Don’t remember how. Ended up selling it for $100. It was just too bulky and hard to use.
The blade on the Buckmaster 184 is thicker the Buckmaster 184 also has all stainless steel handle the ramster has all steel handle painted the cases are very similar but the web is thicker the Buckmaster 184 and the knife hangs little bit lower so it's balanced in the case without the lanyard tied on your leg but for the money the ramster is a good deal but not exactly the same the Buckmaster 184 is a lot better knife great video though thanks a lot keep up the good work
I had to pause the video and order one and then finish the video. I've always done more with less and better with cheaper. You have to provide your own matches anyway... with ones you know will work.
I got one like that, which I found in a basement about 25 years ago. The spikes were missing unfortunatly, as well as the sheath. And the compass and that stuff. It just says "stainless /rostfrei" on the left side, nothing else. But the cross bar is not rattling at least. Generally, I don't think its a good design - its the "pickup truck of knifes" somehow. It can do a lot of things, but nothing really well.
Be very careful they have very fragile points (I broke two). One I dropped on the floor by accident, and the other broke when I stabbed some wood. I think Buck tried to correct this problem with drop forged blades which have a deep forged fuller with the word Buckmaster inside. Those are the later models. I don't have any experience with them, but I would still be careful handling them.
Had original buckmaster back in the eighties. To heavy and bulky for practical use. I regretted buying it. I went to military surplus store to trade for other merchandise. He didn’t want to do it but did cause I was a loyal customer. Very high dollar knife for that time. Alan Rice.
I don’t remember the cost , I just remember that it was much more . I’m guessing in the 60$ range. That was a high dollar knife for the mid eighties. Was on a hollow handle kick then. Alan Rice.
Totally agree on the Buckmaster. I had to keep my belt so tight just to keep my pants up. Be ok I guess if you looked like the Hulk. Wish I had it now though, would trade it for a nice handgun!.
Less talking, more singing Brian. I still have a few of your songs to catch up on. I wonder how many people on here know you have a GUITAR/SINGING website? Hopefully, now I've mentioned it they will go searching for it. CHEERS, once again from Australia. 4.00 a.m. Sunday here. Damn it, I forgot to mention: "there were no MATCHES in it" LOLOL.
Thanks Dave. My spouse bought me the Ramsey survival knife to put in my car and it too had no matches. $45 survival knife with no matches, how stupid!!! Liked your video but would like to see how to fish with the knife. Is the handle also designed as a kind of rod? I had a tiny jewelry earring zippy bag and put some matches in that and a strike surface, off a big box of matches and put that in the sheath pocket. Other than one's metal pants zipper, could one strike a match off the sharpening stone included? Thx. Katie
I might buy one just for the sheath. My buck 184 has the sheath. I just need one for my buck 916 now. Not too sure what I'm going to do about our with the knife??
That knife seem to be nice, but I would not throw it as you don't want to lose it when you don't hit your target, and also since some American knife makers shipped knives which had a loose area where the handle and blade meets. One of those companies was Ka-Bar and another was Ontario which makes the military style knives. I don't have a knife like that one and would not buy one, but it sounds like it would be nice for people who are looking for knives like the Buck 119 or 120 which isn't a full tang knife.
The original was designed for the SEALs to use the hooks to anchor themselves against a current underwater. Staying in one place in a current aided in setting up demolition.
Special request. Put that plastic sheath in the freezer overnight. Next day, take and whack it on the counter (if allowed.) Remember, it's easier to get forgiveness than permission.
Well it's a knock off of a buck knife. And it seems to have held up better than the other ones to a point. In a survival situation you have to deal with what every knife , you have on you. I just hope I have a bk7 or bk9 on me. Keep it up do , another one
i have that sheath except its green has a wire cutter and holds my bayonet - but this black sheath is still very good - its better than the knife it came with - just use it to hold a better knife :-) i think if you really pushed this knife because your survival was at stake - it would fail - if the metals are compatible - maybe the knife could be tig welded together into one solid piece - hard batoning always finds a knifes weakness
The big question is how does this knife compare to the Schrade SCHF1 Survival one-piece hollow handle knife, which is only 20 dollars more. What are your thoughts?
honesty i cant rate it good bc theres no matches. tho i do admit that the saw worked better on its 1st try then the one i gotten when i was in boy scouts 2+ century mine the handle just came off when i tried to saw.. century ago i tried to throw on onto its target the blade snapped right off.
I actually own one of the originals because I was a sucker for Rambo. It wasn’t worth it. It was probably the last knife if I would ever want in a survival situation.
I think the essence of survival knives are their ability to help you survive. Is this knife better than no knife? Absolutely! Would I care to gamble my life on this knife's performance under survival conditions? Absolutely NOT! For just a few dollars more you can buy a good quality fixed blade knife that could be counted on.
I want to thank you very much for finding that knife and all the info. The last time i saw one of those was decades ago(oopppssss i just revealed my age lol) but didn’t know who made it. I have been looking for it again for years but could never find it till today. Thanks again for another awesome video. Side note: your furry buddy better watch out, its going to get stabbed if it keeps hanging out on the Rotation Device lmao.
you should check and see if those grappling hook parts screw in facing the same way as the blade?I would say they would work great in a knife fight or on it for hand to hand fighting if ever in that situation?Of course if used for this you would have to leave them screwed in! What are you going to do ask the person attacking you to wait for you to screw them in before you start?lol But i have purchased knives like this in the past and very few ended up working for very long.Also most didnt take a good sharpening?Most would become dull after a few cuts or the blades edge would chip easily.Now back to your review? :)
Geez, how about one that is useful... if u are down to using this..the question is... would u bet your life on it? .. sharade makes one right? I do like that you test throwing... however... who in the hell would disassemble their knife if they needed to throw It?.. COME ON MAN!
